Korean Conversation Practice: Meeting Your Korean Boyfriend’s Parents – Complete Dialogue Guide for Language Learners

Through Korean conversation practice you could master essential Korean phrases and cultural etiquette for Korean parents!

Introduction of Korean Conversation Practice

Meeting your Korean boyfriend’s parents for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially when you’re still learning Korean. This comprehensive guide provides you with a realistic dialogue scenario, complete with English translations, vocabulary breakdowns, and essential grammar points to help you navigate this important cultural milestone.

Whether you’re preparing for an actual meeting or simply want to improve your Korean conversation skills, this dialogue covers common topics, polite expressions, and cultural nuances you’ll encounter in Korean family settings.

The Scenario of Korean Conversation Practice : Meeting with Korean Parents

Setting: American girlfriend Sarah meets her Korean boyfriend Junho’s parents for the first time at their home.

Characters:

• Sarah (American girlfriend)
• Junho’s Mother (어머니)
• Junho’s Father (아버지)
• Junho (Korean boyfriend)

Complete Korean Conversation Practice Dialogue with English Translation

Korean Conversation (한국어 대화)

어머니: 안녕하세요! 사라 씨죠? 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 준호 어머니예요.

Sarah: 안녕하세요! 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 사라예요. 오늘 초대해 주셔서 정말 감사합니다.

아버지: 어서 오세요! 사라 씨. 한국어를 정말 잘하시네요. 언제부터 한국어를 배우셨어요?

Sarah: 감사합니다. 대학교 때부터 배우기 시작했어요. 벌써 3년 정도 됐어요. 아직 많이 부족하지만요.

어머니: 아니에요, 정말 잘하세요! 앉으세요. 뭐 좀 드실래요? 차나 커피, 어떤 걸 좋아하세요?

Sarah: 차 주시면 감사하겠어요. 한국 전통차를 마셔보고 싶었거든요.

아버지: 준호한테서 사라 씨 얘기를 많이 들었어요. 미국 어디에서 오셨다고 했죠?

Sarah: 시애틀에서 왔어요. 지금은 서울에서 영어를 가르치고 있어요. 한국 생활이 정말 재미있어요.

어머니: 그래요? 한국 음식은 어떠세요? 매운 건 괜찮으세요?

Sarah: 네, 매운 음식도 좋아해요! 김치찌개랑 떡볶이를 정말 좋아해요. 준호 오빠가 많이 가르쳐 줬어요.

아버지: 오빠라고 불러요? 하하하. 우리 준호가 요리도 가르쳐 줬군요.

준호: (웃으며) 아버지, 부끄러워요. 사라가 요리를 더 잘해요.

Sarah: 아니에요! 저는 한국 요리를 배우고 있어요. 어머님한테 배우고 싶어요.

어머니: 그래요? 언제든지 오세요. 김치 담그는 법도 가르쳐 드릴게요. 사라 씨는 가족이 몇 명이세요?

Sarah: 부모님하고 언니 한 명 있어요. 다들 한국에 놀러 오고 싶어 해요.

아버지: 그럼 언제든지 모시고 오세요. 우리가 안내해 드릴게요.

Sarah: 정말 감사해요! 준호 오빠 부모님이 이렇게 친절하실 줄 몰랐어요.

어머니: 뭘요. 우리 아들이 좋아하는 사람인데 당연하죠. 앞으로 자주 놀러 오세요.

Sarah: 네! 다음에는 제가 미국 음식을 만들어 올게요.

아버지: 그거 좋네요! 기대하고 있을게요.

English Translation

Mother: Hello! You must be Sarah, right? Nice to meet you for the first time. I’m Junho’s mother.

Sarah: Hello! Nice to meet you for the first time. I’m Sarah. Thank you so much for inviting me today.

Father: Welcome! Sarah. You speak Korean really well. When did you start learning Korean?

Sarah: Thank you. I started learning in college. It’s been about 3 years now. I’m still lacking a lot though.

Mother: Not at all, you speak really well! Please sit down. Would you like something to drink? Tea or coffee, which do you prefer?

Sarah: I’d be grateful if you could give me tea. I wanted to try traditional Korean tea.

Father: We heard a lot about you from Junho. Where in America did you say you came from?

Sarah: I came from Seattle. Now I’m teaching English in Seoul. Living in Korea is really fun.

Mother: Really? How about Korean food? Are you okay with spicy food?

Sarah: Yes, I like spicy food too! I really love kimchi jjigae and tteokbokki. Junho oppa taught me a lot.

Father: You call him oppa? Haha. Our Junho taught you cooking too.

Junho: (Laughing) Father, that’s embarrassing. Sarah cooks better than I do.

Sarah: Not at all! I’m learning Korean cooking. I’d like to learn from you, mother.

Mother: Really? Come anytime. I’ll teach you how to make kimchi too. How many people are in your family, Sarah?

