DAY 7: TOPIK Registration Chaos! Learn How to Talk About Exams & Study Plans in Korean!

🌸 What You’ll Learn

🌸 10 Key Korean Sentences

🌸 Key Vocabulary & Expressions

• 드디어: finally

• 접수: registration/application

• 접수하다: to register / to apply

• 무사히: safely/successfully

• 온라인 접수: online registration

• 대기하다: to wait/stand by

• 접속하다: to log in/connect

• 사이트: website

• 다운되다: to crash/go down

• 잘 되다 vs 잘 안되다

• 시도: attempt/try

• 끝에: at the end of/after

• 겨우: barely/finally (with difficulty)

• 목표로 하다: to aim for/set as a goal

• 기출문제: past exam questions

• 분석: analysis

• 영상: video

• 필수: essential/required

• 문법: grammar

• 단어: vocabulary

• 다시: again

• 정리하다: to organize/review

• 듣기 평가: listening test

• 어렵다: to be difficult

• 쓰기: writing

• 너무: too / very

• 그래서: so / therefore

• 계속: continuously / constantly

• 첨삭: correction/feedback

• 받다: to receive

• 연습을 하다: to practice

• 시험: exam / test

• 생각하다: to think

• 떨리다: to be nervous/anxious

• 준비하다: to prepare

• 꼭: definitely/for sure

🌸 Grammar Breakdown

1. ~ㄹ/을 수 있다

• Can / be able to ~

• This pattern is used to express ability or possibility.
It shows that someone has the skill, permission, or opportunity to do something.

• Base form: ㄹ(을) 수 있다
Polite form (present tense): ㄹ(을) 수 있어요
Polite form (past tense): ㄹ(을) 수 있었어요

• 💡토픽 시험 접수를 무사히 할 수 있었어요. → I was able to successfully register for the TOPIK exam.
💡 겨우 접수할 수 있었어요 → I was barely able to register.

• Verb stem + ㄹ/을 수 있다

• 한국어를 읽을 수 있어요. → I can read Korean.

• 저는 수영할 수 있어요. → I can swim.

2. ~아서 / ~어서 / ~ 해서 / ~ (이)라서

• Reason Connector & Sequence Connector

• Gives a reason or Connects two actions (“so” / “and then”)

• 💡 10시부터 온라인 접수라서 → Because the online registration opened at 10 a.m
💡 컴퓨터 앞에 앉아서 대기하고 있었어요 → I was sitting in front of the computer and then was waiting
💡 잘 준비해서 이번에는 꼭 3급을 받고 싶어요. → By preparing well, I hope to pass Level 3 this time.

• 배가 아파서 병원에 갔어요. → My stomach hurt, so I went to the hospital.

• 늦어서 미안해요. → I’m sorry because I’m late.

• 피곤해서 일찍 잤어요. → I was tired, so I went to bed early.

• 간호사라서 바빠요. → I’m busy because I’m a nurse.

• 학생이라서 바빠요. → I’m busy because I’m a student.

• 맛있게 요리해서 먹었어요 → I cooked a delicious meal and ate it

• 도서관에 가서 책을 보았어요 → I went to the library and read a book.

3. ~아서 / ~어서 / ~ 해서 / ~ (이)라서

• Reason Connector & Sequence Connector

• Use ~아서 / ~어서 / ~해서 / ~이라서 to express reason / cause / sequence

• It means “because…”, “so…”, “since…” or “ and then” in English.

• 💡 컴퓨터 앞에 앉아서 대기하고 있었어요. → I was sitting in front of my computer, and then waiting. (Sequence Connector)

• 배가 아파서 병원에 갔어요.
→ My stomach hurt, so I went to the hospital.

• 늦어서 미안해요.
→ I’m sorry because I’m late.

• 피곤해서 일찍 잤어요.
→ I was tired, so I went to bed early.

• 간호사라서 바빠요.
→ I’m busy because I’m a nurse.

