And, so, but, then, often, probably, never and in detail.
Practise this list
From these 40 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list
Korean can join two sentences with a word at the start of the second, much as English does, and most of those words begin with 그, “that”: 그래서is literally “being like that”그러면“if it is like that” In speech they shrink — 그런데 becomes 근데. Some adverbs only work in a negative sentence: 한 번도 안 가 봤어요, “I have never once been”.
The words
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Noun (1)
대신instead (of)Noun2
오늘은 밥 대신 빵을 먹었어요.Today I had bread instead of rice.
Adverb (30)
아마probably; perhapsAdverb2
아마 내일은 비가 올 거예요.It will probably rain tomorrow.
꼭definitely; without failAdverb2
다음에 꼭 다시 오세요.Do come again next time.
먼저first; aheadAdverb2
먼저 손을 씻으세요.Wash your hands first.
먼저 갈게요: “I will be off” — leaving before the others.
처음에at firstAdverb2
처음에는 김치가 너무 매웠어요.At first kimchi was too spicy for me.
다음에next time; another timeAdverb2
오늘은 바빠서 다음에 만나요.I am busy today, so let's meet another time.
그다음에after that; thenAdverb2
먼저 물을 끓이세요. 그다음에 라면을 넣으세요.First boil the water. Then put in the noodles.
항상alwaysAdverb2
아버지는 항상 일찍 일어나세요.My father always gets up early.
자주oftenAdverb2
이 카페에 자주 와요.I often come to this café.
가끔sometimesAdverb2
가끔 혼자 영화를 봐요.Sometimes I go to the cinema on my own.
주로mostly; mainlyAdverb2
주말에는 주로 집에서 쉬어요.At weekends I mostly rest at home.
대개usually; generallyAdverb2
아침은 대개 빵으로 먹어요.I usually have bread for breakfast.
다시는(never) againAdverb2
다시는 늦지 않을게요.I will never be late again.
Only with a negative.
또다시once againAdverb2
또다시 비가 오기 시작했어요.It has started raining again.
아직도stillAdverb2
아직도 숙제를 다 못 했어요.I still haven't finished my homework.
약간slightly; a littleAdverb2
국이 약간 짜요.The soup is slightly salty.
참really; trulyAdverb2
오늘은 날씨가 참 좋네요.The weather is really lovely today.
되게really; very (spoken)Adverb2
그 영화 되게 재미있었어요.That film was really good.
Casual speech; in careful speech 아주.
정말로really; trulyAdverb2
도와줘서 정말로 고마워요.Thank you, really, for helping me.
완전히completelyAdverb2
빨래가 완전히 말랐어요.The washing is completely dry.
특별히specially; particularlyAdverb2
오늘은 특별히 제가 요리했어요.Today I did the cooking, as a special treat.
분명히definitely; clearlyAdverb2
분명히 여기에 열쇠를 뒀어요.I definitely left the keys here.
확실히certainly; noticeablyAdverb2
확실히 어제보다 따뜻해요.It is noticeably warmer than yesterday.
실제로in reality; actuallyAdverb2
사진보다 실제로 보니까 더 예뻐요.It is prettier in real life than in the photos.
만약if; supposingAdverb2
만약 비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요.If it rains, I will stay at home.
It only stresses the “if”; the condition itself is the ending -(으)면.
몰래secretly; without anyone knowingAdverb2
동생이 몰래 제 과자를 먹었어요.My little brother secretly ate my biscuits.
자세히in detail; closelyAdverb2
자세히 설명해 주세요.Please explain in detail.
똑같이equally; in exactly the same wayAdverb2
케이크를 똑같이 나눴어요.We split the cake equally.
쉽게easilyAdverb2
이 문제는 쉽게 풀 수 있어요.This problem is easy to solve.
어서quickly; please (do)Adverb2
어서 들어오세요.Do come in.
A kind push: 어서 오세요 is “welcome”.
살살gently; softlyAdverb2
아프니까 살살 해 주세요.It hurts, so please be gentle.
Conjunction (7)
그리고and; and thenConjunction1
저는 한국 음식을 좋아해요. 그리고 요리도 잘해요.I like Korean food. And I am a good cook too.
그래서so; and soConjunction2
어제 비가 왔어요. 그래서 집에 있었어요.It rained yesterday. So I stayed at home.
그런데but; by the wayConjunction2
이 식당은 맛있어요. 그런데 좀 비싸요.This restaurant is good. But it is a bit expensive.
Also changes the subject: “by the way”.
근데but; by the way (spoken)Conjunction2
근데 오늘 무슨 요일이에요?By the way, what day is it today?
The spoken short form of 그런데.
하지만but; howeverConjunction1
한국어는 어려워요. 하지만 재미있어요.Korean is hard. But it is fun.
그러면then; in that caseConjunction2
배가 고파요? 그러면 밥 먹으러 가요.Are you hungry? Then let's go and eat.
그러니까so; that is whyConjunction2
내일 시험이 있어요. 그러니까 오늘은 일찍 자야 해요.I have an exam tomorrow. So I have to go to bed early tonight.
Phrase (2)
한 번도(not) even once; neverPhrase2
저는 한 번도 스키를 타 본 적이 없어요.I have never once been skiing.
Only with a negative.
아무 데도(not) anywherePhrase2
주말에 아무 데도 안 갔어요.I didn't go anywhere at the weekend.
