Learn Korean: TOPIK 1 Speaking – Making Plans with a Friend

Introduction

Okay, so you’re starting your Korean journey and want to be able to actually talk? The TOPIK exams are designed to test this. Specifically, the speaking portion is manageable for beginners. This article focuses on a super common situation: making plans with a friend – something you’ll use constantly! We’ll focus on simple phrases and realistic conversations. Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation or complex grammar at this stage; just aim to get your point across.

Key Phrases & Vocabulary (토픽 1 레벨)

• 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) – Hello
• 잘 지내세요? (Jal jinaeseyo?) – How are you? / How have you been?
• 그렇습니다 (Geureotseumnida) – Yes / That’s right (formal)
• 네 (Ne) – Yes (informal, but widely used and appropriate for this level)
• 아니요 (Aniyo) – No
• 언제 (Eonje) – When?
• 시간이 있어요? (Sigani isseoyo?) – Do you have time?
• 함께 (Hamkke) – Together
• 뭐해요? (Mwo haeyo?) – What are you doing?
• 갈래 (Galrae) – Let’s go! (informal, used to suggest going somewhere)
• 식사할래요 (Siksa Harrayo) – Shall we eat?
• 영화볼래요 (Yeonghwabollaeyo) – Shall we watch a movie?
• 카페갈래요 (Kapegal laeyo) – Shall we go to a cafe?
• 돈이 들어요? (Doni deureoyo?) – Does it cost money?

The Conversation: Making Plans

Let’s role-play a conversation between two friends, Minji and Jihoon.

Scenario 1: Suggesting an Activity

Minji: 안녕하세요, 지훈아! 잘 지내세요? (Annyeonghaseyo, Jihoon-a! Jal jinaeseyo?)
Jihoon: 안녕하세요, 민지야! 응, 잘 지내. 뭐해요? (Annyeonghaseyo, Minji-ya! Eung, jal jinae.)

Minji: 카페갈래요? (Kapegal laeyo?) – Let’s go to a cafe?
Jihoon: 네, 좋아요! 어디로 갈까요? (Ne, joayo! Eodireo galkkayo?) – Yes, good! Where should we go?

Minji: 저기 새로 생긴 카페가 있어요. (Jeogi saero bae sin cafega isseoyo.) – There’s a new cafe that opened there.
Jihoon: 좋아요! 가볼까요? (Joayo! Gabolkayo?) – Great! Shall we go?

Scenario 2: Responding to a Suggestion & Checking Availability

Jihoon: 시간이 있어요? (Sigani isseoyo?) – Do you have time?
Minji: 네, 조금 있어요. 지금 괜찮아요. (Ne, jogeum isseoyo. Jigeum gwaenchanayo.) – Yes, a little. I’m okay now.

Jihoon: 좋아요! 오후 3시에 만나요? (Joayo! Ohhu se-sie mannayo?) – Great! Shall we meet at 3 pm?

Minji: 좋아요! 그럼 오후 3시! (Joayo! Geureom ohhu se-si!) – Great! Then 3 pm!

Common Mistakes & Corrections

• Mistake: Saying “잘 지내요?” when you mean “How are you?”. “잘 지내세요?” is the more polite and appropriate greeting.
• Correction: Use “잘 지내세요?” (Jal jinaeseyo?) – How have you been? / How are you?
• Mistake: Using overly complicated sentence structures. Focus on simple phrases like “갈래요” to suggest an activity.
• Correction: Keep it simple! “카페갈래요” is perfect for saying “Let’s go to a cafe?”

Tips for TOPIK 1 Speaking

• Practice, practice, practice! Record yourself speaking and listen back.
• Focus on fluency over accuracy (at this level). Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – it’s part of the learning process.
• Listen carefully to the questions and answer them directly.
• Use pauses for thinking – it’s better than rushing and saying something incorrect.

Good luck with your Korean studies!