540 Intermediate Level Vocabulary For Korean Learners

Feeling stuck in your Korean language learning journey? You're not alone. But no worries! There are effective strategies to break through that barrier. By the end, you'll have practical tips to accelerate your journey to intermediate proficiency. Whether aiming for exams or deepening cultural engagement, this post has you covered.

In this blog post, we'll cover more than 500 intermediate-level vocabulary for Korean learners and discover effective tips and methods to learn Korean vocabulary faster and easier!

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Korean Nouns for the Intermediate Level

Household and Places

This section includes nouns related to the home and places you visit frequently. Learning these terms is essential for describing your surroundings and daily activities.

KoreanEnglishExample
집 (jip)House저녁에 집에 갑니다 (I go home in the evening)
학교 (hakgyo)School학교에 가고 있어요 (I’m going to school)
병원 (byeongwon)Hospital병원에 가야 해요 (I have to go to the hospital)
공원 (gongwon)Park공원에서 산책해요 (I walk in the park)
도서관 (doseogwan)Library도서관에서 공부해요 (I study at the library)
시장 (sijang)Market시장에서 물건을 사요 (I buy things at the market)
가게 (gage)Store가게에 가고 있어요 (I’m going to the store)
회사 (hoesa)Company회사에서 일해요 (I work at a company)
화장실 (hwajangsil)Bathroom화장실을 사용하고 싶어요 (I want to use the bathroom)
집 (jip)Home집이 크고 편안해요 (The house is big and comfortable)
공항 (gonghang)Airport공항에서 비행기를 탔어요 (I took a plane at the airport)
역 (yeok)Station역에서 기차를 탔어요 (I boarded the train at the station)
교실 (gyosil)Classroom교실에서 수업을 듣고 있어요 (I am in class)
식당 (sikdang)Restaurant식당에서 저녁을 먹었어요 (I had dinner at the restaurant)
극장 (geukjang)Theater극장에서 영화를 봤어요 (I watched a movie at the theater)

Food and Beverages

Food and drinks are an essential part of daily life and culture. These nouns will help you navigate conversations about meals and dining.

KoreanEnglishExample
밥 (bap)Rice밥을 먹었어요? (Have you eaten rice?)
물 (mul)Water물을 마시고 싶어요 (I want to drink water)
김치 (kimchi)Kimchi김치는 매워요 (Kimchi is spicy)
빵 (ppang)Bread빵을 샀어요 (I bought bread)
과일 (gwail)Fruit과일을 좋아해요 (I like fruit)
고기 (gogi)Meat고기를 많이 먹어요 (I eat a lot of meat)
우유 (uyu)Milk우유를 마셔요 (I drink milk)
커피 (keopi)Coffee커피 한 잔 주세요 (One cup of coffee, please)
차 (cha)Tea차를 마셔요 (I drink tea)
국 (guk)Soup국이 맛있어요 (The soup is delicious)
생선 (saengseon)Fish생선을 좋아해요 (I like fish)
채소 (chaeso)Vegetables채소를 먹어요 (I eat vegetables)
주스 (juseu)Juice주스를 마셨어요 (I drank juice)
아이스크림 (aiseukeurim)Ice cream아이스크림을 좋아해요 (I like ice cream)
과자 (gwaja)Snacks과자를 먹었어요 (I ate snacks)

Nature and Environment

Here, you will find nouns related to nature and the environment. These are useful when discussing the weather or outdoor settings.

KoreanEnglishExample
산 (san)Mountain산이 정말 아름다워요 (The mountain is beautiful)
바다 (bada)Sea바다에 가고 싶어요 (I want to go to the sea)
날씨 (nalssi)Weather오늘 날씨가 좋아요 (The weather today is good)
나무 (namu)Tree나무가 많아요 (There are many trees)
하늘 (haneul)Sky하늘이 파래요 (The sky is blue)
별 (byeol)Star별이 빛나요 (The stars are shining)
꽃 (kkot)Flower꽃이 예뻐요 (The flowers are pretty)
계절 (gyejeol)Season봄은 따뜻해요 (Spring is warm)
강 (gang)River강에서 수영해요 (I swim in the river)
폭포 (pokpo)Waterfall폭포가 커요 (The waterfall is large)
공기 (gonggi)Air공기가 깨끗해요 (The air is clean)
동물 (dongmul)Animal동물이 많아요 (There are many animals)
숲 (sup)Forest숲에서 산책했어요 (I walked in the forest)
섬 (seom)Island섬에서 쉬고 싶어요 (I want to rest on an island)
바람 (baram)Wind바람이 불어요 (The wind is blowing)

