Expressing Modest Ambition: 'I hope to...'

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Intermediate Speaking
🌱
Expressing Modest Ambition
How to share your goals and aspirations in Korean β€” with the humility and understated confidence that Korean culture values.
πŸ”Š
Iru Helper Note
In Korean culture, expressing ambition directly can come across as boastful. The preferred style is modest, hedged, and forward-looking β€” sharing hopes with nuance rather than confident declarations. Learning to soften your ambitions naturally is a key intermediate skill.
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. λ‚˜μ€‘μ— 제 λΆ„μ•Όμ—μ„œ μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
(It's not a big dream, but I want to grow little by little. I hope I can become an expert in my field someday.)
Β 

🌱 What You'll Learn Today

In this lesson, you'll learn how to express personal ambitions and goals in Korean in a way that sounds natural, humble, and genuine. Rather than bold declarations, Korean conversational style favors softened hope β€” using endings like -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”, -(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”, and -μ•„/μ–΄ 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” to express desire without overstatement. This lesson will help you share what you're working toward in a culturally fluent way.

πŸ“Œ Expressing Modest Ambition β€” Key Expressions

Expression
Meaning
Notes
~κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
I want to ~
Direct desire
~(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”
I hope ~ / It would be nice if ~
Softer, more modest
~μ•„/μ–΄ 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
I'd like to try ~
Aspirational, humble
μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
I want to grow little by little
μ‘°κΈˆμ”© = gradually
λ‚˜μ€‘μ—
Someday / later
Distances timeline modestly
λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”
I have a goal
λͺ©ν‘œ = goal/target
꿈이 μžˆμ–΄μš”
I have a dream
More personal/emotional
μ–Έμ  κ°€
Someday
Vague, humble timing
도전해 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
I'd like to challenge myself with ~
Modest ambition
잘 되면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”
I hope things work out
Humble positive outcome
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ
It's not a big dream, but ~
Classic modesty opener
μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
I want to do my best
Effort-focused
ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”©
Step by step
ν•œ 걸음 = one step
μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
I want to become an expert
Long-term career goal
πŸ’‘ Key pattern: -(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” is the single most culturally appropriate expression for ambition in Korean. μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” (I hope I can become an expert) sounds far more natural and humble than simply μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (I will become an expert).

πŸ’¬ Conversations in Action

Dialogue 1 β€” Sharing a modest goal
A: μ•žμœΌλ‘œ μ–΄λ–€ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”? (What goals do you have going forward?)
B: 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. λ‚˜μ€‘μ— 제 λΆ„μ•Όμ—μ„œ μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (It's not a big dream, but I want to grow little by little. I hope I can become an expert in my field someday.)
A: 쒋은 λͺ©ν‘œλ„€μš”. μ‘μ›ν• κ²Œμš”. (That's a great goal. I'll be cheering for you.)
B: κ°μ‚¬ν•΄μš”. μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•΄ λ³Όκ²Œμš”. (Thank you. I'll do my best.)
Dialogue 2 β€” A new challenge
A: μš”μ¦˜ μƒˆλ‘œ λ„μ „ν•˜κ³  싢은 게 μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Is there something new you'd like to challenge yourself with lately?)
B: 사싀 ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ λ°œν‘œλ₯Ό 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. 아직 μ–΄λ ΅μ§€λ§Œ μ–Έμ  κ°€ ν•  수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (Actually I'd like to try giving a presentation in Korean. It's still hard, but I hope I can do it someday.)
A: μΆ©λΆ„νžˆ ν•  수 μžˆμ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”© ν•΄λ΄μš”. (I think you can definitely do it. Take it step by step.)

