QCAA Korean (SEE) key terms

The polite register of Korean used toward strangers, elders, teachers and superiors. It relies on verb endings such as -습니다/-ㅂ니다 and -요, and on honorific words like 계시다 and 드시다. Candidates must use it in speaking and writing tasks addressed to adults.

The casual, non-polite register used with close friends, younger people and children. It uses plain verb endings such as -아/-어 and -지. Recognising when a speaker switches between 반말 and 존댓말 helps candidates infer relationships in listening passages.

Honorific forms that raise the status of the person being talked about, not the listener. They include the subject honorific suffix -시-, special verbs like 진지 and 연세, and the particle 께서. Misusing them is a common accuracy error in writing.

Honorification of the sentence subject, usually achieved with the suffix -시- and the particle 께서, as in 선생님께서 오셨어요. It shows respect for the person performing the action. Distinguishing it from object honorification is a frequent exam point.

Honorification of the object or recipient of an action, using special verbs such as 드리다, 뵙다 and 여쭙다. For example, 할머니께 선물을 드렸어요. Candidates must choose these verbs correctly in formal writing and speaking.

The overall tone or speech style of an utterance, shaped by register, intonation and word choice. In listening tasks, shifts in 말투 signal changes in mood, politeness or the relationship between speakers. It also matters when writing dialogue.

A grammatical ending that joins two clauses, such as -고 (and), -지만 (but), -아서/어서 (so/because) and -면 (if). Choosing the right connective shows the logical link between ideas. It is tested in grammar items and assessed in writing coherence.

The ending that finishes a sentence and carries its function and politeness level, for example -습니다, -어요, -다 and -까. Selecting an appropriate ending is essential for register consistency in the writing and speaking tasks.

The arrangement of subject, object and predicate in a Korean sentence, typically S-O-V with particles marking grammatical roles. Understanding structure helps candidates parse long reading sentences and produce accurate written sentences.

A particle attached to a noun to mark its grammatical function, such as 은/는 for topic, 이/가 for subject, 을/를 for object and 에/에서 for place. Correct particle choice is central to accuracy in reading and writing.

The main idea or topic that a text or recording is about, often stated in a topic sentence or repeated key phrase. Identifying 주제 is the most common question type in reading and listening sections.

The central claim or gist a writer or speaker wants to convey, including their attitude towards the topic. Unlike a simple topic, 요지 requires inference from supporting detail. Questions often ask what the writer is emphasising.

The purpose behind a text, such as to inform, persuade, warn, advertise or entertain. Recognising intent helps candidates answer questions about why a text was written and what response it seeks from readers.

The title of a text, or the best title chosen from options in a comprehension question. A good title captures the main idea concisely. Candidates should check that their choice covers the whole passage, not just one detail.

Drawing a conclusion not stated directly, by combining clues in the text with background knowledge. Inference questions ask about feelings, relationships, locations or likely next actions. Answers must be supported by evidence in the passage.

The implied or figurative meaning of an expression, beyond its literal wording. Idioms, proverbs and sarcasm depend on it. Candidates must read surrounding context rather than translate word for word.

The surrounding words and situation that clarify the meaning of an unknown word or ambiguous sentence. Using 문맥 is the key strategy when a reading passage contains unfamiliar vocabulary, so candidates need not know every word.

A traditional Korean proverb expressing folk wisdom, such as 티끌 모아 태산 (many drops make a sea). Proverbs often appear in reading and listening items, where candidates must match the figurative meaning to a situation.

A fixed idiomatic expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its parts, such as 발이 넓다 (to be well connected). Recognising these phrases improves comprehension speed and avoids literal mistranslation in reading tasks.

A conjunction that links sentences or ideas, such as 그러나 (however), 따라서 (therefore) and 게다가 (moreover). These markers reveal logical relationships and are highly useful for answering questions about the flow of an argument.

A word such as 이것, 그것, 저것 or 그 사람 that points back to something already mentioned. Tracking what a pronoun refers to is a standard reading question type, and errors here cause comprehension mistakes.

The listening component of the exam, where candidates hear dialogues, announcements or talks and answer comprehension questions. Key skills include catching main ideas, specific details, numbers and the speaker's intention, often after a single hearing.

Identifying the specific information a question asks for, such as a time, price, place or reason, while ignoring distractors. In listening tasks, numbers and dates are often corrected mid-conversation, so candidates must follow the final version.

The setting and relationship implied by a conversation, for example a shop, hospital, school office or phone call. Recognising situational vocabulary and register helps candidates predict content and answer where-and-who questions.

Korean number systems and time expressions: native numbers for counting and telling hours, Sino-Korean numbers for dates, money and minutes. Confusing the two systems is a frequent listening error, so practise both in context.

The writing component, which requires producing connected Korean text such as messages, emails, diary entries or short opinion paragraphs. Candidates are assessed on task fulfilment, accuracy of grammar and vocabulary, and organisation.

Planning an outline before writing, listing the main points and supporting details in order. A brief outline helps candidates stay on topic, structure paragraphs logically and manage time in the writing section.

Organising writing into paragraphs, each with a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a closing link. Clear paragraphing improves coherence scores and makes the writer's argument easier for a marker to follow.

Korean spelling conventions, including rules for final consonants, consonant assimilation and spacing between words. Accurate spelling and spacing are part of the accuracy criterion in writing, and errors can obscure meaning.

The convention of spacing words in Korean writing, which differs from English practice because particles are attached to nouns and some endings are written separately. Correct spacing is explicitly assessed in written tasks.

The speaking component, in which candidates respond to prompts, describe pictures, role-play situations or give a short opinion. Fluency, pronunciation, appropriate register and range of vocabulary and grammar are assessed.

How sounds are produced, including Korean consonants and vowels that are difficult for English speakers, such as ㄲ/ㄸ/ㅃ/ㅆ/ㅉ and ㅓ/ㅗ. Clear pronunciation affects intelligibility and is part of the speaking criteria.

The rise and fall of pitch across an utterance, which in Korean distinguishes statements from questions and conveys emotion. Natural intonation makes speech easier to follow and supports meaning in role-play tasks.

Sound-change rules that apply in spoken Korean, such as 연음 (linking), 비음화 (nasalisation) and 경음화 (tensification). Knowing them explains why written forms and pronunciation differ, and improves both listening and speaking.

A speaking task in which the candidate takes on a role, such as customer or student, and completes a transaction or discussion with the examiner. It tests functional language, turn-taking and register control.

Expressing and supporting an opinion with reasons and examples, using expressions such as 제 생각에는 and 왜냐하면. This function appears in both writing and speaking tasks, where candidates must justify a viewpoint clearly.

Stating a personal view on a given issue, often with agreement or disagreement phrases such as 저는 찬성합니다 or 반대합니다. Candidates should give a clear position followed by at least one supporting reason.

Language for comparing things, using expressions like 보다, 처럼, 반면에 and 달리. These structures appear in reading questions about similarities and differences and are useful in descriptive speaking and writing tasks.

A listening or reading text in the form of questions and answers with a person, such as an artist or athlete. Candidates must identify the interviewee's experiences, opinions and plans, and distinguish the interviewer's words from the answers.