People and Relationships

Personal and social relationships are key parts of daily life. With these words, you’ll be able to talk about friends, family, and social connections.

KoreanEnglishExample
친구 (chingu)Friend내 친구는 친절해요 (My friend is kind)
가족 (gajok)Family가족과 함께 있어요 (I’m with my family)
부모님 (bumonim)Parents부모님이 보고 싶어요 (I miss my parents)
형제 (hyeongje)Siblings형제와 놀았어요 (I played with my siblings)
할머니 (halmeoni)Grandmother할머니가 요리해요 (My grandmother is cooking)
할아버지 (harabeoji)Grandfather할아버지가 산책해요 (My grandfather is walking)
남편 (nampyeon)Husband남편과 외출해요 (I’m going out with my husband)
아내 (anae)Wife아내가 요리해요 (My wife is cooking)
아이 (ai)Child아이가 학교에 다녀요 (The child goes to school)
친구들 (chingudeul)Friends친구들과 함께 있어요 (I’m with my friends)
남자 (namja)Man남자가 이야기하고 있어요 (The man is talking)
여자 (yeoja)Woman여자가 춤을 추고 있어요 (The woman is dancing)
이웃 (iut)Neighbor이웃이 친절해요 (The neighbor is kind)
선생님 (seonsaengnim)Teacher선생님이 수업해요 (The teacher is giving a lesson)
동료 (dongnyo)Colleague동료와 일해요 (I work with my colleague)

Korean Verbs for the Intermediate Level

Daily Actions

These Korean verbs describe common, everyday activities that are essential in daily communication.

  • 가다 (gada): To go
  • 오다 (oda): To come
  • 먹다 (meokda): To eat
  • 마시다 (masida): To drink
  • 자다 (jada): To sleep

Communication Verbs

Learn verbs related to speaking, listening, and interacting with others.

  • 말하다 (malhada): To speak
  • 듣다 (deutda): To listen
  • 질문하다 (jilmunhada): To ask
  • 대답하다 (daedaphada): To answer
  • 부르다 (bureuda): To call

Mental Processes

These verbs help describe thinking, understanding, and making decisions.

  • 생각하다 (saenggakhada): To think
  • 이해하다 (ihaehada): To understand
  • 기억하다 (gieokhada): To remember
  • 잊다 (itda): To forget
  • 결정하다 (gyeoljeonghada): To decide

Movement Verbs

Use these verbs to describe physical actions like walking, running, or moving from one place to another.

  • 뛰다 (ttwida): To run
  • 걷다 (geotda): To walk
  • 타다 (tada): To ride
  • 올라가다 (ollagada): To go up
  • 내려가다 (naeryeogada): To go down

Emotion and Sensation Verbs

These verbs help describe feelings and states of being.

  • 행복하다 (haengbokhada): To be happy
  • 슬프다 (seulpuda): To be sad
  • 피곤하다 (pigonhada): To be tired
  • 화나다 (hwanada): To be angry
  • 놀라다 (nollada): To be surprised

Korean Adjectives for the Intermediate Level

Physical State Adjectives

These adjectives describe the size, weight, and physical condition of objects or people.

