Welcome back to Simply Korea 101!

In Chapter 3, we learned how to talk about our family in Korean.

Now, let’s talk about something a little more personal — the things you like!

Talking about your favorite food, music, movies, or hobbies is a great way to get to know someone.

Today, we’ll learn 5 useful Korean words and 5 practical phrases for talking about your likes and dislikes.

❤️ 5 Useful Korean Vocabulary Words

① 음식 — Food

음식
Pronunciation: eumsik
English: food

This is the general Korean word for food.

Example:
한국 음식
→ Korean food

② 음악 — Music

음악
Pronunciation: eumak
English: music

Use this word when talking about music, songs, or your musical preferences.

Example:
좋아하는 음악
→ Favorite music

③ 영화 — Movie

영화
Pronunciation: yeonghwa
English: movie / film

This is one of the most common words you’ll hear when talking about entertainment.

Example:
영화를 봐요.
→ I watch movies.

④ 운동 — Exercise / Sport

운동
Pronunciation: undong
English: exercise / sport

운동 can mean physical exercise or sports in general.

Example:
운동을 좋아해요.
→ I like exercise.

⑤ 여행 — Travel / Trip

여행
Pronunciation: yeohaeng
English: travel / trip

Use this word when talking about traveling or taking a trip.

Example:
여행을 좋아해요.
→ I like traveling.

💬 5 Practical Korean Conversation Phrases

① 저는 ___을/를 좋아해요. — I like ___.

저는 ___을/를 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeoneun ___eul/reul joahaeyo
English: I like ___.
→ 저는 ___을/를 좋아해요.

This is one of the most useful patterns for talking about your interests.

Examples:

저는 음악을 좋아해요.
→ I like music.

저는 영화를 좋아해요.
→ I like movies.

저는 여행을 좋아해요.
→ I like traveling.

② 뭐 좋아해요? — What do you like?

뭐 좋아해요?
Pronunciation: mwo joahaeyo?
English: What do you like?

This is a casual but polite way to ask about someone’s interests.

You can make it more specific by adding a noun.

어떤 음악 좋아해요?
→ What kind of music do you like?

어떤 영화를 좋아해요?
→ What kind of movies do you like?

③ 저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요. — I like spicy food.

저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeoneun maeun eumsigeul joahaeyo
English: I like spicy food.

매운 means “spicy.”

This is especially useful when talking about Korean food!

Example:

저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요.
→ I like spicy food.

④ 저는 ___을/를 안 좋아해요. — I don’t like ___.

저는 ___을/를 안 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeoneun ___eul/reul an joahaeyo
English: I don’t like ___.
→ 저는 ___을/를 안 좋아해요.

In Korean, putting 안 before the verb makes a simple negative sentence.

Example:

저는 공포 영화를 안 좋아해요.
→ I don’t like horror movies.

저는 매운 음식을 안 좋아해요.
→ I don’t like spicy food.

⑤ 저도 좋아해요. — I like it too.

저도 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeodo joahaeyo
English: I like it too. / I like it as well.
→ 저도 좋아해요.

도 means “also” or “too.”

This is a great phrase when you discover that you and someone else have the same interest.

Example:

A: 저는 여행을 좋아해요.
→ I like traveling.

B: 저도 좋아해요!
→ I like it too!

🗣️ Mini Conversation

Let’s talk about what you like!

A: 뭐 좋아해요?
→ What do you like?

B: 저는 음악을 좋아해요.
→ I like music.

A: 어떤 음악 좋아해요?
→ What kind of music do you like?

B: 저는 K-pop을 좋아해요.
→ I like K-pop.

A: 저도 좋아해요!
→ I like it too!

B: 여행도 좋아해요?
→ Do you like traveling too?

A: 네, 여행을 정말 좋아해요.
→ Yes, I really like traveling.

Korean Tip: 좋아해요 vs. 좋아요

These two expressions look very similar, but they’re used differently.

좋아해요

I like something.

저는 음악을 좋아해요.
→ I like music.

좋아요

It’s good / I like it.

음악이 좋아요.
→ Music is good / I like music.

For now, remember this simple pattern:

저는 ___을/를 좋아해요.

→ I like ___.

This pattern will be extremely useful in everyday Korean conversations.

🗣️ Read Aloud & Repeat

음식

eumsik
Food

음악

eumak
Music

영화

yeonghwa
Movie

운동

undong
Exercise / Sport

여행

yeohaeng
Travel

저는 음악을 좋아해요.

jeoneun eumageul joahaeyo
I like music.

뭐 좋아해요?

mwo joahaeyo?
What do you like?

저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요.

jeoneun maeun eumsigeul joahaeyo
I like spicy food.

저는 ___을/를 안 좋아해요.

jeoneun ___eul/reul an joahaeyo
I don’t like ___.

저도 좋아해요.

jeodo joahaeyo
I like it too.

Try saying each expression three times.

Click, listen, read aloud, and repeat.

🎯 Today’s Korean Challenge

What do you like?

Complete these sentences:

저는 ______을/를 좋아해요.

→ I like ______.

저는 ______을/를 정말 좋아해요.

→ I really like ______.

저는 ______을/를 안 좋아해요.

→ I don’t like ______.

Now try saying all three sentences out loud.

Example:

저는 음악을 좋아해요.
저는 여행을 정말 좋아해요.
저는 공포 영화를 안 좋아해요.

→ I like music.
I really like traveling.
I don’t like horror movies.

Great job! 

🌸 One Small Step

Learning someone’s favorite things is a simple way to start a real conversation.

You can use today’s expressions with friends, classmates, coworkers, or people you meet in Korea.

The more you use them, the more natural Korean will feel.

See You in Chapter 5!

In Chapter 5, we’ll learn another set of useful Korean words and expressions for everyday conversations.

Keep practicing, one phrase at a time.

See you in Chapter 5! 

— Ayla

Let’s discover Korea, one word, one dish, and one story at a time.