🌏 Cultural Note β€” 겸손 (Humility) in Korean Ambition

Korean culture places high value on 겸손 (humility), especially when sharing personal achievements or ambitions. Even high-achieving Koreans often downplay their goals with phrases like 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ (it's not a big dream, but) or 잘 될 수 μžˆμ„μ§€ λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ (I don't know if things will work out, but). This isn't false modesty β€” it's a sincere cultural value that signals social awareness and groundedness. When a Korean person hears you hedge your ambition appropriately, it signals emotional intelligence. Matching this tone rather than stating bold goals bluntly will make your Korean conversations feel far more natural and connected.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Share your goals and aspirations using today's expressions β€” with the right balance of hope and humility.
A. Say "I want to grow little by little."
<summary>Answer
μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
(I want to grow little by little.)
</summary>
B. Say "I hope I can become an expert in my field someday."
<summary>Answer
λ‚˜μ€‘μ— 제 λΆ„μ•Όμ—μ„œ μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
(I hope I can become an expert in my field someday.)
</summary>
C. Say "It's not a big dream, but I'd like to try."
<summary>Answer
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ ν•œλ²ˆ 도전해 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
(It's not a big dream, but I'd like to give it a try.)
</summary>
D. Say "I want to do my best."
<summary>Answer
μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
(I want to do my best.)
</summary>
E. Say "I hope things work out."
<summary>Answer
잘 되면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
(I hope things work out.)
</summary>
F. Say "Someday I'd like to try giving a presentation in Korean."
<summary>Answer
μ–Έμ  κ°€ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ λ°œν‘œλ₯Ό 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
(Someday I'd like to try giving a presentation in Korean.)
</summary>
G. Say "I want to take it step by step."
<summary>Answer
ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”© 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
(I want to take it step by step.)
</summary>
H. Say "I have a goal β€” to keep studying Korean."
<summary>Answer
ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ 곡뢀λ₯Ό κ³„μ†ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”.
(I have a goal of continuing to study Korean.)
</summary>
I. Ask someone what goals they have going forward.
<summary>Answer
μ•žμœΌλ‘œ μ–΄λ–€ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”?
(What goals do you have going forward?)
</summary>
J. Say "I don't know if it will work out, but I'd like to try."
<summary>Answer
잘 될지 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ ν•œλ²ˆ 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
(I don't know if it will work out, but I'd like to give it a try.)
</summary>
πŸ“š
Expression Reference
Expression
Nuance/Key
~κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
Want to~
~(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”
Hope/would like~
~μ•„/μ–΄ 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
Want to try~
μ‘°κΈˆμ”©
Little by little
λ‚˜μ€‘μ— / μ–Έμ  κ°€
Someday
μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜λ‹€
Do one's best
ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”©
Step by step
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ
It's not a big dream, but
πŸ’‘
Speaking Tip
The softer you express ambition, the more confident you sound in Korean. Opening with 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ... (it's not a big dream, but) before sharing your goal is a native-sounding hedge that signals humility. Practice this opener with your own goals.
</summary>
πŸ”
Want more reps?
Write three personal goals. Express each one using: 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ + [goal] + -(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. Say each one out loud three times. Notice how they sound more natural with the hedging.
Β 

πŸ“¦ Practice Hub β€” Expressing Modest Ambition

Exercise 1 β€” Choose the Right Expression

Pick the best word or phrase for each situation.
A. You want to say "I want to grow little by little." You say: ___ μ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
쑰금 β†’ μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I want to grow little by little.)
B. You want to softly hope for something. You say: ~될 수 있___ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
으면 β†’ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (I hope I can become ~)
C. You want to open with modesty before sharing your dream. You say: ___ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ...
<summary>Answer
큰 κΏˆμ€ β†’ 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ... (It's not a big dream, but...)
D. You want to say "someday." You say: ___ κ°€.
<summary>Answer
μ–Έμ   β†’ μ–Έμ  κ°€ (someday)
E. You want to say "step by step." You say: ν•œ ___ μ”©.
<summary>Answer
걸음 β†’ ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”© (step by step)
F. You want to say "I'd like to try ~." You say: ~ν•΄___ μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
보고 β†’ ~해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I'd like to try ~)
G. You want to say "I want to do my best." You say: μ΅œμ„ μ„ ___ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
λ‹€ β†’ μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I want to do my best.)
H. You want to say "I hope things work out." You say: 잘 ___ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
되면 β†’ 잘 되면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (I hope things work out.)
I. You want to say "I have a goal." You say: ___ κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
λͺ©ν‘œ β†’ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (I have a goal.)
J. You want to say "someday / later." You say: ___ 에.
<summary>Answer
λ‚˜μ€‘ β†’ λ‚˜μ€‘μ— (someday / later)
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
Expression
Meaning
μ‘°κΈˆμ”©
Little by little
~(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”
I hope~/It'd be nice if
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ
It's not a big dream, but
μ–Έμ  κ°€
Someday
ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”©
Step by step
~해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”
I'd like to try~
μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜λ‹€
Do one's best
잘 λ˜λ‹€
Things work out
λͺ©ν‘œ
Goal
λ‚˜μ€‘μ—
Later, someday
⚠️
Pitfall
Don't say μ €λŠ” μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (I will become an expert) β€” this sounds overconfident in Korean. Instead use μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” (I hope I can become an expert). The softer form is more natural and culturally appropriate.

