Korean for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 5

Oh, shocks!

Express surprise in Korean — 깜짝이야! (I'm so surprised!) — and 호랑이 (tiger) at the zoo.

Conversation

  1. Muri Muri

    아, 깜짝이야!

    A, kkamjjagiya!

    Oh my goodness!

    Tip: <깜짝이야> = surprise expression used when we've just seen or heard something which scared a lot

  2. Muri Muri

    여기 동물원에 호랑이가 있었어요?

    Yeogi dongmurwone horangiga isseosseoyo?

    Were there tigers in the zoo here?

    Tip: <여기> = here <동물원> = zoo <호랑이> = tiger <있었어요> = verb "to be" (in past tense)

  3. Yaya Yaya

    그럼요. 아이들한테 인기가 엄청 많아요.

    Geureomyo. Aideulhante ingiga eomcheong manayo.

    Sure. They are the most popular for children.

    Tip: <아이들> = kids <N한테> = for/to N <인기가 많아요> = adjective "to be popular" (in present tense) <엄청> = very, so

  4. Muri Muri

    저도 호랑이를 제일 좋아해요.

    Jeodo horangireul jeil joahaeyo.

    I like tigers the most.

    Tip: <제일> = the most <좋아해요> = verb "to like" (in present tense)

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does 깜짝이야 mean?

'I'm startled!' or 'wow!'. From 깜짝 = the feeling of being startled. Common reaction to surprise.

What is 호랑이 in Korean culture?

Tiger — symbolic of Korea. Featured on the Korean flag (old), in folklore, and as a national symbol. Almost extinct in Korea now.

Other Korean surprise expressions?

어머! (oh my!), 어머나! (oh my goodness!), 진짜? (really?), 정말? (truly?).

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.