Sound Like a Genius in Korean: The Art of Summarizing (요약하기)!
Hello! It’s your favorite Korean teacher from [매일한글] Mae-il Han-geul, here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever tried to explain the plot of a 16-episode K-drama to a friend and found yourself lost in the details? Or maybe you need to understand the main points of a news article for work or school? Today, we’re going to learn a skill that’s useful in ALL of these situations: Summarizing (요약하기)!
Lately in Korea, with so much content from webtoons, dramas, and social media, being able to get straight to the point is a superpower. Mastering the art of summarizing will not only help you in your academic or professional life but will also make you sound incredibly fluent and smart in daily conversations. Let’s dive in!
Core Expressions for Perfect Summaries
Here are some essential phrases you absolutely need to know.
1. 요약하자면 (Yoyak-hajamyeon)
* Pronunciation: [Yo-yak-ha-ja-myeon]
* English Meaning: In summary, / To summarize,
* Detailed Explanation: This is the most classic and direct way to begin a summary. It’s a connector that signals to your listener, “Okay, here come the main points!” It’s slightly formal, making it perfect for presentations, reports, and explaining things clearly to friends. It comes from the verb 요약하다 (to summarize) combined with the grammar -자면 (if one intends to…).
2. 핵심 내용 (Haeksim naeyong)
* Pronunciation: [Haek-sim nae-yong]
* English Meaning: The core content / The main point(s)
* Detailed Explanation: 핵심 (haeksim) means “core” or “key,” and 내용 (naeyong) means “content.” Use this noun phrase when you want to ask for or talk about the most important part of something. It’s a fantastic term to use when you want to cut through the noise and get to what really matters.
3. 간단히 말해서 (Gandanhi malhaeseo)
* Pronunciation: [Gan-dan-hi mal-hae-seo]
* English Meaning: Simply put, / To put it simply,
* Detailed Explanation: This phrase is a bit more conversational than ‘요약하자면’. It’s perfect for when you want to explain a complex idea in an easy-to-understand way. 간단히 means “simply,” and 말해서 means “speaking,” so it literally means “speaking simply.” Use it with friends or in more casual settings.
4. -에 따르면 (-e ttareumyeon)
* Pronunciation: [-e tta-reu-myeon]
* English Meaning: According to…
* Detailed Explanation: When summarizing academic articles, news, or reports, you MUST cite your sources! This grammar pattern is your best friend. You attach it directly to a noun (the source). For example: 뉴스에 따르면 (According to the news), 이 보고서에 따르면 (According to this report). Using this will instantly make your Korean sound more academic and credible.
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation about a popular webtoon!
A: 어제 새로 나온 웹툰 ‘서울의 밤’ 봤어? 내용이 좀 복잡하던데.
(Did you see the new webtoon ‘Nights of Seoul’ that came out yesterday? The story was a bit complicated.)
B: 아직. 무슨 내용이야? 핵심 내용만 알려줄 수 있어?
(Not yet. What’s it about? Can you just tell me the main points?)
A: 음, 간단히 말해서, 평범한 회사원이 밤에는 도시를 지키는 비밀 영웅이라는 설정이야.
(Hmm, simply put, it’s about a regular office worker who is secretly a hero protecting the city at night.)
B: 와, 재밌겠다! 그래서, 요약하자면 한국판 배트맨 같은 거네?
(Wow, that sounds fun! So, to summarize, it’s like a Korean version of Batman?)
A: 맞아! 그리고 작가 인터뷰에 따르면, 실제 서울의 역사적인 장소들이 배경이래.
(Exactly! And according to the author’s interview, it’s set in real historical places in Seoul.)
Culture Tip: The “Three-Line Summary” (세 줄 요약) Culture
If you spend time on Korean internet forums or social media, you’ll quickly encounter the term “세 줄 요약 (se jul yoyak)”. This literally means “three-line summary.”
In Korea’s fast-paced digital culture, people often don’t have time to read long posts or articles. It has become a common and almost expected courtesy for the original poster to provide a quick, three-line summary at the bottom of their long post. People will even comment, “세 줄 요약 좀 (Can I get a three-line summary?)” if one isn’t provided!
So, when you’re writing a long email to a Korean colleague or a post in a Korean online community, adding a short summary using 요약하자면 can show that you are considerate and understand modern Korean digital etiquette. You’re not just learning the language; you’re learning the culture!
Let’s Review & Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to summarize like a pro in Korean, a skill that’s essential for both academic success and everyday conversations.
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
Practice Question:
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate expression from today’s lesson.
- 이 논문의 ___________은 기후 변화가 한국 경제에 미치는 영향이다. (The ___________ of this thesis is the effect of climate change on the Korean economy.)
- ___________, 오늘 회의에서는 다음 분기 마케팅 전략을 결정했습니다. (___________, in today’s meeting, we decided on the marketing strategy for the next quarter.)
Leave your answers in the comments below! And for extra practice, try writing a short summary of your favorite movie or book using the phrases we learned today. I can’t wait to read them
