What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: 한국어, which means "Korean language" (from 한국 meaning Korea and 어 meaning language) and 공부하다, which means "to study" (a compound of the noun 공부 meaning study and the verb 하다 meaning to do).
Which one should you use?
While 한국어 specifically refers to the Korean language, you may encounter 한국말, which is a more colloquial way to refer to the Korean language or speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on the context and level of politeness. In polite, everyday speech, the dictionary form 공부하다 is conjugated to 공부해요. In formal, professional settings, use 공부합니다. To express the continuous action of currently studying, you can attach the -고 있다 form to the verb stem to say 한국어를 공부하고 있어요. Additionally, you can turn the phrase into a noun meaning "Korean language study" by dropping the verb 하다 to get 한국어 공부.
How do you pronounce it?
hangugeo gongbuhada
Did you know?
- When people talk about studying very hard, they might use an expression involving 'bone-breaking' effort, reflecting the intense cultural pressure surrounding 공부.
- The word 공부 inside the phrase for 'study' is a loanword from Chinese that originally referred to the time and effort spent on physical labor or craftsmanship.
- In South Korea, the act of 공부 is often associated with 'hagwons', private after-school academies where students study late into the night.
Examples in context
- 저는 한국어를 공부하고 싶습니다.I would like to study Korean.
- 나 한국어 공부하려고 해.I'm planning to study Korean.
- 친구들과 함께 한국어를 공부해요.I study Korean with my friends.
