FOR USE IN
LIBRARY
ONLY
';■
xrr
V 1 i
tiJ
\'n 1
lij/i
LAbi
(
H^c-y^f^
r4r^
FIFTY HELPS
FOR THE BEGINNER
IN THE USE OF THE
KOREAN LANGUAGE
ANNIE L. A. BAIRD
FOURTH KDITION
Pfii'r : 1 Yrn.
PRINTED
i»v
THE PUKUIN PRINTING CO . LTD.
YOKOHAMA
I9II
" For thou art * * ' i^an lu .ipcpK oi .. ....:. s
speech, and of a hard language, 'to niany
people deep of lip and heavy of tongue, whose word
Ihou canst not understand " — 1*'zek 3:5,6.
" A people of a deeix:r sj)cccli than thou can t
perceive ; of a ridiculous tongue that thou canst not
understand." — Isa, 33 : 19, marginal reading.
FIFTY HELPS
FOR THE BEGINNER
IN THE USE OF THE
KOREAN LANGUAGE.
This litUc booklet is not intended fur the eye uf
those who have niadc considerable progress in tlK
study and use of Korean, but is designed simply to
lK:Ip IIh: beginner to a s{K*edy use of certain common
idioms. All lli.it it contains, with the cxcqition,
{x:rhaps, of tlK vocabulary of religious terms, and tlic
prayer and gos|x:l sentences, nwy be found much
more fully anti carefully expresscti in oIIkt works,
but we believe, in a fomi as accessible to
iKginiv. I >.
First of all, the slmlcnl .sliuuld learn iVuiu the
following tabic. u» recognize at sight the written
character, and thus ec^uip himself for tlic use of Gale's
4 Fim' HELPS FOR THE nEGINNER
Korean- Mnglisli dictionary, and all other available
printed helps.
tabu: op KOREAN CHARACTHRS WIIH
THEIR EQUIVALENT ENOI ISH
SOUNDS.*
VOWELS.
^] i or i, ^r ii, ^ u or u, ^ cu, ^ 6 or o, -^ oo
or 06, 5 Ti or almost silent, *^ J. ^] .1 . i . , $^
something like wa with but slight sound of w, ■•) a.
The character C in connection with each of these
vowels is omitted whenever the vowel is preceded by
a consonant.
1. **|=i in nuichine, as ^'l, pi (rain,) y '^f". kqUa,
(to mend).
=i in pin, as ^, chip, (house), y ^f, kipta,
(to be deep).
2. *}*=:iii in father, as "Ji* !<»*» (h^it).
3. ^=0 in tub, as *y , (pOp), custom.
=u in purr, as ^ , put, (friend) ; ^ -S-. mu. ■.
(to be far). Ik)tli sounds are found in
llH^r-S., kun nu kao, (to cross
over).
4. ^=French eu, as JX keu, (tlwt).
* Takeo froin an article by
UatiOQ of Korean Soandt," In 7^* Kcn^n Kefoiiiet^ f : .'•■
JN iHi-. ki,kK
\r,F..
5
.=o in nolc, as -^ soin, ^cotton), -^ ■•| , tung-
na, (a neighborhood).
=6 in for, as ^-^, tong san, (a garden).
6. -p=oo in moon, as "^j /noon, (a door).
=oo in wool as "S", p'ool, (grass).
7. * =;i in father, as ^, mal, (a horse).
=a almost silent, as in closed, unaccented
syllables like the second syllabic of ^y § ,
saram, (person).
8. ^=a in hat, as 7fl, ka, (a dog).
9. ^1 =:a in fate, as ^| l}", clia ga, (he or she or I).
=e in met, as 7r"!Jl4l. kiigesso, (I will go),
$J\ =This character has no exact equivalent in
English sounds. It is somewhat like wa
with but slight sound of w, as $| , chwa,
(fault or sin).
^1 =a in hat, as ^, ch'ak, (a book).
10
DIPHTHONGS.
^\
.K. wn-.iwiungs tlicrc is but one.
i.;. ^= French eui. SonKthing like i preceded
by a very slight sound of w, as -^ "^ ,
eui wun, (a physician).
9S a vowel has no representation exce|>t that
:d under Nos. 10, and 12; and )' lias no
6 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
place wliatever as a vouch As coasotiants tliey are
com|K)UiKlcd with other letters as follows : —
VOWELS COMPOUNDED WITH Y.
1 3. ^prrrfi as in father prcccdal by y, as ^ yangf,
(a sheep),
t.j. **^r— u in tub preceded by \, i^ ^, I'Nn'Uj,
(a bottle).
— 11 in purr preceded by y, as ^"q"'^!'
nn un hada, (to e.«M:apc, avoid),
15. ^— •) in n<ite with y prefixed, as -^,
(abuse).
-o in for with y prefixed, as in first syllable
of A3.^"*'tC-}', by.) rhok lurln. (to h.-
sharp, |x>inted).
16. yf<"> in nuK)n with y prefixe<l. 1^ Tf^ "^
^l", yiKj sik hada, (to be leaned).
r-iTT) in wool, with y prefixed, as "-§"^1
hy«T>n^ nyun, (famine year).
17. ^1 .1 in (ate-, with y prefixed, i ^I'S'' > '
zoon, (sixty)
- r in met with y jn h\( <1, .r ^|, ' '
\ oMi'OONnKD WiTll W.
18. -^-.t in fallier with w prefixed, i '^ ^.
sil ^,\^ii, (fnn'tK
>REAN I^NGL'AGE.
—a in liat with \v prefixed,
va in. (a
Japanese).
>. "tJ~u '" tub with w prefixed, a« "^ wun, (an
oflficial).
in purr with w prefixed, as "^"^'^ff
wun hada, (to wish, to desire).
I. 'Ti ^-^i in machine with w prefixed, as ti "^^i »
wi hada, (to worship). After D (m),
or tJ (p), tlie sound of w is drop^d as
i^)^-frc]., „„ wu k"ida. (to hate). ^|
^\ pida (to Ix? empt>').
'. ■$|| .1 in fete preceded by w, as ^Qj^w^* (what
.ort of? what manner of?)
^3. "^— ' in machine preceded by somewliat slight
ound of w, as in ^| "^^f, ch'wi hada,
(to be drunk). This combination seldoni
occurs excej^ after ^ (ch') X (ch),
and 't .'t').
REMARKS ON THE VOWELS.
'Vhc .^:: I , pronounced S^, is often written
' >ne as if it were a separate letter. It has no value in
elf, however, its effect being to modify the sound
! till [.Kveding vowel.
\ li .(\it\ umlaut or deflection of vowel sound
8 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
caused by the influence of another vowel following
either directly or separated by an intervening conso-
nant, is found in Korean.
The disturbing vowel, i^ is also the case in Old
English, is i.
a followed by i as in the nominative case d ^
piip, (food) approximates a, as tJ **)> papi.
u followed by i as in the nominative case of '^
duk, (bread), approximates a, as ^ **li dagi.
o followed by i as in the nominative case of -^
|X)k, (blessing), approximates a, as "^ **| . pagi.
\ a tollowcd by i as in the nominative case of -f
yak, (medicine), approximates a, as -f |.
yu followed b) i as in the nominative case of *g
pyung, (bottle), approxinwtes i, as ^**|.
pyingi.
yf) followed by i as in the nominative case of -*|-
yok, (abuse), approximates a, as -^'*|i y''ig«-
CONSONANTS,
SivipU.
7 k, a ni, U n. E 1 oi r. tf p, A
C I, X ch C> ij.'.
IN TUF. KOREAN LANGUAGE.
Aspirated Consottants.
These characters are pronounced as their nanie
indicates with a sharp outgoing of the breath. In
transliterating, the arbitrary* sign ' marks the aspiration,
xccpt in the case of the first cliaracter which is a
itural aspirate.
"J*=h,as ^, iKiuik, (earth).
^ —k", as 3L» k'6, (nose).
j[t=p*, as Jij, p'i, (blood).
't=t', as 5 , t'at. (fault).
^ =ch', as ^, ch'on, (village),
Reduplicatid Consonants.
77 or A7 =g, as ^, got, (flower).
Utf ,1 >^tf=:b, as ^, byu, in
^ =s, or aUnost z, as ^ '^f', sukta, (to
rot, or decay).
CC or '<C=d, as ^^^ '=^V, d;irida, (to strike,
beat).
>PC or A^ =rj, ;is '^ c}*, jolLi, (to drive away).
JT//^ pronunciation of tht simple consonants depends
]{H)n tlicir [x>sition in the word. If at tlic l)cginning,
lO Fim' HELPS FOR THE BEGINXER
or if they occur double in the iniildle of a \v<>>'l fjny
arc pronounced as follows : —
Initial, or double medial consonants.
y=k, as IJA), kf.psi. .'iMic-.>. ^:?]-, kakk.ilc.
(each).
0=m, as ^, mat (taste), ^^, .imniui. (in uliit
ever way).
U-^n or 1 or y, as V}]7f-, „ ., . i ^y, , ,„
nim (guest).
f) When doubled nK?diaily with H both !>•
ronic 1, -tr^h polla. (origin illy). Is
times y <>r almost silent as Vj, yj, (tooth).
S rr-I or n, or silent, as ^) ^, n.iil, (tomorrow).
When doubled medially with U^ beconKs I,
as in the example, -^^Ii given atM^vc. (Xten
silent, before vowels (-»»in|»(»uii<U(l with \. as
-§-1 yong, (dragonV
H ,., .,s #, lui. (i! <y^, .|. i.vuiv/,
(disease of the moutii;.
^ ■— S or .iltnost sli, :is -^ -in. (sIkm , ^ 4l '''^^"
(to Ik.).
C t. as "^j ton, i^money). ^^t'^'^^l'' ni.it t.ini;^-
liatlaj (to,bc necessary).
X ~ch, as ^r^r» *^li'*ti-» (^*^ sleep).
C =a silent aid in the formation of vowels.
