Learning a new language takes a lot of effort and time. For Western learners, tackling Korean can feel even more challenging because it’s so different from their native languages. But don’t worry—I’ve got one simple tip that can make your Korean language journey much smoother.
I’ve dabbled in a few languages myself, including English, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese. Through my experiences, I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out the best way to learn Korean (and other languages) more effectively. Today, I’ll share my most important insight, and it’s all about learning how to think in Korean.
Why You Must “Stop Translating in Your Head” to Learn Korean
One of the biggest struggles learners face is word order. When you try to form sentences by first thinking in your native language and then translating them into Korean, mistakes happen. For example, many of my students say things like “두 명 친구” when they mean “two friends.”
Why is this a problem? Korean word order differs from English. In English, you say the number before the noun, like “two friends.” But in Korean, the noun comes first, followed by the number:
Correct: 친구 두 명
Here are more examples to illustrate this point:
- 저는 한국 친구가 두 명 있어요. (I have two Korean friends.)
- 저는 여동생이 한 명 있어요. (I have one younger sister.)
The Power of Mastering Korean Sentences (My Thai Experience)
When I learned Thai, I realized that some languages have even more unusual word orders. For example, when I talk to my Thai teacher, I wanted to say “I have one Thai friend.” But the sentence structure in Thai looks completely different:
- English: I have a Thai friend.
- Korean: 저는 태국인 친구가 한 명 있어요. (I Thai friend one have.)
- Thai: ผมมีเพื่อนคนไทยหนึ่งคน (I have friend Thai one.)
See how different they are? This is why thinking in your native language first and then translating can be inefficient and lead to mistakes.
So, what did I do? I added this Thai sentence to a flashcard and practiced it repeatedly. It was an incredibly practical sentence because I actually had a Thai friend, so I could use it often whenever I talk to Thai people.
Once I mastered this sentence, it became easier to tweak it. For example, if I made more Thai friends, I’d only have to change the number. If I wanted to talk about family instead, I’d simply swap out “Thai friend” for “family.”
Here’s my single most important tip for learning Korean (or any language):
Memorize and repeatedly practice sentences you use often.
The more useful sentences you can recall instantly, the more confident you’ll become in speaking Korean. Over time, these sentences will naturally build up, and your Korean skills will improve dramatically.
How to Think in Korean: A Step-by-Step Method
Here’s my single most important tip for learning how to think in Korean:
Memorize and repeatedly practice full sentences you actually use often.
The more useful sentences you can recall instantly, the more confident you’ll become. Over time, these sentences will naturally build up, and your Korean skills will improve dramatically.
How to Start Mastering Korean Sentences Today
Here is a simple, 3-step routine:
- Find Your Sentences: Don’t just use a random textbook. Think about your own life. Write down 5-10 sentences you wish you could say in Korean. (e.g., “I am learning Korean because I love K-pop,” “I live in [Your City],” “I work as a [Your Job]”).
- Get Them Correct: Get these sentences translated correctly by a native speaker, a teacher, or a reliable app (like Podo Korean).
- Use “Spaced Repetition”: Add these 5-10 sentences to a flashcard system (like Anki or the Podo app). The “front” should be in English (“I have two Korean friends”) and the “back” in Korean (
저는 한국 친구가 두 명 있어요.). Practice them every single day until you can say the Korean sentence instantly, without “building” it in your head.
This is the most direct Korean sentence structure practice you can do.
Boost Your Progress with the Right Tools
For serious learners, I recommend checking out the Podo Korean app. It’s packed with practical sentences that I personally created. With just one click, you can save a sentence, its translation, and its audio to a flashcard for easy review. Use this method consistently, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go.
Ready to get started? Click the link below to download the app and start building your Korean fluency today!