• 학생이라서 바빠요.
→ I’m busy because I’m a student.

4. ~고 있다

• “be doing” something — ongoing or current action (present progressive tense).
  It shows that an action is happening right now.

• 💡대기하고 있었어요. → I was waiting.
💡 토픽 3급을 목표로 하고 있어요. → I’m aiming for TOPIK Level 3
💡 영상을 많이 보고 있어요 → I’ve been watching a lot of videos.
💡쓰기 연습을 하고 있어요 → I’ve been practicing writing

• Base form: Verb stem + 고 있다.

• Polite form (present progressive tense): Verb stem + 고 있어요.

• Polite form (past progressive tense): Verb stem + 고 있었어요.

• 가다 → 가고 있어요 (going)

• 보다 → 보고 있어요 (watching/looking)

• 이야기하다 → 이야기하고 있어요 (talking)

• 공부하고 있어요. → I’m studying.

• 밥을 먹고 있어요. → I’m eating a meal.

• 친구를 기다리고 있어요. → I’m waiting for a friend.

5. ~자마자

• ~자마자: As soon as ~

• 💡 10시가 되자마자: As soon as it hit 10 o’clock

• Verb stem + 자마자

• 집에 오자마자 잤어요. → I slept as soon as I got home.

• 수업이 끝나자마자 밥을 먹었어요. → I ate right after class.

6. ~는데 / ~ㄴ데 / ~은데 / ~인데

• Context Connector

• Context connectors (~는데 and its variations) are Korean grammar patterns that provide background information or set up context before the main clause.
Think of them as Korean's way of saying "by the way," "so," "but," or "and" depending on the situation.

• 💡접속했는데, → I logged in, but..
💡 듣기 평가는 어렵지 않은데, → The listening section isn’t too hard, but…”

• In the present tense, different verb types use different connector endings:

• 비가 올 줄 알았는데, 날씨가 정말 좋았어요.
→ I thought it would rain, but the weather turned out to be great.

• 이 옷은 예쁜데 좀 비싸요. (예쁘다 → 예쁜데)
→ This outfit is pretty, but a bit expensive.

• 여기는 식당인데 사람이 없어요.

• For more details on how to use context connectors, see below.
🍅 Three Main Ways to Use Context Connectors 🍅
1. Background + Contrast (like "but")
• Pattern: [Background info] + 는데 + [contrasting main point]
• Example:
• 날씨가 좋은데 집에만 있고 싶어요
→ The weather is nice, but I just want to stay home.
2. Background + Suggestion/Question (like "so")
• Pattern: [Background info] + 는데 + [suggestion/question]
• Example:
• 커피가 떨어졌는데 사러 갈까요?
→ We're out of coffee, so should we go buy some?
3. Background + Additional Info (like "and")
• Pattern: [Background info] + 는데 + [related information]
• Example:
• 새로운 카페를 발견했는데 커피가 맛있어요
→ I discovered a new cafe, and the coffee is delicious.

• The table below gives you an overview of context connectors.
🍅 Simple Summary Table for Context Connectors 🍅

Context Connectors	When to Use	Example
~는데	Action verbs (Present tense)	비가 오는데 우산이 없어요. (It’s raining, but I don’t have an umbrella.)
~ㄴ데 / ~은데	Descriptive verbs (Present tense)	이 옷은 예쁜데 비싸요. (This outfit is pretty, but expensive.)
~인데	Noun + 이다 (Present tense)	저는 학생인데 한국어를 배워요. (I’m a student, and I’m learning Korean.)
~ㄹ 건데 / ~을 건데	Action or Descriptive verbs (Future tense)	내일 갈 건데 같이 갈래요? (I’m going tomorrow — want to come?)
~일 건데	Noun + 이다 (Future tense)	그 사람은 선생님일 건데요. (He’s probably a teacher.)
~았는데 / ~었는데	Action or Descriptive verbs (Past tense)	많이 먹었는데 아직 배고파요. (I ate a lot, but I’m still hungry.)
~였는데 / ~이었는데	Noun + 이다 (Past tense)	작년에는 학생이었는데 지금은 직장인이에요. (Last year I was a student, but now I work.)
~했는데	하다 verb (Past tense)	운동했는데 피곤하지 않아요. (I worked out, but I’m not tired.)

