Learn Hardcore Korean: banghageneun geunyang swigo sipeo, byeollo gyehoek eobseo. - During vacation, I just want to rest; I don’t really have plans.

It’s the time/location particle 에 plus the topic particle 는. It means “as for (during) vacation,” setting “vacation time” as the topic and slightly contrasting it with other times.

Can I say 방학에 instead of 방학에는?

Yes. 방학에 simply means “during vacation.” 방학에는 topicalizes it (“as for during vacation”) and can sound a bit more contrastive or general. Both are natural in speech.

What’s the difference between 방학, 방학 때(는), and 방학 동안(에는)?

방학: the break itself (a school vacation).
방학 때(는): “at/during the time of vacation,” very common in conversation. You’ll also see the contracted form 방학 땐.
방학 동안(에는): “throughout the vacation,” emphasizing the whole duration.
Also possible: 방학 중(에는) (“while on break,” a bit more formal).

How is 방학 different from 휴가?

방학: breaks tied to the school calendar (summer/winter break).
휴가: time off from work (paid leave, days off).
Adults usually take 휴가; students have 방학.

What nuance does 그냥 add?

그냥 means “just/simply/for no special reason.” It softens the statement and adds a casual, low-effort feel: not aiming to do anything special, just taking it easy. Without 그냥, it’s a neutral “I want to rest.”

Does the -고 in 쉬고 싶어 mean “and”?

Not here. Verb stem + -고 싶다 is a single grammar pattern meaning “want to do X.” So 쉬고 싶어 = “I want to rest,” not “I rest and want.”

What politeness level is 쉬고 싶어?

It’s casual/intimate (banmal). Polite forms are 쉬고 싶어요 (standard polite) and 쉬고 싶습니다 (formal). Plain 쉬고 싶다 appears in writing/diaries or neutral statements.

How do I make the whole sentence polite?

방학에는 그냥 쉬고 싶어요. 별로 계획 없어요.
You could also say 계획이 별로 없어요 or 계획은 별로 없어요. Keep the style consistent (both clauses polite).

Why is there no subject like 나는/제가?

Korean often drops pronouns when context makes them obvious. Here, “I” is understood. You can add 나는 or 저는 for emphasis or contrast, but it’s not required.

How does 별로 work here?

별로 means “particularly/much” and is typically used with a negative: 별로 … 없어요/안 해요/못 해요. In the sentence, 별로 + 없어 means “don’t really have (much).”

Is 별로 계획 없어 the same as 계획이 별로 없어?

Both are natural.

계획이 별로 없어 is the most canonical structure (showing the subject with 이).
별로 계획 없어 is a colloquial shortening of 별로 계획(이) 없어.
계획은 별로 없어 adds contrast (“As for plans, not really (though maybe something else).”).

Do I need the subject particle 이 after 계획?

Not in casual speech. 계획(이) 없어 is common. Adding 이 is a bit clearer and slightly more careful; omitting it is more conversational.

Can I say 아무 계획도 없어 instead?

Yes, and it’s stronger: “no plans at all.” Use 아무 + noun + 도 + negative. So the natural form is 아무 계획도 없어/없어요 (not 아무 계획 없어).

What’s the difference between 쉬고 싶어, 쉴 거야, and 쉴래? And what about third-person?

쉬고 싶어: I want to rest (desire).
쉴 거야: I’m going to rest (intention/plan).
쉴래: I’ll rest/I want to rest (decision/willingness; also used when offering/asking).
For third person, use -고 싶어하다: 그는 쉬고 싶어해/쉬고 싶어 한다 (not 그는 쉬고 싶어 in careful Korean).

Is the comma necessary?

No. You can write two sentences: 방학에는 그냥 쉬고 싶어. 별로 계획 없어. The comma just marks a natural pause in speech.

Any pronunciation tips?

방학에는 links so 학에 sounds like “ha-ge” ([방하게는]).
싶어 sounds like “shi-peo,” often with a strong p sound (“shi-ppo”).
In 계획 없어, the final ㄱ of 획 links to the next word, so you’ll hear a g/k sound starting 없어.

Can I move 그냥 or 별로 around?

그냥 usually sits before the verb phrase or near the start: 그냥 쉬고 싶어, 방학에는 그냥… Don’t say 쉬고 그냥 싶어.
별로 should be close to what it negates: 별로 계획 없어, 계획이 별로 없어. You can also say 계획은 별로 없어 for contrast.

What’s the nuance difference between 쉬다 and 놀다?

쉬다: to rest/relax.
놀다: to play/hang out/have fun; not necessarily restful, and in some contexts can mean “be idle/unemployed.”
So 놀고 싶어 ≈ “I want to hang out,” while 쉬고 싶어 is “I want to rest.”

Does Korean mark “plan” vs “plans”?

Korean nouns are number-neutral. 계획 없어 can mean “no plan” or “no plans” depending on context.

Is 없어 just the negative of 있어? Can I say 안 있어?

Use 있다/없다 as a pair: 있어/없어, 있어요/없어요. Don’t say 안 있어 to mean “don’t have/exist”; use 없어/없어요 instead.