IN TItF KOREAN LANGUAGE.
ii<l
ne^lie sitnf^U consonants are found single in the
n,' ,S A word Ihcy arc pronounced as follows: —
7=-
Single medial consonants,
g, as ^ ^r, nu'igta, (to eat). Or before the
sountl of O or ^^, it becomes ng, as 'tJ ^
■^ t]-, chang mfing liada, (to reprove), V^ ^
"^^t nun^ nuk hao (enough),
m, .i-> ^h^h ania, (i)erhai)s). Or l)cforo the
sound of 7 it also lx.'ConKS jig, as g -a", ini;-
gcuni, (king).
n, ns ^"^1, anha, (wife). Or lx;forc the sound
of 7 it also lx*con»es ng, as the word XT 3'
ang gyu»K (siK*cticles) illustrates.
1, .1, •^^V* •>«'*'i« ^^ ^ry). Or between two
...wcis it l)ccoines r, as *T*'^|» <M^ri, (ourK
|>, as '^'$'^r» hap hada, (to agree, to suit*.
Or iflK-twecn vowels it IxrcfMiK-s b, as A^|,
(treasure). JVfon l^ it takes the sound
tn» as "g*^|» euinna, (tlie oflRcial town of
rlistrict).
c|-^|, :.. .,^.un). < 'r before U' it be-
n, as ^ fe, niina-in, (believing^
''^ x^l", .:|)t.i, ^t.. I.. ;',"M> , not to bf). Or
! . it bcconics d, a^; ^^» j'.adalk,
'i't:!-, \v\i\\ I to do).
12 Firn- netrs for the BEr.iNNp.R
X =j, as 0|>^t)|^ luijangi, (a plasteieiv-
C> =ng, as '^^, niingsoo, (fresh water).
IVAeu found terminating n 1^.01 U the con- uii^
are pronounced as follows : —
Pinal consonants.
7==k, as *^, pyiik, (a wall).
=m, as •§•, mom, (body).
t^=n, as -y*, san, (a mountain).
B=l, as ^, n. (work).
O =p, as "^^, son top, (finger nail).
A =t, as ^, jxit, (a field) -^
O =ng, as -^i sang, (a tabic).
Remarks on the Consonants.
n and "t becomes ch and ch' when followed,
by ^1 or the compound letters beginning with y.
Initial consonants become liard by reduplication.
The Korean does not make the sounds of k or g,
1 or r, p or b, t or d, ch or j, or ng as distinctly as
we do in luiglish. In his mouth 7 often sounds to
us like a medium Ixrtween k and g ; medial S is
often as much like d as r ; U is ecjually p or b ; C
IN THE KOKHAN LANGUAr.l.
I between t and d ; X , between ch and j ; and
C> , ng, in soHK' words is scarcely distinguishable.
Of the Korean language sounds, those requiring
the most constant practice with a teacher, and those
usually last acquired by the foreigner, are the follow-
ing : Nos. 4, I o and 1 2 of the vowels, and the
aspirated and the reduplicated consonants.
The very first stej) is to make a careful study of
this table and preserve yourself from falling into
serious errors of pronunciation such as pronouncing
5.^' Cho sun (Korea), as if it rhynjed with amen,
^^, Yak fwng (medicine room), with Jack sang, etc.
THK FOLLOWING
jw things whicli will be helpful in getting
on a working basis with your teacher. In the first
place, it is not proper to address him as " you "
or speak of him as " ]\e," but by his nanK-, or he is
not far from your age, as y ^n^, (Kim subang) or
jL^'^i, (Ko subang) or ^/«^^, (Chung subang)
as tlie case may be. If he is considerably older, he
should be six)ken of and addressed as ^ "J » (Sun
saing) a word nx:antng literally, " bom first," but
||cquiva<ent in use to the word " tcaclier." Or, if he
"has a title, he sliould be addressed by that, as, ^
^ ^, (Hong Sa gwa) or ^£.^], (Su Cho si).
k
14 nrrv iilm - i ■ 'K i..i. j...<>ivM:R
When he comes in the tnorning it is [X)litc lo salute
him with the (Hicry,
That is, "Have you slept jKaccfuIly ? " ; '
ofTer him a chair, bid him.
That is •• Please be seated." When he leaves the
house, he may Ix: bidden l<> " Go in [xacc,"
that is,
In return be will iIohIjIK ■ :■ l>iil ><iu I" " KViiiam m
ix:acc," that is.
The following sht>it list of words and phrases will
give you something to l>cgin with.
^] lhi>. [i) ^)7i H'i^ thing, (e gut).
JX llial, ^kcu) "^li that thing, (keu gut).
**1 ^ ^I. this way. (.in H-S^ ^^|, iliat way.
1<'<'). (,keu ru k'e).
^) *!J "T" 5J **) -^ \\'l'i>t is this thing ? (e gut hkxi
U SI o).
*»1^-T*51^)^ What is this wo-
U si n).
rv TtVk KOREAN r_\NCLAc;
^1 "a" s ^) -^ II is prcbciit Uilk, or tense, (chi kcuin
m.il c c»). This, and ihc following phrases may, be
^ clunjjed to (jucstions by a rising inflection merely.
7^^^]^- It is jMst talk; or. Is it [xist talk?
- (chun ni.il c <•>,
jf^^]S' It i--> fuUiie talk . ui, !.-> il fulmc talk ?
(ho<) nial c c).
jTiE^^)^ Il '^ 1<\\ till .1. IsitlowUlk?
^n.1 chin mat c <>).
■^^-&^lS^1-S- IliMimKilci UiUi.iddle
talk ? (ka on da nWil e o).
(n«>|» hcun inal e o).
'^^^^'^Ij. It is llUc.-^lii.l! 1,111. , el , I , ll ijia iii'ii
Ulk ? (moo iWm mat e 6).
'^X^l Tlicy aj;e ju^ alike, «'i, Aw ilu\ ju i
alike? (dnk k;is bol.
-^ ^) "t" Cl 'S **! «^ I*- '^ a NNuiu ..iuii u>cd , or.
Is it a word often used ? (hcun c hii nan mal c 6.)
^^I >! 4l It is "scful ; .M . 1 il useful ? (seul ta
is s<>)-
•^^1^4i I' ' "'
ta up sfi).
2^^-r>!^)-^ Wl.ii . .. similar word?
(k.it heun nial moo u si o).
.SLS.'IaI^I I don't know. fiiu» lo ^cs x.>).
l6 vi\ \\ iii.i r> icK 1 111, u
^ *1^ ^ 4l I don't know, (iil soo up so).
«>^l or V^] Yes, (ye).
^ of-V^^ No, (anio).
Jr "sf "^ The native written character, (kook moon),
■^"^ The Chinese written character, (han moon).
J3.^ ^^-^^I^r I^et us stop, (keu miin hap sc ta).
Several of tliese phrases, such as the distinctions
of tense and of niiddle talk, are not native but liave
been invented by foreigners : m , that unless the
student is so fortunate as to secure one who is ex-
j)erienced, he may find that lii"^ r"<> t;'<l- ?< f,> t. ach
his teacher how to teach.
NOUN DECLKNSIONS.
Root '''1*5 ix^rson.
Nominative '*•}'§ ^1 the jjcrson.
InstrunicnUil -^f S -^ 5. by the ix:rson.
Genitive ''•j 5 -^ '^f the person.
Dative ^fS-^"^) t. the i>erson.
Accusative '^'r^'a'
XPf::\^Yf^ '''^S*^^ * ''^ person.
Ixxative ^f § '^l >r in the i)erson,
(not used, Ijowever, with reference to personal
nouns).
m THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 1/
A|ipositive '''r a -^ as for the person.
Ablative \ ' ^ .1 'Tj !" •• • from the person.
lor^-ri)Al'
Ijeam this by heart and then try to fit these endings
to otlKr nouns such as S » (horse,) 3i (hat,) ^
(field,) M'^f. (kingdom,) A}), (bird) etc. In the
process you will learn the slight differences which exist
in form, depending upon the letter with which tlie
root ends. Notice that the Dative ^ "HI is not com-
monly used except with personal nouns. In reference
to impersonal objects the Locative ^ is preferred.
Also that with impersonal objects ^} A^ and not S]
t^l A^ is used for the Ablative.
Make up a list of names of common objects and
conunit them to memory.
PRONOUNS.
Tal X the pronouns ^ ^I.) n'^I* (we,)
H, (you,) nf'^h (who,) ^1} (he.) and put them
through the case endings.
^, (I.) runs as follows : —
I. Wf
Instru. ... *^il by mc
l8 FIITV lil It-S I OK llii: rii:'".INNEK
Gen *4i my.
Dat Mi -ri] or Ml .^ -ri) tome.
Ace ^, M-^ mc.
App H"^ as for me.
Make out the otlici.^ .ucoicliiv^ to this paradigm,
always securing corrcclK i s of your teacher on your
work.
For the relative pronouns sec Sec. 43.
Notice that the Korean languat^c is not rich in
pronouns and learn to avoiti the use of them especially
tho fust {-»erson, except where absoUitely necessary to
tlie thought
VERBS.
CONJUGATION OF \1 UI-.
lirst in order comes the gait veio "$ '^r which
plays so important n part in Korean.
^ '^r and ^^r follow, a (.u-' n (.im .mu third.
Let us take up fust the form of the verb used to
ehildron and known as the
LiKi' Form.
"^ ^|- I M v ; : • >.
Present [t"^]] '' >'^"' ^''' '''' ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 19
sit "t^ ^^V I. you, etc. did or made.
Future . . . "^ "iJl ^V I, you, etc. will do or make.
Imperative,
"J" c-j Ej- make or do.
"^ ^r let us make or do.
Relative larticipUs.
Present "^cl making, doing
Past "5 made, done.
[to be made or done.
Future "% labout to be made or
I done.
- , _^ ^ r^ fmade or was niaking.
