Korean Fun Facts for Kids
Korean is a fascinating language spoken by millions of people, and it’s full of interesting surprises! Whether you’re learning Korean for the first time or just curious, here are some fun facts that make the language exciting for kids to explore.
Korean is the Official Language of Two Countries
Did you know Korean is spoken in both South Korea and North Korea? Even though the countries are divided, they both share the same language. Korean is also spoken by communities around the world, including the United States, China, Canada, and Australia.
The Korean Alphabet Was Invented by a King
The Korean writing system is called Hangul, and it was created in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great. Before Hangul, many people couldn’t read or write because they had to use complicated Chinese characters. Hangul was made to be simple and easy, so everyone could learn to read and write.
Today, Hangul is considered one of the most scientific alphabets in the world!
Korean Used to Be Written with Chinese Characters
Before Hangul, Korean was written using Chinese characters, called Hanja. These characters are still sometimes used in Korean newspapers, history books, and older signs. However, most modern writing uses Hangul, especially for children and learners.
Some Korean Words Are Used Around the World
You may already know a few Korean words—even if you don’t speak the language yet! Words like:
- Kimchi – a spicy fermented vegetable dish
- Taekwondo – a Korean martial art
- Chaebol – a large business group like Samsung or Hyundai
- Judo – although this originated in Japan, it is also practiced widely in Korea
These words are now used in many different languages all over the globe.
Korean Grammar is Backward… Sort Of!
In English, we say “I went to school.” But in Korean, the word order changes to “I to school went.” This might sound strange at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes fun and easy! In Korean grammar, the verb usually comes at the end of the sentence.
Learning the structure of Korean sentences is like solving a little word puzzle each time you speak!
Make Learning Korean Fun with Dinolingo
If your child wants to start learning Korean, Dinolingo offers the perfect place to begin. Our award-winning program is designed just for kids and includes:
- Interactive Korean games and videos
- Colorful worksheets and flashcards
- Stories and songs in Korean
- One subscription for up to 6 users
- Web, iOS, and Android access
- Easy offline downloads and a parent dashboard
With Dinolingo, learning Korean is fun, educational, and full of surprises—just like these fun facts!