Exercise 2 β€” Korean β†’ English Translation

Translate each sentence into natural English.
A. μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I want to grow little by little.
B. λ‚˜μ€‘μ— 제 λΆ„μ•Όμ—μ„œ μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I hope I can become an expert in my field someday.
C. 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ ν•œλ²ˆ 도전해 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
It's not a big dream, but I'd like to give it a try.
D. μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I want to do my best.
E. 잘 되면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I hope things work out.
F. μ–Έμ  κ°€ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ λ°œν‘œλ₯Ό 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
Someday I'd like to try giving a presentation in Korean.
G. ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”© 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I want to take it step by step.
H. 잘 될지 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ ν•œλ²ˆ 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I don't know if it will work out, but I'd like to give it a try.
I. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ μ–΄λ–€ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”?
<summary>Answer
What goals do you have going forward?
J. ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ 곡뢀λ₯Ό κ³„μ†ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I have a goal of continuing to study Korean.
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Word
Meaning
λͺ©ν‘œ
Goal, target
꿈
Dream
μ„±μž₯ν•˜λ‹€
To grow
λ„μ „ν•˜λ‹€
To challenge/try
μ „λ¬Έκ°€
Expert
μ΅œμ„ 
One's best
겸손
Humility
λ°œν‘œ
Presentation
μ‘°κΈˆμ”©
Little by little
μ–Έμ  κ°€
Someday
πŸ’‘
Grammar Tip
-(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” = "I hope~ / It would be nice if~." It softens any ambition into a hope. 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš” = "I hope I can become~." This is the most culturally appropriate way to express career goals in Korean.

Exercise 3 β€” Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the correct word or ending.
A. ___ μ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I want to grow little by little.)
<summary>Answer
쑰금 β†’ μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
B. λ‚˜μ€‘μ— μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있___ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (I hope I can become an expert someday.)
<summary>Answer
으면 β†’ μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
C. ___ 은 μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ 도전해 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (It's not a big dream, but I'd like to try.)
<summary>Answer
큰 꿈 β†’ 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ 도전해 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
D. μ΅œμ„ μ„ ___ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I want to do my best.)
<summary>Answer
λ‹€ β†’ μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
E. 잘 ___ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (I hope things work out.)
<summary>Answer
되면 β†’ 잘 되면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”.
F. ___ κ°€ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ λ°œν‘œλ₯Ό 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (Someday I'd like to try giving a presentation in Korean.)
<summary>Answer
μ–Έμ   β†’ μ–Έμ  κ°€ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ λ°œν‘œλ₯Ό 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
G. ν•œ ___ μ”© 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I want to take it step by step.)
<summary>Answer
걸음 β†’ ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”© 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
H. 잘 될지 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ ν•œλ²ˆ ___보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I don't know if it will work out, but I'd like to try.)
<summary>Answer
ν•΄ β†’ ν•œλ²ˆ 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
I. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ μ–΄λ–€ ___ κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”? (What goals do you have going forward?)
<summary>Answer
λͺ©ν‘œ β†’ μ•žμœΌλ‘œ μ–΄λ–€ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”?
J. ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ 곡뢀λ₯Ό κ³„μ†ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” ___ κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (I have a goal of continuing to study Korean.)
<summary>Answer
λͺ©ν‘œ β†’ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ 곡뢀λ₯Ό κ³„μ†ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”.
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Starter
Use for
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ...
Modest opener
μ‘°κΈˆμ”©...
Gradual growth
μ–Έμ  κ°€...
Vague someday
λ‚˜μ€‘μ—...
Later/someday
잘 될지 λͺ¨λ₯΄μ§€λ§Œ...
Humble uncertainty
ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”©...
Step by step
μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•΄...
Doing my best
πŸ’‘
Production Tip
Take one real goal and practice saying it three ways: (1) ~κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”, (2) ~(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”, (3) 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ ~(으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. Notice how each gets progressively more natural and humble.