Imperfect ..^^^ |^,^^^, ^^ ^^ ^^j^^
Pcrft' y ^ 'ri made, done.
•froj:
making, doing or liaving
mide or done
"o" 1] lioin^;, iiuiking.
^ deed, action.
20 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNF.R
>| ^\, I A>J, I HAVE.
Low FortPt.
ludicatii'c,
IVcscnt ^C> {I, you he, etc.
^ ' Jam or nave.
I'ast ^>;s}c). (I. you he etc.
■^ ^ ' (was or had.
'■— ^j-5!-v {'•roVsL,"''"
eJ-H^F I
^ '^r let us be or have.
Relative Participles.
Present >! fe being or having.
Past ^^ been or had.
I'uture >] "s about to be or have.
Imperfect . . . >i| ^ been or had.
1 Vrfcct >t!^^ been or luid.
Verbal Participle.
^X^ I, • , K.-
t\ iJ It! jliaviiif; been or being.
Verbal noufis.
^"^1 being
$J^ Ihclxiing.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
have
had not or
y ^\, I AM NOT, I HAVE NOT.
Lozo Form.
Indicative.
Present ^ ^l" :...(I'y°"' ^' *^t^;'
' \ not or am not.
Past ^^^\ jl. you. etc.
^ ^ ' \ was not.
Future ^^ll^V j^' T"' ''^''i ^^^ """'
" ' \ have or be.
Impcratiic not in use.
Relative lartuiples.
Present vl cl not having or being.
I'ast ^^ not had or been.
Future ^ ■& about not to have or
be-.
Imperfect.. ^ 't! not liad or been.
Perfect y^^ not have or been.
Verbal Participle.
tA iJ [not having, not l^'ing,
ojijij I o*" "<^' luving had,
*y A] Al j or not liaving been.
/ 'iri'iil tu'uns.
^ TJ .. not being or having.
^^ thcab' —
22 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
Next comes the form used among equals or to a
grown person of inferior rank, and known as friend
talk, or
Middle f'onn.
Indicative,
Present "5 ^ I. he, etc. make or do.
Past i-^41 {'• Tdid^' ''" ""''
Future i*T}l4x ......|^' y°"' ^V*''* ^^"^^
\ make or do.
Imperative ..."^ S- do or make.
Middle Form.
Indicative^
Present ...x4l I,you,etc. amorliave.
Past ^'^it I,you,etc. wasor had
^i-j] , jl, you, etc. shall oi
^"^"••»^ ^A^\^ \ will be or have.
Imperative ..^4l '
Middle Form.
Indicative,
I, \ i>u, clc. am not oi
have not.
iwnt ^41 {'■;,;;
Past ^^^ II. you, etc. u.-.-
^^* "A ^-^ \ have not.
^ -Jl , j I, you, etc. shall not
^"^••c ^^;l4l \ bcorshallnotliave.
fviperativi not used.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
?3
Next comes the form used toward a superior or
between equals when an unusual degree of respect is
indicated.
High Form.
Indicative,
Present ? ^) ^V I, you, etc. make or do.
p-t *^^v)cv(''y.-''='--'^-
Future *1il^V)cvj'.y°"^„'«- »'-"-''-
fwfcralivi ...'^ ^]S^ Please do or make.
^ A^l c^ I a:t us do or make.
High Form.
Indicative,
Present ^ "^ ^1 ^r • J. you* ^tc. am or have.
Past *y ">! "^ ^1 '^M' you. etc. was or had.
^1 .o] A, ul ,-L n« you- etc. shall be or
future *i!^i'^-I'^r| h.^,,e.
JtNperatwc . .. >! "^^ ^1 ^1* I x-t us be.
In
High Form.
^^^^" 'q'^-l^r '\ have not.
T^ "JJOJ-^H^H had not.
>^-ji >». uI,-l|I. you, etc. shall not
Pulun ^T}!-&VIc).| ^.^,,hall not have.
24 F-imv IIKLPS I'OK THE DEGINNER
Imperative not in use.
Iklow are the interrogative forms of these three
verbs, low, middle and high.
Interrogative Form.
Low,
j_ , ,1 (do I, you, etc. ntake
Present T V M= \ o^do?
p^^. -fr ed i^ U: i^'^ O'* ^^ve I you,
^"^^ "» >« - » "'\ etc. made or done ?
Future f^ V-t •••{"''"•/dr' "*'■"*""
Middle, Exactly the same as middle Indicative with
rising inflection.
High,
-*• ui -it \^^' ^' y^"' *^^^' ^^ ^r
Present S "» ''' \ make?
P^t ^ ^3 o -I /rj etc. made or done.
Future "?^!-&^|7f{""^/dor '''•"''^'
Present ^X^^ jhave^I or a,n
Past <>J /d ^ M: (''■'' ^' '"' '''''' ^' ^'''"'
^ ^ "* ' \ etc.
Future ^ ""j! V M: .. will I he or luvi '
IN THE KOREAN L<\MGUAGE. 35
High.
Present ^-^Mlf
Past <y>i!^vi-7F
Future ^^iI^V)-7^
Loxv,
Present ^ V ^^ have or am I not? etc.
Past ^^vu^...{^-:,v-„r"^'
Future ^-m-^-niaieorb^f"'
Uish,
Present *a^^I'?^
Past "i^^"^]!}
Future ^T}!-^V)-7).
ACTIVE VERBS.
Verbs in Korean arc divided into two classes, Active
and Adjectival. Under the first head conic all words
known as verbs in ICnglish except the copula to be.
Commit to nKniory the following list of active verbs.
They are arranged in sets for aid in memorizing
and are aJ I conjugated in the main according t<> tlu
models given above.
I'or subject of adjectival verbs see P. 30.
26 FIFTY IIEIPS FOR THE BEGINNER
LIST OF ACTIVE VERBS.
Make, do '^^\
Go 1}^\
Coinc S.^\
. Walk -Tjel?)-!^)-
Run uj-Sf-vj-c).
Stand ^^\
Crawl llH'^f^l-
Fly s^^7^^^
Swim *1|^ ^\^y
Ride "^c|-
Sleep y^\^\
Dream 'S^I^F
Wake ^"^I-
Rise" H^iM-'^l-
• Sit y:^^
See ^Tc:}.
Hear :^4
Taste 5!:X'^V
Smell .. ^^\^^\
Touch \L^^:^'=\
Talk.. V^**"^)-
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 2/
Drink °M1^V
Tell Jl*^>
Think ... ^J^^f ^V
VVondcrat ^]^^'^]''A '*]'=} ' ,
i^ugh -f:^}- '
Cry -t^V
Shout 4l^l>^l^^V
Whisper -^-gr-^-fet^l-
Command "^'^l"*"'^}-
Persuade ■^^'^^l-
Cha.- ^i:*^hH^l-
Follow ^^£?7)-^V-^ 1
Push Vi ^1-
Pull ^^^h^V^iu).
Hurt ^^'t'^}
Kill ^^)^^
28 riFlY IIEU-S FOR THE BEGINNER
Ik bom y^}"
To live "^j"^}*
^larry ^^f^?
Die -^c).
Bury ^i>^f ^}-
Come out V^jJ-^]*
.. in JE.elJLC)-
Goout Vf^F^l*
Go in H2-|7|-t|-
Go up -f M-7f4
Godown V^i7^t:l■
Buy ^}^}
Sell ^'^I-
Sew ^y^^At"^}
Wash AfV)-*-c).
Iron ^\^^lt'^}
Ask -T-^^^F
Answer '^I'^''^^
Get , y^^l-
Ask for •?'"?^h
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
Borrow ^i^\
Steal B.^A^it^\
Earn ^^\
Give '^^I-
Receive ^i^\
Try f^^^l-
Fail ^t^\
To feel with the hand.. H ^ " ^1 ^1"
Strike -^KKV
Forget ^7A^ ^]^\
Remember ^^'t^V
Throw away ^ H ^ ^1 ^V
Lose ^i-*l«^I^V
Find or seek for ^Hl^V
Conquer **1^^V
Be beaten ^1 ^V
To dry.. ^^S^V
~Erot. ^^\
29
X
JO IIFIY HELPS FOK THE BEGINNER
Toshut ^^}
To open *M '^f
Grow ^f'^1'^1'
Bloom $lci
Fade A^l:?^)!^)-
Ripen }4^\
Know ^^H^i^V)
Not know ^S^^f
Perceive ^ A ^l*
Guess T^^-^xi^y
Bring 1\7.^^^\
Take l}-:^^!}^}
Send A'-H'^f
Await l] ^S]c|.
Prepare for ^)»^I"|"^f
Welcome '^1^'^^f
ADJECTIVAL VERBS.
When a Korean wishes to use a predicate adjective
he fuses his copula and adjective into one word and
casts it into a verbal form. Thus the Knglish
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
31
"It is good" becomes 5,^} and is conjugated in
the main as follows : —
Indicative,
Pres. 5.""^r. I. he, she, etc. am good.
Past 5l SiT^i' I' you» he, etc. was good.
Future ^.^l'^)". I. you, he, etc. shall be good.
Verbal participle,
^©r good.
Relative participle,
Present 1 -- ^t
Past l-^-c: good.
Future ^^ good.
These adjectival verbs can be run through ail the
changes of low, middle and high talk, interr<^ative,
etc. It will be good practice to select some from tlie
list given below and conjugate them, getting correc-
tions as you work, from your teacher and noting
carefully the slight but important differences between
the conjugations of the two kinds of verbs, active and
adjectival.
ADJECTIVAL VERBS IN COMMON USE.
Uttk- ^c|.
1% ^^1-
Flat "^^n^y
Round 5'^^^F
32 FIFTY HFI.l»S FOR TMK nKOlNXKR
Thin IS^V
Tliick ^ii^\
Long ''A'=\
Hroad y^}-
Narrow '^^T
Tall 7l3.c|-
Short i^"^}
Pretty 5.t"^V
Ugly -f t"^!"
