Relationships & Celebrations

Korean Basic Conversation 4

Chapter 10 · Relationships & Celebrations: Friends, Dating, Weddings & Family Events

💍 Relationships & Celebrations — 인간관계와 경조사

This chapter is about people: meeting through a friend, dating, wedding invitations, the wedding itself, and family birthdays. The grammar: 호칭 (how to address people), -는 중이다 ("in the middle of…") and -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 ("it looks as if…"). For the background see Korean Grammar 4 4 (Titles, Address and Social Language) and Korean Grammar 2 9 (Can, Must, May, Seems). Customs and amounts differ between families and regions, so treat the details as a general guide and ask a Korean friend if you are unsure.

① A Blind Date — 소개팅

A:친구가 이번 주말에 소개팅을 해 주기로 했어요. 조금 떨려요.A friend has agreed to set me up on a blind date this weekend. I'm a bit nervous.

B:어떤 사람이래요? 사진은 봤어요?What kind of person is it? Have you seen a photo?

A:아직요. 성격이 좋고 영화를 좋아하는 사람이라고 하더라고요.Not yet. I was told they have a good personality and like films.

B:그럼 얘깃거리는 많겠네요. 처음에는 편한 카페에서 만나는 게 좋아요.Then you'll have plenty to talk about. It's good to meet at a relaxed café first.

A:네, 부담 없이 만나 보려고요. 마음에 들면 한 번 더 만나고요.Yes, I'll try meeting without pressure. If I like them, I'll meet again.

B:잘되면 꼭 알려 주세요. 응원할게요!If it goes well, be sure to tell me. I'll be rooting for you!

Hard words: 소개팅 so-gae-ting blind date · 떨리다 tteol-li-da be nervous · 성격 seong-gyeok personality · 얘깃거리 yae-gis-geo-ri topic of conversation · 부담 bu-dam pressure

② Dating — 연애 중이에요

A:요즘 민수 씨가 자주 웃는 걸 보니 연애하는 모양이에요.Seeing Minsu smile so often these days, he seems to be dating someone.

B:맞아요. 지금 사귀는 중이래요. 이번 주말이 백 일이라고 하던데요.That's right. I hear he's going out with someone now. I heard this weekend is their 100-day anniversary.

A:누가 먼저 고백했대요?Who confessed first, I wonder?

B:민수 씨가 먼저 했대요. 친구들이 다 놀랐어요.They say Minsu did. All his friends were surprised.

A:기념일에는 뭘 하는 편이에요?What do people tend to do on an anniversary?

B:보통 맛있는 저녁을 먹고 작은 선물을 주고받아요. 커플링을 맞추기도 하고요.Usually they have a nice dinner and exchange small gifts. Some also get matching couple rings.

Hard words: 사귀다 sa-gwi-da go out with · 고백하다 go-bae-ka-da confess one's feelings · 기념일 gi-nyeom-il anniversary · 커플링 keo-peul-ling couple ring

③ A Wedding Invitation — 청첩장

A:저, 다음 달에 결혼하게 됐어요. 청첩장을 드리고 싶은데요.Um, I'm getting married next month. I'd like to give you an invitation.

B:어머, 결혼 축하해요! 언제 어디에서 해요?Oh, congratulations on your wedding! When and where is it?

A:토요일 오후 두 시에 서울의 한 웨딩홀에서 해요. 와 주시면 정말 기뻐요.On Saturday at 2 pm at a wedding hall in Seoul. I'd be really happy if you could come.

B:꼭 참석할게요. 요즘 결혼 준비하는 중이라 바쁘죠?I'll definitely attend. You must be busy, in the middle of wedding preparations?

A:네, 신혼집도 구하는 중이라서 정신이 없어요.Yes, I'm also looking for a home for the newlyweds, so I'm in a whirl.

B:힘내세요. 모바일 청첩장도 보내 주시겠어요?Hang in there. Could you send a mobile invitation too?