Sarah: I have my parents and one older sister. Everyone wants to visit Korea.

Father: Then bring them anytime. We’ll guide them around.

Sarah: Thank you so much! I didn’t know Junho oppa’s parents would be this kind.

Mother: Don’t mention it. You’re someone our son likes, so it’s natural. Please come visit often.

Sarah: Yes! Next time I’ll make American food and bring it.

Father: That sounds great! We’ll be looking forward to it.

Essential Korean Vocabulary for Meeting Parents

Greetings and Courtesy Expressions

• 처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boepgesseumnida) – “Nice to meet you” (formal)
• 초대하다 (chodaehada) – “to invite”
• 감사하다/감사합니다 (gamsahada/gamsahamnida) – “to thank/thank you”
• 어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo) – “welcome” (formal)
• 부족하다 (bujokhada) – “to be lacking/insufficient”

Family Relations and Titles

• 어머니/어머님 (eomeoni/eomeonim) – “mother” (formal/honorific)
• 아버지/아버님 (abeoji/abeonim) – “father” (formal/honorific)
• 오빠 (oppa) – “older brother” (used by females, also for older male friends/boyfriends)
• 언니 (eonni) – “older sister” (used by females)

Food and Dining Vocabulary

• 전통차 (jeontongcha) – “traditional tea”
• 매운 음식 (maeun eumsik) – “spicy food”
• 김치찌개 (gimchi jjigae) – “kimchi stew”
• 떡볶이 (tteokbokki) – “spicy rice cakes”
• 김치 담그다 (gimchi damgeuda) – “to make kimchi”

Common Daily Expressions

• 괜찮다 (gwaenchanta) – “to be okay/fine”
• 좋아하다 (joahada) – “to like”
• 가르치다 (gareuchida) – “to teach”
• 배우다 (baeuda) – “to learn”
• 놀러 오다 (nolleo oda) – “to come visit”
• 안내하다 (annaehada) – “to guide”

Key Grammar Points for Korean Learners

1. Korean Honorific System (높임법)

The honorific system is crucial when speaking to Korean parents:

–세요/으세요: Honorific ending showing respect

• 앉으세요 (anjeusseyo) – “Please sit down”
• 드세요 (deuseyo) – “Please eat/drink” (honorific form)
• 오세요 (oseyo) – “Please come”

2. Past Tense Formation

-았/었어요: Past tense endings

• 왔어요 (wasseoyo) – “came”
• 들었어요 (deureosseoyo) – “heard”
• 가르쳐 줬어요 (gareuchyeo jwosseoyo) – “taught”

3. Expressing Desires and Intentions

-고 싶다: Used to express wants or desires

• 마셔보고 싶었거든요 (masyeobogo sipeossgeodeunyo) – “I wanted to try drinking”
• 배우고 싶어요 (baeugo sipeoyo) – “I want to learn”

4. Negative Expressions

안 (an): Basic negation

• 안 와요 (an wayo) – “don’t come”

못 (mot): Expressing inability

• 못 해요 (mot haeyo) – “can’t do”

5. Connecting Sentences

-지만 (jiman): “but” or “although” (showing contrast)

• 부족하지만 (bujokhajiman) – “although lacking”

-거든요 (geodeunyo): Explaining reasons (casual)

• 마셔보고 싶었거든요 – “because I wanted to try”

Cultural Tips for Meeting Korean Parents

1. Proper Greetings

Always use formal language and bow slightly when greeting Korean parents for the first time.

2. Gift Giving

Consider bringing a small gift like fruit, flowers, or something from your home country.

3. Dining Etiquette

Wait to be seated and don’t start eating until the eldest person begins.

4. Language Use

Use honorific language consistently and avoid casual speech, even if you’re comfortable with your boyfriend.

5. Show Interest in Korean Culture

Expressing genuine interest in Korean food, traditions, and language will be appreciated.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete these sentences with appropriate honorific forms:

1. 어머님, 안녕하_____! (Hello, mother!)
2. 차를 _____ 주세요. (Please give me tea.)
3. 언제든지 _____ 오세요. (Please come anytime.)

Exercise 2: Cultural Scenarios

How would you respond in Korean to these situations?

1. Korean mother offers you food
2. Korean father asks about your family
3. You want to compliment the Korean food

Conclusion

Meeting your Korean boyfriend’s parents is an important step in your relationship and a valuable opportunity to practice your Korean language skills. This dialogue provides a realistic foundation for the types of conversations you might have, while the vocabulary and grammar sections offer the tools you need to expand your Korean proficiency.

Remember that Korean parents generally appreciate foreigners who make an effort to speak Korean and show respect for Korean culture. Even if your Korean isn’t perfect, your sincere attempt to communicate in their language will likely be met with warmth and encouragement.

Keep practicing these expressions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they’re all part of the learning process!

Ready to practice more Korean conversations? Check out our other Korean language learning resources for dating, workplace situations, and everyday interactions.