Sweet 5^)-
Sour ^I^V
Bitter ^^\
Sharp U4
Hot ^^1-
Cold *|-^f
Lukewarm i^] />I^ "*'t:|-
sick "O;:^"^}
Well ^"tpf
Dull, (asaknifc) ^A^\
'Sliarp "i^f^^l-
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
■^unt -S""?*^!-
Pointed ^^'*'"ir
Full -7-^-|*x^)-
Empty -?)^^
Bright ^^1^1-
I>ark ^§^1-
Black ^^\
White ^]^\
Old ^^l- ,
Young ^4 of.
ad '^^\
New ^^-f-^V
Beautiful ^h S '^''^^V
Hateful... ^^\
False 'H^^'^^h
True.. ^^i4
Fierce ^}S^^^\
34 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
Right -i:^)-
Wrong :3.Hc].
Good ^f ^V
IJad ^-^t"^}
Ignorant -'t^'^^V
Ixarned •fr'M't''^)'
Wise :^1^l-t^l-
Foolish ^H^I^^V
Early ^'^V '
Late -^"^y
Near TJIJ-'^V
Far ^^1-
High -^^V
Low >^^r
Sorry ^J^Jf^>
Glad ^i-U^I-
Cheap M'^^}
T^ ^J>^K
IN THE KOREAN XANGUAGE.
35
Few ..
Many
Easy ^^^\
Difficult H^^^l" "
Peaceful ^^J^"**^!*
Agitated '3''y"?"4
Clean ^"I'^V
Dirty ^i^^V
Weak ^'t"'^V
Strong li't^\
Deep T]^f
Shallow ^'^V
Useful
Useless
Bus>
Idle
Slov
Fast
-fr '-!*=>
36 MI TY HELPS FOR THE DEGINNER
Heavy "T" *t} ^V
Light 1}^ y=t:).
Soft ^HSj'iV
Hard Sg"*'^f
DefKient ^^'^^\
Enough M^'^^f
ADVERBS.
Having familiarized yourself with the above list of
adjectival verbs, you will be in a position to make up
your own adverbial derivatives, which you can do
by adding the syllable "H] to the root of the verb.
Thus : —
^-H) IJttle.
BLl\\ Greatly.
^"^-rt) Prettily.
Etc.
Or, many adjectival verbs admit an adverbial form
ia "^j. Thus : —
'Sr "^1 Gently.
-g:^*| Entirely.
'jiiyM Near.
Etc.
tOREAN LANGUAGE.
LIST OF ADVERBS.
Some Adverbs in constant use are : —
**)^^^1 Thus, this way.
-^2:1^^1 That way.
Quickly, at once.
37
^j^di
•a.-l
i
^^1/ How much? How many.
^^Kt" About how much?
^^ Several.
^ S^ Some.
^1-f' ^'i'S'^r Much. very.
1 Enough.
Only.
Well.
3$ FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
^\ \ All.
V)-^ Too much, too.
tj More.
^ Less.
^^*^l And, again, still more.
^ I
Sl. Also, too.
C-| -^ So much the more.
2.-S- A little.
^\^\ Perhaps.
^ Possibly.
•tII Why.
^^] Where.
^^ When.
-t"^^) Unexpectedly.
*11i Like.
A^^\ Like, tlie same as.
^ yi I Almost altogether, nearly.
Together, all at once.
IN TIIE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
39
On purpose, purposely.
^ ,i 5- 1 Of necessity.
Naturally, of itself.
Little by little.
Just now, a moment ago.
1^1
As yet.
When ?
.. Already.
.. Always.
Ol«?*^ When? What time?
This time.
That time.
40 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
>t! '^r'^r Presently, in a moment
-S-^l I-ong.
^>^1^1 These days.
?J^ Often.
jjL f Immediately.
I
O I Ej In advance.
•S-^ At first.
^^^] At last
7^]^ ''°"'
4-^1 Soon.
^\'^] Again, once more.
^5. Back.
^ Zr In a moment
^f-g'^^l After.
^ "^ 1 There, yonder.
^1^1 1
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 4I
JPOSTPOSITIONS;
The following is a list of postpositions, so called
because they follow the noun instead of preceding it
as in English.
^*^| Under.
T"^| Over, or on top of.
■^1*^1 Behind.
^^1 In front of.
y *^| At thesideof.
^F^l^I Below.
^ '"^ In'the middle of, between.
^\ ...1
1\^
^*^1 Inside.
^>*-I Without XJj^ . T^>**-7
^**"^ On account of.
•^l"*"^ For the sake of.
Outside.
-lie) Between, as -?• ^Ml ^I
(between us.)
U H . Across.
42 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNLK
"^-^^^^I After, as ^l^^l, (after
this.)
^^1 IJcforeas «>) ^ ^1 ihcfore
this.)
•^-^M) During.
^^] After. /»>:•'>
^n 5. According to, as ^ § ^
5.» (just as you please.)
'\ J / To, as to sjxiak /o a [xirson.
Commit these words perfectly to memory.
With these preliminaries let us begin the process of
language building.
1. lA-^Aii
This is, literally, " Doing means are," and is equi-
valent to our English expression, " It can be done."
The negative form is
"J ^ ^ 4: It cannot be dune.
Take these two foini*; nnd run thcin through all the
variations of T^l-g" ^. ^^ ^. ^^ tn<I ct X ?
"S, •^f-Sr^l'^. -S-^^l- Also ilnough the
'^\E,^' Your Uaclicr will suggest ■ '. fornys
and piDiuiiicialion.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
4?
^Thus you will
[have:—
Ijnv talk.
Present
t^^^J^V
14^^V
Past
%A-^A'i'=\
■|^<^^=V
Future
t^^-y^fi-^v
t'li-'^-^^y
MUdU talk,
Present
-|4<i!ifc
tA-'^^-
Past
lA-^A^^
t^'^^Hi^
Fulu i '
i^-yft^i
i^-ynidi
High talk,
Present
...I'^'il^M-^V
l^^^VlcV
Pa-st
.14^<i!^^^I^V
K
•S4^<J}^^''I'^V
^^^>—
l^-ii-ni^vici.
■i
■Si4^<a-*^M^v
44 FIFTY HELPS FOR TFIE BEGINNER
And the interrogative forms, low, middle and high,
past, present and future. Thus ; —
Low talk.
Present 't.'^^X^^
Past *|4y>5!VM:
Future I^-^TfivM^
Middle talk.
Present ■|4-^4l
Past i4-y>a4i
Future l^^'^'^I^l
//■^f// talk.
Present t 4^*5! *# -) ■'^
Past 14-^J^^Vhl-
Future ■|4-'5!'^!^ V| 7|-
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 45
Continue this process with any other verb of action,
^ -^l-^V. ^^K ^ ^h etc. Thus, "U^^^^.
Icango. -|- 4^ ^ 4l, I can not see. ^"a^^^
4l. I can not eat, etc., etc.
The student will readily see that instead of but two
new forms, he has acquired a number only limited by
his knowledge of verbs of action, and this he will find
to be the case in every exercise herein presented.
Since pronouns are seldom e:q)ressed in Korean,
and since the plural number is used only when it is
impossible to express the desired meaning without it,
these phrases may convey the idea of any or all per-
sons, genders, and numbers. As, e-t" vi4l' I»
you, he, she, they, we, or it, cannot go. "e ^4^ x 4l>
I, you, he, she, they, we, or it, can come, etc. Koreans
usually rely upon the context to give definitcncss, and
the result is not so vague as it seems at first thought.
Notice the invariable construction of Korean sen-
res. First, the subject, if expressed, preceded by its
if, there are any. Then the object, preceded
lificrs, if any, and lastly the verb.
For example ; — ■ <"
«>l^*f|i^» •? t -^1- 1 "I «+■§ * "^1 ^
A person whom I ik vcr saw before has just wcl-
^■1 A pers(
Hi
46 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE RFniNNER
comed mc. Literally, This before not seen person
me just has welcomed.
With the help of your teacher, the dictionary, other
text-bookf , and any other available source of informa-
tion, as servants, visitors or friends, make up ten short
sentences containing tliese expressions. Such as,
I can not see, or read the book.
I Ic cannot cat Korean food.
Can you not go to-morrow ?
Ktc, Etc.
Go slowly, and put what you learn to immediate
use. More, much more depends upon this than upon
hours spent toiling over a text book.
Literally, "Doing means beside are not," and is
equivalent to our idiom. " Nothing else can be done."
Instead of § in this expression take *^ and
you have.
I cannot but go, or, you, iiv, ...v., ii.« > - ♦^^'•
case may be, cannot but go.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
r, substitute "^^ and you h:^e,
I, ydb, he, etc., cannot but look or see. Take the
future {XJrticiples of any or all the verbs of action tliat
you can get hold of, and run this expression through
the present, past and future tenses, low, middle and
high talk, and interrogative, as before.
Make up ten short sentences containing this expres-
sion. As : —
I, he, she, etc., cannot but go to the house.
The day cannot but be warnu
Ktc, Etc.
Make, or do.
Ixx)k, or sec.
Co.
This ow imperative form to be used to
48 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
children and coolies. When you wish to include
yourself, the form becomes.
Let us do, or make.
Let us see.
Let us go.
Etc.
A higher form for directing servants is """t^l,
or higher still, "^ S" I'or example : —
Watch the baby well.
Bring the money.
In intercourse with Christiaas of the serving class it
b much better to use the middle, or as it is often
called, the friend talk.
In giving directions to your teacher or any equal,
use '^^]S.
Thus:—
Please do so.
TN THE KORFAN LANGUAGE. 49
Please send a man.
Please come early.
[In including yourself in the pro[X)sition, say
Let us do so.
Ixt us send a nian. I
Let us study.
Make sentences as before.
1 )o not do.
Take this ^1 ")"£)• .md add it to the root of the
it) lyS' and you liave : —
Do not ^o.