KoreanEnglishExample
크다 (keuda)Big이 방은 크다 (This room is big)
작다 (jakda)Small책상이 작다 (The desk is small)
길다 (gilda)Long머리가 길다 (Hair is long)
짧다 (jjalbda)Short바지가 짧다 (The pants are short)
무겁다 (mugeopda)Heavy가방이 무겁다 (The bag is heavy)
가볍다 (gabyeopda)Light책이 가볍다 (The book is light)
넓다 (neolda)Wide길이 넓다 (The road is wide)
좁다 (jopda)Narrow문이 좁다 (The door is narrow)
두껍다 (dukkeopda)Thick책이 두껍다 (The book is thick)
얇다 (yalbda)Thin종이가 얇다 (The paper is thin)
높다 (nopda)High산이 높다 (The mountain is high)
낮다 (natda)Low책장이 낮다 (The bookshelf is low)
빠르다 (ppareuda)Fast차가 빠르다 (The car is fast)
느리다 (neurida)Slow기차가 느리다 (The train is slow)
뜨겁다 (tteugeopda)Hot물이 뜨겁다 (The water is hot)

Personality Adjectives

These adjectives describe someone's personality or character traits.

KoreanEnglishExample
착하다 (chakhada)Kind그는 착하다 (He is kind)
똑똑하다 (ttokttokhada)Smart그녀는 똑똑하다 (She is smart)
게으르다 (geeureuda)Lazy그는 게으르다 (He is lazy)
용감하다 (yonggamhada)Brave그녀는 용감하다 (She is brave)
친절하다 (chinjeolhada)Friendly선생님이 친절하다 (The teacher is friendly)
정직하다 (jeongjikhada)Honest그는 정직하다 (He is honest)
이기적이다 (igijeogida)Selfish그 사람은 이기적이다 (He is selfish)
재미있다 (jaemiitda)Fun친구가 재미있다 (The friend is fun)
사교적이다 (sagyujeogida)Sociable그녀는 사교적이다 (She is sociable)
성실하다 (seongsilhada)Diligent그는 성실하다 (He is diligent)
신중하다 (sinjunghada)Cautious그녀는 신중하다 (She is cautious)
대담하다 (daedamhada)Bold그가 대담하다 (He is bold)
차분하다 (chabunhada)Calm그가 차분하다 (He is calm)
부지런하다 (bujireonhada)Hard-working그는 부지런하다 (He is hard-working)
욕심이 많다 (yoksimi manta)Greedy그는 욕심이 많다 (He is greedy)

Emotional Adjectives

These adjectives express feelings and emotions, allowing you to talk about mood and emotional states.

KoreanEnglishExample
행복하다 (haengbokhada)Happy나는 행복하다 (I am happy)
슬프다 (seulpuda)Sad그녀는 슬프다 (She is sad)
피곤하다 (pigonhada)Tired나는 피곤하다 (I am tired)
화나다 (hwanada)Angry그는 화가 났다 (He is angry)
놀라다 (nollada)Surprised나는 놀랐다 (I am surprised)
걱정하다 (geokjeonghada)Worried나는 걱정하고 있다 (I am worried)
불안하다 (buranhada)Anxious그녀는 불안하다 (She is anxious)
즐겁다 (jeulgeopda)Joyful오늘이 즐겁다 (Today is joyful)
외롭다 (oeropda)Lonely그는 외롭다 (He is lonely)
지루하다 (jiruhada)Bored수업이 지루하다 (The class is boring)
무섭다 (museopda)Scared나는 무섭다 (I am scared)
미안하다 (mianhada)Sorry그녀는 미안해요 (She is sorry)
편안하다 (pyeonanada)Comfortable나는 편안하다 (I am comfortable)
신나다 (sinnada)Excited나는 신이 났다 (I am excited)
만족하다 (manjokhada)Satisfied나는 만족한다 (I am satisfied)

Weather and Climate Adjectives

These adjectives are useful when discussing weather and temperatures.

