Textbooks teach you to say "I go to the store." Real conversations are full of "well," "you know," "right?" and "actually." Here are the conversational connectors that make Korean sound natural.
Filler Words and Connectors
음... (Eum)
Um... / Well...
The Korean thinking sound. Completely natural to use while you're formulating your next sentence. Don't fight it.
그래서 (Geuraeseo)
So / Therefore / And then
One of the most used words in Korean conversation. Connects ideas and continues stories. 그래서 어떻게 됐어요? = So what happened?
그런데 (Geureonde)
But / However / By the way
Changes direction in a conversation. 그런데 있잖아요 = but you know what / by the way. Very natural in speech.
사실은 (Sasireun)
Actually / To be honest
Used to introduce a real feeling or contradict what was just said. Like "actually" in English. 사실은 모르겠어요 = actually, I don't know.
Reactions and Responses
정말요? (Jeongmalyo?)
Really? Is that so?
The natural response to surprising information. Shows you're engaged and listening.
아, 그렇구나 (A, geureokguna)
Oh, I see / Ah, I get it
Shows you understand something new. One of the most natural sounds in Korean conversation.
맞아요 (Majayo)
That's right / Exactly
Agreement and confirmation. 맞아맞아 (repeated) = exactly exactly, totally agree.
그냥 (Geunyang)
Just / Simply / For no reason
Why did you do it? 그냥요 = just because. One of the most useful and conversational Korean words.
Checking Understanding
맞죠? (Majjo?)
Right? / Isn't that so?
Checking agreement at the end of a statement. Like "right?" in English. Very common in casual speech.
알겠어요? (Algesseoyo?)
Do you understand? / Got it?
Checking comprehension. The response is 알겠어요 = I understand / got it.
어떻게 생각해요? (Eotteoke saenggakaeyo?)
What do you think?
Inviting someone's opinion. One of the great conversation openers.
Ending Conversations
그럼 (Geureom)
Well then / Alright then
Used to wrap up a conversation or move on. 그럼 이만 = well then, that's it for now. Very natural.
나중에 봐요 (Najunge bwayo)
See you later
Casual and warm. 나중에 = later, 봐요 = see. Natural ending to any Korean conversation.
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