Others say...

"Making Out Rocks"
When I opened up "Making Out in Korean", I opened up to the pages that told me what to say when getting lucky with a lady. I found a lot of the phrases useful and modern, unlike a lot of other Korean phrase books out there. Of course everyone wants to know how to say, "F*** You!" in a different language, but then again we all need to know how to say "You better use a condom!"

It's a useful tool, but you need to incorporate other tools to fully get a grasp on learning the language. Listening to Pimsleur's Korean CD's will teach you nothing but formal conversational tools, so it's good to always add both levels of respect (while speaking) in your vocab!

"Easy to follow"
This is so far the easiest book I have found to be
able to translate from Korean to English. It is really not a text type book. I believe it is more
for just understanding everyday language expressions
better. If you watch any of the Korean Series you
can pick up on some of the language a little better.

I do not speak the language at all and
I find it helpful. Probably a great book to take with
if you are traveling to Korea. (PLEASE NOTE: This
book does have word explanations that I don't think
are suitable for Under Age of 17)


"Fun book"
If you only want to buy one Korean phrasebook, then this isn't the one for you. If you're a beginning student of Korean and want something to flip through, then this book can be useful. It all boils down to Chapter 13 - "Lover's Language". My Korean girlfriend had a lot of fun reading through that chapter, and I was doubled over in laughter due to the suprise of what she was saying--and she knew what she was saying because everything is written in English and Korean (using hangul and two romanization forms). Speaking of hangul, just go ahead and learn it--it's easier than the alphabet, and you may actually be understood when you use the book.

"Fun and Helpful"
I got this book from a friend, and I must say it is a welcome addition to my library. The first few chapters are useless to me, as a high-beginner student of Korean, but the last half of the book is priceless.

The curses and lover's language sections contain phrases that you won't find in any other book (although you can find them all on the Internet rather easily).

This book has provided many laughs when I take it out after a few drinks at the bar with some Korean friends and innocently begin to "practice my Korean". Many of the phrases are actually helpful in the bedroom, as well.

I would say that anyone looking for a general phrase book should look elsewhere, but anyone looking for a fun, light-hearted primer, this is the way to go. Word of Caution: the explanation of Hangeul pronunciation in introduction couldn't possibly be more wrong. My eyes popped out of my head upong seeing that "eo" is pronounced like the "ur" in "turd", and "o" like the "a" in "fall". Couldn't be more wrong. So, learn the alphabet before buying this book.

"Almost Useless"
I like languages but, in general, I have little regard for phrase books. Occasionally, though, they can prove useful. This one is less useful than usual.

The title made me think in terms of "just getting by". Since that's about all phrasebooks are good for, it is accurate in this respect. Making out, however, has a different meaning in this title. It refers to making out in the sense of a couple of teenagers in the back seat of a car. This takes up relatively little space in the book; it's just a section toward the end. Most of the book is a garden variety, less comprehensive than most, phrasebook.

All of 6 pages are given over to grammar and teaching the script. The remainder is a compendium of phrases grouped according to topic. Some of the phrases are useful. Most are less so. As a man of the cloth, "I don't like wearing a condom" is not a subject which comes up, so to speak, very often.

This will not teach the language. Phrasebooks are not useful for that. This one will not present much in the way of useful phrases either.