TOPIK 1 Vocabulary Sets You Must Know for the Exam
When preparing for the TOPIK 1 (Test of Proficiency in Korean), building a strong vocabulary is essential. The test covers everyday topics such as school, transportation, shopping, and family life. In this article, we will look at 10–12 useful vocabulary words grouped by theme and explore how they appear in reading, listening, and writing questions.
✨ Our TOPIK 1 Essential Book covers grammar, vocabulary, and practice questions step by step.
Vocabulary Set: Daily Life and Transportation
| 한국어 | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| 학교 | school |
| 은행 | bank |
| 병원 | hospital |
| 집 | house, home |
| 버스 | bus |
| 지하철 | subway |
| 가깝다 | to be close |
| 멀다 | to be far |
| 기다리다 | to wait |
| 자주 | often |
| 가끔 | sometimes |
| 항상 | always |
Example Sentences with Translations
- 학교가 집에서 가깝습니다.
→ The school is close to my house. - 저는 은행에서 돈을 찾습니다.
→ I withdraw money at the bank. - 내일 병원에 가야 합니다.
→ I have to go to the hospital tomorrow. - 주말에는 집에서 쉽니다.
→ I rest at home on weekends. - 저는 버스를 자주 탑니다.
→ I often take the bus. - 회사가 멀어서 지하철을 탑니다.
→ Because my office is far, I take the subway. - 친구를 한 시간 동안 기다렸습니다.
→ I waited for my friend for an hour. - 저는 가끔 저녁에 도서관에 갑니다.
→ I sometimes go to the library in the evening.
How Vocabulary Appears in Reading Questions
TOPIK 1 reading often provides a short sentence with a blank. Test-takers must choose the most natural word.
Example Question:
집에서 은행이 ( ). 집 앞에 있습니다.
① 넓습니다 ② 가깝습니다 ③ 깨끗합니다 ④ 시원합니다
✅ Correct Answer: ② 가깝습니다
This type of question checks whether you can connect everyday places with appropriate descriptive vocabulary.
How Vocabulary Appears in Listening Questions
In listening tasks, you often hear short conversations about location, time, or activities. Words like 버스, 지하철, 기다리다 help you identify the correct answer.
Example Question:
저는 보통 버스를 탑니다. ( ) 지하철을 탑니다.
① 가끔 ② 빨리 ③ 아주 ④ 항상
✅ Correct Answer: ① 가끔
Listening questions usually test your ability to recognize adverbs of frequency and their natural collocations with verbs.
How Vocabulary Appears in Writing Questions
In the writing section, you might be asked to complete a sentence using the right word. Here, verbs such as 기다리다 and nouns like 학교, 집 are common.
Example Question:
형이 아직 안 왔습니다. 형을 （ ）.
① 압니다 ② 보냅니다 ③ 기다립니다 ④ 가르칩니다
✅ Correct Answer: ③ 기다립니다
This checks your ability to match verbs with the correct context.
Why These Words Matter
These simple but essential words appear across all parts of the TOPIK 1 exam. By mastering them, you improve your accuracy not only in multiple-choice sections but also in short writing and listening tasks. The key is to practice these words in context, not just memorize them.
✅ Conclusion
TOPIK 1 may seem basic, but vocabulary plays the biggest role in passing the exam. Focus on learning daily life words and how they naturally appear in test questions. Practice with sample problems, and you’ll quickly see improvement.
👉 Start reviewing these words today, and get closer to your TOPIK goals!
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✨ Our TOPIK 1 Essential Book covers grammar, vocabulary, and practice questions step by step.
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