<^)r add it to the root of the verb to sec : —
not look,
this through the middle and iugli forms with
JO FIITY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
the help of your teacher, and niakc up other sentence
such as : —
Do not stay long.
Do not believe false talk.
S. *7:1*f A
I, he, she or it, cannot 60 or make.
I, lie, she or it, will not do or make.
The latter, and sometimes the former form, arc al
used where simple negation is expressed without tin
idea either of unwillingness or inability.
7^]^^S^ and :^1 ^y'^'^S^y like No. 4, nr.
be added to the root of any active verb, thus : —
I, you, he, it, cannot eat.
I, you, lie, it, will not eat.
Add also to tin 'f any adjectival verb.
Thus : —
It it not good.
I
^H IN THE KOREAN lANGUAGE. ^I
■I Jll^'i isacontfacfionof T^JoJ*-!"*"^, ami
'" is exceedingly coiniuon with adjective vert>s like the
It is not far.
It is not deep.
i:tc.
Tile student will find it advantageous to accustom
himself to learn by sound rather than by sight, and
with this in view it will be well to avoid too much
writing out of exercises. Committing them and reciting
them aloud as rapidly as possible will be much better.
Take frequent reviews, and vary the routine of
study herein suggested in any way that you may
find profitable. Remember these are only suggestions
for study. But do not omit the construction of origi-
nal sentences with each form. You cannot have
:r practice than this. The short vocabulary of
sligious terms on p. 83 and the other lists of words
rre in presented will be found useful for this purpose.
Use the words and terms which you It^rn from day to
day.
6. l^S5!4i
Doing mind is.
52 1 II rv ;■■ ' ' - ' K -1111.
Doing luind is nut.
lujuivalcnt in our ICnglish idiom lo. " I li.ivc a
mind to do, (thus or so)." " I have no mind to do.
(thus or so)."
Applications of this useful form will speedily sug-
gest themselves.
I have a mind to go up to the (IJuddhi
temple.
*5 I have no mind to try.
I lave you no mind to help your young'
[) rot her ?
I, you, w wish to do,
-% ' I C — »—
I, you, we, etc., do not wish to do.
Applications :
VVe wish to see your house.
I ' ' not \\;»nt '
^
^N' TJSNGUAGE.
53
1 )i 1 \'i HI wanf to • '1 > to tin- I lir -■
8. flit] it
1 )oin^ is easy.
Doin;; is hard.
Idioniaticallv. " It is easy to do," " It is hard to do."
Wrong doing is easy.
l'.ating medicine is difficult, or as uc would
say, " It is liard to take medicine."
>ur teacher to suggest allied forms such as.
It is good to look at.
It is hideous to look at.
It b good to hear.
Ktc.
Run these through tin v.nious tenses with ihe
^^pi'iMtive fornK, thus ;
Hi '^"ll'y^l *y"4l It is iK)t ca.<5>
54 riFTV ITETPS FOR TTIE nECINNKR
"? ll H ^ ^1 ^4l- It is not hard to do.
^llS.*1^4l It is not good to see.
^1)^7^] ^^ It IS not hideous to sec.
:^ l] 5. ^1 ^"41 It is not good to lieai .
9. f^^51l4l
If you do, (thus or so) it will be good.
This is convenient to use in exj^ressing a wish, or in
giving directions, and is a i eh'cf from the constmt use
of the imperative forms. Ifcing equivalent to our
conditional if, it opens up a wide range of expression
If he comes it will be well.
If you will call the chair coolies, i will go at
once
It he does the work I will give him the wages.
If he revcrcrKes his |)arents, is it not well ?
Tliis form will be found of endless use.
10. f -H-^
This form is given in connection uilii -jru^^
since \\\c\- Ixith roiu'cv the ideaof oiir .'V". huf fluMc is
IN THE KORBAN LANGUAGE. 55
iin{x>rtant difference in their use. "^"^ •''
i( wider apiilication and may be followed by a clause
ienoting either a result of the condition stated, a
choice rcslinjT with the speaker or a command ; where-
as, "i" 'j\ -^ is nev'cr followed by a clause denoting
I result, but always a choice resting with the speaker
or by a command.
If it is cold I will shut the door, (that is,
the speaker chooses to do so).
If tlie room is warm stop the fire, tlut is, do
not start any more.
This difference in the use of ^ and ntT '^ "'>^
easy for forcigiKMs, but that it is a very real one may
l)e easily verified by proposing to your teaclier such a
sentence n*^
or any other sentence in which "n "CT '^ Allowed by
I result. It must always be foJloweti by a choice or
I command.
If only you will do, (thus or so) it will do ;
I .r, very often, You must do (thus or so).
}
$6 Fir-TV KELPS FOK Till: rj-CINNEK
This is also a |>lcasant way of expressing a wi '
a necessity, or of givinjj an order.
If oiil)' there is something to eat, I will eat it.
If you will but worship the spirits the house
will he |)caccful.
I must have the money to do it.
To make to do, or, to let to do.
A uFv^^if Hi-fi
I lave her do the sewing.
1 had it all done yesterday.
Let the carjx^ntcr come in.
To intend to do, (thus or so).
1 am intending to write a letter.
-v-
FN Tin* IcnHFAV r ANT.l'Ar.F. 57
When o<' }ou iiucnii i;<.'in^ to the country?
An c(iuivalent phrase is.
"^ jL^^ '*"iL, i.r as it often si)ellecl, "f jl _
14. ^^1\S^
Vo go to do, (thus or so).
Vo come to do, (thus or so).
Vonj^ Siki hi-, "onr to iiio\f his household
goods.
I he hostler l»as come to see the horse.
lie h.Ls ^'O!'- ♦" l>My .1 chicken.
15. -ts-^y^
I do or nvike, hut, —
As for myself I do study, but learning Hjf^
difHcult. ^k ^
\X Ls tntuhle.soujc. hut plcise }.;ive me a tirink.
oj-^ mav l)e .idtled to .ujv tcnsc as
/'
58 Fim' IIEI-PS FOR TIIF HFCINNER
It did.^jut,—
I will go, but. —
The similarity of this idiom to our own may lead ti
student into a jierpetual use of it, which is un-Koreaii.
Often where we would say, " So and so but." — the
Korean will prefer the following terms ; —
16. f^i
Although, I, he or she, etc., do, (thus or so).
As for myself, although I do study dilligcntly
Icarnint:^ is difficult.
AlthouL^h I take much medicine I amnobcttc;
Although you go it is no matter, that is, (io il
you like.
The past tense is,
f ^A]S. or •** y -^^^l ^^.5. Although I did
TiA] S. nv "Ji-i^] ^\B. Although I went.
'^ 5! A) S: -r ^ 5J ^7] ej-i Although 1 at
Etc., Etc.
I
iMilii:
IN THE KOREAN IJ^NGUAGE, 59
"1^1 S)-^ Although I will do.
■§7^1 ^}5l Although I will go.
'^•%:^] ^h^S. ..Although I will eat.
Etc.. i:tc.
Make a study of shnil.ii, though [)jrha|)s slightly
varying terms, as, '$'^, '5'M'* "? H M"^» ^^'^'
hy this tinic the student should be able to nuke up
sentences of considerable length by combining the
forms alrcacfy learned. Tr>- it with twenty-five
sentences or so. Construct tliem yourself atui submit
tl»em to your teaclicr for correction.
Thus; —
Although I intended to aaswer (the letter), I
forgot it. •% *)
* Id si ^ 4,o^ fe: Ai «P9^I *^ # t
An abundant year has become, but if the west
wind blows like this spoiling ofjh^ rice
crop will be ea-sy.
I't.
I'fr.
Co FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BF.filSNRR
Thcbc two forms arc cxccdingly common, and
convey the idea of, as, shue, because. The former is
the weaker of the two, and sometimes means no more
than and.
I read the liiblc and it is true.
s.^^ ^i •*■ M M ^"^1 7Fiii <=f
I^cause he steals they will put him in jail.
The past and future tenses are formed as one would
expect.
■¥• ■=J- «i >M -^i A M '?t -i •*• fe 4i ?) ^
Since the exorcist has already conic, the noise
«if the devil worship will l>cgin directly.
Since they will be cheaj^er to-morrow I did
not buy to-day.
Your teacher will furnish you with similar fomis, a'^
■*-M^Z!-H5- and also $jL5.. f fejl^5^
^*^-?^I. fc:*^-?'^^). vvhiH, an .. .lr,M.,
stronger in meaning.
IN THE KOREXN MNGUAGE. 6l
la. l**i
1, you, etc., will probably do. (thus or so).
I Ic will {jrobably l)iinj^ the cane.
If the day is cold ho probably cannot go.
A form used in precisely the same way is,
h will probably rain. '
The i)ast tense is managed by, ^
1 Ic lias probably already received the reward,
llis nei}^hl>"r<< -ill pi'>I>;il>Iv Ihlucd liim.
19. tHit^>fc.
I, ill", etc., was oil tllr point ol ; n^
I was on the point of falling, or, I nearly fell.
lie was on tlte punting of dying.
^
62 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNF.K
20. l^f^ ^"^^
It is worth doing.
Is the book worth rciuling ?
The sight is wortii seeing.
A similar expression, but conveying tnore nearly
the idea of our I^nglish ending — able, is,
As. ^S^it'S^t^
(li^gs will be purchasable today.
The pickled turnips, after ripening, will be
eatable.
21. fcl^flf ^ ^ ^'
I, he, etc., am iirctciiding to do.
That child i'^ |)retondin[T to crv.
Past tense,
«>] U| ^ «^1 ■Sf -S iS. fe: *t| f ^ 4:
This woman pretended not to know kook-
nioon.
IN THE KORKAN L^GUAGE. 6^
Future tense.
Those who don't know will pretend to know,
22. t^'-Jeifi ^
I fear this or that is liapiKjnin^ or will h»ip|»cn.
T fear ho will only waste his strength.
I (car he will not conic.
