Learn Hardcore Korean: yemuneul du beonssik ilggo malhae bwa. - Try reading the example sentences twice and saying them.

-씩 means “each” or “apiece.” So 두 번씩 = “twice each (per item).”
예문을 두 번 읽고… can mean “read the example(s) twice (in total).”
예문을 두 번씩 읽고… clearly means “for each example, read it twice.”
If there’s only one example, 두 번씩 isn’t wrong, but it sounds a bit redundant; 두 번 would be simpler.

Is 예문 singular or plural here? Why not 예문들?

Korean often omits plural marking. 예문 can mean “example sentence” or “example sentences,” depending on context.
두 번씩 strongly suggests there are multiple examples.
You can say 예문들 for emphasis, but in instructions like this, plain 예문 is more natural.

Why is it 예문을 and not 예문를? Can I drop the object particle?

을/를 both mark the object. Use 을 after a final consonant (예문), 를 after a vowel. Hence 예문을.
In casual speech, the object particle can be dropped: 예문 두 번씩 읽고… is fine.
Keeping 을 can help clarity if the word order changes.

What does -고 in 읽고 do?

-고 links verbs/clauses, typically “and” or “and then.”
Here it indicates sequence: first read, then say it.
Tense/imperative mood appears on the final verb (말해 봐); the earlier verb (읽고) stays in the connective form.

Does 말해 봐 just mean “say it,” or is there a nuance?

Is this sentence polite? Who can use it?

It’s in casual speech (반말): …말해 봐.
Use it with close friends, younger people, or students/children if appropriate. With strangers or adults you don’t know well, it’s too casual.

How can I make this instruction more polite?

Standard polite: 예문을 두 번씩 읽고 말해 보세요.
Friendly polite: 예문을 두 번씩 읽고 말해 봐요.
With a “please (for me)” nuance: 예문을 두 번씩 읽고 말해 주세요.
Very formal honorific to a respected person: 예문을 두 번씩 읽고 말씀해 보세요. (Use honorific 말씀 only when honoring the speaker.)

Why is it 말해 봐 instead of 말해 보아? And why 해 instead of 하여?

Common contractions:
- 보아 → 봐 (so 말해 보아 → 말해 봐)
- 하여 → 해 (so 말하여 → 말해)
These are the normal spoken and written forms in modern Korean.

Why are there two verbs, 말해 and 봐? How does -아/어 보다 work, and is there a space?

보다 functions as an auxiliary verb meaning “to try (doing).”
Structure: V-아/어 보다 (e.g., 먹어 보다, 읽어 보다, 말해 보다).
Spacing: The standard recommends writing auxiliary verbs separately: 말해 봐. You’ll also see 말해봐 in practice; both are acceptable, but separation is preferred in textbooks.

How do you pronounce tricky parts like 읽고 and 말해 봐?

읽고 is pronounced roughly like “il-kko” [일꼬]. The consonant cluster ㄺ becomes [ㄹ] + carries a [ㄱ] to the next syllable, which then tensifies.
Related forms: 읽다 ≈ [익따], 읽어요 ≈ [일거요].
말해 봐 ≈ [마레 봐].
예문을 ≈ [예무늘]; 두 번씩 keeps the strong “ss” in 씩.

Why isn’t there a subject like “you”? Who is being addressed?

Does 두 번씩 apply to both reading and speaking here?

As written, 두 번씩 most naturally modifies the first action (읽고). It means “read each example twice, then say it.”
If you want both actions twice each, say: 예문을 두 번씩 읽고 두 번씩 말해 봐 or 예문을 각각 두 번 읽고 두 번 말해 봐.

Where should -씩 go? Is 두 번씩 예문을 읽고… okay?

Why 두 번 and not 둘씩? What’s the difference?

번 is the counter for occurrences/times and pairs with native numbers: 한/두/세/네 번.
둘씩 means “two each (in quantity),” not “two times each.” For times you need … 번씩.
- Quantity: 사과를 둘씩 줘 = “Give two apples to each person.”
- Times: 예문을 두 번씩 읽어 = “Read each example two times.”

Should I write 한번/두번 or 한 번/두 번?

For counting times, use a space: 한 번, 두 번, 세 번.
한번 (no space) exists as an adverb meaning “sometime/once (give it a try),” which is different.
So here it should be 두 번씩, not 두번씩.

Could I say 이야기해 or 말씀해 instead of 말해?

말해 is the neutral “say/speak (it).”
이야기해 is “talk/tell a story,” not appropriate for simply saying lines from examples.
말씀해 is the honorific form and should be used only when the subject is someone you honor (e.g., to a respected elder: 말씀해 보세요). For students or peers, stick with 말해 (보세요).