[Basic Korean Conversation Series] 14. Talking about Interests

Basic Korean Conversation 14: Talking About Interests

Dialogue

A: 취미가 뭐예요? (Chwimiga mwoyeyo?)

B: 독서예요. (Dokseoyeyo.)

A: 어떤 책을 좋아해요? (Eotteon chaegeul joahaeyo?)

B: 소설을 좋아해요. (Soseoreul joahaeyo.)

Breakdown of the Dialogue

1. 취미가 뭐예요? (Chwimiga mwoyeyo?)

• Meaning: This phrase means "What is your hobby?" It's a common way to ask about someone's interests.
• Usage: Use this question when you want to know what someone enjoys doing in their free time.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "chwi-mi-ga mwo-ye-yo?" The word "취미" (chwimi) means "hobby," and "뭐예요" (mwoyeyo) means "what is it."

2. 독서예요. (Dokseoyeyo.)

• Meaning: This phrase means "It's reading." It indicates that the person's hobby is reading.
• Usage: Use this phrase to state that your hobby is reading.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "dok-seo-ye-yo." The word "독서" (dokseo) means "reading," and "예요" (yeyo) is a polite ending.

3. 어떤 책을 좋아해요? (Eotteon chaegeul joahaeyo?)

• Meaning: This phrase means "What kind of books do you like?" It's a follow-up question to find out the person's preferred genre or type of books.
• Usage: Use this question when you want to know someone's favorite type of books.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "eo-tteon chae-geul jo-a-hae-yo?" The word "어떤" (eotteon) means "what kind of," "책을" (chaegeul) means "books," and "좋아해요" (joahaeyo) means "like."

4. 소설을 좋아해요. (Soseoreul joahaeyo.)

• Meaning: This phrase means "I like novels." It indicates a preference for reading novels.
• Usage: Use this phrase to state that you enjoy reading novels.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "so-seo-reul jo-a-hae-yo." The word "소설" (soseol) means "novel," and "좋아해요" (joahaeyo) means "like."

Vocabulary and Expressions

• 취미 (Chwimi): Hobby
  • Example: "취미가 뭐예요?" (What is your hobby?).
• 독서 (Dokseo): Reading
  • Example: "저는 독서를 좋아해요" (I like reading).
• 책 (Chaek): Book
  • Example: "좋아하는 책이 뭐예요?" (What is your favorite book?).
• 소설 (Soseol): Novel
  • Example: "이 소설은 정말 재미있어요" (This novel is really interesting).
• 어떤 (Eotteon): What kind of
  • Example: "어떤 음악을 좋아해요?" (What kind of music do you like?).
• 좋아해요 (Joahaeyo): Like
  • Example: "저는 영화를 좋아해요" (I like movies).
• 뭐예요 (Mwoyeyo): What is it
  • Example: "이게 뭐예요?" (What is this?).

Additional Examples

• Asking About Different Hobbies:
  • A: 취미가 뭐예요? (Chwimiga mwoyeyo?) - What is your hobby?
  • B: 음악 감상이에요. (Eumak gamsangiyeyo.) - It's listening to music.
  • A: 어떤 음악을 좋아해요? (Eotteon eumageul joahaeyo?) - What kind of music do you like?
  • B: 클래식을 좋아해요. (Keullaesikeul joahaeyo.) - I like classical music.
• Talking About Interests Informally:
  • A: 취미가 뭐야? (Chwimiga mwoya?) - What is your hobby? (informal)
  • B: 독서야. (Dokseoya.) - It's reading. (informal)
  • A: 어떤 책 좋아해? (Eotteon chaek joahae?) - What kind of books do you like? (informal)
  • B: 소설 좋아해. (Soseol joahae.) - I like novels. (informal)

When to Use These Phrases

• Formal Settings: Use these phrases in formal settings like professional environments, when meeting new people, or when talking to someone older or of higher status.
• Informal Settings: The informal versions can be used with friends, peers, or younger people in casual settings.

Things to Be Careful About

• Formality: Ensure you use the correct level of formality based on the situation. Using informal speech in a formal setting can be seen as disrespectful.
• Pronunciation: Pronounce each syllable clearly. Mispronouncing key phrases can lead to misunderstandings or seem impolite.
• Specific Interests: Be prepared to explain your interests in more detail if asked.

Pronunciation Tips

• 취미가 뭐예요? (Chwimiga mwoyeyo?): Break it down into syllables – "chwi-mi-ga mwo-ye-yo?" The "취미" (chwimi) should be pronounced clearly.
• 독서예요. (Dokseoyeyo.): Say it as "dok-seo-ye-yo." Ensure to pronounce the "독서" part smoothly.
• 어떤 책을 좋아해요? (Eotteon chaegeul joahaeyo?): Pronounce it as "eo-tteon chae-geul jo-a-hae-yo?" The "어떤" (eotteon) should be pronounced with emphasis.
• 소설을 좋아해요. (Soseoreul joahaeyo.): Say it as "so-seo-reul jo-a-hae-yo." The "소설" (soseol) should be pronounced clearly, sounding like "so-seol."

By understanding and practicing these basic Korean phrases, you can comfortably talk about and ask about interests, enhancing your communication skills and cultural understanding in Korean-speaking environments. Happy learning!