TOPIK · Listening
40 TOPIK listening killer sentences, replayed with the browser voice. Pick what each one means exactly from three options. The two distractors are real listening traps (paraphrase, opposite meaning, number/time, sound/batchim), and the explanation unpacks both the answer and the traps.
Lv.11 / 8
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
회의는 세 시가 아니라 세 시 반에 시작해요.
Hoeui-neun se si-ga anira se si ban-e sijakhaeyo.
Meaning
The meeting starts at 3:30, not at 3:00.
Chunk by chunk
회의는
hoeui-neun
The meeting
세 시가 아니라
se si-ga anira
not at 3:00, but
The "-ga anira" (not ~) negates 3:00; catching only "se si" is the number/time trap.
세 시 반에
se si ban-e
at 3:30
시작해요.
sijakhaeyo.
starts
Hearing "sijakhae" (start) as "kkeutna" (end) is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
저는 사과를 샀어요, 팔지 않았어요.
Jeo-neun sagwa-reul sasseoyo, palji anasseoyo.
Meaning
I bought apples, I did not sell them.
Chunk by chunk
저는 사과를
jeo-neun sagwa-reul
I (the) apples
샀어요,
sasseoyo,
bought,
"sada" (buy) vs "palda" (sell) sound close; this is the sound trap pair.
팔지 않았어요.
palji anasseoyo.
did not sell.
The "-ji anasseoyo" (did not ~) confirms it was buying, not selling.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
너무 추워요. 창문을 닫아 주세요.
Neomu chuwoyo. Changmun-eul dada juseyo.
Meaning
It is too cold. Please close the window.
Chunk by chunk
너무 추워요.
neomu chuwoyo.
It is too cold.
The reason is "chuwoyo" (cold); hearing "deowoyo" (hot) is the opposite trap.
창문을
changmun-eul
the window
닫아 주세요.
dada juseyo.
please close.
"datda" (close) vs "yeolda" (open): hearing the direction backwards is the trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
오늘은 학교에 안 가요. 집에서 쉬어요.
Oneul-eun hakgyo-e an gayo. Jib-eseo swieoyo.
Meaning
Today I do not go to school. I rest at home.
Chunk by chunk
오늘은
oneul-eun
Today
Hearing "oneul" (today) as "naeil" (tomorrow) is the number/time trap.
학교에 안 가요.
hakgyo-e an gayo.
do not go to school.
The short "an" is the negation; missing it gives "go", the opposite trap.
집에서 쉬어요.
jib-eseo swieoyo.
rest at home.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
사과 다섯 개하고 귤 세 개 주세요.
Sagwa daseot gae-hago gyul se gae juseyo.
Meaning
Please give me five apples and three tangerines.
Chunk by chunk
사과 다섯 개하고
sagwa daseot gae-hago
five apples and
Keep which fruit has which count; swapping is the number trap.
귤 세 개
gyul se gae
three tangerines
주세요.
juseyo.
please give me.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
이분은 제 언니예요. 동생이 아니에요.
I-bun-eun je eonni-yeyo. Dongsaeng-i anieyo.
Meaning
This person is my older sister. She is not my younger sibling.
Chunk by chunk
이분은 제 언니예요.
i-bun-eun je eonni-yeyo.
This person is my older sister.
"eonni" (older) vs "dongsaeng" (younger) are opposites; listen to the end.
동생이 아니에요.
dongsaeng-i anieyo.
not my younger sibling.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
저는 매운 음식을 못 먹어요.
Jeo-neun maeun eumsig-eul mot meogeoyo.
Meaning
I cannot eat spicy food.
Chunk by chunk
저는 매운 음식을
jeo-neun maeun eumsig-eul
I (the) spicy food
못 먹어요.
mot meogeoyo.
cannot eat.
"mot" marks inability; missing it gives "eats", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
내일 말고 오늘 만나요.
Naeil malgo oneul mannayo.
Meaning
Let us meet today, not tomorrow.
Chunk by chunk
내일 말고
naeil malgo
not tomorrow, but
"malgo" (not ~, instead) excludes tomorrow; missing it is the number/time trap.
오늘 만나요.
oneul mannayo.
let us meet today.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
어제 친구하고 영화를 봤어요.
Eoje chingu-hago yeonghwa-reul bwasseoyo.
Meaning
Yesterday I watched a movie with a friend.
Chunk by chunk
어제 친구하고
eoje chingu-hago
Yesterday, with a friend
Dropping "chingu-hago" (with a friend) to say "alone" is a paraphrase trap.
영화를 봤어요.
yeonghwa-reul bwasseoyo.
watched a movie.