• If you want to see how context connector forms change more specifically, take a look at the table below.
🍅 Detailed Pattern Table for Context Connectors 🍅

Type	Tense	Format & Rule	Example	Meaning
Action Verb	Present	Verb stem + 는데	가다 → 가는데	I go, but…
ㅤ	Past	ㅏ/ㅗ vowel stem → 았는데 Other vowels → 었는데 하다 → 했는데	가다 → 갔는데 먹다 → 먹었는데 공부하다 → 공부했는데	I went, but… I ate, but… I studied, but…
ㅤ	Future	Vowel-ending stem + ㄹ 건데 Consonant-ending stem + 을 건데	가다 → 갈 건데 먹다 → 먹을 건데	I’ll go, but… I’ll eat, but…
Descriptive Verb	Present	Vowel-ending stem → ㄴ데 Consonant-ending stem → 은데	크다 → 큰데 작다 → 작은데	It is big, but… It is small, but…
ㅤ	Past	ㅏ/ㅗ vowel → 았는데 Other vowels → 었는데 하다 → 했는데	예쁘다 → 예뻤는데 춥다 → 추웠는데 깨끗하다 → 깨끗했는데	It was pretty, but… It was cold, but… It was clean, but…
ㅤ	Future	Vowel-ending stem + ㄹ 건데 Consonant-ending stem + 을 건데	예쁘다 → 예쁠 건데 작다 → 작을 건데	It will be pretty, but… It will be small, but…
Noun + 이다	Present	Noun + 인데	학생인데	He/She is a student, but…
ㅤ	Past	Vowel-ending noun + 였는데 Consonant-ending noun + 이었는데	의사였는데 학생이었는데	ㅑ was a doctor, but… I was a student, but…
ㅤ	Future	Noun + 일 건데	선생님일 건데	I will be a teacher, but…

7. ~ 는지/ㄴ(은)지/인지

• “~는지” means whether / if / I wonder if/ I’m not sure if. It expresses uncertainty, indirect questions, or curiosity about a fact or situation.

• use this pattern
• To express that you're not sure about something
• 그 사람이 학생인지 확실하지 않아요. → I’m not sure whether he’s a student.
• To embed a question inside a sentence (indirect question)
• 그 사람이 어디 사는지 알아요? → Do you know where he lives?
• To make a guess or show doubt
• 그 말이 진심인지 의심돼요. → I doubt he really meant what he said.

• Often used with: 모르다 (don’t know), 알다 (know), 궁금하다 (wonder), 생각하다 (think), 확인하다 (check) |

• 💡 사이트가 다운되었는지 접속이 잘 안되었어요 →
• Literal: Whether the site was down or not, I couldn’t access it well
• Natural: The site wasn’t working properly—maybe it was down

• Verb Stem + 는지 + clause/verb

• 친구가 오는지 모르겠어요. → I don't know if my friend is coming.

• 비가 올지 확실하지 않아요. → I'm not sure if it will rain.

• 시험이 어려운지 궁금해요. → I'm curious whether the exam is difficult.

8. ~아/어야겠다

• ~아/어야겠다: I guess I should… / I think I have to…

• This grammar pattern is used to express a realization, strong intention, or sudden decision to do something.

• It’s often used after a moment of reflection or emotion, especially when the speaker feels that doing something is necessary.

• 💡 문법과 단어들을 정리해야겠어요. → I think I need to go over the grammar and vocabulary again

• Verb stem + 아/어야겠다

• 이제 자야겠다. → I should go to bed now.

