Where to start learning Korean as a beginner

Learn Hangul first

The very first thing to do when you start Korean is learn Hangul. It's a remarkably logical alphabet — 14 consonants and 10 vowels combined by consistent rules — so it comes far faster than most people expect. Many learners are sounding out words within a few days to a couple of weeks.

Don't lean on romanization for long. It looks convenient, but it never captures the real sounds accurately, and many learners end up having to unlearn pronunciation later. It's far better to build the habit of reading Hangul directly from the start.

The first phrases to learn

Before you dig into grammar rules, memorizing a handful of everyday phrases as whole chunks builds confidence fast. Greetings (annyeonghaseyo), thanks (gamsahamnida), apologies (joesonghamnida), a simple self-introduction (jeoneun … -yeyo), and basic questions like "what is this?" and "how much is it?" are enough to start your first real exchanges.

You can use these right away without fully understanding the grammar behind them. Once you've actually said them out loud a few times, the grammar you study next makes far more sense.

Common beginner mistakes

The most common mistake is trying to speak perfectly and, as a result, not speaking at all. Fear of making mistakes cuts down your speaking practice, which slows you down the most. Early on, the experience of speaking often matters far more than being accurate.

Two others: mixing up polite and casual speech so it doesn't fit the situation, and memorizing words without ever assembling them into real sentences. Learning words inside short sentences, rather than in isolation, makes them come to mind much faster when you actually speak.

How a tutor speeds you up

Studying alone, it's hard to notice what you're getting wrong. Pronunciation and intonation especially are tough to judge even when you record yourself. A tutor catches these in the moment and explains why, so you can fix bad habits before they set.

Above all, a tutor lesson creates a setting where you have no choice but to speak. Haru connects you with verified native Korean and Japanese tutors for live 1:1 video lessons, so you can try out what you've learned in a safe space and get corrected on the spot. That immediate feedback is what visibly accelerates progress at the beginner stage.

A realistic timeline

There's no single answer to "when will I be good at Korean?", but you can sketch a rough arc. Hangul takes days to a few weeks; basic greetings and self-introductions, a few weeks; getting by simply while traveling, a few months of steady study.

The key is consistency over speed. A little every day, paired with regular conversation practice, and most learners hit that "I'm really improving" moment within a few months. Don't rush — just fill in one small goal at a time.

Frequently asked questions