# TOPIK TOPIK 1: Beginner

> TOPIK Level 1 is the first grade of the Test of Proficiency in Korean, awarded for scoring 80 to 139 on the TOPIK I paper. You can carry out basic conversations about familiar everyday topics using around 800 words.

- Framework: TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean), National Institute for International Education (NIIED)
- Typical vocabulary: About 800 words (commonly cited estimate)
- Study to reach this level: 80-200 hours
- Next level: TOPIK TOPIK 2

## What you can do at TOPIK TOPIK 1

- Introduce yourself, order food and buy things in a shop
- Read and write Hangul accurately
- Understand and use around 800 basic words
- Make simple sentences about familiar personal topics
- Understand short conversations spoken slowly about everyday subjects

## FAQ

### What does TOPIK TOPIK 1 mean?

TOPIK Level 1 is the first grade of the Test of Proficiency in Korean, awarded for scoring 80 to 139 on the TOPIK I paper. You can carry out basic conversations about familiar everyday topics using around 800 words.

### What can you do at TOPIK TOPIK 1?

At TOPIK TOPIK 1 you can typically: Introduce yourself, order food and buy things in a shop; Read and write Hangul accurately; Understand and use around 800 basic words; Make simple sentences about familiar personal topics; Understand short conversations spoken slowly about everyday subjects.

### How long does it take to reach TOPIK TOPIK 1?

Reaching TOPIK TOPIK 1 from a standing start typically takes 80-200 hours. A learner at this level generally has an active vocabulary of About 800 words (commonly cited estimate). These are guides, not guarantees: prior languages, study intensity and how much you speak all move the number substantially.

### How do you practise at TOPIK TOPIK 1 with NativePal?

NativePal generates its content at the level you select, so at TOPIK TOPIK 1 your reading lessons, vocabulary and speaking prompts are pitched here rather than at a generic average. Reading lessons produce stories written for TOPIK 1, with every word tappable for a translation and a comprehension quiz at the end. Vocabulary lessons and the spaced-repetition flashcards draw on words appropriate to the level, and Speaking Practice scores your pronunciation on individual sounds, stress and rhythm, fluency and connected speech.

### What comes after TOPIK TOPIK 1?

TOPIK TOPIK 2 is the next level up. TOPIK Level 2 is the second grade of the Korean proficiency test, awarded for scoring 140 or more on the TOPIK I paper. You can use Korean for everyday errands and public facilities and tell formal from informal speech.

## More

- [TOPIK levels explained](https://nativepal.app/levels/topik/)
- [All proficiency frameworks](https://nativepal.app/levels/)
- [All supported languages](https://nativepal.app/languages.html)