πŸ‘Ά

Talking About Your Childhood Memories

Agent Progress
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Keywords
어릴 적 μΆ”μ–΅
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Intermediate Speaking
πŸ§’
Talking About Childhood Memories
How to share nostalgic memories, describe what you were like as a child, and connect through shared experiences of growing up.
πŸ”Š
Iru Helper Note
Childhood memory conversations are deeply bonding in any culture. In Korean, the key is the past tense verb ending -μ•˜/μ—ˆ- combined with time markers like 어릴 λ•Œ (when I was young) and nostalgic expressions like 그립닀 (I miss those times).
어릴 λ•Œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ°–μ—μ„œ λ…ΈλŠ” 게 제일 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”. μ§€κΈˆλ„ 가끔 κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”.
(When I was young, I loved playing outside with friends the most. I still miss those times sometimes.)
Β 

πŸ§’ What You'll Learn Today

In this lesson, you'll learn how to share childhood memories in Korean β€” what you used to do, what you loved, what you were like as a child, and how to express nostalgia warmly. These conversations create genuine emotional connection with Korean speakers, especially when you share specific, personal details rather than generic responses.

πŸ“Œ Childhood Memories β€” Key Expressions

Expression
Meaning
Notes
어릴 λ•Œ
When I was young
Core time marker
어렸을 λ•Œ
When I was young (alt.)
Slightly more formal
κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”
I miss those times
그립닀 = to miss/long for
좔얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”
I have memories of ~
μΆ”μ–΅ = nostalgic memory
~ν•˜λ˜ 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”
I have a memory of doing ~
-던 = habitual past
-κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”
I used to ~
Habitual past action
자주 λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”
I played often
Common childhood act
μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°μ˜€μ–΄μš”
I was a mischievous kid
μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ° = troublemaker
수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš”
I was very shy
수쀍음 = shyness
꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”
I had a dream
Childhood ambitions
κ°€μ‘±μ΄λž‘
With family
μ΄λž‘ = with (casual)
λ™λ„€μ—μ„œ
In the neighborhood
Common play setting
μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄
Thinking about it now
Reflection phrase
ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”
It's a happy memory
Warm wrap-up
πŸ’‘ Key pattern: -κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš” expresses something you used to do habitually as a child: 어릴 λ•Œ 맀일 λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆκ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš” (I used to run around every day when I was young). It's the natural way to describe recurring childhood activities.

πŸ’¬ Conversations in Action

Dialogue 1 β€” What were you like as a child?
A: 어릴 λ•Œ μ–΄λ–€ μ•„μ΄μ˜€μ–΄μš”? (What kind of child were you?)
B: μ €λŠ” 많이 수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš”. 근데 μΉœν•œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘μ€ μ—„μ²­ 잘 λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (I was very shy. But with close friends I played really well.)
A: μ§€κΈˆμ΄λž‘ 많이 λ‹¬λΌμš”? (Is it very different from now?)
B: μ’€ λ‹¬λΌμš”. μ§€κΈˆμ€ 더 ν™œλ°œν•΄μ§„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. (A little different. I think I've become more outgoing now.)
Dialogue 2 β€” Sharing a specific memory
A: 어릴 λ•Œ 제일 μ’‹μ•˜λ˜ 게 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? (What did you like most when you were young?)
B: λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집에 κ°€λŠ” 게 제일 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”. 항상 λ§›μžˆλŠ” 것도 많이 ν•΄μ£Όμ‹œκ³ μš”. (Going to my grandmother's house during vacation was the best. She always made lots of delicious food.)
A: 저도 그런 μΆ”μ–΅ μžˆμ–΄μš”. κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”. (I have memories like that too. I miss those times.)
B: λ§žμ•„μš”. μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄ 정말 ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”. (Right. Thinking about it now, it's really a happy memory.)

