Plan Your ‘Godsaeng’ (God-Tier Life) in Korean!

Hello, everyone! Welcome to Maeil Hangul, where we upgrade your Korean skills one post at a time!

Are you thinking about learning a new skill, getting healthier, or acing that exam? Today, we’re diving into essential Korean phrases for planning your self-development. This is super useful for making New Year’s resolutions, setting weekly goals, or just talking about your ambitions with Korean friends.

And guess what? It’s a hot topic in Korea right now! Lately, many young Koreans are obsessed with living a “갓생 (Godsaeng)” – a “God-tier life” filled with productivity and achieving small, daily goals. Let’s learn how to talk about our own “Godsaeng” plans in Korean!

Core Expressions for Goal-Setters

Here are the key phrases you need to sound like a native when planning your awesome future.

1. 목표를 세우다 (Mokpyo-reul se-u-da)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Mok-pyo-reul se-u-da
• English Meaning: To set a goal
• Detailed Explanation: This is the most standard and essential phrase for goal setting. 목표 (mokpyo) means ‘goal’ or ‘target’, and 세우다 (seuda) means ‘to set up’ or ‘to establish’. You can use this in any situation, from casual chats with friends to more formal settings like a work meeting.

2. -기로 하다 (-gi-ro ha-da)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: -gi-ro ha-da
• English Meaning: To decide to (do something)
• Detailed Explanation: This grammar pattern is your best friend for expressing resolutions! You attach it to a verb stem to show you’ve made a decision or a promise to yourself. For example, “to study” is 공부하다 (gongbuhada). To say “I decided to study,” you change it to 공부하기로 하다 (gongbuhagi-ro hada).
  • Example: 올해는 한국어능력시험(TOPIK)을 보기로 했어요. (O-rhae-neun han-gu-geo-neung-ryeok-si-heom-eul bo-gi-ro haess-eo-yo.) – I decided to take the TOPIK exam this year.

3. 꾸준히 (Kku-jun-hi)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Kku-jun-hi
• English Meaning: Steadily, consistently
• Detailed Explanation: Achieving goals isn’t about one big push; it’s about consistent effort. 꾸준히 is the perfect adverb to describe this steady hard work. It emphasizes diligence and perseverance. If you use this word, you’ll sound very mature and determined!

4. 작심삼일 (Jak-sim-sam-il)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Jak-sim-sam-il
• English Meaning: A resolution that lasts only three days.
• Detailed Explanation: This is a very common and relatable four-character idiom (사자성어, sajaseongeo). 작심 (jaksim) means ‘making up one’s mind’, and 삼일 (samil) means ‘three days’. It’s used when someone gives up on a new goal almost immediately. You can say it about yourself jokingly or to describe a friend’s failed diet.
  • Example: 제 새해 계획이 작심삼일이 되지 않았으면 좋겠어요. (Je sae-hae gye-hweg-i jak-sim-sam-il-i doe-ji an-ass-eu-myeon jokess-eo-yo.) – I hope my New Year’s plan doesn’t last only three days.

Example Dialogue

Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation between two friends, Mina and Jin.

A (Mina): 진아, 새해 목표 세웠어?
(Jin-a, saehae mokpyo se-woss-eo?)
Jin, have you set your goals for the new year?

B (Jin): 응! 나 올해는 ‘갓생’ 살기로 했어. 매일 아침 7시에 일어나서 운동하기로 했어.
(Eung! Na o-rhae-neun ‘Godsaeng’ sal-gi-ro haess-eo. Mae-il a-chim il-gop-si-e i-reo-na-seo un-dong-ha-gi-ro haess-eo.)
Yep! I decided to live a ‘Godsaeng’ this year. I decided to wake up at 7 AM every morning and exercise.

A (Mina): 와, 대단하다! 꾸준히 할 수 있겠어?
(Wa, dae-dan-ha-da! Kku-jun-hi hal su iss-gess-eo?)
Wow, that’s amazing! Do you think you can do it consistently?

B (Jin): 그럼! 이번에는 절대 작심삼일 안 될 거야. 너는?
(Geu-reom! I-beon-e-neun jeol-dae jak-sim-sam-il an doel geo-ya. Neo-neun?)
Of course! This time it definitely won’t be a three-day resolution. What about you?

Culture Tip: The ‘Godsaeng’ (갓생) Trend

So, what exactly is this 갓생 (Godsaeng) life we mentioned?

The word is a combination of the English word “God” and the Korean word for life, 생 (saeng). It refers to a lifestyle that is exemplary and productive, like a “god-tier” life.

This trend is especially popular among the Korean MZ generation (Millennials and Gen Z). On social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, you’ll see thousands of posts with hashtags like #갓생챌린지 (#GodsaengChallenge). People share their “study with me” vlogs, workout logs, daily planners, and photos of their healthy meals. It’s all about finding fulfillment by achieving small, consistent goals rather than one huge, stressful life goal.

So, if you tell your Korean friends you’re trying to live a ‘Godsaeng’ life by studying Korean 꾸준히, they will totally get what you mean and cheer you on!

Let’s Wrap It Up & Practice!

Great job today! We’ve learned some fantastic expressions to talk about setting and achieving our goals like a true ‘Godsaeng’ planner.

• 목표를 세우다 (to set a goal)
• -기로 하다 (to decide to do something)
• 꾸준히 (consistently)
• 작심삼일 (a three-day resolution)

Now it’s your turn to practice!

Your Mission: What is one goal you have for this month? Using the -기로 하다 grammar pattern, tell us your plan!

• Example: 저는 이번 달에 매일 한국어 단어를 10개 외우기로 했어요. (I decided to memorize 10 Korean words every day this month.)

Leave your goal in the comments below! I can’t wait to read about your amazing plans. Fighting! (파이팅!)