Past "-sseoyo" (watched); hearing future "bol geoyeyo" is the number/time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
비가 와서 학교에 안 갔어요.
Bi-ga waseo hakgyo-e an gasseoyo.
Meaning
It rained, so I did not go to school.
Chunk by chunk
비가 와서
bi-ga waseo
because it rained
Reason "bi" (rain); changing it to cold is a paraphrase trap.
학교에 안 갔어요.
hakgyo-e an gasseoyo.
did not go to school.
Missing the negation "an" gives "went", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
빵 말고 밥을 먹고 싶어요.
Ppang malgo bab-eul meokgo sipeoyo.
Meaning
I want to eat rice, not bread.
Chunk by chunk
빵 말고
ppang malgo
not bread, but
"malgo" excludes bread; hearing "bread" is a paraphrase trap.
밥을 먹고 싶어요.
bab-eul meokgo sipeoyo.
want to eat rice.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
코끼리는 코가 길어요.
Kokkiri-neun ko-ga gireoyo.
Meaning
As for elephants, the trunk is long.
Chunk by chunk
코끼리는
kokkiri-neun
As for the elephant
"-neun" marks the topic, not the thing that is long.
코가 길어요.
ko-ga gireoyo.
the trunk is long.
"-ga" marks "ko" (trunk) as the subject that is long; "gireoyo" (long) vs "jjalbayo" (short) is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
약속은 열 시가 아니라 여덟 시예요.
Yaksok-eun yeol si-ga anira yeodeol si-yeyo.
Meaning
The appointment is at 8, not 10.
Chunk by chunk
약속은 열 시가 아니라
yaksok-eun yeol si-ga anira
The appointment, not at 10, but
"yeol si" (10) and "yeodeol si" (8) sound close; "-ga anira" cancels 10.
여덟 시예요.
yeodeol si-yeyo.
it is at 8.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
내일은 바빠서 모레 만나요.
Naeil-eun bappaseo more mannayo.
Meaning
I am busy tomorrow, so let us meet the day after tomorrow.
Chunk by chunk
내일은 바빠서
naeil-eun bappaseo
busy tomorrow, so
"naeil" (tomorrow) is the busy day, not the meeting day.
모레 만나요.
more mannayo.
let us meet the day after tomorrow.
Hearing "more" (day after tomorrow) as "naeil" (tomorrow) is the number/time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
하마터면 버스를 놓칠 뻔했어요.
Hamateomyeon beoseu-reul nochil ppeonhaesseoyo.
Meaning
I almost missed the bus (but did not).
Chunk by chunk
하마터면
hamateomyeon
nearly / almost
버스를
beoseu-reul
the bus
놓칠 뻔했어요.
nochil ppeonhaesseoyo.
almost missed (but did not).
"-l ppeonhaesseoyo" = almost did (but did not); "missed it in the end" reverses the nuance.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
그분은 한국어뿐만 아니라 중국어도 잘하세요.
Geu-bun-eun hangugeo-ppunman anira junggugeo-do jalhaseyo.
Meaning
That person speaks not only Korean but also Chinese well.
Chunk by chunk
그분은 한국어뿐만 아니라
geu-bun-eun hangugeo-ppunman anira
That person, not only Korean
"-ppunman anira" signals an addition "-do" to come; stopping at "only" is the opposite trap.
중국어도 잘하세요.
junggugeo-do jalhaseyo.
speaks Chinese well too.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
비가 오면 등산을 안 갈 거예요.
Bi-ga omyeon deungsan-eul an gal geoyeyo.
Meaning
If it rains, I will not go hiking.
Chunk by chunk
비가 오면
bi-ga omyeon
if it rains
Condition "-myeon" (if); "when the rain stops" is a paraphrase trap.
등산을 안 갈 거예요.
deungsan-eul an gal geoyeyo.
will not go hiking.
Missing the negation "an" gives "will go", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
할머니께 선물을 드렸어요.
Halmeoni-kke seonmul-eul deuryeosseoyo.
Meaning
I gave a present to my grandmother (honorific).
Chunk by chunk
할머니께
halmeoni-kke
to grandmother (honorific)
The honorific "-kke" marks the recipient; the giving flows to grandmother.
선물을 드렸어요.
seonmul-eul deuryeosseoyo.
gave a present.
"deurida" (humbly give); hearing "received" reverses the direction, the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
길이 막혀서 좀 더 일찍 출발할걸 그랬어요.
Gil-i makhyeoseo jom deo iljjik chulbalhalgeol geuraesseoyo.
Meaning
The road was jammed; I should have left a bit earlier (regret).
