Learning Korean: TOPIK 1 – Making Plans & Invitations

This article focuses on essential conversational skills for the TOPIK 1 level in Korean, specifically around making plans and accepting or declining invitations. We’ll use realistic dialogue and key vocabulary to help you feel comfortable talking about your weekend or suggesting an activity.

Understanding Basic Greetings & Politeness

Korean prioritizes politeness. Using honorifics (adding suffixes like -요, -세요) is crucial. “-요” adds a polite tone at the end of sentences, and “-세요” is commonly used to make requests or suggestions more polite.

Making Suggestions – Let’s Talk About Plans!

Here are some phrases you can use when suggesting an activity:

• 우리 영화 보러 갈래? (Uri yeonghwa boreo gallae?) – “Want to go see a movie?”
• 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거야? (Ibeun jumare meo hal geoya?) – “What are you doing this weekend?”
• 밥 같이 먹을래? (Bap gatike modeureolrae?) – “Want to eat together?”
• 카페 가자! (Kapeh gaja!) – “Let’s go to a cafe!”

Mistake Alert: Saying “할 거야?” (hal geoya?) directly can sound somewhat blunt. Adding “-요” makes it more polite: 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거예요? (Ibeun jumare meo hal geoeyo?).

Accepting Invitations – Yay!

When someone invites you, here are common ways to respond:

• 네, 좋아요! (Ne, joayo!) – “Yes, that’s good!”
• 좋아요! 그럼 저녁 8시에 만나요. (Joayo! Geureom jeonyeok byeoksie mannayo.) – “Okay! Let’s meet at 8 pm.”
• 알겠어요. (Algesseoyo.) – “I understand.” (This is a versatile response, often used after accepting)

Declining Invitations – Sadly, Not This Time

It’s important to decline politely:

• 미안해요, 시간이 안돼요. (Mianhaeyo, siganeui an dwaeyo.) – “I’m sorry, I don’t have time.”
• 죄송하지만, 다른 계획이 있어요. (Joesonghajiman, dareun gyehoekie isseoyo.) – “Sorry, but I have another plan.”
• 고마워요, 하지만 거절할게요. (Gomawoyo, hajiman geojeolhalgeyo.) – “Thank you, but I’ll decline.”

Example Conversation: Making Plans for the Weekend

Person A: 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거야? (Ibeun jumare meo hal geoya?)

Person B: 음, 영화 보러 갈까? (Eum, yeonghwa boreo galkka?) – “Hmm, want to go see a movie?”

Person A: 좋아요! 무슨 영화 볼까요? (Joayo! Museun yeonghwa bolkka yo?) – “Okay! What movie should we watch?”

Person B: 새로운 액션 영화 보러 가자. (Saeonun aekseon yeonghwa boreo gaja.) – “Let’s go see a new action movie.”

Key Vocabulary Recap

• 영화 (yeonghwag) – Movie
• 밥 (bap) – Rice/Meal
• 카페 (kaphé) – Cafe
• 같이 (gati) – Together
• 만나다 (mannada) – To meet

Practice these phrases and build your confidence! Even a small amount of Korean conversation will be incredibly rewarding. Good luck with your TOPIK 1 studies!