Hard words: 청첩장 cheong-cheop-jang wedding invitation · 웨딩홀 we-ding-hol wedding hall · 참석하다 cham-seo-ka-da attend · 신혼집 sin-hon-jip newlyweds' home · 정신이 없다 jeong-si-ni eop-da be in a whirl

④ At the Wedding — 결혼식장에서

A:안녕하세요. 결혼을 진심으로 축하드립니다.Hello. Heartfelt congratulations on your wedding.

B:와 주셔서 감사합니다. 축의금은 입구 오른쪽에서 접수해 주세요.Thank you for coming. Please hand in your gift money at the right of the entrance.

A:봉투에 이름을 써야 하나요?Do I need to write my name on the envelope?

B:네, 앞이나 뒤에 이름을 써 주세요. 접수하고 나면 식권을 받으실 수 있어요.Yes, please write your name on the front or back. After you hand it in, you can get a meal ticket.

A:신랑 신부는 정말 행복한 모양이네요.The bride and groom seem really happy.

B:네, 식이 끝나면 다 같이 사진을 찍을 거예요. 식사도 맛있게 드세요.Yes, after the ceremony everyone will take a photo together. Enjoy your meal too.

Hard words: 축의금 chu-gui-geum wedding gift money · 접수하다 jeop-su-ha-da receive, register · 봉투 bong-tu envelope · 식권 sik-gwon meal ticket · 신랑 sil-lang groom · 신부 sin-bu bride

⑤ A Family Birthday — 환갑과 돌잔치

A:다음 주에 부모님 환갑 잔치를 하신다면서요?I hear your parents are having a 60th-birthday party next week?

B:잔치는 아니고 가족끼리 식사하기로 했어요. 요즘은 대부분 그렇게 해요.Not a party, we've decided to have a family meal. Most people do that these days.

A:그렇군요. 어머님 생신 축하드린다고 전해 주세요.I see. Please tell your mother I wish her a happy birthday.

B:고마워요. 그리고 다음 달에는 조카 돌잔치도 있어요.Thanks. And next month there's my nephew's first-birthday party too.

A:돌잡이도 해요? 아기가 뭘 잡을지 궁금해요.Will they do the first-birthday ritual too? I'm curious what the baby will pick.

B:네, 실이나 연필, 돈 같은 걸 올려놓고 아기가 잡게 해요.Yes, they put things like thread, a pencil and money out and let the baby grab one.

Hard words: 환갑 hwan-gap 60th birthday · 생신 saeng-sin birthday (honorific) · 돌잔치 dol-jan-chi first-birthday party · 돌잡이 dol-ja-bi baby's choosing ritual · 조카 jo-ka nephew, niece

⑥ Between Friends (casual) — 쟤네 사귀는 모양이야

A:야, 쟤네 둘 요즘 맨날 같이 다니던데 사귀는 모양이야.Hey, those two have been going around together every day lately. They seem to be dating.

B:진짜? 둘이 지금 연애 중이야?Really? Are the two of them going out right now?

A:몰라, 아직 썸 타는 중일 수도 있어.I don't know. They might still be in the "flirting" stage.

B:하하, 곧 청첩장 받는 거 아냐?Ha ha, will we get a wedding invitation soon?

Hard words: 쟤네 jyae-ne those two (casual) · 맨날 maen-nal every day (casual) · 썸 타다 seom ta-da be in the flirting stage (slang) · 곧 got soon

🔑 Key Phrases — 중요한 표현

English	Polite (-요)	Casual (friends)
Congratulations on your wedding!	결혼 축하해요!	결혼 축하해!
Happy birthday (to an elder).	생신 축하드립니다.	생일 축하해.
I'm preparing for the wedding.	결혼 준비하는 중이에요.	결혼 준비하는 중이야.
They seem to be dating.	사귀는 모양이에요.	사귀는 모양이야.
Thank you for coming.	와 주셔서 감사합니다.	와 줘서 고마워.
I'll definitely attend.	꼭 참석할게요.	꼭 갈게.

