Archive #24

Annyeong Daily #24: answers explained

October 28, 2026 · Today covered a humble "don't mention it," fan goods, instant noodles and asking for help. You also learned when the letter ㅎ goes silent.

Want to try it first? The answers are below.Play #24

1Drama talk

You thank a friend for driving you home. They wave and say '아니야.' What do they mean?

아니야 (aniya)

No, I won't
You're wrong
Don't mention it
Not yet

Answer: Don't mention it

아니야 (aniya) literally means "No" or "It is not." But after "thank you," it means "It's nothing" or "Don't mention it." Koreans often answer thanks this way to sound humble. It says, "What I did was not a big thing." 아니야 is casual. The polite form is 아니에요 (anieyo). Example: A: 고마워 (gomawo) — "Thanks." B: 아니야, 괜찮아 (aniya, gwaenchana) — "No, it's okay." It does not mean "You're wrong" here. The tone is warm, and the speaker often smiles or waves a hand.

Casual (반말) · warm · Say it to: Friends, family, younger people you know

2K-pop

Fans queue for hours to buy official '굿즈'. What are they buying?

굿즈 [귿쯔] (gutjeu)

Concert tickets
Albums only
Snacks
Merchandise

Answer: Merchandise

굿즈 (gutjeu) comes from the English word "goods." In Korea, it means official merchandise from a group, a show or a brand. Common 굿즈 are towels, key rings, clothes, light sticks and photo cards. Fans often wait in long lines at concerts or special shops to buy them. Some items sell out very fast. Example: 콘서트에서 굿즈를 샀어요 (konseoteueseo gutjeureul sasseoyo) — "I bought merch at the concert." Albums can be part of it, but 굿즈 covers much more than albums. The English word ends in a "z" sound, and Korean writes it as 즈 (jeu).

Say it to: Anyone — it's a plain noun; your verb sets the politeness

3Food

What is 라면?

라면 (ramyeon)

Dumplings
Cold noodles
Instant noodles
Rice cakes

Answer: Instant noodles

라면 (ramyeon) usually means instant noodles in Korea. They come in a packet with dry soup powder, and many are spicy. Koreans eat them at home, at convenience stores and late at night. Many people add an egg, green onion or cheese. Korea is one of the countries that eats the most instant noodles per person. Example: 라면 끓여 줄까? (ramyeon kkeuryeo julkka?) — "Shall I make you some ramyeon?" 끓이다 (kkeurida) means "to boil." Cold noodles are a different dish: 냉면 (naengmyeon). Japanese-style fresh ramen is usually called 라멘 (ramen) in Korea.

Say it to: Anyone — it's a plain noun; your verb sets the politeness

4Grammar

You need help carrying a heavy box. How do you ask politely?

도와___. (dowa___.)

주세요
줘라
줬어요
줄게요

Answer: 주세요 — 도와주세요.

도와주세요 (dowajuseyo) means "Please help me." The pattern -아/어 주세요 means "please do this for me." First you change the verb to its -아/어 form, then you add 주세요 (juseyo, please give). 돕다 (dopda, to help) becomes 도와, so you get 도와주세요. It is polite and fits most situations. Example: 문 좀 열어 주세요 (mun jom yeoreo juseyo) — "Please open the door." 줬어요 (jwosseoyo) is past tense, "did it for me." 줄게요 (julgeyo) means "I will do it for you." 줘라 (jwora) is a plain command, too strong for asking a favor.

Polite (해요체) · Say it to: Anyone — strangers, staff, coworkers

5Hangul

How is this actually pronounced?

좋아요 [조아요]

johayo
jotayo
joayo
choayo

Answer: joayo

좋아요 (joayo) means "It's good" or "I like it." The syllable 좋 ends in ㅎ. When ㅎ is at the bottom and the next syllable starts with a silent ㅇ, the ㅎ goes silent. So 좋아요 sounds like 조아요, and we write joayo. The same rule works in 많아요 (manayo), "There are many," and 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo), "It's okay." Example: 이 노래 정말 좋아요 (i norae jeongmal joayo) — "I really like this song." "johayo" is a common learner mistake. Koreans do not say the h sound here.