[Learning Korean] There are so many! Similarities between Japanese and Korean

As I study Korean, I have learned that it shares many similarities with Japanese.

There are so many! Similarities with Japanese

1. Sino-Korean words

Sino-Korean words are words derived from Chinese characters.
It is said that about 70% of Korean vocabulary consists of Sino-Korean words.

For example, if you read the following words in Korean

They sound similar to Japanese!

Actually, I noticed this about 20 years ago when I was obsessed with Korean movies.

'The Cut' was a line in the movie.
It sounded like they were saying 'kanshiki-han' for 'forensics team,' and I realized it sounded similar to the Japanese reading of the kanji!

(My memory is a bit fuzzy, so I apologize if the line or the reading is incorrect 💦
I want to blame my teenage self for not thinking, 'Korean is interesting! I should study it!' back then...)

Even when watching BTS interviews or 'Run BTS' (a variety show),

and other Sino-Korean words appear often.
When I listen carefully, there are times when I can somewhat understand what they are saying!

2. The word order is the same

The word order in Korean is the same as in Japanese,SOV type.
In other words,the order is Subject -> Object -> Verb.
(S=Subject, V=Verb, O=Object)

By the way, English and Chinese are SVO type (Subject -> Verb -> Object).

3. There are particles

Just like in Japanese, Korean also has particles such as '-wa', '-ga', '-de', and '-o'.

Sometimes you need to distinguish which particle to use based on whether the preceding word has a batchim, so it's hard to get used to 💦
Once you learn them, they seem useful for reading comprehension.

4. There are verb ending conjugations

Japanese changes the meaning of words by conjugating their endings. (e.g., 'au' (to meet) → negative 'awanai' (not to meet))

Korean also changes the meaning of words through conjugation to express negation, desire, respect, and more.

However, this is also difficult because the way you conjugate changes depending on whether the stem of the preceding word has a batchim or what the final vowel of the stem is. This is the part I am struggling with the most in my studies right now. 😂

5. There are honorifics

Just like in Japanese, there are three types of honorifics: 'sonkeigo' (respectful language), 'kenjougo' (humble language), and 'teineigo' (polite language).

The difference from Japan is that it is absolute honorifics. Even when talking about family members to others or outsiders, you use honorifics for your family members.

Korean, which has many similarities to Japanese, is an easy language for Japanese people to learn.

If you think of it that way, the hurdle for learning Korean might feel a little lower.

I want to continue my studies while enjoying the similarities and differences with Japanese. ♪

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Next time, I will look back on my third month of learning Korean.
Thank you for reading until the end.