Exercise 4 β€” Dialogue Completion

Fill in the missing line to complete each short conversation.
A. A: μ•žμœΌλ‘œ μ–΄λ–€ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (It's not a big dream, but I want to grow little by little.)
B. A: λ‚˜μ€‘μ— 뭐가 되고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
제 λΆ„μ•Όμ—μ„œ μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (I hope I can become an expert in my field.)
C. A: μƒˆλ‘œ 도전해보고 싢은 게 μžˆμ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
μ–Έμ  κ°€ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ λ°œν‘œλ₯Ό 해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (Someday I'd like to try giving a presentation in Korean.)
D. A: λͺ©ν‘œλ₯Ό 이룰 수 μžˆμ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
잘 될지 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•΄ λ³Όκ²Œμš”. (I don't know if it will work out, but I'll do my best.)
E. A: μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ λͺ©ν‘œλ₯Ό 이루렀고 ν•΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”© ν•΄λ³΄λ €κ³ μš”. λ„ˆλ¬΄ κΈ‰ν•˜κ²Œ ν•˜λ©΄ μ•ˆ 될 것 κ°™μ•„μ„œμš”. (I'm trying to take it step by step. I think if I rush it won't work.)
F. A: 꿈이 μžˆμ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
λ„€, 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ 이 λΆ„μ•Όμ—μ„œ μ„±μž₯ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (Yes, it's not a big dream, but I want to grow in this field.)
G. A: μš”μ¦˜ μ–΄λ–€ λͺ©ν‘œλ₯Ό μœ„ν•΄ λ…Έλ ₯ν•΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ μ‹€λ ₯을 더 ν‚€μšΈ 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. μ‘°κΈˆμ”© κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”. (I hope I can improve my Korean more. I'm studying little by little.)
H. A: λ―Έλž˜μ— λŒ€ν•΄ κ±±μ •λ˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
κ°€λ”μ€μš”. κ·Έλž˜λ„ 잘 되면 μ’‹κ² λ‹€κ³  μƒκ°ν•΄μš”. (Sometimes. But I still hope things will work out.)
I. A: 이 μΌμ—μ„œ 성곡할 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (I don't know, but I want to do my best.)
J. A: μ§€κΈˆ 제일 큰 λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ λ­μ˜ˆμš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
큰 건 μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ μ§€κΈˆ ν•˜λŠ” μΌμ—μ„œ μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜λŠ” κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. (It's not a big thing, but it's growing little by little in what I'm doing now.)
πŸ“š
Useful Phrases
Phrase
Meaning
μ•žμœΌλ‘œ μ–΄λ–€ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”?
What goals do you have?
이루닀
To achieve/accomplish
λ…Έλ ₯ν•˜λ‹€
To make an effort
λ„ˆλ¬΄ κΈ‰ν•˜κ²Œ
Too rushed
μ‹€λ ₯을 ν‚€μš°λ‹€
To build skills
λ―Έλž˜μ— λŒ€ν•΄
About the future
μ„±κ³΅ν•˜λ‹€
To succeed
μ§€κΈˆ ν•˜λŠ” 일
What I do now
πŸ’‘
Conversation Tip
When a Korean person asks about your goals, open with 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ or 잘 될지 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ. These humble openers immediately signal that you understand Korean social norms β€” and they'll be genuinely impressed.

