[One Thousand Characters a Day] Han Seokjun's Speaking Class <3>

Editor's NoteWe speak every day as we go about our lives. Because of this, there are times when we are hurt by someone else's words, or we unintentionally hurt others with our own. There are also plenty of situations in which speaking feels difficult or awkward-when family or friends ignore our opinions, when we need to give advice to a friend or a junior colleague, when we are distressed by an overbearing boss, or when we have to refuse a difficult request. Han Seokjun, an announcer who has spent 24 years working in the field of speech, says this: "A good speaker is not just someone with excellent speaking skills. A good speaker is someone who can read the context and speak at the right moment, clearly communicate their thoughts in any situation, and understand the intentions of the other person during a conversation." (843 characters)

If it's a friend, a close acquaintance, or a coworker, there are often occasions to exchange gifts. If you receive a gift from someone, try saying, "Thank you so much! I'll make good use of it," instead of, "Why did you go to all this trouble?" This will make the giver feel much happier.

There are places where it's especially good to express gratitude frequently-places where someone provides you with a service, such as shops, restaurants, or cafes. When you buy something, as you receive the item; when you leave a restaurant after a meal; or when you get your coffee at a cafe, saying "Thank you" can brighten the mood for both the giver and the receiver.

Surprisingly, many people find it awkward to say these words out loud. If a simple "thank you" can lift everyone's spirits and make the world a little brighter, why should such a small gesture or greeting be so difficult? In particular, expressing gratitude in unexpected situations elevates the speaker's character.

As an additional note, "gamsahamnida" is not an honorific form of "gomapseumnida." "Gamsahamnida" is formed by adding the verb ending "-hada" to the Sino-Korean word "gamsa" (meaning gratitude). In Korean, there are many verbs created by adding the suffix "-hada" to Sino-Korean words, such as "chulbalhada" (to depart), "siksahada" (to dine), "dokseohada" (to read), "insahada" (to greet), and "bangmunhada" (to visit), among countless others. In other words, "gamsahamnida" is a Sino-Korean word, while "gomapseumnida" is a pure Korean word.

For this reason, veteran announcer Kim Donggun has emphasized to his juniors that, as announcers, they should use the pure Korean "gomapseumnida" rather than "gamsahamnida."

From now on, whenever you get the chance, try saying "gomapseumnida" to express your gratitude. When you receive a gift, above all else, the first thing you should say is "gomapseumnida."

-Han Seokjun, , Influential, 16,800 KRW

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.