🌏 Cultural Note β€” λ°©ν•™ and Korean Childhood Rhythms

Korean childhood is often structured around academic rhythms β€” ν•™κΈ° (semester) and λ°©ν•™ (vacation/break, literally "release from school"). Two key breaks are 여름 λ°©ν•™ (summer vacation) and 겨울 λ°©ν•™ (winter vacation). Trips to ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집 (grandmother's house) during λ°©ν•™ are an iconic childhood memory for many Koreans, often described with immense warmth and nostalgia. Mentioning λ°©ν•™ or asking λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ 뭐 ν–ˆμ–΄μš”? (What did you do during vacation?) is a natural, warm way to connect through childhood memory conversations.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Share childhood memories using today's expressions.
A. Say "When I was young, I loved playing outside."
<summary>Answer
어릴 λ•Œ λ°–μ—μ„œ λ…ΈλŠ” κ±Έ 정말 μ’‹μ•„ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
(When I was young, I really loved playing outside.)
</summary>
B. Say "I used to run around in the neighborhood every day."
<summary>Answer
어릴 λ•Œ λ™λ„€μ—μ„œ 맀일 λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆκ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
(When I was young, I used to run around the neighborhood every day.)
</summary>
C. Say "I was a mischievous kid."
<summary>Answer
μ €λŠ” μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°μ˜€μ–΄μš”.
(I was a mischievous kid.)
</summary>
D. Say "I was very shy when I was young."
<summary>Answer
어릴 λ•Œ 수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš”.
(I was very shy when I was young.)
</summary>
E. Say "I miss those times."
<summary>Answer
κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”.
(I miss those times.)
</summary>
F. Say "Going to my grandmother's house was the best."
<summary>Answer
ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집에 κ°€λŠ” 게 제일 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”.
(Going to my grandmother's house was the best.)
</summary>
G. Say "Thinking about it now, it's a really happy memory."
<summary>Answer
μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄ 정말 ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”.
(Thinking about it now, it's really a happy memory.)
</summary>
H. Say "I had a dream of becoming a teacher when I was young."
<summary>Answer
어릴 λ•Œ μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 되고 μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” 꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
(When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a teacher.)
</summary>
I. Ask a Korean person what they liked most when they were young.
<summary>Answer
어릴 λ•Œ 제일 μ’‹μ•„ν–ˆλ˜ 게 λ­μ˜ˆμš”?
(What did you like most when you were young?)
</summary>
J. Say "I have a memory of playing with friends in the park."
<summary>Answer
κ³΅μ›μ—μ„œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ†€λ˜ 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
(I have a memory of playing with friends in the park.)
</summary>
πŸ“š
Expression Reference
Expression
Nuance/Key
어릴 λ•Œ
When young
-κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”
Used to~
그립닀
Miss/long for
μΆ”μ–΅
Nostalgic memory
μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°
Mischievous kid
수쀍음이 λ§Žλ‹€
Very shy
μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄
Thinking now
ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅
Happy memory
πŸ’‘
Speaking Tip
-κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš” is the key grammar for habitual past. Think of things you did regularly as a child and slot them in: [어릴 λ•Œ] + [action verb stem] + [κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”]. Practice five childhood habits using this pattern.
</summary>
πŸ”
Want more reps?
Think of your three most vivid childhood memories. For each, use 어릴 λ•Œ, -κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”, and κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš” in a short 2–3 sentence description. Say them out loud.
Β 

πŸ“¦ Practice Hub β€” Childhood Memories

Exercise 1 β€” Choose the Right Expression

Pick the best word or phrase for each situation.
A. You want to say "when I was young." You say: ___ λ•Œ.
<summary>Answer
어릴 β†’ 어릴 λ•Œ (when I was young)
B. You want to say "I miss those times." You say: κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ ___.
<summary>Answer
κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš” β†’ κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš” (I miss those times)
C. You want to say "I used to run around." You say: λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆ___ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
κ³€ β†’ λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆκ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš” (I used to run around)
D. You want to say "I was a mischievous kid." You say: μ €λŠ” ___ μ˜€μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ° β†’ μ €λŠ” μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°μ˜€μ–΄μš” (I was a mischievous kid)
E. You want to say "I was very shy." You say: ___ 이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
수쀍음 β†’ 수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš” (I was very shy)
F. You want to describe a nostalgic memory. You say: 쒋은 ___ 이 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
μΆ”μ–΅ β†’ 쒋은 좔얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš” (I have a good memory/nostalgia)
G. You want to say "thinking about it now." You say: ___ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄.
<summary>Answer
μ§€κΈˆ β†’ μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄ (thinking about it now)
H. You want to say "it's a happy memory." You say: ___ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”.
<summary>Answer
ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ β†’ ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš” (it's a happy memory)
I. You want to say "I had a dream." You say: 꿈이 ___ μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
μžˆμ—ˆ β†’ 꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš” (I had a dream)
J. You want to describe playing in the neighborhood. You say: ___ μ—μ„œ λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
동넀 β†’ λ™λ„€μ—μ„œ λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš” (I played in the neighborhood)
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
Expression
Meaning
어릴 λ•Œ
When young
κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”
I miss it
-κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”
Used to~
μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°
Mischievous kid
수쀍음이 λ§Žλ‹€
Very shy
μΆ”μ–΅
Nostalgic memory
μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄
Thinking now
ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅
Happy memory
꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”
I had a dream
λ™λ„€μ—μ„œ
In the neighborhood
⚠️
Pitfall
Don't confuse κΈ°μ–΅ (a specific memory you recall) with μΆ”μ–΅ (a nostalgic, cherished memory with warm feeling). You can recall a κΈ°μ–΅ you don't enjoy, but μΆ”μ–΅ always carries warmth and nostalgia. Use μΆ”μ–΅ when sharing fond childhood moments.