• 운동을 시작해야겠다. → I should start exercising

9. ~아서 / ~어서 / ~ 해서 / ~ (이)라서 그런지

• ~아서 / ~어서 / ~ 해서 / ~ (이)라서:
• Reason Connector
• Use ~아서 / ~어서 / ~해서 / ~이라서 to express reason or cause.
• It means “because…”, “so…”, or “since…” in English.

• 그런지:
• 그런지 adds nuance. It shows you’re making a guess or observation, but you’re not 100% sure.
• It softens your statement and makes it sound more thoughtful or polite.

• [~아서 / ~어서 / ~ 해서 / ~ (이)라서] + [그런지]
• “It seems like it’s because…”
• “Maybe it’s because…”

• 💡 한국 드라마를 많이 봐서 그런지 저는 듣기 평가는 어렵지 않아요
→ Maybe because I watch a lot of Korean dramas, the listening section isn’t too hard for me

• Verb stem + ~아서 / ~어서 / ~ 해서 / ~ (이)라서 + 그런지

• 날씨가 좋아서 그런지 기분이 좋아요. Maybe because the weather is nice, I feel good.

• 어제 밥을 잘못 먹어서 그런지 배가 아프다 Maybe because I ate something bad yesterday, my stomach hurts.

• 공부를 너무 많이 해서 그런지 피곤해요.Maybe because I studied too much, I’m tired.

• 의사라서 그런지 평일엔 아주 바빠요 Maybe because he is a doctor, he is super busy on weekdays.

• 직장인이라서 그런지 평일엔 아주 바빠요 Maybe because he is an office worker, he is super busy on weekdays.

10. ~(으)면

• Condition Connector

• Use ~(으)면 to talk about conditions. It’s like saying “if” or “when” in English.

• 💡 시험을 생각하면→ When I think about the test

• 시간이 있으면 도와줄게요. (있 + 으면)
→ If I have time, I’ll help you.

• 비가 오면 우산을 써요. (오 + 면)
→ If it rains, I use an umbrella.

• 창문을 열면, 시원해요. (열 + 면)
→ If you open the window, it feels cool.

• 학생이면, 할인돼요. (이 + 면)
→ If you’re a student, you get a discount.

11. ~ 지만

• Contrast Connector

• “but,” “although,” “even though”
→ Used to contrast two statements or show that the second part happens despite the first.

• 💡 시험을 생각하면 너무 떨리지만 →
• Literal: If I think about the test, I get very nervous, but…
• Natural: Thinking about the test makes me really nervous, but…

• 저는 한국 음식을 좋아하지만 매운 건 못 먹어요.
  → I like Korean food, but I can't eat spicy things.

• 비싸지만 사고 싶어요.
→ It's expensive, but I want to buy it.

• 그 사람은 배우지만 무대에 서 본 적이 없어요.
→ He/She is an actor, but has never been on stage.

• 수학 선생님이지만 그림도 잘 그려요.
  → He/She is a math teacher, but also draws well.

12. ~지 않다

• ~지 않다 is used to express negation in Korean.

• It's a more formal/polite way to say "not" compared to 안.

• ~지 않다 = "do not" / "is not"

• It's often used in writing, formal speech, or when you want to sound more polite

• 💡 듣기 평가는 그렇게 어렵지 않아요 → The listening section isn’t that hard.

• Verb stem + 지 않다

• 가지 않아요 → I don't go.

• 먹지 않아요 → I don’t eat.

• 춥지 않아요 → It’s not cold.

13. ~고 싶다

• to want to do something

• You use this pattern to talk about your hopes, desires, or things you’d like to do.

• 💡꼭 3급을 받고 싶어요. →
• Literal: I want to definitely receive Level 3
• Natural: I really want to pass Level 3

• Verb stem + 고 싶다

• 밥을 먹고 싶어요. → I want to eat.

• 한국에 가고 싶어요. → I want to go to Korea.

• 친구를 만나고 싶어요. → I want to meet my friend.

🌸 Extra Cultural or Language Notes