Exercise 5 β€” Free Speaking Practice

Answer each prompt out loud in Korean. Focus on using modest, natural-sounding expressions.
A. What is one goal you have for the next year?
<summary>Suggested answer
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ μ‹€λ ₯을 μ’€ 더 ν‚€μšΈ 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (It's not a big dream, but I hope I can improve my Korean a bit more.)
B. What would you like to try someday that feels a bit challenging?
<summary>Suggested answer
μ–Έμ  κ°€ ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ 일해보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. 잘 될지 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œμš”. (Someday I'd like to try working in Korea. I don't know if it will work out though.)
C. How do you approach big goals β€” all at once or step by step?
<summary>Suggested answer
μ €λŠ” ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”© ν•˜λ €κ³  ν•΄μš”. λ„ˆλ¬΄ κΈ‰ν•˜κ²Œ ν•˜λ©΄ μ•ˆ λ˜λ”λΌκ³ μš”. (I try to take it step by step. I found that rushing doesn't work.)
D. What do you want to become an expert in, and why?
<summary>Suggested answer
제 λΆ„μ•Όμ—μ„œ μ „λ¬Έκ°€κ°€ 될 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ„ 더 잘 λ„μšΈ 수 μžˆκ±°λ“ μš”. (I hope I can become an expert in my field. The thing is, I can help people better that way.)
E. Express that you're uncertain about the future but hopeful.
<summary>Suggested answer
잘 λ μ§€λŠ” λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•˜λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (I don't know if things will work out, but I hope to do my best.)
F. Share one small, humble ambition you're working toward right now.
<summary>Suggested answer
μš”μ¦˜ μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜λ €κ³  λ…Έλ ₯ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”. 큰 건 μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œμš”. (Lately I'm trying to grow little by little. It's not a big thing though.)
G. What would make you feel like you've succeeded?
<summary>Suggested answer
μ œκ°€ ν•˜λŠ” μΌμ—μ„œ λ³΄λžŒμ„ λŠλ‚„ 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (I hope I can feel a sense of meaning in what I do.)
H. Ask a Korean person what goals they have going forward.
<summary>Suggested answer
μ•žμœΌλ‘œ μ–΄λ–€ λͺ©ν‘œκ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”? μƒˆλ‘œ 도전해보고 싢은 것도 μžˆμ–΄μš”? (What goals do you have going forward? Is there also something new you'd like to try?)
I. Say that you don't need a big dream β€” growing gradually is enough.
<summary>Suggested answer
큰 κΏˆμ€ ν•„μš” μ—†μ–΄μš”. μ‘°κΈˆμ”© μ„±μž₯ν•˜λ©΄ μΆ©λΆ„ν•΄μš”. (I don't need a big dream. Growing little by little is enough.)
J. Express your overall ambition in one modest Korean sentence.
<summary>Suggested answer
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ μ–Έμ  κ°€ 제 λΆ„μ•Όμ—μ„œ 인정받을 수 있으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. (It's not a big dream, but I hope someday I can be recognized in my field.)
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Starter
Use for
큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ...
Humble opener
잘 될지 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ§€λ§Œ...
Uncertain but hopeful
μ‘°κΈˆμ”©...
Gradually
μ–Έμ  κ°€...
Someday
ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”©...
Step by step
μ΅œμ„ μ„ λ‹€ν•΄...
Doing my best
~으면 μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”
I hope~
πŸ†
Speaking Challenge
Share three personal ambitions using the humble framework: 큰 κΏˆμ€ μ•„λ‹ˆμ§€λ§Œ + goal + (으)λ©΄ μ’‹κ² μ–΄μš”. Say all three out loud. Then try adding μ‘°κΈˆμ”© or ν•œ κ±ΈμŒμ”© to each. Notice how much more natural they sound.
λͺ©ν‘œλ₯Ό κ²Έμ†ν•˜κ²Œ ν‘œν˜„ν•  수 있으면, ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ˜ λ§ˆμŒμ„ 더 μ‰½κ²Œ 얻을 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”. ✨
Β