Learning Korean Through Conversation: TOPIK 1 – Hobbies, Likes, and Free Time

Starting to learn a new language can feel overwhelming. This article focuses on building your confidence in spoken Korean using the basics from TOPIK 1 level – specifically talking about your hobbies, what you like, and how you spend your free time.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

• 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) – Hello
• 만나서 반갑습니다 (Mannaseo bangapseumnida) – Nice to meet you
• 이름이 뭐예요? (Ireumi mwoyeyo?) – What’s your name?
• 저는 [Your Name] 이에요 (Jeoneun [Your Name] ieyo) – I am [Your Name].
• 취미가 뭐예요? (Chwimiga mwoyeyo?) – What are your hobbies?
• 좋아해요 (Joahae-yo) – I like it.
• 싫어요 (Srileoyo) – I don’t like it.
• 시간이 어때요? (Sigani eottaeyo?) – How about time/when?
• 주말에는 뭐 해요? (Jumare neun mwo haeyo?) – What do you do on weekends?
• 집에서 뭐해요? (Jipeseo mwo haeyo?) – What do you do at home?

Starting a Conversation

Let’s practice! Here’s an example conversation:

Person A: 안녕하세요. 저는 민수예요. (Annyeonghaseyo. Jeoneun Minsu-yeyo.) – Hello, I'm Minsoo.
Person B: 만나서 반갑습니다, 민수 씨! 취미가 뭐예요? (Mannaseo bangapseumnida, Minsu ssi! Chwimiga mwoyeyo?) – Nice to meet you, Minsoo! What are your hobbies?

Person A: 저는 영화를 좋아해요. 그리고 음악을 들어요. (Jeoneun yeongwareul joahae-yo. Geurido eumageul deureoyo.) – I like movies and listen to music.

Common Responses & Useful Phrases

• 저는 [Hobby] 를 좋아해요 (Jeoneun [Hobby] reul joahae-yo) – I like [Hobby].
• Example: 저는 책 읽기를 좋아해요 (Jeoneun chaek ilgireul joahae-yo) – I like reading books.
• 저는 [Activity] 를 해요 (Jeoneun [Activity] reul haeyo) – I do [Activity].
• Example: 저는 요리를 해요 (Jeoneun yorireul haeyo) – I cook.

Dealing with Mistakes & Corrections

Everyone makes mistakes! It’s perfectly normal when learning a language. Here are some common errors and how to correct them:

• Incorrect: 저는 게임을 하요 (Jeoneun geimeul hayo) – This sounds unnatural.
• Correct: 저는 게임을 해요 (Jeoneun geimeul haeyo) – Use the -요 ending for simple statements.
• Incorrect: 음악을 듣는 것을 좋아해요 (Eumageul deutneun geosireul joahae-yo) – This is overly formal and less common in conversation.
• Correct: 음악을 들어요 (Eumageul deureoyo) – A more natural way to say “I listen to music.”

Real-World Situations

Imagine you’re meeting someone new at a café.

You: 안녕하세요! 저는 [Your Name] 이에요. (Annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun [Your Name] ieyo.) – Hello! I’m [Your Name].
New Person: 만나서 반갑습니다! 취미가 뭐예요? (Mannaseo bangapseumnida! Chwimiga mwoyeyo?) – Nice to meet you! What are your hobbies?

Be prepared to answer questions about your favorite foods, sports, or anything else you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to ask the other person what they like!

Practice Tips

• Repeat phrases aloud – Practice makes perfect!
• Listen to Korean podcasts or music – Familiarize yourself with pronunciation and natural speech patterns.
• Start small – Focus on simple conversations about your interests.