Using Korean: A Guide to Contemporary Usage

Miho Choo

May 2008 · Cambridge University Press

About this ebook

This is a guide to Korean language usage for students who have already acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge and organise accumulated bits of information into a comprehensive picture. It is designed to promote the fluency and accuracy vital to effective communication, provides excellent coverage of proverbs, idioms, and sound symbolism, is tailored to the needs of the English-speaking user, and will be invaluable to anyone requiring up-to-date guidance on points of grammar and vocabulary. Unlike conventional grammars, it highlights those areas of vocabulary and grammar which cause most difficulty to English speakers. Special attention is given throughout the book to the appropriateness of different language styles in various situational contexts. Clear, readable, and easy to consult, it is essential for all those who wish to take their Korean beyond the beginner's level.

Ratings and reviews

This is the best resource book for Korean I have ever found. Very clear explanations, plenty of good examples and very well organized. Just about everything you could want (sino-Korean, idioms, vocabulary, grammar, politeness forms) is explained in a very clear way.

One of the most important textbooks for the English speakers who wish to learn Korean. The explanations are far easier to understand than other Korean language textbooks and it goes more in depth. Also, it spends much effort to differentiate between formal/written Korean and colloquial Korean, which is also somewhat unique among Korean textbooks that are available.

About the author

MIHO CHOO is Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

HYE-YOUNG KWAK is based in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.