한국어 공부
hangugeo gongbu
To say learning Korean in Korean, meaning the study of the language, use 한국어 공부 (hangugeo gongbu).
한국어 공부 is a noun phrase for studying Korean. Formal ways to say I am learning Korean are 한국어 공부 중입니다. and 한국어를 배우는 중입니다. Casual ways are 한국어 배우고 있어. and 한국어 공부하고 있어.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is made of 한국어, the Korean language and 공부, study or learning.
Which one should you use?
한국어 배우기 uses the verb to learn and focuses on picking up the skill, while 한국어 공부 focuses on the act of studying. 한국어 학습 is a more formal, academic term for learning the language. 한국어를 배워 나가고 있어 and 한국어를 학습하고 있어 are other ways to say you are learning Korean.
How does it change in a sentence?
Add the verb 하다, to do, to make it a verb: 한국어를 공부하다 means to study Korean. Adding 중, meaning in the middle of, gives 한국어 공부 중, currently studying Korean.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as hangugeo gongbu.
Did you know?
- The word for study, 공부, originally comes from the Chinese characters for 'labour' and 'man'. It originally described physical work or a laborer before it evolved to mean mental effort and study.
- In Korean culture, the concept of 공부 carries a heavy weight, often viewed as a test of endurance. Because of this, saying you are 'studying' can imply a significant, lifelong commitment rather than just a quick task.
- The term 학습 for learning is strictly academic and clinical. While an English speaker might use 'learning' in any context, a Korean speaker would almost never use 학습 in a casual conversation with friends.
Examples in context
- 한국어 공부는 정말 재미있어요.han-gugeo gong-bu-neun jeong-mal jae-mi-iss-eo-yo.Learning Korean is really fun.
- 요즘 한국어 공부를 하고 있어요.yo-jeum han-gugeo gong-bu-reul ha-go iss-eo-yo.I am studying Korean these days.
- 한국어 공부가 너무 어려워요.han-gugeo gong-bu-ga neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo-yo.Learning Korean is too difficult.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their new hobbies at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 요즘 뭐 해요?do-hyeon ssi, yo-jeum mwo hae-yo?Dohyeon, what are you doing these days?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 한국어 공부를 하고 있어요.jeo-neun han-gugeo gong-bu-reul ha-go iss-eo-yo.I am studying Korean.
- 서연 Seo-yeon와, 정말 멋지네요!wa, jeong-mal meot-ji-ne-yo!Wow, that is really cool!
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 서연 씨.go-ma-wo-yo, seo-yeon ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공부, 한국어, CC BY-SA 4.0.
