Talking About the Weather in Korean (TOPIK 1 Speaking)

Introduction

Okay, so you’re starting your Korean journey and want to be able to chat about something basic – the weather! The TOPIK 1 speaking test often includes questions where you describe what’s happening outside. Don’t panic – this is a really common and helpful thing to know. This guide will walk you through how to do it, with plenty of practical Korean phrases and examples. We’ll focus on simple sentences and using them naturally.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

• 오늘 (oneul): Today
• 날씨 (nalssi): Weather
• 맑다 (malda): To be clear/sunny
• 흐리다 (heureuda): To be cloudy
• 비가 온다 (biga onda): It’s raining
• 눈이 온다 (nuni onda): It’s snowing
• 바람이 분다 (barami bunda): There is wind
• 덥다 (deopda): To be hot
• 춥다 (chupda): To be cold
• 따뜻하다 (ttatteuthada): To be warm
• 몇 도 인가요? (myeot do ingayo?): How many degrees is it?

Sample Dialogue 1: Sunny Day

Let’s practice a conversation about a sunny day. Imagine you’re talking to a Korean friend, Jimin.

You: 안녕하세요, 지민 씨! 오늘 날씨가 정말 좋네요! (Annyeonghaseyo, Jimi-ssi! Oneul nalssiga jeongmal jonneyo!)

(Hello, Jimin! The weather is really good today!)

Jimin: 네, 맞아요! 맑고 따뜻해요. (Ne, mawayo! Malgo ttatteuthaeyo.)

(Yes, it’s true! It’s clear and warm.)

You: 지금 밖에 나가면 좋아요? (Jigeum bakke nagameyeon joayo?)

(Would it be good to go outside now?)

Jimin: 당연하죠! 피크닉 가기 딱이에요! (Danyeonghajo! Pikkneok kagi tagieyo!)

(Of course! It’s perfect for a picnic!)

Sample Dialogue 2: Rainy Day

Now, let’s talk about rain. This is where mistakes are very common!

You: 안녕하세요, 민수 씨! 오늘 날씨가 어때요? (Annyeonghaseyo, Minsu-ssi! Oneul nalssiga eottaeyo?)

(Hello, Minsoo! How’s the weather today?)

Minsoo: 음… 비가 와요. (Eum… biga wayo.)

(Um… it’s raining.)

You: 아, 비가 온다니 슬프네요. (A, biga onda-ni seulpeuneyo.)

(Oh, it’s raining – that’s sad.)

Minsoo: 네, 좀 추워요. 우산을 쓰고 나가야 해요. (Ne, jom chupwayo. Usanseul sseugo nagaya haeyo.)

(Yes, it’s a little cold. I need to go out with an umbrella.)

Correction: Notice how you said “비가 온다니 슬프네요” (Biga onda-ni seulpeuneyo). While grammatically correct at a TOPIK 1 level, native speakers would usually just say “비가 와요.” Adding the ‘하니’ (하니) makes it sound a bit unnatural for beginners.

Tips for Success

• Start Simple: Focus on using the vocabulary and phrases we’ve learned. Don’t try to overcomplicate things.
• Listen Carefully: Pay attention to how Koreans actually speak. Watch Korean dramas or videos (with subtitles!) to get a feel for the rhythm of the language.
• Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become! Try talking about the weather with yourself – it’s okay!
• Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes when learning a new language. It’s part of the process!

Resources

KoreanClass101: [Read More (Good for beginners)
Talk To Me In Korean: [Read More (Excellent resource with audio and transcripts)