TOPIK 1 Writing: Write About How You Feel

Okay, so you’re starting to learn Korean and your first assignment is TOPIK 1 writing – specifically, “Write about how you feel.” Don’t panic! This isn’t about complex sentences or perfect grammar. It’s about communicating genuinely. Let’s focus on getting your ideas across clearly.

Understanding the Task

The TOPIK 1 writing tasks are generally short prompts, and “Write about how you feel” is a really common one. They usually want to see that you can use basic vocabulary and sentence structures to express simple emotions. You’ll likely be given a situation or image as inspiration, but often it’s open-ended – meaning you can choose your own feeling and the situation.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

Here are some essential phrases you’ll need:

• 기분이요 (gi bun i yo) – How are you feeling?
• 행복해요 (haeng bok haeyo) – I’m happy.
• 슬프네요 (seul prue nyeo) – It makes me sad.
• 좋아요 (joa hyo) – I like it / It’s good.
• 싫어요 (si reo yeo) – I don’t like it.
• 너무 (neomu) – very, too
• 왜냐하면 (wae nya hamyeon) – Because…

Example: “오늘 날씨가 너무 좋아서 행복해요.” (Oneul nalssiga neomu joaseo haengbokhaeyo.) – “The weather is so good today, I’m happy.”

Realistic Situations & Example Responses

Let’s look at a few scenarios and how you might respond. Remember to keep it simple!

Scenario 1: You just received good news.

Prompt: Write about how you feel.

Possible Response (Korean): “저는 정말 기뻐요! 시험을 잘 봤어요. 그래서 너무 행복해요.” (Jeoneun jeongmal gippeoyo! Siheomeul jal bwasseoyo. Geoseueo neomu haengbokhaeyo.)

Translation: “I’m really happy! I did well on the exam, so I’m very happy.”

Scenario 2: You feel a little disappointed because you missed something.

Prompt: Write about how you feel.

Possible Response (Korean): “오늘 영화를 보려고 했는데, 너무 늦어서 슬프네요.” (Oneul yeonghwareul boryeogeo haendeo, neomu neon eoseo seul prue nyeo.)

Translation: “I wanted to go see a movie today, but I’m sad because I was too late.”

Scenario 3: You like a particular song.

Prompt: Write about how you feel.

Possible Response (Korean): “이 노래가 너무 좋아요! 듣고 있으면 기분이 좋아져요.”(I noraega neomu joayo! deutgo siwomeun gibuni joajeoryeo.)

Translation: “This song is so good! When I listen to it, my mood improves.”

Common Mistakes & Corrections

• Overusing complex grammar: Stick to simple sentence structures like Subject-Object-Verb.
• Using too many formal expressions: Use casual forms like ‘요 (yo)’ at the end of sentences. “안녕하세요” (annyeonghaseyo – Hello) is not appropriate for this task unless specifically instructed.
• Mispronunciation of basic vocabulary: Practice saying the words and phrases aloud!
• Incorrect use of ‘너무’ (neomu): Don’t overuse it; “좋아요” (joa hyo – I like it) is often enough to express a positive feeling.

Tips for Success

• Focus on clarity: Choose one main emotion and explain why you feel that way.
• Use simple vocabulary: Don’t try to impress with advanced words.
• Practice regularly: The more you write, the easier it will become!

Good luck! Remember, this is just a starting point – your goal is to communicate and express yourself in Korean.