Korean Language Trivia

1. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. What does "taekwondo" mean?

From Quiz Basic Korean for the Beginner Taekwondo Student

Answer: The way of the foot and the fist

"Tae" means foot, "kwon" means fist, and "do" means way or art. Taekwondo has been an Olympic event since 1992. However, due to the scoring system that rewards kicks to the head, Olympic-level taekwondo sparring looks very different from what most taekwondo students practice (even black belts!).

From Quiz Korean Numbers

Answer: "Gu"

5 + 4 = 9, "Gu", the answer would be number 9. "Ship" = 10, "Pal" = 8, "Chil" = 7. The Sino-Korean number system is significant for dates, money, addresses, and phone numbers.

From Quiz Easy Korean Phrases

Answer: uchepyo-dul salyugo ga-ssuyo

The right answer would be "uchepyo-dul salyugo ga-ssuyo" meaning "I intend to buy stamps". You probably wouldn't go to the Post Office to buy socks (yangmal), books (chek) or pencils (yunpil).

From Quiz Names of the Planets in Korean

Answer: Haengseong

The syllable "haeng" derives from a Chinese character that represented a four way street or crossroad. It means "walking" or "to go". So, "haengseong" is a walking or travelling star. "Chaeksang" is a desk. "Haengun" is good luck. "Haengju" is a dish cloth. Of course, the names of the planets are all nouns, but they can be made into adjectives by adding the suffix: "ui."

From Quiz Basic Korean : Part 2

Answer: Eon-je wass-eo-yo?

The question words used in this question are: Eon-je = when, nu-ga = who, o-di = where. The word 'chi-gum' means now, so 'eon-je wass-eo-yo?' is the correct answer.

From Quiz Basic Korean Vocabulary

Answer: Eat it.

"Kimchi" is the spicy, usually fermented, vegetable and spice dish that accompanies every Korean meal from breakfast to dinner. It comes in many varieties, so if you don't like one, go ahead and try another. The standard "kimchi" is made with bok choi and lots of garlic. Cucumber "kimchi" is particularly tasty, with the contrasting flavors of the cool cucumbers and the flaming-hot spices.

From Quiz Basic Korean : Part 1

Answer: Annyonghaseyo

Korean has many variations on this standard greeting based on correct level of politeness. When in doubt this is the best greeting to use.

From Quiz Basic Korean for the Beginner Taekwondo Student

Answer: uniform

"Do" means way or art, and "bok" is clothing. A dobok typically has a v-neck, however the closure (pull over, cross-over, etc.) can vary. Wearing a dobok can make certain moves with a partner (self defense, throws) easier.

From Quiz Korean Numbers

Answer: "Sa Ship Oh"

45 is "Sa Ship Oh" in Sino-Korean numbers. "Oh Ship Sa" is 54. "Ship Oh" is 15, "Ship Gu" is 19.

From Quiz Easy Korean Phrases

Answer: na neun un jeon ha ji anh seup ni da

You would say "na neun un jeon ha ji anh seup ni da". "Na" referring to "I", "anh seup ni da" referring to "don't" and "drive" being "un jeon". The incorrect answers are "We don't write", or "u ri neun sseu ji anh seup ni da". "How much is this thing?" means "i geos eun mu eos ip ni kka?", while "I don't speak" is "na neun mal ha ji anh seup ni da".

From Quiz Names of the Planets in Korean

Answer: Suseong

"Su" is derived from the Chinese character for water, so in combination "suseong" means "Star of Water". "Eumseong" is "phonetics". "Daeyang" is the word for "ocean". "Suhak" is the word for "math".

From Quiz Basic Korean : Part 2

Answer: o-raen-man ip-nikka?

The correct answer is 'o-raen-man ip-nikka?' and it is like the English expression 'long time no see' originally from Chinese 'hao jiu bu jian.' Be careful of the 'ip' in 'ip-nikka' it is pronounced 'im'.

From Quiz Basic Korean Vocabulary

Answer: Teachers.

"Hagwans" are after-school English language academies. Many native English speakers find work in them. In fact, if you meet an English-speaking foreigner who's not with the US military, odds are he or she teaches at a "hagwan"!

From Quiz Basic Korean : Part 1

Answer: Mianhamnida

The Korean language is highly differentiated according to level of politeness. "Mianhamnida" is the polite formal level of speech. In most cases a simple "Mianwhayo" is sufficient.

