Learn Hangul in 2 days
Start with Hangul, the Korean alphabet. It’s logical and phonetic, so beginners can master it fast. Learn stroke order and syllable blocks, then read simple words like bus, coffee, and kimchi. Reading early lets you use real signs, menus, and apps.
Use free online charts and quizzes, or a beginner book chapter, and read out loud. Record yourself to check sounds like ㅓ (eo) and ㅡ (eu). If a letter feels tricky, compare it to English mouth shapes.
- Day 1: vowels and basic consonants (read words in blocks)
- Day 2: double consonants, batchim (finals), quick reading drills
- Use a free Hangul typing keyboard online
- Read kids’ song titles and subway station names
A simple 30‑day study routine
Consistency beats long sessions. Aim for 20–30 minutes per day for the first 30 days. Short, focused tasks help a beginner avoid burnout and build momentum. Keep materials light and fun so your brain wants to come back tomorrow.
Mix listening, speaking, reading, and a little writing. Track wins: words learned, minutes studied, days streak. If you miss a day, do five minutes and reset. Gentle pressure keeps you moving.
- 5 min: quick review of yesterday’s words
- 10 min: new vocab with images (food, family, places)
- 5 min: sentence pattern drill (A+이에요/예요, 있어요/없어요)
- 5 min: shadow one dialogue twice
- Bonus: one message to a friend or yourself in Korean
Core grammar and phrases for beginners
Focus on patterns you’ll use daily. Polite present tense, particles 이/가 and 을/를, and basic question endings are enough for A1–A2 conversations. Learn set phrases you can swap words into.
Build mini-sentences: topic + time + place + action. Keep it simple and consistent. Learn numbers, counters for items and people, and common verbs like go, eat, want, have, like.
- 저는 미국 사람이에요. I’m American. (subject marker practice)
- 지금 커피 있어요? Do you have coffee now?
- 학교에 가요. I go to school.
- 한국어를 조금 배워요. I learn Korean a little.
- 화장실 어디에 있어요? Where is the bathroom?
Boost listening and speaking early
Input first, output soon after. Listen to slow dialogues, then shadow: play a line, pause, repeat aloud. This trains rhythm and intonation so your Korean sounds natural, even as a beginner.
For speaking, use online exchanges or AI tutors. Prepare a tiny script, record yourself, and fix one mistake per day. Celebrate understandable Korean, not perfection.
- Shadow 2–3 short lines daily for 7 days
- Ask and answer the same question three ways
- Use voice notes to correct yourself
- Repeat hard sounds: ㅂ/ㅍ, ㄱ/ㅋ, ㅈ/ㅊ
Free and paid resources that work
You can learn a lot for free online. Add one reliable book for structure if you like. Combine both to cover reading, listening, speaking, and grammar without overwhelm.
Pick only a few tools and stick with them for 30 days. Changing apps every week slows beginners down. Simple beats shiny.
- Free: TalkToMeInKorean Level 1 audio + PDFs
- Free: Naver Dictionary with audio and examples
- Free: YouTube playlists for Hangul and beginner dialogues
- Online: Anki or Quizlet decks you make yourself
- Book: Elementary Korean or TTMIK printed workbook
- Extras: a K-drama with subtitles for weekend fun
FAQ
- Can I learn Korean in 30 days?
- In 30 days you can read Hangul, learn key beginner grammar, and hold short polite chats. Fluency takes longer, but a focused daily routine builds strong A1 foundations fast.
- What’s the best beginner book to start with?
- A solid pick is Elementary Korean, or the TalkToMeInKorean Level 1 book and workbook. Choose one book and finish it once, rather than sampling many.
- How can I learn Korean for free online?
- Use free online courses, YouTube lessons, and dictionary apps with audio. Combine them with spaced‑repetition flashcards and short daily shadowing for steady progress.
- Is Korean hard for English speakers?
- Hangul is easy, but grammar and particles are new. With clear examples, lots of listening, and daily practice, most beginners can reach A1–A2 comfortably.
- How do I practice speaking by yourself?
- Shadow dialogues, record voice notes, and read mini‑scripts aloud. Repeat the same lines over several days, focusing on rhythm and one small improvement each time.