Exercise 2 β€” Korean β†’ English Translation

Translate each sentence into natural English.
A. 어릴 λ•Œ λ°–μ—μ„œ λ…ΈλŠ” 게 정말 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
When I was young, I really loved playing outside.
B. 어릴 λ•Œ λ™λ„€μ—μ„œ 맀일 λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆκ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
When I was young, I used to run around the neighborhood every day.
C. μ €λŠ” μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°μ˜€μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I was a mischievous kid.
D. 어릴 λ•Œ 수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I was very shy when I was young.
E. κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”.
<summary>Answer
I miss those times.
F. λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집에 κ°€λŠ” 게 제일 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
Going to my grandmother's house during vacation was the best.
G. μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄ 정말 ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”.
<summary>Answer
Thinking about it now, it's really a happy memory.
H. 어릴 λ•Œ μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 되고 μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” 꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a teacher.
I. κ³΅μ›μ—μ„œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ†€λ˜ 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
I have a memory of playing with friends in the park.
J. 어릴 λ•Œ μ–΄λ–€ μ•„μ΄μ˜€μ–΄μš”?
<summary>Answer
What kind of child were you?
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Word
Meaning
μΆ”μ–΅
Nostalgic memory
그립닀
To miss/long for
λ°©ν•™
School vacation
ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ
Grandmother
μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°
Mischievous kid
수쀍음
Shyness
동넀
Neighborhood
꿈
Dream
-κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”
Used to~
ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ
Happy
πŸ’‘
Grammar Tip
-던 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš” = I have a memory of ~ing. The -던 ending marks something that was ongoing or habitual in the past: μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ†€λ˜ κΈ°μ–΅ = a memory of playing with friends. It's slightly more literary and warm than just the simple past.

Exercise 3 β€” Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the correct word or ending.
A. ___ λ•Œ λ°–μ—μ„œ λ…ΈλŠ” 게 정말 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (When I was young, I really loved playing outside.)
<summary>Answer
어릴 β†’ 어릴 λ•Œ λ°–μ—μ„œ λ…ΈλŠ” 게 정말 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”.
B. λ™λ„€μ—μ„œ 맀일 λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆ___ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (I used to run around the neighborhood every day.)
<summary>Answer
κ³€ β†’ λ™λ„€μ—μ„œ 맀일 λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆκ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.
C. κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ ___. (I miss those times.)
<summary>Answer
κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš” β†’ κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”.
D. μ €λŠ” ___ μ˜€μ–΄μš”. 항상 μž₯λ‚œμ„ μ³€μ–΄μš”. (I was a mischievous kid. I always played tricks.)
<summary>Answer
μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ° β†’ μ €λŠ” μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°μ˜€μ–΄μš”.
E. 어릴 λ•Œ ___ 이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš”. (I was very shy when I was young.)
<summary>Answer
수쀍음 β†’ 어릴 λ•Œ 수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš”.
F. μ§€κΈˆ ___ 정말 ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”. (Thinking about it now, it's really a happy memory.)
<summary>Answer
μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄ β†’ μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄ 정말 ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”.
G. λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ ___ 집에 κ°€λŠ” 게 제일 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (Going to my grandmother's house during vacation was the best.)
<summary>Answer
ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ β†’ λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집에 κ°€λŠ” 게 제일 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”.
H. κ³΅μ›μ—μ„œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ ___ 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (I have a memory of playing with friends in the park.)
<summary>Answer
λ†€λ˜ β†’ κ³΅μ›μ—μ„œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ†€λ˜ 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
I. 어릴 λ•Œ μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 되고 μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” ___ 이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a teacher.)
<summary>Answer
꿈 β†’ 어릴 λ•Œ μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 되고 μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” 꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
J. 어릴 λ•Œ ___ μ•„μ΄μ˜€μ–΄μš”? (What kind of child were you?)
<summary>Answer
μ–΄λ–€ β†’ 어릴 λ•Œ μ–΄λ–€ μ•„μ΄μ˜€μ–΄μš”?
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Starter
Use for
어릴 λ•Œ...
Childhood setting
~κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”
Habitual past
κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”
Missing those times
μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄...
Reflecting now
λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ...
During school break
~던 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”
Memory of doing~
πŸ’‘
Production Tip
Use the -κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš” pattern with five different childhood activities: λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆλ‹€, 놀닀, λ¨Ήλ‹€, 보닀, κ°€λ‹€. Say each sentence: "어릴 λ•Œ [verb stem]κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”." This cements the habitual past pattern in your memory.

