Level Up Your Life! Talking About ‘God-saeng’ Goals in Korean
Hello! This is [Maeil Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever wanted to share your goals and resolutions with your Korean friends? Like deciding to wake up early, learn a new skill, or work out every day? Today, we’re going to learn how to do just that!
Lately in Korea, there’s a huge trend called ‘God-saeng’ (갓생). It’s a mix of the English word “God” (meaning ultimate or amazing) and the Korean word “Saeng” (생), which means ‘life’. It refers to living a productive, diligent, and self-improving lifestyle. By learning today’s expressions, you’ll be able to talk about your own ‘God-saeng’ goals and connect with the latest trends in Korea!
Key Expressions for Your Growth Journey
Here are three essential expressions to talk about your goals.
1. -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (-(eu)l geoyeyo)
- Korean Expression: 올해는 한국어능력시험(TOPIK)을 볼 거예요.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Olhaeneun Hangugeo-neungnyeok-sihyeom(TOPIK)eul bol geoyeyo.
- English Meaning: I’m going to take the TOPIK exam this year.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a fundamental future tense grammar pattern used to express a plan or intention. You attach -ㄹ 거예요 to verb stems ending in a vowel (like 보다 → 볼 거예요) and -을 거예요 to verb stems ending in a consonant (like 먹다 → 먹을 거예요). It’s perfect for stating your goals and what you plan to do.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Notice how 시험을 (sihyeom-eul) is pronounced. The final consonant ‘ㅁ(m)’ of ‘시험’ naturally links to the ‘으(eu)’ vowel that follows it. So, instead of a choppy “sihyeom / eul,” it flows smoothly as [sihyeomeul]. This is called 연음 (yeon-eum) or ‘linking,’ and it makes your Korean sound much more natural!
2. 목표를 세우다 (Mokpyoreul seuda)
- Korean Expression: 새해 목표를 세웠어요?
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Saehae mokpyoreul se-wosseoyo?
- English Meaning: Did you set your New Year’s goals?
- Detailed Explanation: This is the direct phrase for “to set a goal.” 목표 (mokpyo) means ‘goal’ or ‘target,’ and 세우다 (seuda) means ‘to set up’ or ‘to establish.’ You can use this phrase when talking about making plans for the future, whether for the new year, a new semester, or just a new week!
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- The word 목표 (mokpyo) has a ‘ㄱ(g/k)’ sound at the end of the first syllable. When it’s followed by ‘ㅍ(p)’, an aspirated sound, you should make sure to pronounce both distinctly: [mok-pyo]. Don’t rush and let them blend together. Give that ‘ㅍ(p)’ a little puff of air!
3. 꾸준히 (Kkujunhi)
- Korean Expression: 매일 꾸준히 운동하는 게 중요해요.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Maeil kkujunhi undonghaneun ge jung-yohaeyo.
- English Meaning: It’s important to exercise consistently every day.
- Detailed Explanation: This adverb is the secret ingredient to achieving any goal! 꾸준히 (kkujunhi) means ‘steadily’ or ‘consistently.’ It emphasizes the importance of continuous effort over a long period. When you talk about your goals, adding this word shows you’re serious about your commitment.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Listen carefully! The written form is ‘kkujun-hi’, but the actual pronunciation is [kkujuni]. Why? In Korean, when a consonant like ‘ㄴ(n)’ is followed by ‘ㅎ(h)’, the ‘ㅎ(h)’ sound often becomes silent. This is a very common rule! Another example is ‘전화 (jeonhwa),’ which is pronounced [저놔, jeona]. Remembering this will make your listening and speaking skills much better.
Example Dialogue: Planning a ‘God-saeng’ Life
Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation between two friends, Mina and Jin.
A: 미나 (Mina)
요즘 뭐 해요? 얼굴 보기 힘드네요.
[Yojeum mwo haeyo? Eolgul bogi himdeuneyo.]
What are you up to these days? It’s hard to see you.
B: 진 (Jin)
아, 요즘 ‘갓생’ 살기 도전 중이에요! 새해 목표를 세웠거든요.
[A, yojeum ‘gassaeng’ salgi dojeon jung-ieyo! Saehae mokpyoreul se-wossgeodeunyo.]
Ah, I’m challenging myself to live a ‘God-saeng’ life! I set some New Year’s goals.
A: 미나 (Mina)
와, 정말요? 어떤 목표요?
[Wa, jeongmallyo? Eotteon mokpyoyo?]
Wow, really? What kind of goals?
B: 진 (Jin)
매일 아침 7시에 일어나고, 한국어 단어를 꾸준히 외울 거예요.
[Maeil achim ilgopsie ireonago, hangugeo daneoreul kkujunhi oeul geoyeyo.]
I’m going to wake up at 7 AM every morning and consistently memorize Korean vocabulary.
🇰🇷 Culture Tip: The ‘God-saeng’ (갓생) Lifestyle
So, what does living a ‘God-saeng’ life actually look like in Korea?
It’s more than just a buzzword; it’s a cultural movement, especially among the younger generation (MZ Generation). On social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, you’ll see countless people sharing their ‘God-saeng’ routines. This includes:
- “Miracle Morning” Challenges: Waking up very early (e.g., 5 AM) to read, exercise, and plan the day before anyone else is awake.
- Study Vlogs: People filming themselves studying for hours to stay motivated and create a sense of community.
- Workout Proof Shots (운동 인증샷): Posting photos or videos from the gym or after a run to track their progress and inspire others.
Living a ‘God-saeng’ life is about finding small, consistent ways to improve yourself every day. So when you use expressions like 꾸준히 (consistently) and 목표를 세우다 (to set a goal), you’re not just speaking Korean—you’re tapping into a major cultural trend of personal growth and diligence!
Wrap-up & Let’s Practice!
Great job today! We learned how to talk about our goals and plans using three key expressions:
* -(으)ㄹ 거예요 (I’m going to…)
* 목표를 세우다 (To set a goal)
* 꾸준히 (Consistently)
Now it’s your turn to practice!
1. Fill in the blank:
This year, I’m going to study Korean hard.
올해는 한국어를 열심히 ____ ___.
2. Make a sentence:
What is one goal you want to achieve consistently (꾸준히)? Try making a sentence using -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
Share your answers and your own ‘God-saeng’ goals in the comments below! We’d love to cheer you on. 화이팅! (Fighting!)