The contrasting expression, to hope that this or that
will happen, is : — •
I hope the nian of that house will conic back,
The form naturally expresses the future idea. The
tease is expressed as follows : —
I hojx.'d that the barley crop had turned out well.
Since no letter lias conie, site will fear tliat
her husband has died.
64 FIFH' HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
Notice in these sentences that all tenses of hoping
and fearing as well as all tenses of the thing hoiwd or
feared, arc expressed.
Similar forms are "f M -T" ^ 4l, 1 ^>^ ^ ^
^ 4l, '%^l]^^]X, and other verbsof hop-
ing, ex[3ecting and fearing.
23. t^T.] ■ ■ ■ - /
This is used to express our whether, and very often
equals n'hether or not, by taking on *fH "? cl^l •
or -5''^fe>^l
'el- f fe: T^l 4^ * •*• fe 7^1 iZ.5.Tfl4l
Whether he is doing well or badly, I do not
know.
1 don't know whether he is going or not.
C. ^1 atlded to the root of the jjast tense "*" ^ .
gives q" ^ C.^1 . the past form :
Whether he is marriid, I do not know.
<j<) and sec whether our father slq)t well.
IN THE KOREASI IJ^NGUAGE. 65
/
• cl ^1 or. ^ it is often spelled, § *d^l '^'^
5 ^1 ^\\t the future by natural formation.
■del 't'-iA *i'*'<I^I^^^''i■«4:
Who knows whether or not war will arise ?
WlHrtlKT it will turn out well or not we must
see to know.
The student will notice that these forms are always
followed by a clause denoting either knowledge or
ignorance. This fact established, he will be pre
pared not to confound tiieni eitlK>r with the following
expression, or with No. 30 which is similar in form
only. ^.~--"
24. -Q^^^l
Is also cqui\'alent to our 'clutlur, but instead of
being followed by a clause denoting that you do or do
not know, ft is invariably (witli one excefition which
need not now be referred to), followed by the idea
that you do not care.
* ^ ^1 *F H -i -a y| ^ -H) >5^^ <3 4i
W'lu thcr he dtx.s <jr not, it is n<> matter to nu:.
^^ "a 7^1^ >a?^i '^u "H tTfidi
Whether I live or die, I will not sacrifice (to
aoccitors).
66 FIIT\' UliLPS FOR THE BF.niNNER
25. f^
While or wlien doing. r— ■
ah
When you have a cold, (literally, when a cold
enters) do not go where the wind is blowini;.
He prays every time he eats.
^^1 and ^ '^^l arc synonymous exprcs
slons, and used almost as frecjuently.
26. fll^^l
Hcfore doing.
I^fore beginning consider well.
Ik'fore accusing one must know certiinlj
whether or not their is fault.
27. t^^]
After dt)ing.
After you Ikivc done the errand, come again.
m^THK KOREAN IJ^NGUAGF.
0-7
After he understood the talk he made no more
inquiries.
28. ^"c-i^YS.
I think or know (thus or so). '
I do not think or know (thus or so).
As. -^^a^i^y^fet^u
ITic lady knows that guests arc coming.
I think it is in tli.it room.
The {Jiist form is :
I did r,ot know that the nuistci of the hotisc
hid already gone.
I thought he load eaten six New Year's cakes,
tluit is, w;ls six years old.
68 FHTY HELPS FOR TIIK BEGINNER
The future tenses are expressed by
l-t5L5:-5.. As:-
I thought a boat would come to-day.
I did not know that you would wait this long.
The future form is capable of conveying another
and very different meaning : to-wit, to know how to do
thus or so.
The mason knows how to mend the wall.
He does not know how to do farm work.
29. t'S.'^
Conveys the idea of //;////, up to the /•'■'»'/ or
time of, the more.
I le worked until he was tired.
Mother was sick unto death.
IK THE KOREAN LAKGUAGE.
69
The more persons the better.
They [^yed until they cried.
The same thought is also expressed by the use of
A?;?^] with the verbal noun. Thus, instead of ^Si
•^"^ 6^ 4l« the Korean is just iis likely to say, "^T)
/7 ^1 "^ ^ 4l That is, He worked himself to death .
30. t:^]
J^^^'^rr
Used to cx[)rcss time since.
The baby \vas born nine montlis ago.
It has been long since I saw you.
Our Ijiglbh mode of expressii^ wonder, fear,
admiration, etc., as, " How strange," " How beauti-
ful," is also expressed by this form, as.
How big !
What .1 good taste !
70 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
And if the Korean wibhcs, tu be inoic cx[)licit he
drops the S' and adds.
It is inexpressible.
31. ^ and ^
These are used as connectives, in joining two or
more subjects or objects of the same verb.
Sagi and Chil-scungi having gone to tlie fair
came back, liaving bought {xrsinimon^,
pears and a chicken.
The difference between ^ and ^, as the student
will see by a look at the sentence given above, i
merely euphonic, ^ being used after words ending
in a vowol, and ^ -fter words endin;:; in a con-
sonant.
32. "**JL
This is also a very common connective for joining
ecjual parts of a sentence, as well as two f)r mori
subjects or objects of lln .s.iinc verb.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. J I
One reads the book well, and one reads it badly.
The soldiers went by boat and by land.
33. -t^. f ^K t"H>M
These forms are used for joining unequal parts of
a sentence. As : —
*fv y ^ 4? -t.* #t '^ -y-^i -a -I:
Obeying the will of God, he keeps the Ten
Comtnandnjcnts well.
Having left honie he went to a distant place.
Note well that in each of these sentences the two
verbs have the same subject, and this is always the
case where the {larticiple is derived from an active
verb, except in occasional instances where the verb,
though active in form may be strongly adjectival in
meaning. Generally speaking, the clause immediately
following an active participle, must have the same
subject as the participle.
Where the {larticiple is derived fn
^vcrb, however, tlK subject of tlic following clause
72 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
iiMiy or may not be tlic Stiiiic as the participle. For
instance : —
The flower being beautiful, I feci like pluck
ing it, (literally, plucking niind arises).
Or:—
The flower being beautiful, it makes the mind
of man glad. ^^'
34. tcl^l S^^'
A form very much used in narrative, spoken t)i
written, and indicating in print a pause longer than
a comma and not so long as a period. It may be
said to be about equivalent to a semi-colon. In
s|x:cch it may be translated by " and " or simply by
a [)ause. As : —
Tlicy are liaving a feast how, and have pre
pared several kinds of nice food.
A sorrowful aflair lias occurred ; why do you
laugh ?
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
i
The past and future tenses are formed as one would
expect: —
^1 ai t ^i>M t' t ^ ^ ^1 H ^1 ^d.
The baptisnul ceremony has already been
performed ; you have come late.
era a.-^ fe: «| <»h/S) oH i^>t
I will use it tomorrow and liave not yet
bought it
35. t^1'4
An ending used in ^leaking to another person of
something which I know to be a fact, but which they
have not seen or known.
oi 5f -ft^m*)) -t e| i -5 i <3 A| -§ jf
In American schools they study without
making tlK* least noise.
The \xAitc form for the same expression is § ^^j ^\.
Knglish horses are very large.
Do you know where the missionary is ?
I le 1m.-> goite for a walk.
74 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE DEGIKNER
The interrogative forms, high and low, arc also
used in enquiring of another about something of
which I am ignorant, but which he has seen or
known. Thus, to a child,
Where has your father gone ?
He has gone to a village.
Is it in the church ?
It is.
36. t" ^1 M ^* ' -— ^
A past imperfect connective, corresponding to No .
35 and used like it to convey the idea of sonK:thii\
seen or known by the speaker but not by the listener.
Translated by " and."
^^'^^ ji & H "^i M "I'^i) fe: ^€5.
Yang Ssi believed and attended (church,) and
now her hii'^bnnd, too, trusts in Testis.
Notice th.it tin ■ r .1, . N.,^. ,. im. ..,.■■. .^
I
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 75
used in the first person. This is not true, ht)wcvcr,
of the following form.
37. t^^lM
This is a past perfcci cunnn-uvi and Ills the sanie
force as No. 36 except that it can be used with all
persons. For instance,
1 (or he,) wept and prayed and God licanl. It is
very comnionly used when the speaker wishes to
convey the idea that a change has taken place, and
is translated by " but." As : —
FurnK-rly 1 worked a great deal, but row
being old, I cannot.
38. t^>M
A connective used to indicate simultaneous action.
As:—
As lie was going aloti^ tli< it'! li' n m1
a book.
y6 FIFTY HELPS TOR THE DEGINNEK
Uliilc we reverence God \vc tiiust also be
filial to our jxirents.
39. f ^l-lf
A connective indicating interrupted action.
As:—
As he was going along the road he met d
tiger.
•*F V y -t^ ^F-?)- 1 1! -^1 51 ^I H ^
He believed God, but unfortunately, he fell
into sin.
40. t'■^'=■u^ c. t^^'Ji'^n-s-
Not only that but —
Or. JL^J t^^^^FM^-'^ll ^^>^] t- y
He not only smfercd l)ul died, (literally,
u[) to death did).
m THE KOREAN LANGUAOE. *!T
Or. "l^f-^^^t^HEpHS-f =iA
There was not only much rain, but the wind
blew.
41. The Idea of Duty or Obligation conveyed by
the English word ought is expressed by the use of the
future participle. For example : —
-t-'q jii# 1 551 ■>! -fe H ^ ^1- § "1
Drinking and gambling are n<^t work tint an
upright man ought to do.
There being much work to see to, I could not
come.
"jj . meaning thing, is used almost interchangeably
with ^ after the participle.
42. Indirect Discourse is expressed by adding any
mode or tense desired of the verb J2. Q ^1" to the
form of the remark quoted.
>-Cr^4^i2S
Tell him t-. '.., (thus or so).
78 VIVTV HELPS FOR THE BEOrNNF.R
^ Tell him to speak.
