Hello! This is [Daily Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills! 👋
Are you starting a new semester, joining a new language course, or perhaps transferring to a new school? Exciting changes are happening! Today, we are going to learn how to talk about your academic goals and resolutions.
In Korea right now, the trend of living a “God-saeng” (갓생) is huge among students. It combines “God” and “Saeng” (life), meaning to live a diligent, productive, and exemplary life. To live a “God-saeng,” setting clear goals is essential! Let’s learn the expressions you need to show your Korean friends that you are ready to succeed this semester.
📚 Key Expressions: Sharing Your Goals
Here are 3 essential expressions to help you sound like a determined student!
1. ~기로 했어요 (I decided to…)
This is the most standard way to express a firm resolution or a decision you have made.
- Korean: 이번 학기에 장학금을 받기로 했어요.
- Pronunciation: [Ibeon hakgi-e janghakgeum-eul batgiro haesseoyo]
- English: I decided to get a scholarship this semester.
- Detail: Use the grammar pattern Verb + -기로 하다. It shows that you have made a promise to yourself or others. It’s stronger than just saying “I want to.”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Let’s look at 받기로 (bat-gi-ro).
- The batchim ‘ㄷ’ (t sound) in
받meets the ‘ㄱ’ (g sound) in기. When this happens, the ‘ㄱ’ becomes a tense sound (double consonant sound). - So, instead of [bat-gi-ro], it sounds like [bat-kki-ro]. Pronouncing it with a strong ‘kk’ sound makes you sound much more natural!
2. ~ㄹ/을 생각이에요 (I am thinking of/planning to…)
Use this when you have a plan, but you want to sound a bit softer or discuss a plan that is in progress.
- Korean: 한국어 동아리에 가입할 생각이에요.
- Pronunciation: [Hangugeo dong-ari-e ga-ip-hal saeng-gag-ieyo]
- English: I am thinking of joining the Korean language club.
- Detail: This expresses an intention or a plan. It’s perfect for casual conversations when asking friends about their semester plans.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Look at 생각이에요 (saeng-gak-i-e-yo).
- Korean loves to link sounds! The final consonant ‘ㄱ’ (k/g) in
각moves over to the empty ‘ㅇ’ spot in이. - So, it flows smoothly as [saeng-ga-gi-e-yo]. Don’t stop your breath between the words; connect them!
3. ~게 되었어요 (It turned out that… / I came to…)
This fits our theme of “Change and Adaptation.” Use this when explaining a change in your situation, often due to outside circumstances or a result of a process.
- Korean: 고급 한국어 수업을 듣게 되었어요.
- Pronunciation: [Gogeup hangugeo sueop-eul deutge doe-eosseoyo]
- English: I came to take the advanced Korean class (It turned out that I am taking it).
- Detail: Verb + -게 되다 implies that the situation happened naturally or was decided by the school/system, not just your pure will. It sounds humble and descriptive.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- 되었어요 is often shortened in spoken Korean to 됐어요 [dwaesseoyo].
- If you use the full form
되었어요, remember the linking sound: [doe-eo-sseo-yo]. - Also, in 듣게 [deut-ge], similar to the first tip, the ‘ㄱ’ hardens. It sounds like [deut-kke].
🗣️ Real-Life Conversation: The “God-saeng” Life
Situation: Minji and Alex are meeting at a campus cafe at the start of the semester.
Minji: 알렉스, 오랜만이야! 이번 학기 목표 정했어?
(Alex, long time no see! Have you set your goals for this semester?)Alex: 응! 나 이번에 진짜 열심히 공부하기로 했어.
(Yeah! I decided to study really hard this time.)Minji: 오, 너도 요즘 유행하는 ‘갓생’ 살려는 거야?
(Oh, are you trying to live the ‘God-saeng’ that’s trending these days?)Alex: 맞아. 그래서 아침 6시에 일어나서 도서관에 갈 생각이야.
(That’s right. So I am thinking of waking up at 6 AM and going to the library.)Minji: 대박! 나도 너랑 같이 공부해야겠다.
(Wow! I should study with you.)
🇰🇷 Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
Are you ready for “God-saeng” (갓생)?
As mentioned in the dialogue, ‘God-saeng’ (갓생) is a massive trend among Korean Gen Z (and university students). It’s a compound word of God (갓) + Saeng (생 – Life).
It doesn’t necessarily mean doing something huge like becoming a millionaire. It means finding happiness in small accomplishments and being productive.
* Example: Getting up early (Miracle Morning), exercising daily, or finishing your to-do list.
If you use the phrase “이번 학기는 갓생 살기로 했어요” (I decided to live a God-saeng this semester), Koreans will immediately understand that you are motivated and ready to adapt to your new school life with passion!
📝 Wrap-up & Practice
Today we learned how to express determination and plans for a new semester.
Let’s recap:
1. ~기로 하다: Strong decision.
2. ~ㄹ/을 생각이다: Plan or intention.
3. ~게 되다: Change in situation.
[Mini Quiz]
Complete the sentence using the correct form of “운동하다” (to exercise) with the grammar “-기로 하다”.
- Q: 저는 건강을 위해 매일 _____________. (I decided to exercise every day for my health.)
Answer: (Drag to see!) -> [ 운동하기로 했어요 ]
How about you? What are your goals for this new beginning?
Leave a comment below using “기로 했어요” to share your resolution!
See you in the next post! Fighting! (화이팅!) 💪
