Today, we will explore Korean transition words and how they can help you link your sentences smoothly and gracefully. These words are crucial for enhancing your fluency and improving your communication skills. For instance, using words like “그리고” (and) and “하지만” (but) allows you to express your ideas more effectively.
To help you further, we’ll share a list of 15 essential Korean transition words that will be incredibly useful for conversing with Korean speakers. Does it feel a little difficult? Don’t worry! Ling is here to support you on this journey. Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
What Are Korean Transition Words?
Transition words are simple expressions that help link phrases, words, and sentences to create cohesiveness. They ensure that relationships are clear throughout the text. In English, transition words and Korean conjunctions are classified differently. However, if you have looked at this topic before, you may have noticed that in many resources for Korean learners, Korean transition words are often referred to as Korean conjunctions.
In this article, we will use the term “Korean conjunction words” to avoid confusion while learning about the subject. Don’t worry about technicalities; the most important is to understand how they work and when to use them. 시작합시다!(Let’s get started!)
Korean Conjunctions(Korean Transition Words) List
1. 하지만 (Hajiman)
하지만 means “But” or “However” and is used to indicate the contrast between elements in a sentence. You can use 하지만 when you want to connect two opposing ideas.
# Example:
-오늘 파티가 있어요. 하지만 가고 싶지 않아. “There is a party today, but I don’t want to go.”
-나는 빵을 정말 좋아.하지만 매일 먹지는 않는다. “I really like bread. But I don’t eat it every day.”
2. 그리고 (Geurigo)
If you are a K-drama fan, you probably know this word. 그리고 means “and” and is used to connect words or sentences.
# Examples:
-나는 공부한다. 그리고 음악을 듣습니다. “I study and listen to music.”
-나는 피자 그리고 파스타를 좋아한다. “I like pizza and pasta.”
3. 아니면 (Animyeon)
아니면 works as the conjunction “or” in English. It is used to differentiate or indicate an alternative between two or more sentence elements.
# Examples:
-개 아니면 고양이. “Dog or cat.”
-오늘 오세요, 아니면 내일 오세요? “Are you coming today or tomorrow?”
4. (~기) 때문에 (~gi ttaemune)
‘(~기) 때문에’ is used to express the cause or reason for an event or situation. Translated to English ~기 때문에 means “because” or “therefore” while 때문에 means “because of.”
# Examples:
-코로나 때문에 나는 여행을 갈 수 없었습니다. “Because of Covid, I couldn’t travel.”
-발이 아프기 때문에 저는 뛰기 싫어요. I don’t want to run because my feet hurt.
5. 그래서 (Geureseo)
그래서 is a Korean conjunction used to indicate a consequence. 그래서 states that “B” is the result or an outcome of “A.” It is the equivalent of “So” or “Therefore” in English.
# Examples:
오늘은 정말 덥다. 그래서 나는 찬물로 샤워를 할 것이다. “It’s really hot today, so I will take a cold shower.”
나는 배고프지 않다. 그래서 나는 먹지 않을 것이다. “I am not hungry. Therefore I will not eat.”
6. 그러면 (Geuromyeon)
그러면 is a word used to express cause and effect. The statement “A” is a condition for the statement “B” to happen. It means “then” or “in that case.”
# Example:
열쇠를 주세요. 그러면 제가 문을 열겠습니다. “Give me the key. Then I will open the door.”
그러면 is also used to ask for or offer an alternative. You might recognize the shortened form of this word: 그럼. You can use either; it does not affect the structure or meaning.
# Example:
A: 영화보러 갈래? “Do you want to go to the movies?”
B: 아니요. “No”
A: 그럼 파스타 먹으러 갈래? “Then, would you like to go eat pasta?”
7. 그러니까 (Geureonikka)
그러니까 means “that’s why” or “for that reason.” It can be used when you want to express that something happened, is going to happen, or needs to occur due to the actions indicated in the preceding sentence.
# Example:
A: 나는 빨리 지친다. “I get tired quickly.”
B: 그러니까 운동을 해야 한다. “That’s why you have to exercise.”
8. 왜냐하면 (Waenyahamyeon)
왜냐하면 means “because” and is used to give a reason for something. When using this conjunction, you need to state the result first and then the reason unlike other Korean conjunctions with a similar meaning, where the order is the opposite. In other words, the grammatical order is (result) + (왜냐하면) + (reason).
# Example:
지금 졸려요. 왜냐면 어제 잠을 잘 못자 거든요. “I’m sleepy now Because I didn’t sleep well last night.”
You can also use 왜냐하면 to answer the question “왜” → “why.”
# Example:
A:왜 해변에 가고 싶지 않니? “Why don’t you want to go to the beach?”
B: 왜냐하면 덥기 때문이다. “Because it’s hot.”