-^ Please tell him to buy the wood.
•'^- I will tell him to go to the school.
He siiys the coolie has come.
All vM <^) «:^ wj.T}l c). jL -*- <^ Jl
They said they would leave at day-break.
And so on through all the modes, imk^ and
tenses.
A variation is furnished by
I heard he was doing, (thus and so).
I heard he was sick.
I heard you were married.
48. Relative clauses are exiui ^r^^i by means of the
|)ast, present and future participles. Tlius : —
The man who is doing the wgrk wants moiKj-.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
79
The house which was newly built has tumbled
down.
There is no sjjecial work which ou^ht to be
done to-day.
77t/ Ttri/ iiAvi., so indispensable in English, is
not found in Korean The idea Is expressed by
^4l witli or without "Vi] or ^i^] Thus, where
we would say, " I have a book," the Korean says
simply, ^^4l. or, if he wishes to be more ex-
pHc?f VH-Hl*)^|>fe.
45. //" futfuic atnzitrtU by the one word is in
our language, requires two in Korean: — >!4l to
express mere existence, ^| JL expressing nature or
condition.
There is, or exists, an upright man.
He is an upright man.
''distinguish between tlic use of these two words
[in all their possible forms constitutes one of the
[difficulties of the spoken Korean.
8o FIFT\' HE! PS FOR THE BEOINNER
46. Degrees of comparison are expressed by ^ ,
more, and ^ , less.
Typhus fever is more dreadful.
This rice is less dirty.
The superlative degree may be expressed by ^| ^
That mountain is highest, or literally, first
high ;
or, very often, by the use of "^ ^| •
Among the mountains it is high.
Comparison between objects may be expressed by
^^ or ^Cj.
Compared with this vessel tliat one is large.
47. To give assent in proper Korean fashion is
quite an art, since there is no one word like our ya
that can be used under all circumstances. ^
approaches yes, but is used properly onI>' between
equals or by an inferior to a superior. Such words
as J3- ^4l» "a^ etc., have their place, but a way
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
8i
often preferrv'i »,v the Korean is to assent by repeating
the verb.
Has the man come ?
Ans.
He has come.
Remark. ^"H^^^d.
The crops have turned out well.
Assent. ^^^^
TlKy liave turned out well.
48. Our vmch uscU thank you has no exact
equivalent in Korean. If he wbhes to express
appreciation of a kindneas rendered, a Korean says,
.S4l. o: ^■*"^4l. or it may be jLt/"4l
The bttcr word in^^ircxichcs thank you in use, but lias
more nearly the sense of / am fateful. For instance
one Korean says to another, " I was sick yesterday
but am much In-tter to-day." To which his friend
responds. " jL vT^h "
In ajikiii^ ;i favor oi uKUicr the idea of pUase may
be conveyed by iIk- use of ^S^^ the verb to £^ve
or gratit.
82 FIFn' HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
Please open the door.
Please take tlie baby.
This form is much used in prayer, as will be seen
by referring to the prayer sentences on a subsequent
page.
49. Although personal protiotins, as such, are in
little favor among Koreans, yet substitutes, especially
for the second person, are common and useful.
5:^ meaning elder brother, if used between men,
and elder sister, if used between women ; 'y' ^ , "-f ,
'-1 N » o ^"d other words which your teacher can
suggest, will furnish a profitable morning's study.
A safe and always appropriate mode of addre^ is
simply to use the name or title of the person ^x>ken to.
In the case of women, who have no names of their
own, it is necessary to address them as descendant
of so and so, or as wife or mother of so and
so. Thus, jL-^l descendant of Ko ; H >MH1''^'
wife (literally, house) of Mr. Kim ; ^''^ ^) 5.^,
mother of '^^**|« Lower forms for these latter
expressions are 1lA=lSl'^. 'S^^'lH^M-
In addressing an audience ^ 2.-]-^-^'>| answers a
useful purpose.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
83
50. To offer an apology in acceptable fashion is not
accomplished as the foreigner is apt to tliink, by a
literal rendering of our " I am sorry." If a Korean
wishes to express regret for some omission or con>
mission, he says simply, ^^ -^ "^ ^ 4l> tliat is, " I
have not done well." Or if he wishes to use a more
elevated turn of expression he may say, "^ ^ ^\^\
S-, that is. " Avoid," or, " overlook the fault."
LIST OF RELIGIOUS TERMS.
Angel, ^ ^, ^/r
Angry, to be, Je.'**-SL
Apostle, /^ Sl
Baptism, ^I ^|
Baptize, >**|S^1-^^
Baptized, to be, ^\ ^I ^4l
Believe, to, ^ >Ji
Believer. ^1 4" >J cl ^^f t , ji^-. 5Si ^•
Bible, ^-^
Bless, to, ^'f-S-
Blessed, to be. -^Hl^l
Blessing, -^
Bow, to, '^i'^S-
84 FIFrV HELPS FOR THE nEGINNEK
Born again, to be, "H ^ M'-fi-
Buddha, -^*j
Buddhism, -^ J£
Church building, i] ^. ti] ^] ^J-
Commit, to, as sin, ^ "q" S^, ^ ^
Confess, to, >5 -^ "^ ^
Confucius, "S" ^ , -y- ^
Confucianism, -^ <|^, yf^
Congregation , jH 5]
Cross, The, /J ;^ 7)-
Crucify, to. ^^^^h^^)^
Crucified, to be, ^ «J-^ ie)-7f>a >fc
Demon, "?] ^
Destroy, to, ^"J-^S"^!^
Destroyed, to be, ^ ^J" "*" ^
Destruction, ^ ^J""?
Disciple, ^] ^^ , -^B.
Disobey. H^^
Doctrine, Ji, J5.
Escape, to, as destruction, ^ "^ -5-. -^1 "t*^
Eternal, ^^t.
Etemallife, ^^
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
85
Fall, to. as into hell. f^\7^] X
Forgive, to. ^^tS^, -g->Mt^. ^t S.
God, "^F '^ 'd • "**-"<^ by Protestant Missionaries.
^•^, used by Roman Catholics and by
sonic Protestant Missionaries.
Gospel, -^r-o
Grace. ^«^l
Heaven. *fS, ^"3"
I Icavcnly Father. •*!■ ^ <=Hl H) t! ^F « l^]
Hell. «^|^
Holy Spirit, ^ ^
Jesus Christ, ^1 4-^^I AS.
Joy. -f-H"?
Judgment, ^ ^
Kiifil. to, face to the ground as Koreans do;
Uvc forever, lo. ^ ^ "^1 ^}S-
Lord, ^
Lord's Sup[xr, ^ ^
Love, to, /r£j-§"^
Mcncius, <j 7^
Obey. ^^tS^
86
FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
Pastor, ^/^
Persecute, to, ^ ^ "i"^
.Persecuted, to be, *il ^4:, ^ *^ Ht4l
Pity. to. ^>S=*m^)^
Pitiable, to be, -^ ^ "*" JL
Pray, to. :^:i.^X. «I^ i to Buddlia. ^
Prayer. :Mi. «I fel ^
Preach, to, T^Sl'^ S^
Preacher, ^i't'cl^l'g
Punish, to, '^^"*'^
Punished, to be, "^ »g ^4i
Punishment, "^ *§
Reh'gion, j£, Jll
Reply, lo. iJ-Jl ^
Repent, to, i|^) "^"^
Resurrection. '^Ml>S''|-M'^Ti;-T-^
Sabbath, <5}>H^a;^^J; e^l^l*^
Sacrilicc, to, to ancestors, >M| y^ "^^ J to demons,
Salvation. '^^'^
SaUn, "Kl
THE KOREAN LANGUAGE.
Suv.our. -^-^-^-y*
Sing, to. :^^]^S^
Sin, ^
Sin. to. 51^-t-S-. ^1^>L
Sinner, ^1 ^ : ^1 <i! ^ ^^ t
Son of God. -^fVy^^H
Soul. ^^
Spiril, y
Suffer, jL^jt^J^-i-^
Trust, to. ^4i;^?^l'^^
Worship, or reverence, to. ^ gT-S.; T| "^J-
SHORT SENTENCES USEFCIL IN PRE-
SENTING THE GOSPEL.
Among all niankiiul where is there one without sin ^
^nlied the sin-stricken aiul lo,i coudilion ot
III in.
88 FlPiy HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
Although our sins were many lie loved us.
As for Jesus, I le is God's only son.
•*F vr y ^^ >H 3. ^ o^ 1 -t Ai| ^^ <>)| ^ m Aj 4,
God sent I lis son to earth.
He came to atone for our sins.
1 le suffered at the hands of men.
•f =1 51 -i ^I ^ t H n.-a <^) -5J- * ^ ^ u^
On account of our sins He received bitter punishment
in I lis own body.
He died nailed to a cross.
51 :^l t ^ ^fjx-g e^l-t "U * T}!>L
How can we ref>ay such kindness ?
We must do according to the word of Jesus.
«•
s.
VVc must realize our sinfulness, and Iiaving repented
D
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 89
we believe in Jesus we will go to Heaven.
If wc do not believe in I liin there is nothing for us
but to fall into hell.
As for these words, tliey are not the words of nian.
They are the words of God.
It will be good practice for the student to take these
sentences and join them by the proj)er connectives, as
had been already done in the following.
PRAYER SENTENCES.
' >ur l-athcr which art in Heaven.
4 V y ^ -H) ^ -g 51 # Af -*■ c^ ^^A) a
l-orgive the sins tlut we have coiimiitted against
Thee, and,
i\%.^A V % c|.A) «?) 7^1 ?i «1 t "! ^-^iL
V
90 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
We know that we are weak and foolish, and,
we pray that thou will help and teach us.
Leave us not for a moment,
*F S ^1 1 -a i *! £ ■* *^ ■?• •S-'^l i1 € «l
but lead us we pray Thee, along the path to
Heaven.
