Talking About Childhood Memories
How to share nostalgic memories, describe what you were like as a child, and connect through shared experiences of growing up.
Iru Helper Note
Childhood memory conversations are deeply bonding in any culture. In Korean, the key is the past tense verb ending -았/었- combined with time markers like 어릴 때 (when I was young) and nostalgic expressions like 그립다 (I miss those times).
어릴 때 친구들이랑 밖에서 노는 게 제일 좋았어요. 지금도 가끔 그때가 그리워요.
(When I was young, I loved playing outside with friends the most. I still miss those times sometimes.)
🧒 What You'll Learn Today
In this lesson, you'll learn how to share childhood memories in Korean — what you used to do, what you loved, what you were like as a child, and how to express nostalgia warmly. These conversations create genuine emotional connection with Korean speakers, especially when you share specific, personal details rather than generic responses.
📌 Childhood Memories — Key Expressions
Expression | Meaning | Notes |
어릴 때 | When I was young | Core time marker |
어렸을 때 | When I was young (alt.) | Slightly more formal |
그때가 그리워요 | I miss those times | 그립다 = to miss/long for |
추억이 있어요 | I have memories of ~ | 추억 = nostalgic memory |
~하던 기억이 있어요 | I have a memory of doing ~ | -던 = habitual past |
-곤 했어요 | I used to ~ | Habitual past action |
자주 놀았어요 | I played often | Common childhood act |
장난꾸러기였어요 | I was a mischievous kid | 장난꾸러기 = troublemaker |
수줍음이 많았어요 | I was very shy | 수줍음 = shyness |
꿈이 있었어요 | I had a dream | Childhood ambitions |
가족이랑 | With family | 이랑 = with (casual) |
동네에서 | In the neighborhood | Common play setting |
지금 생각하면 | Thinking about it now | Reflection phrase |
행복한 기억이에요 | It's a happy memory | Warm wrap-up |
💡 Key pattern: -곤 했어요 expresses something you used to do habitually as a child: 어릴 때 매일 뛰어다니곤 했어요 (I used to run around every day when I was young). It's the natural way to describe recurring childhood activities.
💬 Conversations in Action
Dialogue 1 — What were you like as a child?
A: 어릴 때 어떤 아이였어요? (What kind of child were you?)
B: 저는 많이 수줍음이 많았어요. 근데 친한 친구들이랑은 엄청 잘 놀았어요. (I was very shy. But with close friends I played really well.)
A: 지금이랑 많이 달라요? (Is it very different from now?)
B: 좀 달라요. 지금은 더 활발해진 것 같아요. (A little different. I think I've become more outgoing now.)
Dialogue 2 — Sharing a specific memory
A: 어릴 때 제일 좋았던 게 뭐예요? (What did you like most when you were young?)
B: 방학 때 할머니 집에 가는 게 제일 좋았어요. 항상 맛있는 것도 많이 해주시고요. (Going to my grandmother's house during vacation was the best. She always made lots of delicious food.)
A: 저도 그런 추억 있어요. 그때가 그리워요. (I have memories like that too. I miss those times.)
B: 맞아요. 지금 생각하면 정말 행복한 기억이에요. (Right. Thinking about it now, it's really a happy memory.)
🌏 Cultural Note — 방학 and Korean Childhood Rhythms
Korean childhood is often structured around academic rhythms — 학기 (semester) and 방학 (vacation/break, literally "release from school"). Two key breaks are 여름 방학 (summer vacation) and 겨울 방학 (winter vacation). Trips to 할머니 집 (grandmother's house) during 방학 are an iconic childhood memory for many Koreans, often described with immense warmth and nostalgia. Mentioning 방학 or asking 방학 때 뭐 했어요? (What did you do during vacation?) is a natural, warm way to connect through childhood memory conversations.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Share childhood memories using today's expressions.
A. Say "When I was young, I loved playing outside."
<summary>Answer
어릴 때 밖에서 노는 걸 정말 좋아했어요.
(When I was young, I really loved playing outside.)
</summary>
B. Say "I used to run around in the neighborhood every day."
<summary>Answer
어릴 때 동네에서 매일 뛰어다니곤 했어요.
(When I was young, I used to run around the neighborhood every day.)
</summary>
C. Say "I was a mischievous kid."
<summary>Answer
저는 장난꾸러기였어요.
(I was a mischievous kid.)
</summary>
D. Say "I was very shy when I was young."
<summary>Answer
어릴 때 수줍음이 많았어요.
(I was very shy when I was young.)
</summary>
E. Say "I miss those times."
<summary>Answer
그때가 그리워요.
(I miss those times.)
</summary>
F. Say "Going to my grandmother's house was the best."
<summary>Answer
할머니 집에 가는 게 제일 좋았어요.
