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In this lesson, the speakers answer questions in the negative. 

Grammar Point #1 - Making negative statements - anida - 아니다 (anida)

• The negative copula is 아니다 (anida). This means “to not be.” This is not a conjugation of the affirmative copula 이다 (ida),but is an independent word. In this lesson, the negative copula 아니다 (anida).

Construction 

• Just as most Korean verbs are conjugated, -다 (-da) is removed from 아니다 (anida) to get 아니 (ani), which is the verb stem of this word. 아니 + ㅂ니다 = 아닙니다 ani + mnida = animnida (verb stem + formal simple present tense conjugation = “am/is/are not̶

• Here is an example of a negative statement:

• • “저는 학생이 아닙니다.” (jeon-eun hakseng animnida) “I am not a student.”

• It is important to remember that to make negative sentences, you use the following sentence structure
  • Noun 1는(은) Noun2 가(이) 아닙니다.  (Noun1-neun(eun) Noun2-ga(i) animnida.)

Grammar Point #2 - Using the subject marker - i/ga - “이/가”

• In this particular context, because the verb 아니다 (anida) is used, we use “이/가” (i/ga), the subject marker. This is because, generally speaking, they are part of a set. In most situations 아니다 (anida) is used, 이/가 (i/ga) is used as well. 이/가 (i/ga) marks what the topic is not. Also, it is used when introducing the subject for the first time during a conversation or discussion, among many other uses.

• It is important to remember 가 (ga) is used when it is affixed to a word ending in a vowel. 배우가 아닙니다 (baeuga animnida) - 가 (ga) is attached to 배우 (baeu). ‘ㅜ’ (u) is a vowel and is what immediately precedes the subject marker (in this case 가).

Did you know that Korea attracts over 6.4 million foreign visitors every year? And the numbers are on the rise! As the number of people from other countries visiting Korea is increasing, so is the number of foreigners in Korea who speak Korean.
And you have a strong interest in speaking Korean and hopefully, practicing your skills with the locals, and have been studying diligently and following all our tips,

But this does not guarantee that a store owner or the bus driver you want to talk to won’t be surprised when you speak Korean. What does this lead to? More often than not, if you just spit our a phrase you learned by heart and expect the other person to have understood you, sadly, you may be disappointed that that they actually didn’t understand you! But don’t worry, the reason they don’t undestand you  is most likely because they simply did not expect you to speak Korean in the first place. So ir you are in Korea, and have experienced this before, it may be a good idea to say a word or two in Korean to call their attention to you, and  let them know that you are going to say something in Korean (and not catch them cold!).

Try using 저기요 (jeogiyo) which translates to ‘Excuse me!’ in English. When they give you this look of “Wow, this person is speaking Korean!”, it is time for you to surprise them even more with the phrases that you have mastered!

In today’s lesson we’ll go over how to ask someone a few simple questions.

Vocabulary

• 네 ( yes )
• 아니오 (no)
• 도 (too, also)
• 회사원 (office worker)

Grammar Focus

• The Formal Interrogative - -ㅂ/습니까?
  • This construction is used to ask a question in a formal level of politeness. It attaches to verbs as a final sentence ending. -ㅂ/습니까 (-m/seumnikka) can be attached to any verb to form a present tense question with that verb. This conjugation is in the formal politeness level and is used for very formal situations.

Formulating Yes-or-No Questions

• The formal interrogative sentence ending is -ㅂ/습니까? (m/seumnikka?) and attaches to the end of verbs.
  • “Noun 1는(은) Noun 2입니다.” This sentence structure is using the formal present conjugation of the copula.
  • “Noun 1는(은) Noun 2입니까?” Replacing “다” (da) of “입니다” (imnida) with “까” (kka), changes the statement into a question:

The Augmentative Particle -도 

• -도 (-do) is a particle used to indicate that something that has previously been stated also holds true for the item currently under discussion. It corresponds with the English words “also” or “too.”
  • Noun + 도 = Noun, too.
    • 저는 학생입니다. (jeo-neun hakseng-imnida) (I am a student.)
    • 저 도 학생입니다. (jeo-do hakseng-imnida) (I am also a student.)

This Lesson adds more vocabulary and grammar to help you introduce yourselves.

Vocabulary

• 씨 - (Mr., Ms., Mrs.)

• 연 주 씨. 안녕하세요. - Honam is a student.

• 선생님 - teacher

• 유라 씨는 선생님입니다. - Yura is a teacher

• 이 다 - To be

• 우와! 한국이다! - Wow! It`s Korea

The Honorific Suffix - 씨

• In Korean 씨 (ssi) is the honorific suffix. Just as the title suggests, it gestures respect to the name it is suffixed to.

• It can be used to respect anybody. It is unisex and can be used regardless of age.

• It is used more frequently than the English titles, Mister, Misses, and Miss. If two people are not on casual terms, they will typically suffix 씨 (ssi) to the other person’s name.

• It is only used when referring to someone else. One cannot use 씨 (ssi) for their own name.

• When it is suffixed to a name, it must be suffixed to a person’s given name. If the honorific suffix is attached to only the person’s family name, it can sometimes be seen as demeaning.

The Affirmative Copula - 이다

• The affirmative copula in Korean is 이다 (ida). This verb generally translate as “to be.” This means it can be used to express equation, definition, identification, and description. But it is not existential. Korean has a separate verb to express existence.
  

Formal Politeness Level Conjugation (-ㅂ/습니다) 

• 입니다 (imnida) is the copula conjugated into the present tense, and in the formal politeness level. To conjugate 이다 (ida) we take the dictionary form of the copula 이다 (ida) and remove 다 (da) to get the verb stem, 이 (i). From there we add -ㅂ 니다 (-mnida). 이 + ㅂ 니다 = 입니다 (i + mnida = imnida).

The Month of May in Korea is often called Family Month. There’s Children’s Day, Parent’s Day, and Teacher’s Day. Korea takes Mother’s Day to a whole different level! On these days you give your Children, Parents and Teachers gifts to show them how much you appreciate them. Children often benefit the most with candy and money being popular gifts. Teachers get quite a lot of gifts as well as they have many students and parents to receive gifts from. And that’s why the month of May is called Family month in Korea!

Well… did you learn something new about Korea?

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