“My Mom is My Hero!” How to Talk About Your Role Model in Korean

Hello! This is Daily Hangul, here to upgrade your Korean skills! Have you ever been asked, “Who do you respect the most?” In Korea, talking about your role model is a great way to share your values and connect with people on a deeper level. It’s a common topic in conversations with friends and even in job interviews! Lately in Korea, it’s become a trend for K-pop idols and actors on popular TV shows to talk about who their role models are. Very often, they choose a family member! Today, we’ll learn how to express admiration for your family and explain why they are your role model, just like a Korean celebrity. Let’s get started! ### Core Expressions You Need to Know. Here are some essential phrases to talk about your family role model. #### 1. 존경하다 (jon-gyeong-hada). Pronunciation [Romanization]: jon-gyeong-hada. English Meaning: To respect, to admire. Detailed Explanation: This is a key verb when talking about a role model. It’s stronger than just ‘to like’ (좋아하다). 존경하다 implies deep admiration for someone’s character, achievements, or wisdom. You would use this for a parent, a teacher, or a historical figure you look up to. It’s a polite and sincere word. 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The final consonant in 존 is ‘ㄴ’ (n), and the final consonant in 경 is ‘ㅇ’ (ng). Be careful not to mix them up! The ㅇ (ng) sound is made at the back of your throat, like the ‘-ng’ in “singing.” So it’s [jon-gyeong], not [jon-geon]. #### 2. ~을/를 닮다 (eul/reul dam-da). Pronunciation [Romanization]: eul/reul dam-tta. English Meaning: To resemble, to take after. Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect expression for family! You can use 닮다 to say you look like someone (e.g., “저는 아버지를 닮았어요” – I look like my father) or that you take after their personality or habits (e.g., “저는 어머니의 꼼꼼한 성격을 닮고 싶어요” – I want to take after my mother’s meticulous personality). 💡 Pronunciation Tip: This word has a tricky pronunciation rule! Though it’s spelled 닮다, it’s pronounced [담따 / dam-tta]. The ㄹ (l) sound before ㅁ (m) is silent. Also, the ㄷ (d) sound that follows becomes a strong, tense ㄸ (tt) sound. This is called ‘된소리되기’ (tensification). It’s a common rule, so practicing this will make you sound much more natural! #### 3. 좋은 영향을 받다 (jo-eun yeong-hyang-eul bat-da). Pronunciation [Romanization]: jo-eun yeong-hyang-eul ba-tta. English Meaning: To be positively influenced by / To receive a good influence from. Detailed Explanation: This phrase is a fantastic way to explain why someone is your role model. It literally means “to receive (받다) a good (좋은) influence (영향).” You can use it like this: “저는 어머니에게서 좋은 영향을 받았어요.” (I received a good influence from my mother.) 💡 Pronunciation Tip: Look at the word 좋은. It’s spelled with a ㅎ (h) at the end of the first block, but you don’t hear it! It’s pronounced [조은 / jo-eun]. When the consonant ㅎ is at the end of a syllable block (batchim) and is followed by a vowel, it becomes silent. This makes the pronunciation much smoother! #### 4. ~을/를 본받고 싶다 (eul/reul bon-bat-go sip-da). Pronunciation [Romanization]: eul/reul bon-bat-kko sip-tta. English Meaning: To want to emulate / To want to follow the example of. Detailed Explanation: This is the ultimate role model phrase! 본받다 means to learn from and follow someone’s good example. By adding the grammar pattern ~고 싶다 (want to), you are clearly stating your goal to be like them. For example, “저는 아버지의 성실함을 본받고 싶어요.” (I want to emulate my father’s diligence.) 💡 Pronunciation Tip: More tensification practice! 본받고 is pronounced [본받꼬 / bon-bat-kko]. The ㄱ (g) sound in 고 changes to a strong ㄲ (kk) sound because it comes after the ㄷ (d/t) consonant. Similarly, 싶다 is pronounced [십따 / sip-tta]. These small changes make a huge difference in sounding fluent! ### Example Dialogue. Let’s see these expressions in a real conversation! Minjun and his friend Sarah are looking at a photo on Minjun’s desk. Sarah: 이 사진 누구예요? 정말 인상이 좋으시네요. (I sajin nugu-yeyo? Jeongmal insang-i jo-eu-si-neyo.) (Who is this in the photo? He has a very kind face.) Minjun: 저희 아버지예요. 제 인생의 역할 모델이시죠. (Jeohui abeoji-yeyo. Je insaeng-ui yeokal model-i-si-jyo.) (That’s my father. He’s my role model in life.) Sarah: 와, 정말요? 왜 아버지를 역할 모델로 생각해요? (Wa, jeongmal-yo? Wae abeoji-reul yeokal model-lo saenggak-haeyo?) (Wow, really? Why do you consider your father your role model?) Minjun: 아버지는 제가 가장 존경하는 분이에요. 항상 긍정적인 아버지의 모습을 닮고 싶고, 아버지의 꾸준함도 본받고 싶어요. 어릴 때부터 아버지에게 좋은 영향을 많이 받았어요. (Abeoji-neun jega gajang jon-gyeong-haneun bun-i-eyo. Hangsang geungjeongjeog-in abeoji-ui moseub-eul dam-go sipgo, abeoji-ui kkujunham-do bon-bat-go sipeoyo. Eoril ttae-buteo abeoji-ege jo-eun yeong-hyang-eul mani badasseoyo.) (My father is the person I respect the most. I want to take after his always-positive attitude, and I also want to emulate his consistency. I’ve been positively influenced by him since I was young.) ### Culture Tip & Trend Analysis. In Korea, family is incredibly important, and the concept of 효도 (hyodo), or ‘filial piety,’ is a core cultural value. This means showing deep respect and taking care of one’s parents. While 효도 is a traditional value, it’s expressed in modern ways too! When a famous celebrity like IU or BTS’s Jungkook talks about how much they 존경하다 their parents and how they want to 본받다 their hard work, it’s seen as a modern and very touching expression of 효도. So, when you use these phrases to talk about your family, you’re not just practicing Korean; you’re also connecting with a deep and beautiful part of Korean culture. It shows you are a person who values family and gratitude, which will always leave a great impression on your Korean friends! ### Let’s Practice! Time to check what you’ve learned. 1. Fill in the blank: 저는 항상 저를 믿어주시는 어머니를 _______. (I _______ my mother, who always believes in me.) (Hint: A word that means to respect/admire) 2. Make a sentence: Think about your role model (it can be anyone!). Using the phrase ~을/를 본받고 싶어요, write one sentence in Korean about what quality you want to emulate from them. (Example: 저는 할머니의 따뜻한 마음을 본받고 싶어요. – I want to emulate my grandmother’s warm heart.) Great job today! Learning to express respect and admiration is a big step in becoming a fluent and thoughtful speaker of Korean. Now it’s your turn! Who is your role model? Try using one of today’s expressions and leave a comment below!