[Basic Korean Conversation Series] 38 : Making Small Talk about Weather

Introduction to Korean Conversation: Making Small Talk about Weather

Small talk about the weather is a common and universal way to start a conversation. It’s an easy topic that can help break the ice and make the other person feel comfortable. In Korean, discussing the weather involves simple phrases like "오늘 날씨 어때요?" (Oneul nalssi eottaeyo?), meaning "How is the weather today?" This phrase can be used in various contexts to initiate casual conversations.

 

In this blog post, we will explore a basic dialogue that revolves around making small talk about the weather. We will break down each phrase, explain its meaning, and provide additional examples to help you understand the context and usage. Additionally, we will delve into the nuances of formality in Korean, ensuring you can appropriately adjust your language based on the person you are speaking to. Pronunciation tips will also be provided to help you sound more natural and confident.

 

Talking about the weather in Korean not only helps you start conversations smoothly but also shows your interest in engaging with the local culture. It can lead to more pleasant interactions and make your experiences in Korea more enjoyable. Let’s dive into the specifics of discussing the weather in Korean, equipping you with the skills to communicate more effectively.

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Korean Basic Conversation - Dialogue 38 

A: 오늘 날씨 어때요? (Oneul nalssi eottaeyo?)

B: 아주 좋아요. (Aju joayo.)

A: 더울 것 같아요? (Deoul geot gatayo?)

B: 아니요, 시원해요. (Aniyo, siwonhaeyo.)

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Breakdown of the Dialogue

1. 오늘 날씨 어때요? (Oneul nalssi eottaeyo?)

• Meaning: This phrase means "How is the weather today?"
• Usage: Use this phrase when you want to ask about the current weather.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "o-neul nal-ssi eo-ttae-yo?" The word "오늘" (oneul) means "today," "날씨" (nalssi) means "weather," and "어때요?" (eottaeyo?) means "how is it?"

2. 아주 좋아요. (Aju joayo.)

• Meaning: This phrase means "It’s very nice."
• Usage: Use this phrase to respond positively about the weather.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "a-ju jo-a-yo." The word "아주" (aju) means "very," and "좋아요" (joayo) means "nice" or "good."

3. 더울 것 같아요? (Deoul geot gatayo?)

• Meaning: This phrase means "Do you think it will be hot?"
• Usage: Use this phrase to ask if someone thinks it will be hot.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "deo-ul geot ga-ta-yo?" The word "더울" (deoul) means "hot," "것" (geot) means "thing," and "같아요?" (gatayo?) means "do you think?"

4. 아니요, 시원해요. (Aniyo, siwonhaeyo.)

• Meaning: This phrase means "No, it’s cool."
• Usage: Use this phrase to respond that it’s not hot but cool.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "a-ni-yo, si-won-hae-yo." The word "아니요" (aniyo) means "no," and "시원해요" (siwonhaeyo) means "cool."

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Korean Basic Vocabulary and Expressions

• 날씨 (Nalssi): Weather
  • Example: "오늘 날씨가 좋아요" (The weather is nice today).
• 오늘 (Oneul): Today
  • Example: "오늘 뭐 해요?" (What are you doing today?)
• 어때요? (Eottaeyo?): How is it?
  • Example: "영화 어때요?" (How is the movie?)
• 아주 (Aju): Very
  • Example: "아주 맛있어요" (It’s very delicious).
• 좋아요 (Joayo): Nice, good
  • Example: "날씨가 좋아요" (The weather is nice).
• 더울 (Deoul): Hot
  • Example: "더울 때" (When it’s hot).
• 것 같아요? (Geot gatayo?): Do you think?
  • Example: "할 것 같아요?" (Do you think you will do it?)
• 아니요 (Aniyo): No
  • Example: "아니요, 몰라요" (No, I don’t know).
• 시원해요 (Siwonhaeyo): Cool
  • Example: "바람이 시원해요" (The breeze is cool).

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Korean Basic Conversation - Additional Examples

• Discussing the Weather in Different Contexts:
  • A: 비 올 것 같아요? (Bi ol geot gatayo?) - Do you think it will rain?
  • B: 네, 그럴 것 같아요. (Ne, geureol geot gatayo.) - Yes, I think so.
• Talking About Weather Informally:
  • A: 오늘 날씨 어때? (Oneul nalssi eottae?) - How is the weather today? (informal)
  • B: 아주 좋아. (Aju joa.) - It’s very nice. (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 Contexts: Be clear about the context in which you are discussing the weather to ensure your conversation is understood appropriately.

Pronunciation Tips

• 오늘 날씨 어때요? (Oneul nalssi eottaeyo?): Break it down into syllables – "o-neul nal-ssi eo-ttae-yo?" The "오늘" (oneul) should be pronounced clearly.
• 아주 좋아요. (Aju joayo.): Say it as "a-ju jo-a-yo." Ensure to pronounce "좋아요" part smoothly.
• 더울 것 같아요? (Deoul geot gatayo?): Pronounce it as "deo-ul geot ga-ta-yo?" The "더울" (deoul) should be pronounced with emphasis.
• 아니요, 시원해요. (Aniyo, siwonhaeyo.): Say it as "a-ni-yo, si-won-hae-yo." The "시원해요" (siwonhaeyo) should be pronounced clearly, sounding like "si-won-hae-yo."

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