I Iclp us to forgive the sins of others, and,
-^1- f '^> 1 -I- -^ 21 -S- ^ 2 *l ^ ^i t -Hi t
grant that we may love others as ourselves.
I lave pity upon those who know not and trust not
Jesus, and,
grant tliat they may hear and understand the wonl
of the Bible.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 9 1
Realizing their sinfulrxrss, and,
coming and confessing to Jesus,
51 -^f f -i: 51 -HI t H -f -S-'^hl # "1 -S-3L
do Thou grant that they niay receive forgiveness for
their sins, and,
*£ All /.fl si m -*• a:) -^ -g- /-hi ^ U) ^ V|
^}
also, make them to become new persons, we pray
Thee.
-S-jL
From the official class to the common people may
Koreans become believers, and
*K "d ^it 3| «F ii ^1 1 H <g fe: t *i Hi *
make them to know that beside Thee there is no
God, and,
■*F V y ?i ^ -a •*• ■'ii -*■ H ^ -s-^i ii -f "I
grant that tlKy may worship only Thcc.
1^
92 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
Trusting in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
A FEW THINGS TO BE
AVOIDED.
It is not best to spend too much time at first in
trying to get at the bottom of every exjjression.
The better way is to take the words and expressions
as you learn them and use them, without question.
Etymological distinctions can be looked up later.
The habit of using such words as " r fel » *^ T" H »
■|*>y^,^,H.^, etc., to excess, should be avoided.
These words have their place but not to the extent
that they are used by foreigners.
The 4l endings should not be exclusively used
any longer than you can help. Notice that 7*] S-t
a somewhat higher form, can be used in place of 4l
in all but interrogative forms, and furnishes a pleasing
variety to the listener.
Sometimes new comers inuigine that low talk is low
or degrading to the recipient in our sense of the word,
and thus fall into the error of refusing to use it. It fa
entirely acceptiblc in its place, and should be used
without hesitation.
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. g^
Do not neglect any oppui tunity to exercise yourselt
in the use of high and low forms, the latter always to
children, boys, and, in theory, to all servants.
As a matter of practice, however, friend talk should
be used to men and women servants. This is
especially true in country districts, where class
distinctions are much less sharply drawn than in
Seoul, but it is applicable in all cases where the desire
is to emphasize the relation of friend rather than that
of servant and served.
Aged men and women among your acquaintances
will afford valuable occasion for the use of the highest
forms. You will lose nothing by it in the estimation
of Koreans, even if the person's actual rank is not
high.
Avoid the use of half talk until you have had consi-
derable practice of the proper forms. It can be used
after you know just how, when and where to
do it
Get rid of your first poor makeshifts just as soon as
you have learned something better. Weed out errors
of construction and pronunciation as fast as you
can.
Do not allow the Koreans whom you talk with
habitually to continue to use to you the imperfect
talk which you arc at present obliged to use to them.
1^
94 FIFIA' HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
In-ist that they shall talk slowly, and simply, but in
good, idiomatic Korean.
Avoid the sad mistake of talking I'.nglish to your
teacher, and do not interlard your own speech with
interjections such as, " Well," " Oh," " Ah " " Yes,"
etc.
Ifewarc of the faults of other foreigners. A good
many of us are mispronouncing words yet, simply
because we took them from a faulty transliteration, or
just as we heard them from a foreigner, instead of hav-
ing the pronunciation verified by a native.
Do not hesitate to go to older niLssionaries for
assistance. They are more anxious than you can
know, that you shall make a good start and have a
better chance at the language than they had them-
selves.
Learn as many Chinese characters as you can,
but at any rate, learn Ihcir names, as ^rS'
^, '^S-^. ^H-;?, etc. This will
enable you to recognize the meaning of Chinese
derivatives when you hear or see tliem. For ins-
tmcc, if you know that the Chinese equivalent of
^}^ is vl» and of ^ S is ^, it requires no
great mental agility to grasp the fact that ^I '^
probably means " man's mind."
Do not be satisfied with what is sometimes cuphe-
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 95
ically styled a " good working knowledge " of
the language. Remember that a knowledge which
falls short of being able to say easily and well all that
you want to say, is not a '• good working knowledge "
of the language.
Avoid the mistake of thinking that you can gratify
all your literary and social tastes and learn Korean
too. You may do so, and attain to a " pigeon " use
of the language, but you will never talk Korean as the
Koreans do, without some sacrifice. It is the greatest
of undertakings, but with pains, prayer, perseverance,
and right methods of study, every one has the right to
expect to accomplish it. Drudge faithfully through
the first three years, and at the end of that time, the
promised land, tho' yet for distant, will be in view,
and study will be a pleasure and acquisition a
delight.
Read the church paper in the vernacular regulariy,
and thus keep informed at first hand as to what your
people are thinking and doing.
It may not be out of place in a booklet
intended for the help of newcomers, to mention a few
points which most of us are naturally a little slow to
apprehend. Koreans, as a people, are much more
attentive to all the niceties of etiquette than t\\c West-
ern nations from which we come, and unless we wish
If'
96 FIFn' HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
to make a very unfavorable impression, we must culti-
vate a similar punctiliousness.
For instance, never fail to salute your teacher, or
other Koreans of similar rank, when you find yourself
in their presence, not in a hurried fashion, and perhaps
half turning away as you speak, but standing properly
facing them, and with due dcliberateness.
Always acknowledge all politdy proffered saluta-
tioas from high or low.
Do not, as a rule, salute children or servants first,
but expect and return their salutatioas.
In meeting and talking with Koreans, pay especial
attention to the aged among them whether man or
woman, rising when they enter and take tl^ir depar-
ture, and addressing them in the best language.
When in a mixed company of foreigners and
Koreans, be careful not to devote yourself to the
former to the exclusion of the latter.
We should take care not to offend the best social
customs of the people. Whatever may be the reason,
it is often unfortunately true that foieigncrs are tempted
to greater freedom of behavior than in their own home
countries, whereas much more carefulness should be
observed.
In encounters between foreign men and women on
the street, dignified reserve should be the rule, and on
IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE. 97
all occasions wlicrc Koreans are onlookers, ladies
and gentlemen <»hould be careful not to indulge in
wliat would otherwise, perhaps, be only liarniless
familiarity.
Indies should bear in mind tliat the liberty which
they have always been accustomed to exercise, is not
known to the better classes of Korean women, and
should take pains not to unnecessarily compromise
themselves, as, for instance, by ap|)earing in public in
company with their teachers or Korean male acquaint-
^B| ances other tlian a servant. This is especially
objectionable if the teacher is a young man. Other
things being equal, single ladies should select an
elderly rather than a young man for teacher.
They should also be slow to attempt joking or
pleasantry with Korean men, remembering tliat noth-
ing in the experience of a native gentleman previous to
his connection with foreigners can enable him to
understand a modest woman making herself in-
Inoccntly free with any man cxci pt her father, br'other,
or husband.
That women can itinerate in Korea has been abund-
antly proved, but it should be done with as little
publicity as possible, and with due precautions agaiiist
tnl.Minderstandings. h'or a woman itinerator, for inst-
•<) attempt to propagate the gospel by singing
\
98 FIFTY HELPS FOR THE BEGINNER
and addressing a crowd of promiscuous idlers, is
worse than futile. Singing by women missionaries
before a heathen audience, under any circumstances
whatever, is not to be recommended.
A man missionary in necessary deahngs with native
women should be quick to notice tliat they are much
more at case in his presence if he kee()s at a good
distance, and docs not subject them to too close a
scrutiny, however kind and friendly.
In dealing with Koreans a great deal of annoyance
may be saved by observing the fact that no people ever
prized their own self esteem more highly. No loss is
so serious to a Korean as to " lose face " before others.
If then, a grave rebuke must be administered, do so in
private, and if it becomes desirable to convey a hint
that such and such conduct is not acceptable it is often
advisable do so through the medium of a friendly
third party or in some other round-about way. If you
are to get on liappily, and tarry out your purjKJses, it
will 6hcn be necessary to drop your Anglo-Saxon
directness, which no Korean comprehends, and adopt
the system of hints and gobet\\ocn'=, with whi'^ '^ •-
perfectly familiar.
I^earn early in dealing with Koreans to efface as
much as f>os.sibIe all traces of imi>atiencc or irritation
from the face as well as words and bearing. Mildness
fN IMF vnuyxs T ANGUAGE. 99
and firmness, in cquai [xuts, roiii[X)unded with love,
and administered constantly and regularly, will usually
enable the missionary to carry any reasonable point.
Tlu iKccN^itv for these words may not be apparent to
a newcomer, but he will, without doubt, if he stays
long in Korea, often find himself hindered and thwarted
in plans and purposes' by circumstances almost un- 1
bearably irritating. If at such times he gives vent to
his natural feelings in a burst of angry impatience, he
will undo much earnest and prayerful effort, for, and i
this is a point well worth considering, what truthful-
ness and honesty are to the Anglo-Saxon, patience,
forbearance and courteous bearing are to the Korean.
A down-right lie on the part of a native Christian is
not more shocking to us, than a display of ill-temBpt-
»n on? part is to them. In this connection it is sug-
gestive to notice that while the Old and New Testa-
ments by no means underestimate the importance of
truth and uprightness, yet at lei^t a^ much stress is
I^Hl upon brotherly love, meekness, patience, self-
^OTltrol and kindred virtues which perhaps are not so
Cishionable nowadays in the push and stress of Western
life.
Many more suggestions might be made in detail,
but enough has been said to enable the thought-
ful reader to draw his own conclusions as to the
lOO FIFTY HELPS FOR THE nijiNNj-.K
nature of things that arc better done or left undone in
Korea.
The contents of this little volume are not offered to
the reader in the spirit of one who " has already
attained," but merely as one who, like himself,
*' follows after."
m m
lis
+ +
n n
Ii 11
m ff
M IK
£
T
A
fj-
183
^i
a2.\ i&
til
T
ir
pfl
m
Itt
it
it
ft
