Today's Real Korean Expression

Morning greeting at work

Hello, good morning

Textbook안녕하십니까, 좋은 아침입니다an-nyeong-ha-sim-ni-kka, jo-eun a-chim-ip-ni-da

Real안녕하세요~ / 좋은 아침이에요an-nyeong-ha-se-yo~ / jo-eun a-chim-i-e-yo

Unlike with friends, you DO say 안녕하세요 at work — but with a soft ~ at the end. 좋은 아침 is becoming more common in modern Korean offices (borrowed from English "good morning"). Some offices are still more formal.

Running to the bus

I must not miss the bus

Textbook버스를 놓치면 안 됩니다beo-seu-reul no-chi-myeon an doem-ni-da

Real아 저거 내 버스다! 뛰어!a jeo-geo nae beo-seu-da! ttwi-eo!

내 버스 (my bus) — Koreans claim ownership of their bus line. 뛰어! (run!) is the one-word command you'll hear every morning at Korean bus stops. The morning bus chase is a shared Korean experience.

Grabbing coffee on the way

I will buy coffee on my way to work

Textbook출근하면서 커피를 사겠습니다chul-geun-ha-myeon-seo keo-pi-reul sa-get-seum-ni-da

Real커피 사 가야지 / 커피 들고 가자keo-pi sa ga-ya-ji / keo-pi deul-go ga-ja

~야지 is talking to yourself ("I should..."). It's the Korean internal monologue ending. 들고 가다 (hold and go = take with you) is how you say "to go" for any item.

Skipping breakfast

I will not eat breakfast

Textbook아침 식사를 하지 않겠습니다a-chim sik-sa-reul ha-ji an-ket-seum-ni-da

Real아침 걍 스킵할래 / 밥 안 먹어a-chim gyang seu-kip-hal-lae / bap an meo-geo

걍 is the ultra-casual version of 그냥 (just). 스킵 is Konglish from "skip." Korean millennials mix Korean + English constantly. Your Korean grandma would NOT approve of skipping breakfast though.

Getting ready fast

I must get ready quickly

Textbook빨리 준비해야 합니다ppal-li jun-bi-hae-ya ham-ni-da

Real헐, 늦었다! 빨리 준비해야 돼!heol, neuj-eot-da! ppal-li jun-bi-hae-ya dwae!

늦었다 literally means "I'm late" but Koreans use it the moment they realize they MIGHT be late. ~야 돼 (have to) replaces the stiff ~야 합니다 in real life. This is panic mode Korean.