Learn Korean with Drops in 5 minutes a day

Learn Korean Vocabulary

Starting a new language can be overwhelming. But one thing’s certain: before you can start speaking Korean, you need vocabulary. Your journey to fluency starts with the words that matter most. Build a strong foundation with practical Korean vocabulary that you can rely on when you’re traveling to Seoul, connecting with Korean friends, or diving into your favorite K-dramas and songs. With Drops, you'll focus on useful, frequent Korean words, and you’ll develop your skills through fun and engaging lessons.

Start learning

Korean Vocabulary - List for Basic Korean Words | Drops

Common Korean words

Here is a quick sneak peek of the words you’ll learn in Drops.

Essential Korean Nouns

Nouns are the building blocks of your everyday language. They enable you to talk about important people, the places you go, and the things you use. Korean is a subject-object-verb (SOV) language, so nouns appear early and often in sentence structures. Learning these common Korean words helps you instantly understand and describe the world around you.

People and Family

Want to introduce yourself, talk about your loved ones, or understand relationship terms in conversation? These words help you confidently talk about people, yourself, and others, right from the start.

  • 사람 (saram) - person
  • 남자 (namja) - man
  • 여자 (namjang) - woman
  • 선생님 (seonsaengnim) - teacher
  • 학생 (haksaeng) - student
  • 부모님 (bumonim) - parents
  • 어머니 (eomeoni) - mother
  • 아버지 (abeoji) - father
  • 아내 (anae) - wife
  • 남편 (nampyeon) - husband

Everyday Objects

Whether you're describing what’s in your bag or asking someone for help, these basic Korean vocabulary words help you interact with the world.

  • 가방 (gabang) - bag
  • 핸드폰 (haendeupon) - cell phone
  • 열쇠 (yeolsoe) - key
  • 지갑 (jigap) - wallet
  • 책 (chaek) - book

Transportation

Are you moving around in a Korean-speaking city or just planning your dream vacation? These words help you navigate buses, trains, and taxis like a local.

  • 자동차 (jadongcha) - car
  • 지하철 (jihacheol) - subway
  • 기차 (gicha) - train
  • 버스 (beoseu) - bus
  • 택시 (taeksi) - taxi

Emotions and Concepts

These words help you go deeper than surface-level phrases and talk about how you feel. Whether you're describing joy, confidence, or sadness, this vocabulary lets you express your complex inner world.

  • 사랑 (sarang) - love
  • 관계 (gwangye) - relationship
  • 정신 건강 (jeongsin geongang) - mental health
  • 공감 (gonggam) - empathy
  • 경험 (gyeongheom) - experience

Places Around Town

These are words you'll use often while exploring your surroundings, from home and school to restaurants and offices.

  • 집 (jip) - house
  • 학교 (hakgyo) - school
  • 사무실 (samusil) - office
  • 공원 (gongwon) - park
  • 식당 (sikdang) - restaurant

Common Korean Verbs and Phrases

Nouns tell us what’s in the world, and verbs tell us what’s happening in that world.. If you incorporate these useful verbs into your Korean vocabulary, you’ll be able to create complete, meaningful sentences from day one. Drops doesn’t only help you learn words, but also full sentences you’re likely to use in real life.

Action Verbs

Korean action verbs are words that express actions, movements, or processes. These are your essential words for talking about what you or others do. Unlock your ability to share your experiences, narrate events, and talk about everyday actions in Korean!

  • 하다 (to do)
  • 주다 (to give)
  • 받다 (to receive)
  • 가다 (to go)
  • 오다 (to come)

Verbs Ending in 하다

Many verbs are created by combining a noun + 하다 (hada - to do), like 공부하다 (gongbuhada - to study). Learning this pattern helps you rapidly expand your vocabulary with a wide variety of common Korean words.

  • 생각하다 (saeng-gaghada) - to think
  • 지지하다 (jijihada) - to support
  • 말하다 (malhada) - to speak

Korean phrases

Once you have enough Korean words, the next exciting step is putting them together into phrases and sentences.. Mastering these ready-made chunks bridges the gap between single words and constructing full sentences. Learning common Korean phrases helps you communicate naturally, express simple ideas much faster, and provides the essential building blocks you need to start forming your own meaningful sentences with confidence.