Exercise 4 β€” Dialogue Completion

Fill in the missing line to complete each short conversation.
A. A: 어릴 λ•Œ μ–΄λ–€ μ•„μ΄μ˜€μ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
μ €λŠ” μž₯λ‚œκΎΈλŸ¬κΈ°μ˜€μ–΄μš”. 항상 λ°–μ—μ„œ λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ…”μ–΄μš”. (I was a mischievous kid. I always ran around outside.)
B. A: 어릴 λ•Œ 제일 μ’‹μ•„ν–ˆλ˜ 게 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집에 κ°€λŠ” 게 제일 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (Going to my grandmother's house during vacation was the best.)
C. A: 어릴 λ•Œλž‘ μ§€κΈˆμ΄λž‘ 많이 λ‹¬λΌμš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
쑰금 λ‹¬λΌμš”. 어릴 λ•ŒλŠ” 수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜λŠ”λ° μ§€κΈˆμ€ 더 ν™œλ°œν•΄μš”. (A little different. I was very shy when I was young but now I'm more outgoing.)
D. A: κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ 그립지 μ•Šμ•„μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
λ„€, 가끔 κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”. μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄ ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ κΈ°μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”. (Yes, I miss it sometimes. Thinking about it now, it's a happy memory.)
E. A: 어릴 λ•Œ 꿈이 λ­μ˜€μ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 되고 μ‹Άμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” μ§„μ§œ κ·Έ 꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (I wanted to become a teacher. I really had that dream back then.)
F. A: 어릴 λ•Œ μ–΄λ””μ„œ 많이 λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
동넀 κ³΅μ›μ—μ„œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ 많이 λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”. 맀일 λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆκ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (I played a lot with friends at the neighborhood park. I used to run around every day.)
G. A: 쒋은 μ–΄λ¦° μ‹œμ ˆ 좔얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
λ„€, κ°€μ‘±μ΄λž‘ μ—¬ν–‰ κ°”λ˜ 게 제일 쒋은 μΆ”μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”. (Yes, going on trips with my family is my best nostalgic memory.)
H. A: 어릴 λ•Œ μ–΄λ–€ μ•„μ΄λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
동넀 μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ 항상 같이 λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”. μ§€κΈˆλ„ 가끔 μ—°λ½ν•΄μš”. (I always played with neighborhood friends. We still keep in touch sometimes.)
I. A: 어릴 λ•Œλž‘ μ§€κΈˆμ΄λž‘ 성격이 λΉ„μŠ·ν•΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
λΉ„μŠ·ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. 어릴 λ•Œλ„ μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ΄λž‘ λ…ΈλŠ” κ±Έ μ’‹μ•„ν–ˆκ±°λ“ μš”. (I think it's similar. Even as a kid I liked playing with people, you see.)
J. A: λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ 보톡 뭐 ν–ˆμ–΄μš”? B: ___
<summary>Answer
ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집에 κ°€κ±°λ‚˜ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ°–μ—μ„œ λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”. κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ 정말 κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”. (I'd go to my grandmother's house or play outside with friends. I really miss those times.)
πŸ“š
Useful Phrases
Phrase
Meaning
어릴 λ•Œ μ–΄λ–€ μ•„μ΄μ˜€μ–΄μš”?
What kind of child were you?
κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ 그립지 μ•Šμ•„μš”?
Don't you miss those times?
쒋은 μΆ”μ–΅μ΄μ—μš”
It's a good memory
μ§€κΈˆλ„ 가끔
Still sometimes
~μ΄λž‘ 같이
Together with~
κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” μ§„μ§œ
Back then, really
μ—°λ½ν•΄μš”
Keep in touch
πŸ’‘
Conversation Tip
When sharing childhood memories, specific details like ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집 (grandmother's house) or 동넀 곡원 (neighborhood park) make your story relatable and vivid. Koreans will often respond with similar memories, creating a genuine moment of connection.