🔤 Three Verbs — 동사

Verb	Dictionary	Polite present	Past	-는 중이다	-는 모양이다
to meet	만나다	만나요	만났어요	만나는 중이다	만나는 모양이다
to go out with	사귀다	사귀어요	사귀었어요	사귀는 중이다	사귀는 모양이다
to marry	결혼하다	결혼해요	결혼했어요	결혼하는 중이다	결혼하는 모양이다

🧰 Grammar Tools — 문법

1. 호칭: forms of address

Koreans often avoid "you" and use a relationship word or title instead (see Korean Grammar 4 4). Here are the ones you need for friends, partners and families.

Who	Address / term	Note
older brother / sister	형, 누나 (male speaker); 오빠, 언니 (female speaker)	also used for older friends and partners
friend, same age	이름 + 아/야 or just the name	민수야, 지은아
colleague, polite	이름 + 씨	민수 씨
spouse's parents	어머님, 아버님	respectful way to address them
married couple	여보	"dear", between spouses
bride / groom	신부 / 신랑	at the wedding

2. -는 중이다: "in the middle of…"

Attach -는 중이다 to an action verb stem to say that you are in the middle of doing something: 결혼 준비하는 중이에요. (I'm in the middle of preparing for the wedding.) After a noun use 중: 회의 중이에요 ("I'm in a meeting"), 통화 중이에요 ("I'm on the phone"), 공사 중 ("under construction"). It is close to -고 있다 but stresses the process, often to say that you are busy.

Pattern	Example	Meaning
verb + -는 중이다	지금 청첩장을 보내는 중이에요.	I'm sending out invitations right now.
verb + -는 중이다	신혼집을 구하는 중이에요.	I'm in the middle of looking for a home.
noun + 중이다	지금 연애 중이에요.	I'm in a relationship at the moment.
noun + 중이다	회의 중이라서 전화를 못 받아요.	I'm in a meeting, so I can't take calls.

3. -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다: "it looks as if…"

Use -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 to make a guess from what you can see or hear: 두 사람이 사귀는 모양이에요. (They seem to be dating.) 신랑 신부가 행복한 모양이에요. (The couple look happy.) For an action verb use -는 모양이다 (present) or -(으)ㄴ 모양이다 (past); for an adjective use -(으)ㄴ 모양이다; after a noun use 인 모양이다: 학생인 모양이에요.

Type	Example	Meaning
action, present	비가 오는 모양이에요.	It looks like it's raining.
action, past	벌써 결혼한 모양이에요.	They seem to have already married.
adjective	기분이 좋은 모양이에요.	They seem to be in a good mood.
noun	친구 사이인 모양이에요.	They seem to be friends.

Watch out: 모양이다 is about others, not about you -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 guesses from evidence about someone or something else; you do not use it for your own feelings or plans: say 저는 기뻐요, not 저는 기쁜 모양이에요. Also, -는 중이다 describes an action in progress, so it does not suit states: say 키가 커요, not 키가 큰 중이에요.

4. Celebration words

Korean	English
결혼식 / 신혼여행 / 신혼집	wedding / honeymoon / newlyweds' home
청첩장 / 축의금 / 식권	invitation / gift money / meal ticket
돌잔치 / 환갑 / 칠순	first birthday / 60th birthday / 70th birthday
축하합니다 / 축하드립니다	congratulations (polite / more honorific)
초대하다 / 참석하다	to invite / to attend

📰 Reading — 읽기

Read the text, then check the English and the word list. Then answer the true/false questions.

친구의 결혼식

지난 토요일에 대학교 친구의 결혼식에 다녀왔어요. 친구는 삼 년 동안 사귄 다음에 드디어 결혼했어요. 결혼식장에 도착해서 먼저 축의금을 내고 식권을 받았어요. 신랑 신부는 아주 행복한 모양이었어요. 식이 끝난 다음에는 친구들과 함께 식사를 했어요. 며칠 후에 친구가 신혼여행 중이라며 사진을 보내 줬어요. 저도 언젠가 이런 날이 오면 좋겠어요.