From Quiz Basic Korean for the Beginner Taekwondo Student

Answer: Self-control

Self-control is usually not a problem for adult students, but can be a major issue for children. While learning to punch and kick can be fun, discipline and self-control are important and have many benefits for children learning martial arts. Just sitting still and following directions can be a challenge for some students.

From Quiz Korean Numbers

Answer: "Beck Pal"

The equation 9 x 12 = 108, or "Beck pal" in Sino-Korean. "Beck" = 100, "Pal" = 8, "Ship" = 10, "Sa" = 4.

From Quiz Easy Korean Phrases

Answer: i geos eun eol ma na ip ni kka?

You would say "i geos eun eol ma na ip ni kka?". "This thing" is "i geos" and "how much" is "eol ma na", with the question form "kka?". Other answers were: "How much is that bag?" or "geu ga bang eun eol ma ip ni kka?"; "How much is that?" or "geu geos eun eol ma na keup ni kka?"; and "How much is that book?" or "geu chek eun eol ma ip ni kka?"

From Quiz Names of the Planets in Korean

Answer: Geumseong

"Geumseong" means "Star of Gold/Metal." "Geumyoil" is "Friday". "Geumeon" is a maxim, or golden saying. "Geumgwang" is a gold mine.

From Quiz Basic Korean : Part 2

Answer: Your children are healthy, aren't they?

This question demonstrates another major difference between Korean and English. The English tag question which requires agreement with the preceding verb isn't so difficult in Korean. In Korean the tag is alway 'ji-yo?'. Careful on your pronunciation 'a-i-dul-uen' is pronounced 'a-i-du-ruen'.

From Quiz Basic Korean Vocabulary

Answer: The Korean alphabet.

Ask a Korean who the greatest Korean king was, and she'll probably say, "King Sejong." Until his reign, in the late 15th century, the Korean language was written using Chinese characters. Sejong wanted to promote literacy and a Korean identity separate from China, so he directed scholars to develop an alphabet. "Hangul" was the result.

From Quiz Basic Korean for the Beginner Taekwondo Student

Answer: Attention

"Cha ryeot" is sometimes followed by the command "kyung nae," or bow. Bowing and shaking hands is a sign of respect.

From Quiz Korean Numbers

Answer: "Chun"

The equation 100 x 10 = 1000, or "Chun." "Beck" = 100. "Sa" = 4. "Chun Beck" would be 100,000. "Chun Sa" would be 1004.

From Quiz Names of the Planets in Korean

Answer: Jigu

"Jigu" means "Ground Sphere". "Gicha" is "train". "Dal" is "moon". "Ddal" is "daughter".

From Quiz Basic Korean : Part 2

Answer: Han-guk-eo jal ha-se-yo.

This question demonstrates another major difference between the 2 languages. While Korean does have personal pronouns they are often omitted, and not necessary to convey meaning. Be careful of 'jal ha-se-yo' it is pronounced 'jal-ra-se-yo'.

From Quiz Basic Korean Vocabulary

Answer: In restaurants.

"Bulgogi", or "Korean barbecue," is thin-sliced marinated meat, cooked by the diners right at the table. It's eaten by wrapping bits of it in leafy vegetables, such as sesame leaves. Each restaurant has its own selection of side dishes that diners share as they enjoy the "bulgogi" experience.

From Quiz Basic Korean : Part 1

Answer: hana, dul, se, ne, taseot

The two number systems are often used together. For example when telling time "Native Korean" numbers are used for hour and "Sino-tibetan" numbers are used for minutes. Example: "taseot shi shipo pun" is 5:15.

From Quiz Basic Korean for the Beginner Taekwondo Student

Answer: Return to starting position

The starting position will depend on the form or pattern you are demonstrating. After returning to the starting position, the student will be directed to stand at attention or a rest position, and then be given some instruction on what to improve or comments on the form, before being dismissed or asked to perform another task.

From Quiz Korean Numbers

Answer: "Man"

"Man" is 10,000, "Chun Beck" is 100,000, "Chun Sam" is 1003, "Chun Oh" is 1005. Most Korean currency is in the form of "Man Won."

From Quiz Easy Korean Phrases

Answer: chuk ha hap ni da

At formal celebrations such as graduations, birthdays and wedding anniversaries you would say "chuk ha hap ni da". The other options are "excuse me" (joe song jap ni da), "Hello" (an nyeong ha se yo) and "Please go well" (jal ga se yo).

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Last Updated Nov 01 2025 5:48 AM

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