Learning Korean

Korean Diaries: Document Your Daily Life in Korean

Choi Eun-jung
8 min read
Start writing your daily life in Korean now. Gain new language skills with Korean Diaries and practice speaking Korean. Begin right away!

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일어나다

English: to wake up

세수하다

English: to wash one's face

아침을 먹다

English: to have breakfast

출근하다

English: to go to work

일하다

English: to work

점심식사하다

English: to have lunch

휴식을 취하다

English: to take a rest

오후 업무 시작하다

English: to start afternoon work

퇴근하다

English: to get off work

저녁 먹다

English: to have dinner

산책하다

English: to take a walk

샤워하다

English: to take a shower

잠자리에 들다

English: to go to bed

이불을 덮다

English: to cover oneself with a blanket

꿈을 꾸다

English: to dream

회의를 하다

English: to hold a meeting

회의록을 작성하다

English: to write meeting minutes

보고서를 제출하다

English: to submit a report

이메일을 확인하다

English: to check email

저녁 준비하다

English: to prepare dinner

설거지하다

English: to do the dishes

운동하다

English: to exercise

책을 읽다

English: to read a book

음악을 듣다

English: to listen to music

노래 부르다

English: to sing a song

피아노 치다

English: to play the piano

친구를 만나다

English: to meet a friend

영화를 보다

English: to watch a movie

숙제를 하다

English: to do homework

공부하다

English: to study

시험 공부하다

English: to study for an exam

스트레칭하다

English: to stretch

명상하다

English: to meditate

일기를 쓰다

English: to write a diary

물을 마시다

English: to drink water

간식을 먹다

English: to have a snack

쇼핑하다

English: to go shopping

요리하다

English: to cook

청소하다

English: to clean

빨래하다

English: to do the laundry

빨래를 개다

English: to fold the laundry

식물에 물을 주다

English: to water the plants

반려동물을 돌보다

English: to take care of a pet

손님을 맞이하다

English: to greet guests

택배를 받다

English: to receive a delivery

은행 업무를 보다

English: to handle banking tasks

약속을 잡다

English: to make an appointment

사진을 찍다

English: to take a photo

게임을 하다

English: to play a game

블로그를 쓰다

English: to write a blog

학교에 가다

English: to go to school

강의를 듣다

English: to attend a lecture

It’s funny how learning a new language can make our daily routines feel like little adventures. If you’ve ever caught yourself humming along to K-pop or getting hooked on a K-drama, you’re probably already curious about Korean. And one simple, delightful way to explore Korean more deeply is by starting a daily journal in this fascinating language. It may sound tricky at first, but trust me, it can open the door to a whole new world of expression.

Why Keep a Korean Diary?

A Korean diary isn’t just about jotting down your day; it’s also a chance to boost your language skills while having fun. Every time you describe your breakfast or note down that random dream you had, your brain gets used to Korean grammar and vocabulary. Before you know it, you’re thinking, “오늘 날씨가 정말 좋아요!” (Today’s weather is really nice!) in Korean rather than English.

Writing in another language forces you to see things in fresh ways. Instead of automatically scribbling your usual thoughts, you’ll discover fresh expressions to describe daily life. Honestly, it’s kinda magical. Here are a few tips to get rollin’:

  1. Start Small: Write just a few sentences if you’re new to Korean.

  2. Stay Consistent: Jot down a line or two daily, even if you feel lazy.

  3. Have Fun: Add doodles, stickers, or anything that sparks joy.

Picking Topics and Tools

Sure, you can write about the usual stuff (like how you tried a new coffee flavor), but it never hurts to add variety. Some folks love writing about:

  • Travel Memories: “저는 어제 공원에 갔어요.”

__I went to the park yesterday.__ - Feelings and Emotions: “오늘은 조금 피곤하지만 행복해요.” I’m a bit tired today, but I feel happy. - Dreams and Goals: “미래에 한국을 여행하고 싶어요.” I want to travel to Korea in the future. - Favorite Songs or Dramas: Talk about a K-pop tune stuck in your head or that drama you just binged. - Fun Facts: Jot down new words you learn or random facts about Korean culture.

Maybe you like the tactile feel of pen on paper, or maybe typing on your laptop is easier. Either way, be sure you’re comfortable—sometimes that special notebook and a trusty pen can make the experience extra cozy.

Making It Fun and Engaging

You might wonder: “How do I keep from getting bored?” Well, turn your diary into a mini challenge:

  • Write one new word each day in bold so it stands out: 사랑 (love), 시간 (time), (book).

  • Pick a grammar point once a week, like particle usage (-은/는, -이/가) or past tense (-았/었).

  • Use expressions you hear in shows or songs. For example, try saying (or writing) “괜찮아?” (Are you okay?) or “진짜?” (Really?) to make your diary feel more alive.

You can also create visuals:

  • Draw a quick sketch of your day’s highlight.

  • Collage your favorite Korean words on a separate page.

  • Make up a silly short dialogue:

A: 오늘 뭐 했어요? (What did you do today?) B: 그냥 집에서 쉬었어요. (I just relaxed at home.)

Little Stumbles and Big Growth

It’s perfectly normal to find a few tricky spots when writing in Korean. Maybe spelling feels confusing or you mix up particles. Ain’t no big deal! The more you practice, the more naturally the right words and endings will flow. Think of mistakes as stepping stones:

  • Don’t be afraid to look things up in a dictionary.

  • Celebrate every small achievement.

  • Double-check your sentences whenever you sense something might be off, but don’t stress if it still seems imperfect.

By the way, if you want to try out more advanced structures, do some experimenting. Write longer sentences like “오늘은 기분이 좋아서 친구들과 공원에서 산책을 했어요.” (Because I felt good today, I took a walk in the park with my friends.) Then compare it with shorter ones to see how the meaning changes.

Conclusion

Keeping a Korean diary can feel like adding a dash of adventure to everyday life. Sure, you might stumble a bit in the beginning, but that’s part of what makes this journey so rewarding. Every page brings you a little closer to the language and culture. And who knows? You might just spark a love for writing you never knew you had.

Go ahead and give it a try. If you ask me, there’s something magical about flipping through old entries and seeing how far you’ve come. So grab that pen, open up a fresh page, and let Korean become a natural part of your day. Write about your morning coffee, your random thoughts, or even the funny dream you had last night. You’ll be surprised by how quickly you’ll grow—and by how much fun you’ll have along the way!