Level Up Your 2024: Korean Phrases for a ‘갓생’ New Year!
Hello! It’s your favorite Korean guide, 매일한글 (Maeil Hangeul), here to upgrade your Korean skills! 😊
As the new year begins, everyone is talking about their goals and resolutions. But have you ever felt like your goals are a bit… generic? Well, you’re in luck! These days in Korea, there’s a huge trend away from simple goals like “lose weight” and towards building a meaningful, productive life based on your personal values. This is called “갓생” (God-saeng), and today, we’ll learn the essential Korean phrases to help you set your own amazing, value-driven goals for the year ahead. Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Your New Goals
Here are three key expressions that will help you talk about your resolutions like a native speaker.
1. 새해 결심 (Saehae gyeolsim)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Sae-hae gyeol-sim
- English Meaning: New Year’s resolution
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most common and direct way to say “New Year’s resolution.” 새해 (Saehae) means “new year,” and 결심 (gyeolsim) means “decision” or “determination.” You can use it with the verb 하다 (hada – to do) or 세우다 (seuda – to set up). For example, “새해 결심했어요” (Saehae gyeolsimhaesseoyo) means “I made a New Year’s resolution.”
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The word 결심 (gyeolsim) is straightforward, but let’s look at 새해 (Saehae). The letter ‘ㅎ’ (h) can sometimes become very soft or silent when it’s between two vowels or certain consonants. In 새해, you should pronounce both syllables clearly, but make the ‘h’ sound light and airy, like a soft breath: [sae-hae]. Don’t make it a strong “ha!” sound.
2. 갓생 살다 (Gatsaeng salda)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Gat-saeng sal-da
- English Meaning: To live a ‘God-tier’ life (a productive, admirable life)
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Detailed Explanation: This is a super trendy slang term you’ll hear everywhere! It’s a combination of the English word “God” and the Korean word for life, 인생 (insaeng). It doesn’t mean living a religious life; it means living an exemplary, disciplined, and productive life that others admire. It’s all about self-improvement through small, consistent habits. You use it with the verb 살다 (salda), which means “to live.” So, “올해는 갓생 살고 싶어요” (Olhaeneun gatsaeng salgo sipeoyo) means “I want to live a ‘God-saeng’ this year.”
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
In 갓생 (Gatsaeng), the final consonant ‘ㅅ’ (s) in ‘갓’ is not pronounced as an ‘s’ sound. When a ‘ㅅ’ is at the end of a syllable (a 받침), it makes a ‘t’ sound. So, you pronounce it as [gat], not [gas]. Then, you add the next syllable ‘생 (saeng)’. The full pronunciation is [gatsaeng].
3. ~을/를 중요하게 생각하다 (~eul/reul jung-yohage saenggakada)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: ~eul/reul jung-yo-ha-ge saeng-ga-ka-da
- English Meaning: To consider ~ important / to value ~
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Detailed Explanation: This grammar pattern is perfect for talking about your core values! You attach it to a noun. Use 을 (eul) if the noun ends in a consonant, and 를 (reul) if it ends in a vowel. 중요하게 (jungyohage) means “importantly,” and 생각하다 (saenggakada) means “to think.” For example: “저는 건강을 중요하게 생각해요” (Jeoneun geongang-eul jungyohage saenggakaeyo) means “I consider health important” or “I value my health.”
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The phrase 생각하다 is spelled ‘saeng-gak-ha-da’, but the pronunciation changes slightly. When the consonant ‘ㄱ’ (g/k) is followed by ‘ㅎ’ (h), they often merge into a stronger, aspirated sound, ‘ㅋ’ (k). This is called aspiration. So, instead of saying ‘saeng-gak-ha-da’ separately, it sounds more natural when pronounced as [saeng-ga-ka-da]. It’s a subtle change that makes you sound much more fluent!
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation between two friends, Minjun and Sora.
A: 민준 (Minjun)
소라야, 새해 결심 했어? 올해 목표가 뭐야?
(Sora, have you made your New Year’s resolution? What’s your goal for this year?)
B: 소라 (Sora)
응! 올해는 진짜 갓생 살고 싶어. 그래서 건강을 제일 중요하게 생각하기로 했어. 매일 운동하는 게 목표야!
(Yep! I really want to live a ‘God-saeng’ this year. So I decided to value my health the most. My goal is to exercise every day!)
A: 민준 (Minjun)
와, 멋있다! 나도 올해는 한국어 공부를 중요하게 생각해서 매일 30분씩 공부할 거야. 우리 같이 갓생 살아보자!
(Wow, that’s cool! I’m also going to value my Korean studies this year and study for 30 minutes every day. Let’s live a ‘God-saeng’ together!)
Culture Tip: The ‘God-saeng’ Challenge!
So, what exactly does a 갓생 (God-saeng) life look like in Korea?
It’s not about huge, life-changing events. Instead, it’s about building small, positive routines. Young Koreans, especially the Z generation, love to share their ‘God-saeng’ journey on social media like Instagram and YouTube. They post ‘proof shots’ (인증샷) of their accomplishments with hashtags like #갓생챌린지 (#GodSaengChallenge) or #오운완 (O-un-wan), which is short for “오늘 운동 완료” (Today’s workout complete).
Common ‘God-saeng’ activities include:
* Miracle Morning: Waking up very early (e.g., 5 AM) to read, study, or meditate.
* Daily Exercise: Hitting the gym, going for a run, or doing a home workout.
* Studying: Learning a new language (like you’re doing right now!), getting a certificate, or reading non-fiction books.
* Keeping a Diary: Reflecting on the day and planning for tomorrow.
By using the phrase “갓생 살고 싶어요,” you’re not just saying you want to be productive; you’re showing you understand this modern Korean cultural trend of valuing self-development and discipline.
Let’s Practice!
Ready to set your own goals? Let’s review what we’ve learned.
Practice Question:
Fill in the blanks to create your own Korean New Year’s resolution!
저는 올해 ( A ) 을/를 중요하게 생각해요.
(This year, I value (A: Noun in Korean).)그래서 제 ( B ) 은/는 ( C ) 이에요/예요.
(So, my (B: Goal/Resolution in Korean) is (C: Your goal).)Hint for B: Use 새해 결심 or 목표 (mokpyo – goal).
What’s your goal for this year? Do you want to live a “갓생” too?
Share your answers in the comments using the phrases we learned today! We’d love to cheer you on! 화이팅! (Fighting!)
