Learn Korean, from your first 안녕하세요
Plenty of people come to Korean through K-dramas and K-pop and discover they already recognize dozens of words. The alphabet, Hangul, can be learned in days. What takes practice is speaking: the sound changes between syllables, and the speech levels that tell you how polite to be.
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What makes Korean worth it — and what makes it hard
An alphabet designed to be learned
Hangul was created in the 15th century specifically so that ordinary people could learn to read quickly. Its letters are built from a small set of shapes, and many learners can sound out words within a week.
Culture that keeps you motivated
K-dramas, music, food and beauty have made Korean one of the fastest-growing languages to study. Understanding lyrics and dialogue without subtitles is a strong, lasting reason to keep going.
Speech levels matter
Korean verbs change with politeness. The polite "-요" ending is the safe default with people you don’t know well; getting it right matters as much as the vocabulary.
A tutor you talk to, focused on what trips Korean learners up
In every language, your Bliss tutor explains in the language you already speak, has you say the Korean out loud, and corrects the sentence you just said. For Korean specifically:
Romanization after every Korean line
Every Korean phrase your tutor gives you is followed by its romanization, so you can speak right away and learn Hangul at your own pace.
Polite speech by default
You start with the polite "-요" style that works with almost anyone. Your tutor explains when casual speech is fine and when formal speech is expected.
Sound changes, explained when you trip
Korean syllables change sound when they meet — "hangugeo" is written 한국어 but the consonants blend. Your tutor explains it on the words you use, in your language.
Bliss recommends Alex for Korean: a calm, methodical bilingual tutor. Any of the eight Bliss tutors can teach Korean if you would rather pick another.
Korean phrases for your first week
Ten phrases in polite Korean, with romanization.
- 안녕하세요 annyeonghaseyo Hello
- 감사합니다 gamsahamnida Thank you (formal)
- 이거 주세요 igeo juseyo This one, please Works for ordering anything you can point at.
- 얼마예요? eolmayeyo? How much is it?
- 다시 말해 주세요 dasi malhae juseyo Please say it again
- 잘 모르겠어요 jal moreugesseoyo I’m not sure / I don’t really know
- 화장실이 어디예요? hwajangsiri eodiyeyo? Where is the restroom?
- 괜찮아요 gwaenchanayo It’s okay / I’m fine
- 잘 먹겠습니다 jal meokgetseumnida Said before eating Literally "I will eat well" — a thank-you to whoever cooked or paid.
- 한국어를 배우고 있어요 hangugeoreul baeugo isseoyo I’m learning Korean
Learning Korean with Bliss: questions, answered
How long does it take to learn to read Korean?
Hangul itself can be learned in a few days to a couple of weeks. Understanding and speaking the language takes much longer: the US Foreign Service Institute puts Korean in its hardest group for English speakers, at about 88 weeks of full-time study.
Can I start speaking Korean before I can read Hangul?
Yes. Every Korean line in Bliss comes with romanization, so you can practise out loud immediately and pick up Hangul alongside.
Will I learn polite or casual Korean?
Polite "-요" Korean first, since it is appropriate with almost everyone. Your tutor can show you casual and formal forms whenever you ask.
Who teaches Korean in Bliss?
Bliss recommends Alex, a patient bilingual tutor. You can choose any of the eight tutors and switch at any time.
Learning more than one language?
Bliss teaches ten languages with the same tutors. Switch language whenever you want — no second app, no restart.
Start speaking Korean today
Download Bliss free on the App Store, pick Korean, and say your first sentence to Alex.