  • 언어를 배우고 있습니다. (eoneoreul baeugo itseumnida.) - I’m learning a language.
  • 글쎄요, 잘 모르겠어요 (geulsseyo, jal moreugesseoyo) - Wait a second
  • 도와 주셔서 감사합니다. (dowa jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.) - Thanks for your help.
  • 당신은 나를 행복하게 해요. (dangsineun nareul haengbokage haeyo.) - You make me happy.

Ready to dive even further? Check out our blog post for the 100 Most Common Korean Words and Phrases to boost your vocabulary fast.

Why learn Korean with Drops?

Learn Hangul

Before diving deep into vocabulary, you need the key: Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Drops makes learning Hangul characters simple, hands-on and visual, helping you quickly learn to recognize as well as write the characters. Mastering the script is your first step to truly reading and understanding Korean words.

Visual approach

Our unique, memorable illustrations help your brain link Korean words directly to their meaning. The visuals add a new layer to memorization, enabling you to learn faster, recall more easily, and remember what you’ve learned for much longer.

Quick Daily Sessions

Life gets busy, but that doesn’t have to put a stop to language learning. Just a few minutes a day can help you reach your goals. With our bite-sized sessions, you can practice basic Korean vocabulary anywhere. Transform commuting or waiting time into consistent progress and strong routines.

Lock In What You've Learned

Learning new Korean words is exciting, but you need to review to make them stick. Tackle review practice with our Dojo and Quiz Mode tools that help you keep your knowledge fresh. Our review tools help ensure your growing vocabulary stays active and ready to use confidently in conversation.

Common and Unique Korean Words

Don't get lost in obscure vocabulary you'll never use. We focus on the most common Korean words and everyday phrases you’re likely to hear. Learn what matters first and use your words right away. Ready to go beyond the basics? Learn the Korean words that bring the culture to life. Drops offers curated vocabulary collections featuring common K-drama phrases, K-pop lingo, and essential terms related to Korean etiquette and politeness, helping you connect more authentically with the culture you enjoy.

Game-Based Learning That Works

Simple drills are boring and ineffective. Learn through play! The more ways you interact with a word, the better the chance you’ll retain it longer. We have several exercises ranging from matching to pronunciation practice to really help you memorise the Korean vocabulary you need.

Korean Learning FAQs

1. What is the best way to learn Korean vocabulary?

Use a focused, visual learning app like Drops that introduces words and reinforces them with repetition.

2. How many Korean words do I need to know to start speaking?

Even learning 100–200 basic Korean words can help you start simple conversations with ease. However, knowing words isn’t all: it’s important that you also know what to do with them. You need the basic sentence structure, know some context, and have the confidence to start speaking - all things you can get started with in Drops.

3. What are some basic Korean words I should learn first?

Start with common Korean words like nouns for people, places, and objects, then move to action verbs and key expressions.

4. Is Korean vocabulary hard to learn?

It doesn't have to be with the right method and attitude! Drops breaks complex words into memorable visuals and categories that make learning feel effortless.

5. Can I learn Korean vocabulary with just an app?

Absolutely. With Drops, you can build a practical vocabulary. The more advanced you go, the better it is to use other resources such as articles, books, and films to have a broader context of usage.

6.What are the most important Korean words to know for beginners?

Focus on the most common Korean terms: words used daily in greetings, transportation, and everyday interactions. We have created several topics filled with words that will have you covered in these scenarios.

7.How can Drops help me learn Korean faster?

Games aren’t just for having fun; they also help you learn faster and remember better. Studies show that the more ways and more frequently you interact with a word, the stronger link your brain can create. Drops utilises this approach, which allows you to recall and remember Korean words better.

Take the first step in your Korean language journey. Start learning basic Korean vocabulary and more with Drops.


Common Korean words

Here is a quick sneak peek of the words you’ll learn in Drops.

Essential Korean Nouns

Nouns are the building blocks of your everyday language. They enable you to talk about important people, the places you go, and the things you use. Korean is a subject-object-verb (SOV) language, so nouns appear early and often in sentence structures. Learning these common Korean words helps you instantly understand and describe the world around you.

