The 9 Best Books to Learn Korean Quickly

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Korean is a fascinating language. But finding the right tool for learning Korean can seem overwhelming. There are so many different resources available that it can be difficult to choose the right one. Books are always a good choice for learning a new subject. This article compiles some of the best books to learn Korean. Whatever your reason for learning Korean, you’re sure to find a book that can help you learn quickly and effectively.

Best Books to Learn Korean

Over 81 million people speak Korean, and it’s one of the most spoken languages in the world. It’s the official language of North and South Korea, but there are large communities of Korean speakers in other parts of the world like China, the United States, and Japan. The Korean writing system is called hangul and was created by King Sejong. It’s widely praised for its simplicity. It has 24 letters and each one represents a different phoneme.

There are many reasons to learn Korean, especially if you are interested in technology. A Bloomberg Report named South Korea the most innovative country in the world. Some of the biggest technology brands, such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG come from Korea. Being able to speak Korean could help you land a job at a number of large international companies. This article contains some of the best Korean books that will help you learn Korean no matter what level you’re at.

What Are The Best Books To Learn Korean?

To find the best books to learn Korean, I searched the internet to find some favorite options that other Korean language learners have used. Next, I reviewed each book, looking at what it does well and who would benefit most from it. Finally, I compiled the list below.

In this table, you’ll find 9 of the best books to learn Korean. Scroll down to learn more about each option:

Korean Made Simple has 20 chapters that break down the basics of the Korean language into understandable chunks. In addition to learning grammar, vocabulary, and the Korean writing system, there are also notes to learn about Korean history and culture. The practice exercises included in each chapter make sure you understand what you learned and are on the right track.

There are free audio files available to download from the publisher’s website. People who purchased the book thought it was well-organized and easy to understand. You can read more reviews and see additional information about the book here.

Key Features

• Easy to understand
• Learn the Korean writing system
• Over 1000 vocabulary words and phrases

Read and Speak Korean for Beginners is the first book of many in this Korean learning series. This book focuses on topics that will help you in daily life, such as introductions, family, and describing people. The book is divided into eight topics and has clear explanations of important grammar and vocabulary topics. There are also practice questions to check your understanding.

The book includes additional audio available through the McGraw-Hill Language App so you can practice listening and pronunciation. People who purchased the book thought it was easy to follow and perfect for beginners. You can read more reviews here.

Key Features

• Focuses on everyday situations
• Easy to follow
• Audio available through mobile app

Talk To Me In Korean Level 1 is an excellent choice for absolute beginners who want to learn basic Korean vocabulary and grammar. The book’s focus is on conversation, not the written or formal style of Korean. There are practice activities included throughout the book.

If you like the book, you can purchase an additional workbook to practice the main topics. The book also includes free Mp3 downloads so you can hear how Korean is spoken. People who purchased the book like the sensible breakdown of grammar explanations in each chapter. You can read more here to see if this book is right for you.

Key Features

• Excellent for beginners
• Focus on conversation
• Sample dialogues and practice questions

Let’s Speak Korean is a perfect resource for travelers because it focuses on the 1,400 most common expressions in Korean and doesn’t get bogged down in the nitty-gritty of grammar. Each word has online audio that lets you listen and practice the pronunciation. The book also includes a basic guide to understanding how to read and speak hangul, the Korean alphabet.

This book is best for travelers because it has a Traveling to Korea section that includes facts about Korea, etiquette, a culture guide, and places to visit. You can read reviews and see if Let’s Speak Korean is right for you here.

Key Features

• More than 1,400 common expressions
• Guide for reading Hangul
• Practice correct pronunciation with online audio

Korean Alphabet with Writing Workbook teaches how to read and write the 10 vowels and 14 consonants of the hangul writing system. It starts by teaching the stroke order of how to write each individual character and builds up to words and sentences.

The book includes many pages to practice writing each individual character. There are also vocabulary practices to help you learn new words. People who purchased this book thought it was an excellent start for beginners to read and write in Hangul. See what other reviewers had to say here.

Key Features

• Learn correct hangul stroke order
• Pages to practice writing
• Learn simple vocabulary

Korean Stories for Language Learners has 42 folktales written in Korean with English translations. It’s meant for beginner to low intermediate learners, but since it has English translations, it can be used by anyone interested in learning about Korean culture.

The stories become more complex as you progress through the book. It also contains practice exercises, cultural notes, and discussion questions to further your understanding of the stories. One reviewer thought that the stories were challenging, but not overwhelming. You can read what other reviewers thought about the book here.

Key Features

• 42 stories written in Korean with English translations
• Gradual increase in complexity of language
• Beautiful illustrations

How to Speak KPOP teaches common slang that’s used in Korean culture. With the rise in popularity of K-Pop, Korean series, and movies this book helps you sound like a true fan by teaching words that textbooks don’t. It’s a straightforward guide that uses real-life examples so you’ll exactly how to use the words.

People who purchased this book liked that you don’t just learn the words, but also learn in what context to use the word and understand the meaning behind it. One person called it “the coolest Korean glossary for every K-pop fan.” You can see what other people thought about the book here.

Key Features

• Learn popular Korean slang words
• Real-life examples of how to use the words
• Pronunciation guide

The title of the book, 2000 Most Common Korean Words in Context, really says it all. This book teaches the most frequently used Korean words that are used most commonly in speech and writing. Each word has an English translation and an example sentence so you can understand the right context of the word.

This book is part of the Lingo Mastery series that has published similar books in other languages. People who purchased the book thought that it was a good resource for intermediate learners to increase their vocabulary. You can see what other people thought about the book here.

Key Features

• Learn the most frequently used Korean words
• Example sentences of each word
• Tips on how to learn Korean

Tigers, Fairies, and Gods: Enchanting Folktales from Korea has 21 traditional stories from Korea. The book is divided into 3 proficiency levels so beginners and advanced learners can use it. Each story is written entirely in Hangul, so it might be too advanced for absolute beginners, although there is an English translation of the story.

Every story has a vocabulary list, grammar topics, and practice questions to help you understand and learn the grammar in the story. In addition, there is also a glossary of words and access to additional audio and visual material on the website. This book has rave reviews on Amazon, 86% are 5.0-star reviews. You can see if you like the book here.

Key Features

• 21 stories written in Korean with English translation
• Divided into 3 proficiency levels
• Learn about Korean culture

Why You Should Use Books To Learn Korean

Books can be an excellent way to learn Korean. They are detailed and provide in-depth explanations and examples. Since Korean uses a writing system that’s different than English, a book is useful to see how Korean is written and familiarizing yourself with hangul. Books are also a great option because they are inexpensive when compared to other learning methods and are portable so you can learn almost anywhere.

How To Use Books To Learn Korean

The best way to use books to learn Korean is to create, and stick to, a language learning routine. This will help you see continuous improvement. It’s best to study every day or dedicate time a few days a week if you want to learn and retain information.

Books are used most effectively in combination with another language learning resource, such as a Korean language app or a Korean online course. Books are useful for learning vocabulary and grammar, but an app or course can be better for improving speaking and listening.

Best Books To Learn Korean: Final Thoughts

I hope this article has helped you find a book that can help you on your Korean language learning journey. Learning any language is a rewarding and fun experience. Finding a book, or other resource, that fits your learning style and budget can make studying a breeze. Before buying a book, be sure to read user reviews to see if it’s a good fit for you. Whichever book you choose from this list, you’re sure to start understanding Korean quickly!

Best Books To Learn Korean: FAQ