English: Last Saturday I went to a university friend's wedding. My friend finally married after going out for three years. When I arrived at the wedding hall, I first gave the gift money and received a meal ticket. The bride and groom seemed very happy. After the ceremony I had a meal with friends. A few days later my friend sent me photos, saying they were on their honeymoon. I hope such a day comes for me someday too.

Words: 드디어 at last · 식장 ceremony hall · 신혼여행 honeymoon · 언젠가 someday

1. The wedding was a colleague's.

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False: it was a university friend's (대학교 친구).

2. The writer gave gift money and received a meal ticket.

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True: 축의금을 내고 식권을 받았어요.

3. The bride and groom seemed unhappy.

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False: they seemed very happy (행복한 모양이었어요).

4. After the ceremony the writer ate with friends.

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True: 친구들과 함께 식사를 했어요.

📖 Vocabulary — 어휘

20 key words for relationships and celebrations.

#	Korean	Say it	English	Type
1	소개팅	so-gae-ting	blind date	noun
2	연애	yeon-ae	romantic relationship	noun
3	청첩장	cheong-cheop-jang	wedding invitation	noun
4	결혼식	gyeol-hon-sik	wedding	noun
5	축의금	chu-gui-geum	wedding gift money	noun
6	신랑	sil-lang	groom	noun
7	신부	sin-bu	bride	noun
8	신혼여행	sin-hon-yeo-haeng	honeymoon	noun
9	돌잔치	dol-jan-chi	first-birthday party	noun
10	환갑	hwan-gap	60th birthday	noun
11	생신	saeng-sin	birthday (honorific)	noun
12	호칭	ho-ching	form of address	noun
13	사귀다	sa-gwi-da	go out with, make friends	verb
14	고백하다	go-bae-ka-da	confess (feelings)	verb
15	결혼하다	gyeol-hon-ha-da	marry	verb
16	축하하다	chu-ka-ha-da	congratulate	verb
17	초대하다	cho-dae-ha-da	invite	verb
18	참석하다	cham-seo-ka-da	attend	verb
19	헤어지다	he-eo-ji-da	break up, part	verb
20	소개하다	so-gae-ha-da	introduce	verb

As Heard in Dramas — "썸 타는 중이야?" Dramas are full of romance talk. You will hear 썸 타다 ("to be in the flirting stage"), 고백했어? ("did you confess?"), 사귀자 ("let's go out") and, at weddings, 결혼 축하해 from friends and 결혼 축하드립니다 from colleagues. Couples often call each other 자기야 ("darling") and, after marriage, 여보.

Real Korean Tip — Wedding Gift Money (축의금) At a Korean wedding guests usually give cash in a white envelope (봉투) at the reception desk and write their name on it; in return they receive a meal ticket. The amount depends on how close you are to the couple and on your circumstances, so ask a Korean friend what is usual. A set of common figures is easy to find online, but there is no single rule. Weddings are often short and held in a wedding hall, so guests may stay only for a while after the ceremony.

Tradition — 환갑 and 돌잔치 A person's 60th birthday (환갑) was traditionally a very big celebration, but many families today mark it with a family meal or trip instead. A baby's first birthday (돌) is still celebrated, often with the 돌잡이 ritual in which the baby picks an object. For elders, say 생신 축하드립니다 rather than 생일 축하해요.

✍️ Try It Yourself — 연습

Say each answer out loud first, then click to check.

1. Say "I'm in the middle of preparing for the wedding."

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결혼 준비하는 중이에요.

2. Say "They seem to be dating."

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사귀는 모양이에요.

3. Say "Congratulations on your wedding" to a colleague.

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결혼 축하드립니다.

4. What do you say to wish an elder a happy birthday?

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생신 축하드립니다.

5. Tell a friend casually "They seem to be dating."

Show answer

쟤네 사귀는 모양이야.

6. Why is 저는 기쁜 모양이에요 odd for "I'm happy"?

Show answer

-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 is a guess about others from evidence; for your own feelings say 저는 기뻐요.