Hello! This is Maeil Hangul, here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever thought about your personal goals? Whether it’s for the New Year, a new season, or just a desire for change, setting goals is a powerful way to create a more satisfying life. Today, we’re going to learn essential Korean expressions to talk about your ambitions and resolutions.
Lately in Korea, the ‘갓생’ (God-saeng) trend is all the rage among young people. It means living a “god-like life”—a productive, diligent, and fulfilling lifestyle. From waking up early for a ‘미라클 모닝’ (Miracle Morning) to exercising and studying, it’s all about self-improvement. Let’s learn the Korean phrases you need to join this trend and talk about your own ‘갓생’ journey!
Core Expressions for Your ‘갓생’ Challenge
Here are three key expressions to help you set and discuss your goals like a native.
1. 목표를 세우다 (Mokpyoreul seuda)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Mok-pyo-reul se-u-da
* English Meaning: To set a goal
* Detailed Explanation: This is the most fundamental phrase for goal setting. ‘목표’ (mokpyo) means ‘goal’ or ‘target,’ and ‘세우다’ (seuda) means ‘to set up’ or ‘to establish.’ You can use this phrase when talking about any kind of objective, big or small.
* Example: 새해에는 새로운 목표를 세웠어요. (Saehae-eneun saeroun mokpyoreul se-wosseoyo.) – I set a new goal for the new year.
2. -(으)ㄹ 계획이다 / -기로 결심하다 (-(eu)l gyehoek-ida / -giro gyeolsimhada)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: -(eu)l gye-hoek-i-da / -gi-ro gyeol-sim-ha-da
* English Meaning: To plan to do… / To decide (resolve) to do…
* Detailed Explanation: These two grammar patterns are perfect for stating your intentions.
* -(으)ㄹ 계획이다 is used for a general plan. It’s like saying “I plan to…”
* Example: 올해는 한국어능력시험(TOPIK)을 볼 계획이에요. (Olhaeneun hangugeo-neungnyeok-siheom-eul bol gyehoeg-ieyo.) – I’m planning to take the TOPIK exam this year.
* -기로 결심하다 implies a stronger determination or resolution. It’s perfect for New Year’s resolutions. It means “I have decided/resolved to…”
* Example: 매일 30분씩 운동하기로 결심했어요. (Maeil samsip-bun-ssik undong-hagi-ro gyeolsim-haesseoyo.) – I’ve resolved to exercise for 30 minutes every day.
3. 작심삼일 (Jaksim samil)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Jak-sim-sam-il
* English Meaning: A three-day resolve (a resolution that is quickly abandoned)
* Detailed Explanation: This is a very common and witty four-character idiom (사자성어). ‘작심’ (jaksim) means ‘making a decision,’ and ‘삼일’ (samil) means ‘three days.’ It humorously describes the tendency to give up on a new resolution after just a few days. If your friend tells you about their ambitious new goal, you can jokingly warn them, “이거 작심삼일 되면 안 돼!” (Igeo jaksim samil doemyeon an dwae! – This can’t become a three-day resolve!).
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation between two friends, Mina and Junho.
A (Mina): 준호야, 새해 목표 세웠어?
(Junho-ya, saehae mokpyo se-wosseo?)
Junho, have you set your New Year’s goals?
B (Junho): 응! 올해는 진짜 ‘갓생’ 살아보려고. 매일 아침 6시에 일어나기로 결심했어.
(Eung! Olhaeneun jinjja ‘gat-saeng’ sara-boryeogo. Maeil achim yeoseot-si-e ireona-giro gyeolsim-haesseo.)
Yes! I’m going to try living a ‘God-saeng’ this year. I’ve resolved to wake up at 6 AM every morning.
A (Mina): 와, 대단하다! 그 결심이 작심삼일이 되지 않기를 바랄게!
(Wa, daedanhada! Geu gyeolsim-i jaksim samil-i doeji an-kireul baralge!)
Wow, that’s amazing! I hope that resolution doesn’t last only three days!
B (Junho): 하하, 걱정 마. 이번에는 꾸준히 할 거야. 너는?
(Haha, geokjeong ma. Ibeon-eneun kkujunhi hal geo-ya. Neo-neun?)
Haha, don’t worry. I’m going to be consistent this time. What about you?
A (Mina): 나는 한 달에 책 두 권 읽을 계획이야.
(Na-neun han dar-e chaek du gwon ilgeul gyehoeg-iya.)
I’m planning to read two books a month.
Culture Tip: Inside the Korean ‘갓생’ Trend
The ‘갓생’ (God-saeng) trend is more than just being busy; it’s about finding satisfaction in personal growth and sharing it with others.
- What is it? ‘갓생’ is a compound word from the English ‘God’ (used as a slang prefix in Korean to mean ‘the best’ or ‘amazing’) and ‘인생’ (insaeng), meaning ‘life.’
- How do people do it? Young Koreans often use social media to stay motivated. They post proof shots on Instagram with hashtags like #갓생 (God-saeng), #미라클모닝 (Miracle Morning), or #오운완 (O-un-wan), which is short for “오늘 운동 완료” (Oneul undong wanlyo – Today’s workout complete).
- Why is it popular? In a competitive society, ‘갓생’ provides a sense of control and achievement. By focusing on small, consistent daily goals, people build self-esteem and create a life they are proud of. So, when you use the phrases you learned today, you’re not just speaking Korean—you’re tapping into a major cultural movement!
Let’s Practice!
Time to put your knowledge to the test.
- Fill in the blank:
My plan to quit coffee became a three-day resolve.
커피를 끊으려던 내 계획은 ___________이/가 되었다. (Keopi-reul kkeuneuryeodeon nae gyehoeg-eun ___________i/ga doe-eotda.) -
Make a sentence:
What is one goal you have resolved to achieve this year? Write your answer in the comments using the -기로 결심했어요 grammar pattern!
Great job today! Setting goals is the first step toward achieving them, and now you can do it in Korean.
Share your ‘갓생’ goals in the comments below using the expressions you learned! We’d love to cheer you on