(Going to my grandmother's house was the best.)
</summary>
G. Say "Thinking about it now, it's a really happy memory."
<summary>Answer
지금 생각하면 정말 행복한 기억이에요.
(Thinking about it now, it's really a happy memory.)
</summary>
H. Say "I had a dream of becoming a teacher when I was young."
<summary>Answer
어릴 때 선생님이 되고 싶다는 꿈이 있었어요.
(When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a teacher.)
</summary>
I. Ask a Korean person what they liked most when they were young.
<summary>Answer
어릴 때 제일 좋아했던 게 뭐예요?
(What did you like most when you were young?)
</summary>
J. Say "I have a memory of playing with friends in the park."
<summary>Answer
공원에서 친구들이랑 놀던 기억이 있어요.
(I have a memory of playing with friends in the park.)
</summary>
Expression Reference
Expression | Nuance/Key |
어릴 때 | When young |
-곤 했어요 | Used to~ |
그립다 | Miss/long for |
추억 | Nostalgic memory |
장난꾸러기 | Mischievous kid |
수줍음이 많다 | Very shy |
지금 생각하면 | Thinking now |
행복한 기억 | Happy memory |
Speaking Tip
-곤 했어요 is the key grammar for habitual past. Think of things you did regularly as a child and slot them in: [어릴 때] + [action verb stem] + [곤 했어요]. Practice five childhood habits using this pattern.
</summary>
Want more reps?
Think of your three most vivid childhood memories. For each, use 어릴 때, -곤 했어요, and 그때가 그리워요 in a short 2–3 sentence description. Say them out loud.
📦 Practice Hub — Childhood Memories
Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression
Pick the best word or phrase for each situation.
A. You want to say "when I was young." You say: ___ 때.
<summary>Answer
어릴 → 어릴 때 (when I was young)
B. You want to say "I miss those times." You say: 그때가 ___.
<summary>Answer
그리워요 → 그때가 그리워요 (I miss those times)
C. You want to say "I used to run around." You say: 뛰어다니___ 했어요.
<summary>Answer
곤 → 뛰어다니곤 했어요 (I used to run around)
D. You want to say "I was a mischievous kid." You say: 저는 ___ 였어요.
<summary>Answer
장난꾸러기 → 저는 장난꾸러기였어요 (I was a mischievous kid)
E. You want to say "I was very shy." You say: ___ 이 많았어요.
<summary>Answer
수줍음 → 수줍음이 많았어요 (I was very shy)
F. You want to describe a nostalgic memory. You say: 좋은 ___ 이 있어요.
<summary>Answer
추억 → 좋은 추억이 있어요 (I have a good memory/nostalgia)
G. You want to say "thinking about it now." You say: ___ 생각하면.
<summary>Answer
지금 → 지금 생각하면 (thinking about it now)
H. You want to say "it's a happy memory." You say: ___ 기억이에요.
<summary>Answer
행복한 → 행복한 기억이에요 (it's a happy memory)
I. You want to say "I had a dream." You say: 꿈이 ___ 어요.
<summary>Answer
있었 → 꿈이 있었어요 (I had a dream)
J. You want to describe playing in the neighborhood. You say: ___ 에서 놀았어요.
<summary>Answer
동네 → 동네에서 놀았어요 (I played in the neighborhood)
Quick Reference
Expression | Meaning |
어릴 때 | When young |
그리워요 | I miss it |
-곤 했어요 | Used to~ |
장난꾸러기 | Mischievous kid |
수줍음이 많다 | Very shy |
추억 | Nostalgic memory |
지금 생각하면 | Thinking now |
행복한 기억 | Happy memory |
꿈이 있었어요 | I had a dream |
동네에서 | In the neighborhood |
Pitfall
Don't confuse 기억 (a specific memory you recall) with 추억 (a nostalgic, cherished memory with warm feeling). You can recall a 기억 you don't enjoy, but 추억 always carries warmth and nostalgia. Use 추억 when sharing fond childhood moments.
Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation
Translate each sentence into natural English.
A. 어릴 때 밖에서 노는 게 정말 좋았어요.
<summary>Answer
When I was young, I really loved playing outside.
B. 어릴 때 동네에서 매일 뛰어다니곤 했어요.
<summary>Answer
When I was young, I used to run around the neighborhood every day.
C. 저는 장난꾸러기였어요.
<summary>Answer
I was a mischievous kid.
D. 어릴 때 수줍음이 많았어요.
<summary>Answer
I was very shy when I was young.
E. 그때가 그리워요.
<summary>Answer
I miss those times.
F. 방학 때 할머니 집에 가는 게 제일 좋았어요.
<summary>Answer
Going to my grandmother's house during vacation was the best.
