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3 Tips to Sound Like a Native

Min Sung Kim
Jul 6, 2023
Phrases Advanced

15-min Lesson Goals

You know basic grammar rules, can make simple and complex sentences, and have the pronunciation nailed, but for some reason people can still tell you aren't a native Korean speaker! Hmm... what could we do to change that?

In this Bit, you will...

  1. Learn 3 filler words, and
  2. Learn 2 tips on how you can implement to sound more like a native speaker.

A Bit of a Lesson

  1. Use filler words

So, erm... yeah, you want to sound more natural when speaking Korean? Yeah, filler words are a big part of sounding more natural in any language and Korean is no exception! Here are some filler words, with examples so you can use them yourself!

  • 그러니까... (So...) 👉 그러니까... 제가 하고 싶은 말은...
  • 음... 어... (Erm... Uh...) 👉 음... 이거랑 이거 주세요. 어, 아니다 저걸로 주세요. 
  • 네, 아니, 그래서 (Yeah, no, so) 👉 네, 그래서... 아니, 그러니까...

Try mixing and matching these filler words!

2. Stop repeating pronouns

Explicitly using 'I/you/he/she/we/they/etc.' are important in English to get your meaning across. However, in Korean pronouns are usually derived from context.

Try reading along to this dialogue!

민성: 아니, (너) 크크크 치킨 먹어봤어?

범진: 응, JMT! (우리) 영화나 볼까? 음... (너) 스파이더맨 봤어?

민성: 아직! (우리) 그거나 보자.

3. Use the right formality

It sounds very unnatural to use the highest formality to your friends, but also to use the most casual level of formality in the workplace. 

Exercise: Rank these words from most casual to formal

  • 안녕하세요 / 안녕 / 안녕하십니까
  • 이름 / 존함 / 성함
  • 연세 / 나이 / 연배

 

Knowledge Check!

What is the most polite way you could ask someone for their name?

몇 살이에요? 이름이 뭐야? 존함이 어떻게 되십니까? 연세가 어떻게 되십니까?

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