It is a simple phrase, but it has many uses, many meaning and it always feels comforting. If I could only use one Korean phrase for the rest of my life, I would choose (gwaenchanayo). . It can mean “It’s okay,” “I’m okay,” “Are you okay?” or even “No, thank you.” Because it works in so many situations, it feels like a phrase that can carry me through almost any moment. If someone apologizes, gwaenchanayo. If someone checks on me, gwaenchanayo. If I want to politely refuse something, gwaenchanayo. It is polite, friendly, and gentle, which is why I think it is the single most useful phrase I could keep.
I love yo learn Korean but my biggest challenge in learning Korean has been the grammar and sentence endings as it is not so easy to differentiate. Korean has many levels of politeness, and each level changes the way sentences are formed. In English, we stay polite with tone and word choice, but in Korean, politeness is built into the grammar itself. At first, this was confusing. Learning a verb in one way, and then founding out that it had to change depending on who you were talking to, someone older, someone younger, a stranger, a teacher, a friend, or a group of people. You have to be cautious about whether you were speaking too formally or too casually. This constant adjustment has definitely been my biggest hurdle and it's not helping me improve at all.
Another challenge has been listening to native speakers, if a foreigner listens to native Korean, you will think you are listening to something you haven't heard before. Korean is spoken much faster than the slow, clear sentences from textbooks or apps. When I hear real conversations, the words seem to blend together. Sometimes I recognize the vocabulary only after the speaker is already three sentences ahead and I haven't get used to the natural speed of the language, and my question is can I still get use to it
Despite these challenges, the greatest reward has been feeling more connected to Korean culture. Understanding even small pieces of the language makes music, dramas, and conversations much more enjoyable. When I can pick up a word or phrase without subtitles, it feels like a small victory.
Learning Korean has not been easy, but it has been meaningful. The language has taught me patience, focus, and persistence. And through the entire journey, one phrase always feels right: 괜찮아요. It reminds me to stay calm, keep trying, and trust that progress will come with time. I hope I will learn this language fast but it seems I have language deafness.
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