G. 지금 생각하면 정말 행복한 기억이에요.
<summary>Answer
Thinking about it now, it's really a happy memory.
H. 어릴 때 선생님이 되고 싶다는 꿈이 있었어요.
<summary>Answer
When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a teacher.
I. 공원에서 친구들이랑 놀던 기억이 있어요.
<summary>Answer
I have a memory of playing with friends in the park.
J. 어릴 때 어떤 아이였어요?
<summary>Answer
What kind of child were you?
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Word | Meaning |
추억 | Nostalgic memory |
그립다 | To miss/long for |
방학 | School vacation |
할머니 | Grandmother |
장난꾸러기 | Mischievous kid |
수줍음 | Shyness |
동네 | Neighborhood |
꿈 | Dream |
-곤 했어요 | Used to~ |
행복한 | Happy |
Grammar Tip
-던 기억이 있어요 = I have a memory of ~ing. The -던 ending marks something that was ongoing or habitual in the past: 친구들이랑 놀던 기억 = a memory of playing with friends. It's slightly more literary and warm than just the simple past.
Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence
Fill in the blank with the correct word or ending.
A. ___ 때 밖에서 노는 게 정말 좋았어요. (When I was young, I really loved playing outside.)
<summary>Answer
어릴 → 어릴 때 밖에서 노는 게 정말 좋았어요.
B. 동네에서 매일 뛰어다니___ 했어요. (I used to run around the neighborhood every day.)
<summary>Answer
곤 → 동네에서 매일 뛰어다니곤 했어요.
C. 그때가 ___. (I miss those times.)
<summary>Answer
그리워요 → 그때가 그리워요.
D. 저는 ___ 였어요. 항상 장난을 쳤어요. (I was a mischievous kid. I always played tricks.)
<summary>Answer
장난꾸러기 → 저는 장난꾸러기였어요.
E. 어릴 때 ___ 이 많았어요. (I was very shy when I was young.)
<summary>Answer
수줍음 → 어릴 때 수줍음이 많았어요.
F. 지금 ___ 정말 행복한 기억이에요. (Thinking about it now, it's really a happy memory.)
<summary>Answer
생각하면 → 지금 생각하면 정말 행복한 기억이에요.
G. 방학 때 ___ 집에 가는 게 제일 좋았어요. (Going to my grandmother's house during vacation was the best.)
<summary>Answer
할머니 → 방학 때 할머니 집에 가는 게 제일 좋았어요.
H. 공원에서 친구들이랑 ___ 기억이 있어요. (I have a memory of playing with friends in the park.)
<summary>Answer
놀던 → 공원에서 친구들이랑 놀던 기억이 있어요.
I. 어릴 때 선생님이 되고 싶다는 ___ 이 있었어요. (When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a teacher.)
<summary>Answer
꿈 → 어릴 때 선생님이 되고 싶다는 꿈이 있었어요.
J. 어릴 때 ___ 아이였어요? (What kind of child were you?)
<summary>Answer
어떤 → 어릴 때 어떤 아이였어요?
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use for |
어릴 때... | Childhood setting |
~곤 했어요 | Habitual past |
그때가 그리워요 | Missing those times |
지금 생각하면... | Reflecting now |
방학 때... | During school break |
~던 기억이 있어요 | Memory of doing~ |
Production Tip
Use the -곤 했어요 pattern with five different childhood activities: 뛰어다니다, 놀다, 먹다, 보다, 가다. Say each sentence: "어릴 때 [verb stem]곤 했어요." This cements the habitual past pattern in your memory.
Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion
Fill in the missing line to complete each short conversation.
A. A: 어릴 때 어떤 아이였어요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
저는 장난꾸러기였어요. 항상 밖에서 뛰어다녔어요. (I was a mischievous kid. I always ran around outside.)
B. A: 어릴 때 제일 좋아했던 게 뭐예요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
방학 때 할머니 집에 가는 게 제일 좋았어요. (Going to my grandmother's house during vacation was the best.)
C. A: 어릴 때랑 지금이랑 많이 달라요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
조금 달라요. 어릴 때는 수줍음이 많았는데 지금은 더 활발해요. (A little different. I was very shy when I was young but now I'm more outgoing.)
D. A: 그때가 그립지 않아요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
네, 가끔 그리워요. 지금 생각하면 행복한 기억이에요. (Yes, I miss it sometimes. Thinking about it now, it's a happy memory.)
E. A: 어릴 때 꿈이 뭐였어요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
선생님이 되고 싶었어요. 그때는 진짜 그 꿈이 있었어요. (I wanted to become a teacher. I really had that dream back then.)