KoreanEnglishExample
덥다 (deopda)Hot날씨가 덥다 (The weather is hot)
춥다 (chupda)Cold날씨가 춥다 (The weather is cold)
따뜻하다 (ttatteuthada)Warm날씨가 따뜻하다 (The weather is warm)
시원하다 (siwonhada)Cool바람이 시원하다 (The wind is cool)
맑다 (makda)Clear하늘이 맑다 (The sky is clear)
흐리다 (heurida)Cloudy하늘이 흐리다 (The sky is cloudy)
비가 오다 (biga oda)Rainy오늘 비가 온다 (It’s rainy today)
눈이 오다 (nuni oda)Snowy내일 눈이 온다 (It will snow tomorrow)
바람이 불다 (barami bulda)Windy바람이 많이 분다 (The wind blows strongly)
습하다 (seupada)Humid공기가 습하다 (The air is humid)
건조하다 (geonjohada)Dry공기가 건조하다 (The air is dry)
서늘하다 (seoneulhada)Chilly저녁이 서늘하다 (The evening is chilly)
무덥다 (mudeopda)Sweltering날씨가 무덥다 (The weather is sweltering)
따스하다 (ttaseuhada)Mild날씨가 따스하다 (The weather is mild)
폭풍이 치다 (pokpungi chida)Stormy폭풍이 치고 있다 (A storm is raging)

Appearance Adjectives

Wondering how to compliment someone? Well, you might need to use these adjectives that describe how someone or something looks.

KoreanEnglishExample
예쁘다 (yeppeuda)Pretty꽃이 예쁘다 (The flower is pretty)
잘생기다 (jalsaenggida)Handsome그가 잘생겼다 (He is handsome)
귀엽다 (gwiyeopda)Cute강아지가 귀엽다 (The puppy is cute)
멋있다 (meositta)Stylish그는 멋있다 (He is stylish)
아름답다 (areumdapda)Beautiful그녀는 아름답다 (She is beautiful)
깔끔하다 (kkalkkeumhada)Neat방이 깔끔하다 (The room is neat)
우아하다 (uahada)Elegant그녀는 우아하다 (She is elegant)
단순하다 (dansunhada)Simple디자인이 단순하다 (The design is simple)
복잡하다 (bokjaphada)Complex문제가 복잡하다 (The problem is complex)
창백하다 (changbaekhada)Pale그는 창백하다 (He is pale)
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How To Memorize Korean Vocabulary Fast?

Here are some effective tips and strategies to memorize Korean vocabulary faster and easier:

1. Use Flashcards and the Spaced Repetition Method

Flashcards are an effective tool for vocabulary retention, especially when combined with spaced repetition. This method ensures that you review words at increasing intervals, optimizing memory retention.

Spaced repetition leverages the psychological spacing effect, which suggests that information is better remembered when reviewed repeatedly over time. Sources like Anki or Quizlet offer digital flashcard systems that automate spaced repetition, making vocabulary learning more efficient and effective.

2. Create Personal Connections with Words

Creating associations between words and visual imagery, narratives, or personal experiences enhances memorization and recall. This technique engages multiple areas of the brain, making vocabulary acquisition more robust and durable.

Rather than relying solely on translation, linking words to vivid mental images or meaningful stories deepens understanding and strengthens memory traces. Utilizing mnemonic devices, such as the method of loci or the peg system, further enhances this associative learning process.

3. Learn Words in Thematic Groups

Organizing vocabulary into thematic groups or semantic categories facilitates learning by establishing contextual connections. Grouping words with similar meanings, functions, or usage patterns helps learners grasp underlying patterns and associations within the language.

This approach promotes deeper comprehension and enables learners to apply vocabulary more effectively in different contexts. Online resources like thematic vocabulary lists or language learning textbooks often categorize words according to topics or themes, aiding learners in systematic vocabulary acquisition.

4. Review and Practice Vocabulary Daily

Regular and consistent review is essential for consolidating vocabulary into long-term memory. Daily practice, even in short increments, helps maintain linguistic proficiency and prevents forgetting.

Spaced repetition algorithms automatically schedule review sessions based on individual learning curves, optimizing retention while minimizing study time. Establishing a study routine and setting achievable goals foster discipline and continuity in vocabulary learning, ensuring steady progress over time.

