Korean grammar by level

Jireader's stories follow a fixed grammar syllabus of 216 patterns across five levels, TOPIK 1 to TOPIK 5. Each pattern below has its meaning, an example sentence from a story that teaches it, and links to the stories whose grammar notes cover it.

Level 1 · TOPIK 1 (초급): 44 patterns

In teaching order. Read them in context in the Level 1 stories.

Level 2 · TOPIK 2 (초중급): 44 patterns

In teaching order. Read them in context in the Level 2 stories.

Level 3 · TOPIK 3 (중급): 44 patterns

In teaching order. Read them in context in the Level 3 stories.

Level 4 · TOPIK 4 (중고급): 44 patterns

In teaching order. Read them in context in the Level 4 stories.

Level 5 · TOPIK 5 (고급): 40 patterns

In teaching order. Read them in context in the Level 5 stories.

-기로서니 (just because)

even granting that, just because

아무리 쉬는 날이기로서니 회사 일정표대로 움직여야 하느냐고 그는 비웃었다.

Even granting it was a day off, must they move to the company's schedule? he scoffed.

From 명치에 얹힌 것 (The Weight in His Gut)

Also in: 그 여름 이후

자유간접화법 (free indirect style)

narration voiced through a character's thought, no quotes

룸메이트와 다투며 밤을 지새우던 그 좁은 방이, 어느새 아득한 남의 일처럼 느껴졌다.

The cramped room where she used to stay up quarreling with her roommate now felt, before she knew it, as distant as someone else's story.

From 남의 집을 지키던 사람 (The Keeper of Other People's Houses)

Also in: 십 년 뒤의 가위바위보, 서리 걷힌 아침, 무대 위의 제왕, 내 몫의 바다 and 3 more

장단 리듬 (long/short sentence rhythm)

deliberate long-then-short sentence rhythm

화면을 넘기고 또 넘겨도 좀처럼 잡히지 않던 무언가가, 짝꿍의 한마디에 불현듯 모습을 드러냈다. 그렇지, 축제였다.

Something that would not be caught however she flipped the screen suddenly showed itself at her deskmate's remark. That was it — the festival.

From 붓과 탈 (The Brush and the Mask)

Also in: 곁에 있던 아군, 얇은 봉투, 북과 기타, 삼촌이 못 여는 자물쇠 and 4 more