F. A: 어릴 때 어디서 많이 놀았어요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
동네 공원에서 친구들이랑 많이 놀았어요. 매일 뛰어다니곤 했어요. (I played a lot with friends at the neighborhood park. I used to run around every day.)
G. A: 좋은 어린 시절 추억이 있어요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
네, 가족이랑 여행 갔던 게 제일 좋은 추억이에요. (Yes, going on trips with my family is my best nostalgic memory.)
H. A: 어릴 때 어떤 아이들이랑 놀았어요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
동네 친구들이랑 항상 같이 놀았어요. 지금도 가끔 연락해요. (I always played with neighborhood friends. We still keep in touch sometimes.)
I. A: 어릴 때랑 지금이랑 성격이 비슷해요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
비슷한 것 같아요. 어릴 때도 사람들이랑 노는 걸 좋아했거든요. (I think it's similar. Even as a kid I liked playing with people, you see.)
J. A: 방학 때 보통 뭐 했어요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
할머니 집에 가거나 친구들이랑 밖에서 놀았어요. 그때가 정말 그리워요. (I'd go to my grandmother's house or play outside with friends. I really miss those times.)
Useful Phrases
Phrase | Meaning |
어릴 때 어떤 아이였어요? | What kind of child were you? |
그때가 그립지 않아요? | Don't you miss those times? |
좋은 추억이에요 | It's a good memory |
지금도 가끔 | Still sometimes |
~이랑 같이 | Together with~ |
그때는 진짜 | Back then, really |
연락해요 | Keep in touch |
Conversation Tip
When sharing childhood memories, specific details like 할머니 집 (grandmother's house) or 동네 공원 (neighborhood park) make your story relatable and vivid. Koreans will often respond with similar memories, creating a genuine moment of connection.
Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice
Answer each prompt out loud in Korean. Focus on genuine, natural expression.
A. What kind of child were you? Describe your personality.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 때는 수줍음이 많았어요. 그런데 친한 친구들이랑은 정말 잘 놀았어요. (I was very shy when I was young. But I played really well with close friends.)
B. What did you love doing most when you were young?
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 때 밖에서 친구들이랑 뛰어다니는 게 제일 좋았어요. (When I was young, I loved running around outside with friends the most.)
C. Describe something you used to do habitually as a child.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 때 동네에서 매일 자전거를 타곤 했어요. (When I was young, I used to ride bikes in the neighborhood every day.)
D. Share a specific happy childhood memory.
<summary>Suggested answer
방학 때 할머니 집에 가던 기억이 있어요. 항상 맛있는 걸 만들어 주셨거든요. (I have a memory of going to my grandmother's house during vacation. She always made delicious things for me.)
E. Do you miss your childhood? Express that feeling in Korean.
<summary>Suggested answer
가끔 어릴 때가 그리워요. 지금 생각하면 정말 행복한 시간이었어요. (Sometimes I miss being young. Thinking about it now, it was really a happy time.)
F. What was your childhood dream?
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 때 의사가 되고 싶다는 꿈이 있었어요. 사람들을 돕고 싶었거든요. (When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a doctor. The thing is, I wanted to help people.)
G. How are you different now compared to when you were a child?
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 때는 많이 수줍음이 많았는데 지금은 더 활발해진 것 같아요. (I was very shy when I was young, but now I think I've become more outgoing.)
H. Describe where you used to play as a child.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 때 동네 공원에서 친구들이랑 많이 놀았어요. 거기서 매일 뛰어다니곤 했어요. (When I was young, I played a lot with friends at the neighborhood park. I used to run around there every day.)
I. Ask a Korean person about their favorite childhood memory.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 때 제일 좋았던 기억이 뭐예요? 그때가 그립지 않아요? (What's your favorite childhood memory? Don't you miss those times?)
J. Describe your childhood in one or two sentences.
<summary>Suggested answer
어릴 때 친구들이랑 밖에서 노는 걸 정말 좋아했어요. 지금도 그때가 가끔 그리워요. (When I was young, I really loved playing outside with friends. I still miss those times sometimes.)
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use for |
어릴 때는... | As a child |
~곤 했어요 | Used to~ |
그때가 그리워요 | I miss those times |
지금 생각하면... | Thinking back now |
~던 기억이 있어요 | I have a memory of |
꿈이 있었어요 | I had a dream |
지금은 더... | Now I'm more~ |
Speaking Challenge
Tell a 45-second "childhood story" using: 어릴 때, -곤 했어요, 추억, 그때가 그리워요, and 지금 생각하면. Make it personal — your most vivid memory. Say it three times until it flows naturally.
어릴 때 이야기를 한국어로 나눌 수 있으면, 진심 어린 감동적인 대화를 만들 수 있어요. ✨
Made with Bullet