Beginner Korean

Who this level is for

You can't read Hangul yet, or you can sound out words slowly. Pages here explain one word, phrase or custom at a time, always with romanization, so you can start from zero.

Recommended reading order

Read the letters first, then greetings, then the two ways of speaking (casual and polite). After that, browse by topic — food, travel, K-culture — in any order.

1. The Korean Alphabet (Hangul), Explained
2. What Does 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) Mean in Korean?
3. What Does 오빠 (Oppa) Mean in Korean?
4. 반말 vs 존댓말: Casual vs Polite Korean Speech

Is this the right level?

You're ready for Intermediate when you can read Hangul without romanization and make a simple polite sentence ending in 요. Not sure? Take the free 3-minute level check, or follow the Start Here path chapter by chapter.