5. Use Mnemonic Devices

Mnemonic devices and organizational strategies aid in memorization, retrieval, and reinforcement of vocabulary. The Leitner system, for instance, categorizes flashcards into different boxes based on mastery level, allowing learners to focus on challenging words while reviewing familiar ones less frequently.

Mind maps visually organize related words or concepts, facilitating comprehension and recall through spatial associations. Mnemonics, such as acronyms, rhymes, or visual imagery, provide mental hooks for encoding and retrieving information efficiently.

6. Relate New Words to Cognates or Similar words

Drawing connections between new Korean words and cognates or familiar terms in one's native language or other languages promotes associative learning and facilitates cross-linguistic transfer.

Recognizing shared etymological roots or phonetic resemblances between languages enhances vocabulary acquisition and comprehension. Comparative linguistics, language family trees, or online translation tools can aid learners in identifying linguistic parallels and leveraging existing knowledge to expand their vocabulary repertoire.

7. Learn Hanja

Learning Hanja can significantly aid in expanding your Korean vocabulary. Many Korean words have Hanja roots, and understanding the meanings of these characters can help you decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words more easily.

By recognizing Hanja components within Korean words, you can make educated guesses about their meanings and memorize new vocabulary more effectively. Additionally, the Hanja study provides insight into the historical and cultural background of Korean words, enhancing your overall understanding of the language.

Also read:

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What Level is Intermediate in Korean?

According to Bomi Lee's study and other academic classifications, intermediate language proficiency in Korean is between levels 3 and 4 (Topik II). This level is characterized by the ability to hold conversations with friends, perform daily tasks in Korea, travel, and understand a significant amount of TV content.

Passing the TOPIK exam with a grade of 3급 is generally seen as low intermediate, while 4급 is considered upper intermediate. Additionally, the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) describes lower intermediate learners similarly to TOPIK's 3급 level.

Overall, being able to construct grammatically correct sentences, describe things, express opinions, navigate places like banks and restaurants, speak without many pauses, understand and use some slang or idiomatic expressions, and comprehend a range of Korean content are indicative of an intermediate level in Korean

Frequently Asked Questions

Let's answer the most frequently asked questions here:

1. Is TOPIK level 3 intermediate?

Yes, TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 3 is generally considered an intermediate level.

TOPIK has six levels in total:

TOPIK 1 (levels 1 and 2) assesses basic Korean proficiency.
TOPIK 2 (levels 3 and 4) assesses intermediate Korean proficiency.
TOPIK 3 (levels 5 and 6) assesses advanced Korean proficiency.

So, TOPIK level 3 falls within the intermediate range.

2. Can I learn Korean in 3 months?

Learning Korean in three months is possible, but it depends on several factors such as your dedication, available time for study, previous language learning experience, and the methods/resources you use for learning.

While three months may not be enough to achieve fluency in Korean, with dedication and effective learning strategies, you can make significant progress and build a solid foundation in Korean. Remember that language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to your goals.

3. How long does it take to learn B1 Korean?

Reaching a B1 level in Korean typically requires around 200-300 hours of study. However, individual progress may vary based on factors such as prior language learning experience, intensity of study, quality of resources, immersion, and individual learning style.

While some learners may achieve a B1 level within 6-12 months with consistent effort and effective study methods, others may take longer to reach this proficiency level.

4. How much vocabulary is enough for Korean?

The number of vocabulary words needed to speak Korean fluently ranges from 3000 to 5000. Learning and developing Korean vocabulary is crucial for understanding and speaking the language effectively.

While some learners estimate their vocabulary at around 4000 words for an intermediate level, the ability to use vocabulary in conversations is more important than merely knowing a high number of words

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With Lingopie, you have access to a vast library of authentic Korean content, including popular dramas, variety shows, and documentaries, all available with subtitles in both English and Korean.

This dual subtitle feature allows you to follow along with the dialogue while simultaneously learning new vocabulary and phrases in context. It also provides interactive features such as click-to-translate, where you can easily look up the meaning of words and expressions while watching.

So, whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, Lingopie offers a fun, engaging, and effective way to learn Korean while enjoying the best of Korean TV shows and movies.

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