# Question for Korean speakers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 30, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221 "2003-03-30T15:13:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bob\_Lawblaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Bob\_Lawblaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Lawblaw)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/1 "2003-03-30T15:13:28Z")
The couple who own the local convenience store is from Korea. They are very nice people and I would like to learn some words in Korean. How do you say in Korean: \*Hello How are you my friend? Thank you How much?!?!\* -just kidding- Thanks Dopers! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/2 "2003-03-30T17:34:01Z")
(Phonetically): Hello “Ahn-YONG hass-SAY-yo” How are you “Ahn-YONG hassim-NEEKA” Thank you “KOM-sung need-DAH” How much is it “OOL-mom NIIKA” ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Lawblaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Bob\_Lawblaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Lawblaw)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/3 "2003-03-30T17:40:43Z")
Excellent, thanks muchly! ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/4 "2003-03-30T18:24:57Z")
Dude, where’s my car?? _Ya! Ne cha odi issumnika??_ ---
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/5 "2003-03-30T23:09:01Z")
Glad to see you haven’t lost your Korean skills since leaving, **Astroboy**! As to the translations, I might quibble a little on the best way to represent the words phonetically with the English alphabet. For _hello_, I think I would write it like **Slithy Tove** did, except that the “h” sound in the third syllable is barely pronounced, usually. Something like “ahnyong-ah sey-o.” It also means _how are you_, roughly, though it’s treated as a greeting, not a question. **ST** ’s answer for _how are you_ is formal and respectful. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. _My friend_ would be “uri chingu.” Actually that’s _our friend_, but that’s what they often say. (My wife refers to me as “uri nampyon,” or _our husband_, but so far she hasn’t shared me with anyone.) For _thank you_, I would write “kamsa (h)amnida,” with the “h” again barely pronounced. Sounds like “kamsamnida.” Or “komap sumnida.” _How much_ could be written as “olma yeyo?” Casual style. And if you misplace your car, see above. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/6 "2003-03-31T04:46:18Z")
Mr O: Your wife does that “our husband” bit because, well, because she’s a woman. Men generally shouldn’t use women’s language! ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/7 "2003-03-31T06:02:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\* Men generally shouldn’t use women’s language! \*\* This is true! Many of my Korean friends snicker at me when I try to speak Korean… I learned what little I speak from female teachers, so consequently speak like a woman.:smack: More Korean fun: You gots purdy eyes: _Voulez-vous couchez avec Moi?_ [sup]Oh, wait… that ain’t right![/sup] A little clarification on **MrO** ’s post (in case he confused anyone): > [@](#): > > For thank you, I would write “kamsa (h)amnida,” with the “h” again barely pronounced. Sounds like “kamsamnida.” Or “komap sumnida.” There are two expressions in Korean for “Thank you”: _kamsa-habnida_ and _komap-subnida_ (Romanized spelling quibbles aside for the moment…). Both expressions mean the same thing and are used interchangeably. Pick one to use, and you’re good to go! Another useful expression: _eye-go!_ It means “oops” or “drat!” or “awwww” depending on the context… very handy! Oh! One more: Your mother smells of Elderberries! _Noh Oma-ka dakchung namu uee yol-may nemsay-ya!_ ---
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/8 "2003-03-31T06:53:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroboy14 \* > **A little clarification on MrO’s post (in case he confused anyone)** Hey, watch it there, **Astroman**. When I confuse someone, I want them to _stay_ confused! And true, **Monty** , women do the “our” thing more than men do, especially when referring to spouses. But guys still say “our house,” even if they live alone. Like **Astroboy** , I learned most of my Korean from women, and there are some differences. Though I’ve forgotten pretty much all the Japanese I used to know, I recall that the differences there were even greater. I really made a fool of myself a few times, using what I learned from Japanese female cow-orkers. Anyway, all of you, feel free to clarify what I say at will. Even more than “uri nampyon,” my wife calls me “pabo ajoshi.” ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/9 "2003-03-31T08:01:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MrO \* > \*\*Anyway, all of you, feel free to clarify what I say at will. Even more than “uri nampyon,” my wife calls me “pabo ajoshi.” \*\* Clarifying for the masses: “uri nampyon”= our husband “pabo ajoshi”= foolish, err… old man? Hmm. As I understand it, “ajoshi” (or “ajuma,” the female form) means ‘married man’ (or woman). But functionally, in the youth-oriented culture of S. Korea, married equals old, un-hip, and socially insignificant. I always have to remember to get my sex for the day before I call **Astrogirl** “Ajuma”.😃 ---
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/10 "2003-03-31T10:15:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroboy14 \* > **. . . old, un-hip, and socially insignificant.** Guilty as charged. And what a relief to realize it! ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Lawblaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Bob\_Lawblaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Lawblaw)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-korean-speakers/165221/11 "2003-03-31T13:27:29Z")
Thanks for the clarifications. I’m sure with my non-existant accent I’ll manage to screw it up anyway!