Practical Games

     After a month of just hanging out with my dad, when I arrived in Korea, I was sent to work.  The real life experience started as I was quite far from my dad's place.  I knew nothing about this country.  Their currency, its value, the places, the  culture, and most of all, their language.  All I can do is read and write their characters... albeit very slowly.

You Just Don't Say "You"

"Tangshin-eun naui namja yeo (당신은 나의 남자여)"
"Neon naekeo ya! (넌 내거야!)"

Two words I frequently hear from the media, with two phrases I hear too many times.  The first one is from the (quite a romantic) song "Emo (애모)" and the phrase Ash Kechum shouts after catching a pokemon (Korean version of course).

Japanese + Korean or Korean - Japanese?

     Like most of the languages all around the world, Korean adopted words from other countries, such as Japan.  One word that stands out to me is the stapler.  It's called "hochikiseu (호치키스)" or mostly I hear it as "hotch kis," which both a Japanese and Korean term (up to the posting of this blog to my knowledge).  But somehow, I think this will change in the future.

Books Are Archaic

My back hurts!  Horiga appumnida!
(허리가 아픕니다!)

     That is one of the first sentences I've memorized dearly.  All I needed next is to know the Korean term for whatever part of my body is aching... just in case.

     Fortunately, I've encountered a situation where I could use almost the exact words.  My superior during that time was complaining about her back.  Pounding it herself by her fist.  Although she wasn't talking to me, I just built the nerve and said, "Horiga appumnikka? (허리가 아픕니까?)"

Fractions

     Last week, I was scolded by my superior when I made a mistake saying "1/4" of a can of some chemical needed for work.

     Some months before that, I asked how "1/4" is said in Korean from the same guy. I know how to say "half of something" as it's commonly used to tell time.  Half past 1 o'clock is Hanshi Pan (1시 반).  Breaking that down, "hana" is "one," "shi" is "hour," and "pan" means "half."
"But what about this?" I asked as I wrote the figures 1/4 on a piece of paper.
"Sabun-ui il. (4분의 일)" He said as he nods with content, knowing he taught me something.