It’s no secret that if you know how to speak Korean fluently, you will get to experience a couple of benefits that can be applied to both your professional and personal life. All benefits are predominantly decided by the ability to connect with people beyond domestic boundaries. However, before you start connecting with those in Korea, you first need to know how to start a conversation.

To help you out, we have gathered some essential yet straightforward conversation starters. These can be catalysts for a connection that can put your forward.

1. Do you speak English?

Suppose you want to engage in a Korean conversation but don’t have extensive knowledge of their vocabulary. In that case, you can open with 영어 할 수 있습니까? or “yeongeo hal su isseumnikka?” This phrase asks whether or not the person you are talking to speaks English so you can establish a connection with them if they do.

2. Do you speak Korean?

Alternatively, you can open with 한국어 할 수 있습니까 or “hangugeo hal su isseumnikka” if you are pretty proficient in the language. This opener asks the person you are talking to if they speak Korean. This will come in handy if you’re trying to showcase your acquired proficiency, which can be advantageous to the advancement of your employment.

3. What does this mean?

Just because you know how to speak Korean doesn’t mean you know what every word or slang means. After all, Korean isn’t your first language. If you’re out for a vacation in Korea and you’re not quite sure as to what a specific signage means, you can ask someone 무슨 뜻이에요? or “museun tteusieyo?” so they can help you understand it.

4. How are you?

For a lighthearted conversation that isn’t in any way formal, you can ask 어떻게 지내세요? or “Eotteoke jinaeseyo”, which translates to “How are you” in English. This is a perfect basic conversation starter if you intend to engage in casual conversations should you find yourself in a social setting.

5. What’s your name?

If your motivation for starting a Korean conversation is to connect with others in the realm of employment, you should ask 어디에서 일해요? or “eodieseo ilhaeyo?” Unlike other ranges, this question is frequently asked in Korean culture and isn’t considered rude.

6. Where do you work?

If your motivation for starting a Korean conversation is to connect with others in the realm of employment, you should ask 어디에서 일해요? or “eodieseo ilhaeyo?” Unlike other countries, this question is actually one of the ones that are commonly asked in Korean culture and isn’t considered impolite.

Conclusion

Engaging in conversations spoken in the Korean language means that you should know how to start one. If you want to have a firmer grasp of the Korean language and become an effective speaker, you should book a class with us at Korean Explorer.

We offer the best Korean classes in Singapore that are perfect for all kinds of learners, whether you need basic knowledge or a more advanced one.