Korean for Intermediate Learners: Discussing Government Food Regulations
Learn key Korean phrases and patterns to talk about food laws, bans, and labeling rules in everyday conversation.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to discuss government regulations on food in Korean at an intermediate level. Unlike talking about food trends, this lesson focuses on laws, bans, and labeling requirements. You will practice essential vocabulary such as 규제 (gyuje, regulation), 금지 (geumji, prohibition), and 표시 (pyosi, labeling), and use patterns like -도록 하다 (to ensure/make sure) and -에 따라 (according to). By the end, you will be able to ask and answer questions about what is allowed or prohibited, and express opinions on food safety policies. The dialogue and examples are set in a conversation between two friends, but the language is also suitable for formal discussions. Pay attention to the difference between legal requirements and general advice, and use the provided pronunciation guides to speak clearly.
By the end, you can…
- ask and answer questions about government food regulations using key vocabulary.
- use patterns like -도록 하다 and -에 따라 to discuss laws and their effects.
- express agreement or disagreement about food safety rules in Korean.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
정부는 식품 첨가물을 규제하고 있어요.
The government is regulating food additives.
jeong-bu-neun sik-pum cheom-ga-mul-eul gyu-je-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Use this to state a general fact about government action. The verb 규제하다 means 'to regulate'.
이 성분은 사용이 금지되어 있어요.
This ingredient is prohibited from use.
i seong-bun-eun sa-yong-i geum-ji-doe-eo i-sseo-yo.
Use this to talk about a specific banned substance. 금지되다 is the passive form of 금지하다.
식품 표시를 꼭 확인해야 해요.
You must check the food label.
sik-pum pyo-si-reul kkok hwa-gin-hae-ya hae-yo.
This is a strong recommendation or requirement. Use it when emphasizing the importance of reading labels.
법에 따라 유통기한을 지켜야 합니다.
According to the law, you must observe the expiration date.
beop-e tta-ra yu-tong-gi-han-eul ji-kyeo-ya ham-ni-da.
This uses -에 따라 (according to) and the formal obligation pattern -아/어야 합니다. Suitable for formal contexts.
건강을 위해 규정을 준수하도록 합시다.
Let's ensure we comply with the regulations for our health.
geon-gang-eul wi-hae gyu-jeong-eul jun-su-ha-do-rok hap-si-da.
This uses -도록 하다 to express 'ensure that' or 'make sure'. It is a polite suggestion or commitment.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern -도록 하다 is used to express 'to ensure that' or 'to make sure that' something happens. It often appears in regulations or strong suggestions. For example, 정부는 식품이 안전하도록 관리합니다 (The government ensures that food is safe). It can also be used in suggestions: 내일까지 보고서를 제출하도록 하세요 (Please make sure to submit the report by tomorrow). Note that -도록 하다 is different from -게 하다, which means 'to make someone do something'. -도록 하다 focuses on the speaker's effort or instruction to bring about a result. In the past tense, -도록 했다 can also mean 'ended up doing' or 'made sure to do', depending on context.
When to use it
Use -도록 하다 when you want to talk about ensuring compliance or making something happen, especially in formal or instructional contexts. For instance, when discussing food regulations, you might say: 업체는 위생 기준을 지키도록 해야 합니다 (Companies must ensure they follow hygiene standards). In casual conversation, it can sound a bit formal, so you might use -아/어야 해요 instead for obligation. However, -도록 하다 is perfect for writing or speeches about laws. Also, use -에 따라 to mean 'according to' or 'in accordance with', as in 법에 따라 처벌을 받을 수 있습니다 (You can be punished according to the law). Note that -에 따라 is often used in formal contexts and can also mean 'depending on', as in 사람에 따라 다릅니다 (It differs depending on the person).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
요즘 정부가 식품 규제를 많이 강화하고 있대요.
These days, I heard the government is strengthening food regulations a lot.yo-jeum jeong-bu-ga sik-pum gyu-je-reul ma-ni gang-hwa-ha-go in-dae-yo.맞아요. 특히 첨가물 사용이 엄격하게 금지되어 있죠.
That's right. In particular, the use of additives is strictly prohibited.ma-ja-yo. teuk-hi cheom-ga-mul sa-yong-i eom-gyeok-ha-ge geum-ji-doe-eo it-jyo.그럼 우리가 식품을 살 때 뭘 확인해야 해요?
Then what should we check when buying food?geu-reom u-ri-ga sik-pum-eul sal ttae mwol hwa-gin-hae-ya hae-yo?표시된 원재료와 유통기한을 꼭 확인하도록 해요.
Make sure to check the labeled ingredients and expiration date.pyo-si-doen won-jae-ryo-wa yu-tong-gi-han-eul kkok hwa-gin-ha-do-rok hae-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, discussions about government regulations often use formal language and passive forms to sound objective. When talking with friends, you can use casual endings like -대요 (I heard) or -죠 (isn't it), but in official contexts, use -습니다/ㅂ니다. Also, Koreans frequently use the term 식약처 (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) when referring to the regulatory body. Be aware that 직접 규제 (direct regulation) and 간접 규제 (indirect regulation) are common distinctions. Note that the level of formality can vary depending on the relationship and setting; using the appropriate speech level is important to show respect and maintain social harmony.
One thing to watch for
Using -게 하다 instead of -도록 하다 when talking about ensuring compliance. For example, saying 정부는 식품이 안전하게 합니다 (The government makes food safe) is incorrect.
Try this instead: Use -도록 하다 to express ensuring a result: 정부는 식품이 안전하도록 합니다 (The government ensures that food is safe). Also, remember that -게 하다 means 'to make someone do something', as in 아이에게 채소를 먹게 해요 (I make my child eat vegetables). Be careful not to confuse the two, as they have different meanings and usages.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'The government regulates food additives' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
정부는 식품 첨가물을 규제합니다.
This uses the verb 규제하다 (to regulate) in the formal polite style. You could also say 규제하고 있어요 for 'is regulating'.
2What is the difference between -도록 하다 and -게 하다?
Show a sample answer
-도록 하다 means 'to ensure that' or 'to make sure that', while -게 하다 means 'to make someone do something'.
For example, 안전하도록 하다 means 'to ensure safety', while 안전하게 하다 means 'to make (something) safe'. Context and subject matter determine which is appropriate.
3Translate: 'According to the law, you must check the expiration date.'
Show a sample answer
법에 따라 유통기한을 확인해야 합니다.
This uses -에 따라 (according to) and -아/어야 합니다 (must). You could also use 확인해야 해요 in less formal speech.
When discussing food regulations in Korean, use -도록 하다 to talk about ensuring compliance, and -에 따라 to mean 'according to'. Always check labels and know key terms like 규제 (regulation) and 금지 (prohibition).
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