Well... That was embarrassing.

A Embarrassing & Confusing Moment I Once Had

Hello everyone! Today, I'd like to share an embarrassing mistake 😑 I made when I was learning Chinese. While studying abroad in China, I lived in a hotel that had a separate room for doing laundry. One day, I meant to ask if I could do laundry in that room, but instead I accidentally asked if I could shower there. The staff looked at me awkwardly and told me that it wasn't possible to shower there because there wasn't a shower available. I realized my mistake and felt embarrassed 😳, so I just laughed it off. Have you ever made a mistake while speaking Korean or in any language? Sometimes my students accidentally call me "fish" instead of "teacher" because the two words sound similar in Korean. 

Learning a new language can be challenging, 🥴 and Korean are no exception. As you learn more, you might make some of the same mistakes that many Korean learners do. In this newsletter you will read about the most common mistakes and get tips on how to avoid them.

Confusing similar sounding words 🤯

Korean has many homophones, or words that sound the same but have different meanings.

To avoid confusion, pay attention to the context of the sentence and practice pronunciation to distinguish between similar sounding words.

👴Overusing honorifics👵

Korean has a complex honorific system that reflects social hierarchy and respect. However, overusing honorifics can make you sound too formal or awkward in casual situations. Learn the appropriate level of politeness for different situations and use honorifics when it is appropriate.

📚Translating directly from English🔤

Korean grammar and sentence structure are very different from English. Try not to translate directly from English to Korean, as this can lead to sentences that are awkward or wrong and most of all confusing! Instead, try to think in Korean and learn sentence patterns and idioms that are unique to the language.

🤷‍♀️Not using the correct particles🤷‍♂️

Korean particles are used to indicate the function of a word in a sentence, such as subject, object, or location. Using the wrong particle can change the meaning of the sentence. Practice using particles correctly and pay attention to their usage in context.

Neglecting pronunciation🫣

Korean pronunciation can be difficult for English speakers, especially with the unique sounds of the language. Neglecting pronunciation can lead to misunderstandings or difficulty in communication. Practice regularly and listen to native speakers to improve your pronunciation.

By being aware of these common mistakes and practicing to avoid them, you can improve your Korean language skills and communicate more effectively. LAK can help you avoid these common mistakes and get you to your Korean language goal. Whether you are brand new to Korean or if you have been studying Korean for a while, LAK has different classes for each level. Our classes will get you to understand and speak just like a Korean in a short amount of  time. Please let us know if you have experienced a

For more information, check out our website.

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