Korean Weather 101: Dress Like a K-Pop Star!
Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever wondered what to wear on your trip to Seoul? Today, we’re going to learn how to understand simple Korean weather forecasts. This is super useful for planning your day and, most importantly, choosing the perfect outfit!
Lately in Korea, the seasons are changing, and it’s all about autumn fashion. K-Pop idols are all over Instagram showing off their stylish ‘간절기 룩’ (transitional season outfits). To dress like them, you first need to know what the weather will be like! Let’s learn the essential words you need.
Core Expressions You Must Know
Here are four simple but powerful words to describe the weather.
- 한국어 표현: 맑아요 (Mal-ga-yo)
- 발음 [로마자]: Mal-ga-yo
- 영어 뜻: It’s sunny / It’s clear.
- 상세 설명: This is the word you use when you see a beautiful, clear sky with lots of sun. It comes from the verb 맑다 (mak-da). It’s a polite and common expression you can use with anyone.
- 한국어 표현: 비가 와요 (Bi-ga wa-yo)
- 발음 [로마자]: Bi-ga wa-yo
- 영어 뜻: It’s raining.
- 상세 설명: This literally means “Rain comes.” 비 (bi) is “rain” and 와요 (wa-yo) means “to come.” If you hear this in the forecast, don’t forget your 우산 (usan – umbrella)!
- 한국어 표현: 추워요 (Chu-wo-yo)
- 발음 [로마자]: Chu-wo-yo
- 영어 뜻: It’s cold.
- 상세 설명: Brrr! This is the word for cold weather. It comes from the verb 춥다 (chup-da). You’ll definitely need a warm jacket when it’s 추워요. This is a word you’ll use a lot in the Korean winter.
- 한국어 표현: 더워요 (Deo-wo-yo)
- 발음 [로마자]: Deo-wo-yo
- 영어 뜻: It’s hot.
- 상세 설명: This is the opposite of 추워요! It comes from the verb 덥다 (deop-da). Get your fan and iced Americano ready, because this is the word for the hot and humid Korean summer.
Example Conversation
Let’s see how these words are used in a real conversation!
- A: 오늘 날씨 어때요? (Oneul nalssi eottaeyo?)
- How’s the weather today?
- B: 아침에는 조금 추워요. 하지만 오후에는 맑아요! (Achim-eneun jogeum chu-wo-yo. Hajiman ohu-eneun mal-ga-yo!)
- It’s a little cold in the morning. But it will be sunny in the afternoon!
- A: 아, 정말요? 그럼 카디건을 입어야겠어요. (A, jeongmallyo? Geureom kadigeon-eul ibeoyagesseoyo.)
- Oh, really? Then I should wear a cardigan.
- B: 네! 요즘 아이돌 패션이에요! (Ne! Yojeum aidol paesyeon-ieyo!)
- Yes! That’s the idol fashion these days!
Culture Tip: Korea’s ‘Gan-jeol-gi’ (간절기) Fashion!
You heard the word ‘간절기’ (gan-jeol-gi) earlier. This refers to the transitional seasons in Korea—spring and autumn. This is a HUGE time for fashion! The weather can be tricky: it’s often 추워요 (cold) in the morning and evening, but warm and 맑아요 (sunny) in the afternoon.
This is why layering with cardigans, light jackets, and trench coats is so popular. When you see your favorite idols posting their ‘간절기 룩’ (gan-jeol-gi look) on social media, they are showing off their expert skills in dressing for this tricky in-between weather. Now you know the secret behind their amazing style!
Let’s Review & Practice!
Great job today! You learned four essential Korean weather words: 맑아요 (sunny), 비가 와요 (raining), 추워요 (cold), and 더워요 (hot). Now you can understand a basic forecast and plan your K-fashion-inspired outfit!
Time for a quick quiz!
- It’s summer in Busan and the sun is very strong. The weather is _______.
- A) 추워요
- B) 더워요
- Fill in the blank: Oh no, I forgot my umbrella! 지금 ______ (Jigeum ______.)
- It’s raining now!
Leave your answers and tell us about the weather in your city using the phrases you learned today! 오늘 배운 표현으로 댓글을 남겨주세요
