한국어 조금 할 수 있어요
hangugeo jogeum hal su isseoyo
To say "I can speak a little korean" in Korean, use 한국어 조금 할 수 있어요 (hangugeo jogeum hal su isseoyo).
This phrase is used to indicate that you have a basic or limited ability to communicate in the Korean language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contains the word 조금 (jogeum), which literally means "a little" or "a small amount".
Which one should you use?
The phrase 한국어 조금 할 수 있어요 is the standard polite form, while the variation 조금 한국어 할 줄 알아 is used to mean "I know how to speak a little Korean" among friends or acquaintances.
How do you pronounce it?
hangugeo jogeum hal su isseoyo
Did you know?
- The word 수 in your phrase can be written with the Chinese character for 'hand', meaning 'method' or 'way', which is why it functions as a way to express ability.
- The word 조금 meaning 'a little' appears in texts as far back as 1489, though it was written as 죠〯곰〮 in Middle Korean.
- Even when saying you speak 'a little' Korean, the use of the polite form 있어요 is crucial to avoid sounding unintentionally rude to strangers.
Examples in context
- 나 조금 한국어 할 줄 알아.I know how to speak a little Korean.
- 한국어 조금 할 수 있어요.hangugeo jogeum hal su isseoyo.I can speak a little Korean.
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun혹시 한국어 하실 줄 아세요?hoksi hangugeo hasil jul aseyo?By any chance, do you speak Korean?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 한국어 조금 할 수 있어요.ne, hangugeo jogeum hal su isseoyo.Yes, I can speak a little Korean.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 한국어를 아주 잘하시네요!jeongmalyo? hangugeoreul aju jalhasineyo!Really? You speak Korean very well!
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니에요, 아직 많이 부족해요.anieyo, ajik mani bujokhaeyo.No, I still have a long way to go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 수, 조금, 한국어, 할, CC BY-SA 4.0.