People and Family

Want to introduce yourself, talk about your loved ones, or understand relationship terms in conversation? These words help you confidently talk about people, yourself, and others, right from the start.

  • 사람 (saram) - person
  • 남자 (namja) - man
  • 여자 (namjang) - woman
  • 선생님 (seonsaengnim) - teacher
  • 학생 (haksaeng) - student
  • 부모님 (bumonim) - parents
  • 어머니 (eomeoni) - mother
  • 아버지 (abeoji) - father
  • 아내 (anae) - wife
  • 남편 (nampyeon) - husband

Everyday Objects

Whether you're describing what’s in your bag or asking someone for help, these basic Korean vocabulary words help you interact with the world.

  • 가방 (gabang) - bag
  • 핸드폰 (haendeupon) - cell phone
  • 열쇠 (yeolsoe) - key
  • 지갑 (jigap) - wallet
  • 책 (chaek) - book

Transportation

Are you moving around in a Korean-speaking city or just planning your dream vacation? These words help you navigate buses, trains, and taxis like a local.

  • 자동차 (jadongcha) - car
  • 지하철 (jihacheol) - subway
  • 기차 (gicha) - train
  • 버스 (beoseu) - bus
  • 택시 (taeksi) - taxi

Emotions and Concepts

These words help you go deeper than surface-level phrases and talk about how you feel. Whether you're describing joy, confidence, or sadness, this vocabulary lets you express your complex inner world.

  • 사랑 (sarang) - love
  • 관계 (gwangye) - relationship
  • 정신 건강 (jeongsin geongang) - mental health
  • 공감 (gonggam) - empathy
  • 경험 (gyeongheom) - experience

Places Around Town

These are words you'll use often while exploring your surroundings, from home and school to restaurants and offices.

  • 집 (jip) - house
  • 학교 (hakgyo) - school
  • 사무실 (samusil) - office
  • 공원 (gongwon) - park
  • 식당 (sikdang) - restaurant

Common Korean Verbs and Phrases

Nouns tell us what’s in the world, and verbs tell us what’s happening in that world.. If you incorporate these useful verbs into your Korean vocabulary, you’ll be able to create complete, meaningful sentences from day one. Drops doesn’t only help you learn words, but also full sentences you’re likely to use in real life.

Action Verbs

Korean action verbs are words that express actions, movements, or processes. These are your essential words for talking about what you or others do. Unlock your ability to share your experiences, narrate events, and talk about everyday actions in Korean!

  • 하다 (to do)
  • 주다 (to give)
  • 받다 (to receive)
  • 가다 (to go)
  • 오다 (to come)

Verbs Ending in 하다

Many verbs are created by combining a noun + 하다 (hada - to do), like 공부하다 (gongbuhada - to study). Learning this pattern helps you rapidly expand your vocabulary with a wide variety of common Korean words.

  • 생각하다 (saeng-gaghada) - to think
  • 지지하다 (jijihada) - to support
  • 말하다 (malhada) - to speak

Korean phrases

Once you have enough Korean words, the next exciting step is putting them together into phrases and sentences.. Mastering these ready-made chunks bridges the gap between single words and constructing full sentences. Learning common Korean phrases helps you communicate naturally, express simple ideas much faster, and provides the essential building blocks you need to start forming your own meaningful sentences with confidence.

  • 언어를 배우고 있습니다. (eoneoreul baeugo itseumnida.) - I’m learning a language.
  • 글쎄요, 잘 모르겠어요 (geulsseyo, jal moreugesseoyo) - Wait a second
  • 도와 주셔서 감사합니다. (dowa jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.) - Thanks for your help.
  • 당신은 나를 행복하게 해요. (dangsineun nareul haengbokage haeyo.) - You make me happy.

Ready to dive even further? Check out our blog post for the 100 Most Common Korean Words and Phrases to boost your vocabulary fast.

Why learn Korean with Drops?

Learn Hangul

Before diving deep into vocabulary, you need the key: Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Drops makes learning Hangul characters simple, hands-on and visual, helping you quickly learn to recognize as well as write the characters. Mastering the script is your first step to truly reading and understanding Korean words.