Exercise 5 β€” Free Speaking Practice

Answer each prompt out loud in Korean. Focus on genuine, natural expression.
A. What kind of child were you? Describe your personality.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 λ•ŒλŠ” 수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜μ–΄μš”. 그런데 μΉœν•œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘μ€ 정말 잘 λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (I was very shy when I was young. But I played really well with close friends.)
B. What did you love doing most when you were young?
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 λ•Œ λ°–μ—μ„œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆλŠ” 게 제일 μ’‹μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (When I was young, I loved running around outside with friends the most.)
C. Describe something you used to do habitually as a child.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 λ•Œ λ™λ„€μ—μ„œ 맀일 μžμ „κ±°λ₯Ό 타곀 ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (When I was young, I used to ride bikes in the neighborhood every day.)
D. Share a specific happy childhood memory.
<summary>Suggested answer
λ°©ν•™ λ•Œ ν• λ¨Έλ‹ˆ 집에 κ°€λ˜ 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”. 항상 λ§›μžˆλŠ” κ±Έ λ§Œλ“€μ–΄ μ£Όμ…¨κ±°λ“ μš”. (I have a memory of going to my grandmother's house during vacation. She always made delicious things for me.)
E. Do you miss your childhood? Express that feeling in Korean.
<summary>Suggested answer
가끔 어릴 λ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”. μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄ 정말 ν–‰λ³΅ν•œ μ‹œκ°„μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (Sometimes I miss being young. Thinking about it now, it was really a happy time.)
F. What was your childhood dream?
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 λ•Œ μ˜μ‚¬κ°€ 되고 μ‹Άλ‹€λŠ” 꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ„ 돕고 μ‹Άμ—ˆκ±°λ“ μš”. (When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a doctor. The thing is, I wanted to help people.)
G. How are you different now compared to when you were a child?
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 λ•ŒλŠ” 많이 수쀍음이 λ§Žμ•˜λŠ”λ° μ§€κΈˆμ€ 더 ν™œλ°œν•΄μ§„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. (I was very shy when I was young, but now I think I've become more outgoing.)
H. Describe where you used to play as a child.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 λ•Œ 동넀 κ³΅μ›μ—μ„œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ 많이 λ†€μ•˜μ–΄μš”. κ±°κΈ°μ„œ 맀일 λ›°μ–΄λ‹€λ‹ˆκ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (When I was young, I played a lot with friends at the neighborhood park. I used to run around there every day.)
I. Ask a Korean person about their favorite childhood memory.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 λ•Œ 제일 μ’‹μ•˜λ˜ 기얡이 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ 그립지 μ•Šμ•„μš”? (What's your favorite childhood memory? Don't you miss those times?)
J. Describe your childhood in one or two sentences.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 λ•Œ μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄λž‘ λ°–μ—μ„œ λ…ΈλŠ” κ±Έ 정말 μ’‹μ•„ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. μ§€κΈˆλ„ κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ 가끔 κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”. (When I was young, I really loved playing outside with friends. I still miss those times sometimes.)
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Starter
Use for
어릴 λ•ŒλŠ”...
As a child
~κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”
Used to~
κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”
I miss those times
μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄...
Thinking back now
~던 기얡이 μžˆμ–΄μš”
I have a memory of
꿈이 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”
I had a dream
μ§€κΈˆμ€ 더...
Now I'm more~
πŸ†
Speaking Challenge
Tell a 45-second "childhood story" using: 어릴 λ•Œ, -κ³€ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”, μΆ”μ–΅, κ·Έλ•Œκ°€ κ·Έλ¦¬μ›Œμš”, and μ§€κΈˆ μƒκ°ν•˜λ©΄. Make it personal β€” your most vivid memory. Say it three times until it flows naturally.
어릴 λ•Œ 이야기λ₯Ό ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ λ‚˜λˆŒ 수 있으면, 진심 μ–΄λ¦° 감동적인 λŒ€ν™”λ₯Ό λ§Œλ“€ 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”. ✨
Β