Chunk by chunk
길이 막혀서
gil-i makhyeoseo
because the road was jammed
좀 더 일찍 출발할걸 그랬어요.
jom deo iljjik chulbalhalgeol geuraesseoyo.
should have left a bit earlier (regret).
"-lgeol geuraesseoyo" = regret "should have (but did not)"; "glad I left early" reverses reality.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
저는 한 번도 제주도에 가 본 적이 없어요.
Jeo-neun han beon-do Jejudo-e ga bon jeog-i eopseoyo.
Meaning
I have never been to Jeju Island.
Chunk by chunk
저는 한 번도
jeo-neun han beon-do
I, not even once,
"han beon-do" (not even once) pairs with the final negative; hearing just "han beon" (once) is the number trap.
제주도에 가 본 적이 없어요.
Jejudo-e ga bon jeog-i eopseoyo.
have never been to Jeju.
"-n jeog-i eopseoyo" = have never; missing the negative gives "have been", the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
길이 막히는 바람에 회의에 늦고 말았어요.
Gil-i makhineun baram-e hoeui-e neutgo marasseoyo.
Meaning
Because the road was jammed, I ended up being late for the meeting.
Chunk by chunk
길이 막히는 바람에
gil-i makhineun baram-e
Because the road was jammed,
"-neun baram-e" = an unexpected, bad cause; missing it loses the reason.
회의에 늦고 말았어요.
hoeui-e neutgo marasseoyo.
I ended up late for the meeting.
"neutgo marasseoyo" (ended up late); hearing "early" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
보고서를 쓰느라고 전화를 못 받았어요.
Bogoseo-reul sseuneurago jeonhwa-reul mot badasseoyo.
Meaning
I was busy writing the report, so I could not answer the phone.
Chunk by chunk
보고서를 쓰느라고
bogoseo-reul sseuneurago
Busy writing the report,
"-neurago" = busy with X so Y fails.
전화를 못 받았어요.
jeonhwa-reul mot badasseoyo.
could not answer the phone.
"mot" (could not) is not "an" (would not); swapping them is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
아무리 피곤하더라도 오늘 일은 끝내야 해요.
Amuri pigonhadeorado oneul il-eun kkeunnaeya haeyo.
Meaning
No matter how tired I am, I have to finish the work for today.
Chunk by chunk
아무리 피곤하더라도
amuri pigonhadeorado
No matter how tired,
"amuri ...-deorado" = even if; following the tiredness to "rest" reverses it.
오늘 일은 끝내야 해요.
oneul il-eun kkeunnaeya haeyo.
must finish the work for today.
"oneul" (today); swapping for "tomorrow" is the time trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
커피를 마시는 대신에 따뜻한 차를 주문했어요.
Keopi-reul masineun daesin-e ttatteuthan cha-reul jumunhaesseoyo.
Meaning
Instead of drinking coffee, I ordered a warm tea.
Chunk by chunk
커피를 마시는 대신에
keopi-reul masineun daesin-e
Instead of drinking coffee,
"-neun daesin-e" = instead of; hearing "and" (both) is the paraphrase trap.
따뜻한 차를 주문했어요.
ttatteuthan cha-reul jumunhaesseoyo.
ordered a warm tea.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
부장님께서 자료를 보내 달라고 하셨어요.
Bujangnim-kkeseo jaryo-reul bonae dallago hasyeosseoyo.
Meaning
The manager asked me to send the materials (to him).
Chunk by chunk
부장님께서
bujangnim-kkeseo
The manager (hon.)
"-kkeseo" is the honorific subject marker for a superior; a "colleague" reading ignores it.
자료를 보내 달라고
jaryo-reul bonae dallago
to send the materials (to me),
"bonae dallago" = asked to send toward the speaker; reversing the direction is the opposite trap.
하셨어요.
hasyeosseoyo.
asked (hon.).
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
갑자기 비가 와서 행사가 취소됐어요.
Gapjagi bi-ga waseo haengsa-ga chwisodwaesseoyo.
Meaning
It suddenly rained, so the event was canceled.
Chunk by chunk
갑자기 비가 와서
gapjagi bi-ga waseo
It suddenly rained, so
행사가 취소됐어요.
haengsa-ga chwisodwaesseoyo.
the event was canceled.
Passive "chwisodwaesseoyo" = was canceled; "postponed" is a paraphrase trap, "went ahead" the opposite.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
한국어는 연습할수록 점점 더 쉬워져요.
Hangugeo-neun yeonseuphalsurok jeomjeom deo swiwojyeoyo.
Meaning
The more you practice Korean, the easier it gradually gets.