Visual approach

Our unique, memorable illustrations help your brain link Korean words directly to their meaning. The visuals add a new layer to memorization, enabling you to learn faster, recall more easily, and remember what you’ve learned for much longer.

Quick Daily Sessions

Life gets busy, but that doesn’t have to put a stop to language learning. Just a few minutes a day can help you reach your goals. With our bite-sized sessions, you can practice basic Korean vocabulary anywhere. Transform commuting or waiting time into consistent progress and strong routines.

Lock In What You've Learned

Learning new Korean words is exciting, but you need to review to make them stick. Tackle review practice with our Dojo and Quiz Mode tools that help you keep your knowledge fresh. Our review tools help ensure your growing vocabulary stays active and ready to use confidently in conversation.

Common and Unique Korean Words

Don't get lost in obscure vocabulary you'll never use. We focus on the most common Korean words and everyday phrases you’re likely to hear. Learn what matters first and use your words right away. Ready to go beyond the basics? Learn the Korean words that bring the culture to life. Drops offers curated vocabulary collections featuring common K-drama phrases, K-pop lingo, and essential terms related to Korean etiquette and politeness, helping you connect more authentically with the culture you enjoy.

Game-Based Learning That Works

Simple drills are boring and ineffective. Learn through play! The more ways you interact with a word, the better the chance you’ll retain it longer. We have several exercises ranging from matching to pronunciation practice to really help you memorise the Korean vocabulary you need.

Korean Learning FAQs

1. What is the best way to learn Korean vocabulary?

Use a focused, visual learning app like Drops that introduces words and reinforces them with repetition.

2. How many Korean words do I need to know to start speaking?

Even learning 100–200 basic Korean words can help you start simple conversations with ease. However, knowing words isn’t all: it’s important that you also know what to do with them. You need the basic sentence structure, know some context, and have the confidence to start speaking - all things you can get started with in Drops.

3. What are some basic Korean words I should learn first?

Start with common Korean words like nouns for people, places, and objects, then move to action verbs and key expressions.

4. Is Korean vocabulary hard to learn?

It doesn't have to be with the right method and attitude! Drops breaks complex words into memorable visuals and categories that make learning feel effortless.

5. Can I learn Korean vocabulary with just an app?

Absolutely. With Drops, you can build a practical vocabulary. The more advanced you go, the better it is to use other resources such as articles, books, and films to have a broader context of usage.

6.What are the most important Korean words to know for beginners?

Focus on the most common Korean terms: words used daily in greetings, transportation, and everyday interactions. We have created several topics filled with words that will have you covered in these scenarios.

7.How can Drops help me learn Korean faster?

Games aren’t just for having fun; they also help you learn faster and remember better. Studies show that the more ways and more frequently you interact with a word, the stronger link your brain can create. Drops utilises this approach, which allows you to recall and remember Korean words better.

Take the first step in your Korean language journey. Start learning basic Korean vocabulary and more with Drops.

Learn Korean in just 5 mins a day

Instant feedback on your language progress

Speak like a Native
Dive into language learning with Drops' crystal-clear audio. Our native speakers ensure you master perfect pronunciation while relishing every step of your journey. Listen, learn, and speak like a pro!

Instant feedback on your language progress

Stay Motivated
Easily form a language learning habit with our game-based features, enjoyable challenges, and personalized lesson recommendations. Our tailored lessons ensure you learn at the perfect level and pace for you.

Instant feedback on your language progress

Effective and Fun Learning Games
Brace yourself for an adventure of a lifetime! With Drops, learning becomes playtime. Engaging games, review modes, and interactive challenges transform language acquisition into a joyful expedition. Unleash your potential while having a blast!

Instant feedback on your language progress

Memorable Illustrations
Boost your memory retention with our captivating visuals and vibrant illustrations. Each word is accompanied by an eye-catching image, forging strong associations between the word and its meaning. Say goodbye to forgetfulness, and hello to seamless language recall!

Taken from the App Store and Google Play

Learn on the go
with 50 Languages

Transform your breaks into productive moments with our award-winning iPhone and Android apps.