Description
Chad Meyer is an American with BS degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, and math, as well as several years’ experience teaching in the New York area. Kim Moon-jung is a Korean who majored in art before going to study graphic design in the US, where she also worked for a newspaper. Chad and Moon-jung fell in love and got married, and following a number of visits to Korea, they ended up relocating to Seoul in 2007.
Chad’s deep interest in Korean culture led him to contribute articles about Korean food to the English-language daily the Korea Times. Since 2008, Chad and Moon-jung have been writing the Easy to Learn Korean series for the Korea Times. The series features easy and useful Korean expressions that can be put to use in one’s everyday life, charming illustrations that aid comprehension, and interesting tips about Korean culture, making it one of the paper’s most popular sections. Now, the series is being published in book form under the title An Illustrated Guide to Korean: Essential Words and Phrases, ideal for foreigners looking for an easier, more entertaining way to learn Korean. This book organizes material from the series into themes and adds even more fascinating tips about Korean culture.
Contents
FOREWORD
A Note Regarding the Korean Romanization Method
1. Essential Expressions
First Meetings & Introductions
Everyday Greetings
Gratitude & Apologies
Accepting & Rejecting
Comprehension & Asking Again
Feelings
Talking on the Phone
2. SMALL TALK & MAKING FRIENDS
Overview: Tenses
Describe Yourself
Getting to Know Each Other
Small Talk
Making Plans
*Illustrated Dictionary: Countries, Nationalities, Family
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: Slang & Colloquialisms
3. ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS & USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Overview: Public Transportation System
Asking for Directions
Buses & Taxis
Subways & Trains
Airports & Air Travel
*Illustrated Dictionary: Directions, Subways, Trains, Air Travel
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: T-money Card & Proxy Driver
4. FOOD & RESTAURANTS
Overview: Places to Eat & Eating Etiquette
Arriving at the Restaurant & Ordering Food
Making Complaints & Paying the Bill
Coffee Shops & Teahouses
Making Reservations & Ordering Takeout
*Dictionary with Photos: Korean Food
*Illustrated Dictionary: Coffee & Korean Tea
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: Street Food
5. PREPARING FOR LIFE IN KOREA
Overview: Your Alien Registration Card
Renting a House
Banking & Foreign Exchange
Credit Cards
Signing Up for a Cellphone
*Illustrated Dictionary:
Kinds of Houses, Renting a House, Banking, Foreign Exchange, Credit Cards, Cellphones, Utility Payments
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: Gosiwon
6. ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE
Overview: Five Things to Do Before Leaving Korea
Movies & Performances
Singing Rooms
Going for a Drink & Drinking Etiquette
Gyms
Taking a Vacation
Tours
*Illustrated Dictionary: Movie Theaters, Singing Rooms, Gyms,
Vacation, Hiking, Winter Sports, Liquor
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: Public Bath & Jjimjilbangs
7. SHOPPING
Overview: Types of Shops & Basic Expressions
Shopping
At the Cash Register
Exchanges & Refunds
*Illustrated Dictionary: General Shopping, Clothing, Accessories,
Shoes, Groceries, Receipts
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: Delivery Service
8. AT THE WORKPLACE
Overview: Work Visas
Daily Conversations in the Office
Office Work
Excuses & Apologies
Occupations
*Illustrated Dictionary: Occupations, Seniority, Departments
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: Weddings & Funerals
9. PLACES
Overview: Types of Places & Basic Expressions
Hospitals & Pharmacies
Police Stations
Hair Salons & Barbershops
Laundry & Alterations
Hotels
*Illustrated Dictionary: Parts of the Body, Symptoms,
Taking Medicine, Hair Salons, Barbershops, Hairstyles
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: Fortunetellers
10. DRIVING
Overview: Driver’s License
Gas Station & Car Repairs
Parking
Car Accidents & Car Insurance
*Illustrated Dictionary:
Road, Car Parts, Gas Station, Auto Repair Shop, Parking
*Fun and Practical Korean Culture Tips: Passenger Seating & Street Parking