Chunk by chunk
한국어는 연습할수록
hangugeo-neun yeonseuphalsurok
The more you practice Korean,
"-(eu)lsurok" = the more ~; it sets a rising link, not a fixed state.
점점 더 쉬워져요.
jeomjeom deo swiwojyeoyo.
the easier it gets.
"swiwojyeoyo" (gets easier); "harder" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
어젯밤에 친구들과 밤을 구워 먹었어요.
Eojetbam-e chingudeul-gwa bam-eul guwo meogeosseoyo.
Meaning
Last night I roasted and ate chestnuts with friends.
Chunk by chunk
어젯밤에 친구들과
eojetbam-e chingudeul-gwa
Last night, with friends,
"eojetbam" contains "bam" (night), distinct from the "bam" (chestnut) eaten later.
밤을 구워 먹었어요.
bam-eul guwo meogeosseoyo.
roasted and ate chestnuts.
Here "bam" = chestnut (the food); hearing it as "night" is the sound trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
이번 정책은 효과가 있긴 하지만 근본적인 해결책은 아니에요.
Ibeon jeongchaeg-eun hyogwa-ga itgin hajiman geunbonjeog-in haegyeolchaeg-eun anieyo.
Meaning
This policy does have an effect, but it is not a fundamental solution.
Chunk by chunk
이번 정책은 효과가 있긴 하지만
ibeon jeongchaeg-eun hyogwa-ga itgin hajiman
This policy does have an effect, but
"-gin hajiman" concedes the effect; ignoring the "but" clause is the opposite trap.
근본적인 해결책은 아니에요.
geunbonjeog-in haegyeolchaeg-eun anieyo.
it is not a fundamental solution.
"anieyo" (is not) denies it is fundamental; hearing "is a complete solution" flips it.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
예산까지 통과됐으니 사업은 거의 확정된 셈이에요.
Yesan-kkaji tonggwadwaesseuni saeob-eun geoui hwakjeongdoen sem-ieyo.
Meaning
Now that even the budget has passed, the project is as good as confirmed.
Chunk by chunk
예산까지 통과됐으니
yesan-kkaji tonggwadwaesseuni
Now that even the budget has passed,
"tonggwadwaesseuni" (since it passed); hearing "rejected" is the opposite trap.
사업은 거의 확정된 셈이에요.
saeob-eun geoui hwakjeongdoen sem-ieyo.
the project is as good as confirmed.
"-(eu)n sem-ieyo" = as good as, not "completed"; "fully finished" is the paraphrase trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
누구나 처음에는 실수하기 마련이니까 너무 자책하지 마세요.
Nuguna cheoeum-eneun silsuhagi maryeon-inikka neomu jachaekhaji maseyo.
Meaning
Everyone is bound to make mistakes at first, so do not blame yourself too much.
Chunk by chunk
누구나 처음에는 실수하기 마련이니까
nuguna cheoeum-eneun silsuhagi maryeon-inikka
Since everyone is bound to make mistakes at first,
"-gi maryeon-ida" = bound to; "never make mistakes" is the paraphrase trap.
너무 자책하지 마세요.
neomu jachaekhaji maseyo.
do not blame yourself too much.
"-ji maseyo" (do not ~); hearing "should blame yourself" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
이 제도는 비용이 많이 들 뿐만 아니라 효율도 떨어져요.
I jedo-neun biyong-i mani deul ppunman anira hyoyul-do tteoreojyeoyo.
Meaning
This system not only costs a lot but is also low in efficiency.
Chunk by chunk
이 제도는 비용이 많이 들 뿐만 아니라
i jedo-neun biyong-i mani deul ppunman anira
This system not only costs a lot, but also
"-(eu)l ppunman anira" = not only ~ but also; it adds, not replaces.
효율도 떨어져요.
hyoyul-do tteoreojyeoyo.
is also low in efficiency.
"hyoyul-do tteoreojyeoyo" (efficiency also drops); "efficient" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
자료가 이렇게 명확하니 그의 주장을 인정할 수밖에 없어요.
Jaryo-ga ireoke myeonghwakhani geu-ui jujang-eul injeonghal su-bakk-e eopseoyo.
Meaning
Since the data is this clear, I have no choice but to acknowledge his argument.
Chunk by chunk
자료가 이렇게 명확하니
jaryo-ga ireoke myeonghwakhani
Since the data is this clear,
그의 주장을 인정할 수밖에 없어요.
geu-ui jujang-eul injeonghal su-bakk-e eopseoyo.
I have no choice but to acknowledge his argument.
"-(eu)l su-bakk-e eopseoyo" = no choice but to (reluctant); "willingly" is paraphrase, "refuses" the opposite.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
상황이 나아지기는커녕 오히려 더 악화됐어요.
