SACE Stage 2 Korean key terms

A set of Korean speech forms that raise the listener or the person being talked about, using special verb endings, particles and vocabulary. Learners must choose it when speaking to elders, teachers or strangers in formal situations.

Casual Korean used with close friends, younger people or children, without polite endings. Using it with the wrong person can sound rude, so speakers must judge age, closeness and setting before switching.

A verb ending inserted before the final ending to show respect for the subject of the sentence, as in 가시다 or 드시다. It often appears together with honorific nouns and particles in the same sentence.

Formal polite verb ending used in presentations, announcements, interviews and formal conversation. It marks a respectful distance from the listener and is usually paired with the formal pronoun 저 when the speaker refers to themselves.

Informal polite ending used in everyday conversation with people who are not close enough for casual speech. It is polite but friendly, and intonation can turn it into a question or a soft invitation.

A grammar pattern that reports what someone said or asked without quoting exact words, using forms such as -다고 하다, -냐고 하다 and -자고 하다. The original tense, pronoun and speech level usually shift.

A connective ending that gives background information before the main point, or signals contrast, like 'but' or 'and yet'. Listeners use it to predict what is coming and to follow the speaker's reasoning.

Conditional ending meaning 'if' or 'when'. The result clause cannot normally take a past tense marker, and the pattern also appears in fixed expressions such as 안 그러면 and 그럼.

Ending that states a clear reason or cause, often in writing and formal speech. It is stronger than -아/어서 and cannot be followed by an imperative or a suggestion in the same sentence.

Contrastive ending meaning 'but' or 'although'. It joins two clauses inside one sentence, so it differs from sentence-initial 그렇지만, which starts a new sentence.

Pattern meaning 'because of' an unexpected event that causes a negative result. The second clause normally describes something unplanned, so it rarely takes a deliberate intention or a polite suggestion.

Ending that reminds the listener of something both people already know, or softens a mild complaint. Tone matters: it can sound friendly and shared, but also slightly accusing.

Ending that asks the listener to confirm something the speaker already believes, similar to 'right?' in English. It also softens statements and makes suggestions sound less direct.

Verb form showing that the subject receives an action rather than doing it, made with suffixes such as -이-, -히-, -리- or with -아/어지다. Korean often prefers the passive where English uses an impersonal subject.

Verb form meaning 'make or let someone do something', formed with suffixes like -이-, -히-, -시키다 or -게 하다. Choosing between them depends on the verb and on how direct the causation is.

Pattern showing that a situation came about through circumstances rather than deliberate choice, often translated as 'came to' or 'ended up'. It frequently appears when explaining changes in study, work or living arrangements.

Progressive pattern describing an action in progress at the moment of speaking. With verbs like 입다 or 알다 it describes a continuing state rather than an activity.

Pattern describing a state that continues after an action has finished, as in 앉아 있다 or 열려 있다. It contrasts with -고 있다, which focuses on the action still happening.

A short word or phrase such as 그래서, 그런데 or 있잖아요 that organises conversation, signals a new topic or buys thinking time. Recognising them helps learners follow fast speech and sound natural when they respond.

A word that links sentences or ideas, such as 그러나, 따라서 or 또한. In writing, choosing the right conjunction shows the logical relationship between paragraphs and makes an argument easier to follow.

Language style typical of conversation, with shortenings, fillers and informal endings. Writing that copies it too closely can seem careless, so learners need to notice where spoken and written Korean differ.

Style typical of essays, reports and news, using complete endings, Sino-Korean vocabulary and explicit connectors. Stage 2 students are expected to shift towards it when producing formal written texts.

A traditional Korean saying that expresses shared wisdom in a fixed, often metaphorical form, such as 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다. Using one appropriately shows cultural knowledge, but translating it literally can confuse readers.

A four-character expression borrowed from Chinese, such as 일석이조 or 새옹지마. It condenses a story or moral into a short phrase and appears in news, speeches and formal writing.

Words of Chinese origin that make up a large part of Korean vocabulary, especially in academic and formal texts. Recognising their shared morphemes helps learners guess meaning and expand vocabulary quickly.

Korean words that existed before Chinese influence, often describing everyday things, feelings and nature. They frequently appear in poetry and informal speech, giving a warmer tone than their Sino-Korean equivalents.

Titles and forms used to call people, such as 선배, 사장님 or 아주머니. Korean speakers often use a role or relationship instead of a name, and the wrong choice can sound distant or disrespectful.

Terms for senior and junior members of a school, workplace or club. The relationship carries expectations of advice and care from seniors and respect from juniors, and it shapes how people speak to each other.

The ability to read a situation and other people's moods without being told directly. Koreans often describe someone as 눈치가 빠르다, and the concept explains indirect requests and careful silence in conversation.

A feeling of warm attachment and shared affection that develops between people over time. It is often used to explain close bonds among family, friends and colleagues, and it appears frequently in songs and dramas.

A pronoun meaning 'we' or 'our' that Koreans use where English speakers might say 'my', as in 우리 집 or 우리 학교. It reflects a group-centred way of speaking rather than literal shared ownership.

The worldwide popularity of Korean popular culture, including music, dramas and films. It is a common topic in discussions and reading texts about cultural export, fandom and national image.

Traditional holidays such as 설날 and 추석 when families gather, perform ancestral rites and share food. Texts often describe travel congestion, gift-giving and generational differences surrounding these holidays.

The traditional duty of children to respect and care for their parents. Modern texts often debate how it is changing as families live apart and elderly care moves to institutions.

Working out meaning that is not stated directly, by using clues in the text, such as tone, word choice and context. Exam questions often ask what the writer implies rather than what is written.

The main claim a writer wants the reader to accept, usually supported by reasons and examples. Identifying it helps answer questions about purpose, audience and the overall structure of a text.

A skill of restating a text's main points in fewer words without copying sentences. Strong answers keep the original order of ideas, use connectors and avoid adding personal opinion.

Language that says the opposite of what is meant, often to criticise or joke. In Korean texts, irony is signalled by context or exaggerated praise, so literal translation can mislead learners.