SACE Stage 2 Korean (beginners) key terms

The Korean alphabet, made up of consonant and vowel letters that combine into syllable blocks. Beginners must read and write it accurately for school tasks and the external exam.

The square unit in which Korean letters are grouped, with an initial consonant, a vowel, and sometimes a final consonant. Written Korean is read block by block, not letter by letter.

The optional final consonant at the bottom of a Korean syllable block, such as the ㄴ in 안. It affects pronunciation and must be written clearly in school assessments.

A regular sound change that applies when certain Korean letters meet, for example final consonants changing before a vowel or nasal sound. Recognising these helps with listening and speaking tasks.

A sentence ending added to verbs and adjectives to make speech polite and informal, suitable for everyday conversation with strangers or people of similar status. It is the most useful beginner register.

A polite verb ending used in formal situations such as presentations, announcements, and interviews. Beginners use it in prepared speaking tasks and formal writing.

The choice of verb ending that shows politeness and the relationship between speakers. Korean has several levels, and beginners mainly need polite forms and casual forms among friends.

The part of a Korean verb or adjective that remains after removing the dictionary ending 다. Endings such as -요 or -고 are attached to this stem, so identifying it is essential for grammar tasks.

The basic form of a verb or adjective as listed in dictionaries, ending in 다, for example 가다 (to go). Learners convert it to other forms by removing 다 and adding endings.

A verb or adjective whose stem changes before certain endings, such as ㅂ, ㄷ, ㅅ, and 르 irregulars. These must be memorised because the change is not predictable from the dictionary form.

A short grammatical word attached after a noun to mark its role, such as subject, object, topic, or location. Choosing the right particle is a core beginner skill in writing and speaking.

A particle placed after a noun to show what the sentence is about, or to contrast it with something else. It differs from the subject particle and is often confused with it.

A particle placed after a noun to mark it as the subject of a sentence, often introducing new information. Learners compare it with the topic particle in school grammar exercises.

A particle placed after a noun to show it is the object of an action verb, for example 책을 읽어요 (I read a book). The two forms depend on whether the noun ends in a consonant or vowel.

A verb that describes an activity someone does, such as eat, go, or study. In Korean, action verbs take different endings and particles from descriptive verbs, so the distinction matters.

A word that describes a state or quality, such as 크다 (to be big) or 예쁘다 (to be pretty). In Korean these behave like verbs and take the same endings rather than needing a separate adjective form.

An element inserted into a verb stem to show respect for the person performing the action, often a teacher, parent, or customer. Using it correctly is expected in polite speaking tasks.

The number set used for counting objects, people, and hours, for example 하나, 둘, 셋. Learners must know when to use these rather than Sino-Korean numbers.

The number set borrowed from Chinese, used for dates, money, phone numbers, and minutes, for example 일, 이, 삼. Beginners must match each set to the right situation.

A word used after a number to classify what is being counted, such as 명 for people, 개 for things, and 시 for time. The correct counter is required in beginner writing and speaking tasks.

A phrase giving the year, month, day, hour, or minute, using Sino-Korean numbers for dates and minutes and native Korean numbers for hours. These appear in listening and writing tasks.

The ending used to describe completed actions or past states in polite speech, for example 먹었어요 (I ate). Choosing the right vowel form depends on the final vowel of the stem.

An ending expressing a plan, prediction, or intention, for example 갈 거예요 (I will go). It is common in school speaking tasks about weekend or holiday plans.

An ending that links two clauses meaning 'and' or 'and then', for example 밥을 먹고 학교에 가요. It helps beginners write longer, more natural sentences in school assessment tasks.

An ending meaning 'but' or 'although', used to contrast two clauses, for example 바쁘지만 갈 거예요. It is useful for showing contrast in written and spoken responses.

The marks awarded within the school for tasks such as speaking, writing, and listening, which together count towards the final grade. Students should know what each task requires.

The final examination set and marked outside the school, testing listening, reading, and writing. It contributes a set proportion of the overall subject grade and requires broad vocabulary coverage.

A school-based activity in which students show language use through a real purpose, such as an interview, role play, or short written text. These tasks are marked against set criteria.

A spoken task in which students act out a situation such as ordering food or asking directions. It tests fluency, appropriate politeness, and vocabulary for everyday contexts.

An assessment item in which students hear spoken Korean and answer questions about it. Success depends on recognising key vocabulary, numbers, and polite endings quickly.

An assessment item in which students read a short Korean text and answer questions or identify details. Skimming for topic and scanning for numbers or names are useful strategies.

An assessment item requiring a short connected text, such as a message, diary entry, or description. Marks usually cover task fulfilment, grammar accuracy, and range of vocabulary.

The level of formality and politeness chosen for a situation, for example formal polite speech in an interview and casual speech with close friends. Choosing the wrong register loses marks in speaking tasks.

Common words for family, food, school, weather, hobbies, and shopping that appear across all assessment tasks. Beginners should be able to recognise and produce these in context, not just as isolated lists.

A Korean word borrowed from another language and written in Hangul, such as 컴퓨터 (computer) or 버스 (bus). Many English loanwords are easy to recognise in reading and listening texts.

A word such as 무엇 (what), 어디 (where), 언제 (when), or 누구 (who) used to ask for information. Recognising these is essential for listening and for forming spoken questions.

A short negative adverb placed before a verb, for example 안 가요 (I do not go). It is the simplest way for beginners to make negative sentences in speaking and writing.