9. 그렇지만 (Geureohjiman)
그렇지만 is used to join two contrasting sentences. It also shows a disparity with something that has been said before. It means “but or “however.”
# Examples:
영화는 좋지 않다. 그렇지만 나는 그것이 좋다. “The movie is not good. However, I like it.”
아이스크림입니다. 그렇지만 짠맛입니다. “It’s Ice cream, but it is salty.
10. 그래도 (Geuraedo)
그래도 means “still” or “regardless.” You can use it to state a contrast between two clauses.
# Examples:
등반은 어렵습니다. 그래도 재미있습니다. “Climbing is hard. Still, it’s fun.”
머리가 아파요. 그래도 일해야지. Still, I have to work.
11. 전혀 (Jeonhyeo)
전혀 means “(not) at all” or “completely.” You can use it whenever you want to emphasize a word or a particular fact in a sentence.
# Examples:
춤을 전혀 못춰요. “I can’t dance at all.”
나는 그가 누구인지 전혀 모른다. “I have no idea who he is.”
12. 만약 (Man-yag)
만약 means “if” or “in case.” It is used to express a supposition, the possibility that something may happen.
# Examples:
만약 오늘 비가 오면 나는 체육관에 가지 않는다. “If it rains today, I won’t go to the gym.”
만약 취직이 안되면 어쩌지? “What if I can’t get a job?”
13. 아직 (Ajig)
아직 means “still” or “not yet.” It indicates that something is continuing or has not happened yet.
# Examples:
나는 아직 일하는 중이다. “I am still working.”
아직 일자리를 찾지 못했습니다. “Haven’t found a job yet.”
14. 어쨌든 (Eojjaessdeun)
어쨌든 means “anyway,” and you can use it when you want to change the topic in a conversation.
# Examples:
어쨌든 나는 파티에 가지 않을 것이다. “Anyway, I won’t go to the party.”
어쨌든 내일 전화할게요. “Anyway, I will call you tomorrow.”
15. 마지막으로 (Majimageuro)
마지막으로 means “for the last time,” “lastly,” and “at last.”
# Examples:
-동물원에 마지막으로 갔던 것이 10년 전이었습니다. “The last time I went to the zoo was ten years ago.”
-마지막으로 나는 당신을 다시는 볼 수 없습니다. “Finally, I will never see you again.”
FAQs for Korean Transition Words
1. How Can I Practice Using Korean Transition Words?
To practice using Korean transition words, try writing short paragraphs that incorporate them naturally. You can also engage in speaking exercises where you consciously use these words to connect your thoughts. Additionally, reading Korean texts, such as articles or books, can help you identify how native speakers use transition words in various contexts, enhancing your understanding and usage.
2. Why Are Korean Transition Words Important In Effective Communication?
Transition words are essential in Korean because they clarify the relationships between ideas and enhance the logical flow of sentences. They help to structure arguments, indicate contrasts, and show cause-and-effect relationships. By using these words, learners can express their thoughts more clearly and connect ideas seamlessly, resulting in more effective communication in both spoken and written forms.
3. What Are Some Common Mistakes When Using Korean Transition Words?
Common mistakes include overusing transition words or using them inappropriately, which can disrupt the flow of writing. For instance, using “하지만” (but) without a contrasting idea can confuse the reader. It’s essential to ensure that the transition word aligns with the intended meaning of the sentence. Practicing and reviewing your writing will help you avoid these pitfalls and use transition words effectively.
Are You Ready To Use Them?
Korean conjunctions, also known as Korean transition words, play a crucial role in establishing relationships between words, phrases, and ideas. By incorporating these transition words or phrases into our speech, we enhance not only our conversational skills but also our writing abilities. In both contexts, our communication becomes more fluent, as these connectors help maintain a natural flow in our speech.
Understanding and mastering Korean transition words is essential for anyone looking to improve their overall language proficiency. These words serve as bridges that link our thoughts, making it easier for listeners and readers to follow our ideas. Whether you are engaging in casual conversation or crafting a formal piece of writing, using Korean transition words effectively will significantly elevate your communication skills.
Want To Learn More About The Korean Language?
The Ling app offers you all the tools you need to take your Korean learning experience to the next level. In addition, the app has interactive activities that allow you to improve your Korean skills, including mastering Korean transition words.
If you’re curious about more topics related to the Korean language, the Ling app is the ideal resource for you. With the app, you can explore Korean foods, Korean drinking culture, Korean travel tips, and even Job Interview tips in Korean. And if you’re still curious about more Korean grammar besides Korean transition words, you can also check out the National Institute of Korean Language site, as well
This comprehensive approach not only enhances your language skills but also enriches your understanding of Korean culture, making your learning experience more engaging and effective.