Sanghwang-i naajigineun keonyeong ohiryeo deo akhwadwaesseoyo.
Meaning
Far from improving, the situation actually got worse.
Chunk by chunk
상황이 나아지기는커녕
sanghwang-i naajigineun keonyeong
Far from improving,
"-neun keonyeong" = far from ~; it denies the better outcome.
오히려 더 악화됐어요.
ohiryeo deo akhwadwaesseoyo.
it actually got worse.
"ohiryeo deo akhwa" (rather, worse); "improved" is the opposite trap, "unchanged" the paraphrase.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
동료가 어려울 때 그는 늘 발 벗고 나서서 도와줘요.
Dongnyo-ga eoryeoul ttae geu-neun neul bal beotgo naseoseo dowajwoyo.
Meaning
When a colleague is in trouble, he always actively steps up to help.
Chunk by chunk
동료가 어려울 때
dongnyo-ga eoryeoul ttae
When a colleague is in trouble,
그는 늘 발 벗고 나서서
geu-neun neul bal beotgo naseoseo
he always actively steps up and
Idiom "bal beotgo naseoda" = wholeheartedly step up; a literal "take off shoes" reading is the trap.
도와줘요.
dowajwoyo.
helps.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
월급으로는 그 집을 사는 게 그림의 떡이나 마찬가지예요.
Wolgeub-euro-neun geu jib-eul saneun ge geurim-ui tteog-ina machangaji-yeyo.
Meaning
On this salary, buying that house is basically pie in the sky.
Chunk by chunk
월급으로는 그 집을 사는 게
wolgeub-euro-neun geu jib-eul saneun ge
On this salary, buying that house
그림의 떡이나 마찬가지예요.
geurim-ui tteog-ina machangaji-yeyo.
is basically pie in the sky.
Idiom "geurim-ui tteok" = unattainable; a literal "rice cake" reading is the trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
준비한 음식이 눈 깜짝할 사이에 다 없어졌어요.
Junbihan eumsig-i nun kkamjjakhal sai-e da eopseojyeosseoyo.
Meaning
The food I prepared disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Chunk by chunk
준비한 음식이
junbihan eumsig-i
The food I prepared
눈 깜짝할 사이에 다 없어졌어요.
nun kkamjjakhal sai-e da eopseojyeosseoyo.
disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Idiom "nun kkamjjakhal sai-e" = in an instant; a literal "wink" reading is the trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
아니 땐 굴뚝에 연기 나겠어요? 그 소문도 근거가 있을 거예요.
Ani ttaen gulttug-e yeon-gi nagesseoyo? Geu somun-do geun-geo-ga isseul geoyeyo.
Meaning
Would smoke rise from a chimney that was never lit? That rumor probably has some basis too.
Chunk by chunk
아니 땐 굴뚝에 연기 나겠어요?
ani ttaen gulttug-e yeon-gi nagesseoyo?
Would smoke rise from an unlit chimney?
Proverb = no smoke without fire; a literal "chimney" reading is the trap.
그 소문도 근거가 있을 거예요.
geu somun-do geun-geo-ga isseul geoyeyo.
That rumor probably has some basis.
"geun-geo-ga isseul geoyeyo" (has a basis); "baseless" is the opposite trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
제안은 고맙지만 생각 좀 해 볼게요.
Jean-eun gomapjiman saenggak jom hae bolgeyo.
Meaning
Thanks for the offer, but let me think about it, a polite way of holding back.
Chunk by chunk
제안은 고맙지만
jean-eun gomapjiman
Thanks for the offer, but
"gomapjiman" (thanks, but) already signals a coming soft refusal.
생각 좀 해 볼게요.
saenggak jom hae bolgeyo.
let me think about it.
A face-saving "let me think" = soft no; hearing a "firm yes" is the paraphrase trap.
What does this sentence mean exactly?
Script
이 시간에 전화를 하다니, 참 잘하는 짓이에요.
I sigan-e jeonhwa-reul hadani, cham jalhaneun jis-ieyo.
Meaning
Calling at this hour, what a fine thing to do, said sarcastically it means the opposite: this is inconsiderate.
Chunk by chunk
이 시간에 전화를 하다니,
i sigan-e jeonhwa-reul hadani,
Calling at this hour, of all times,
"-dani" (of all things) already carries disbelief, setting up the sarcasm.
참 잘하는 짓이에요.
cham jalhaneun jis-ieyo.
"what a fine thing to do" (sarcastic).
"jis" (deed, pejorative) plus the late hour make it sarcasm; taking it as real praise is the paraphrase trap.