ko-grammar/docs/howtostudykorean/theme/01-school.md

vocabulary, sentence

vocabulary

sentence

nouns verbs other subjects ko en notes examples 학교 school Basic word for "school" in general, used for elementary, middle, high school, or university contexts (though 대학교 is more specific for university). ko en 저는 매일 **학교**에 가요 I go to **school** every day ko en 우리 **학교**는 정말 커요 Our **school** is really big ko en **학교** 끝나고 뭐 할 거예요? What are you going to do after **school**? ko en notes examples 학생 student General word for "student," used for any level of schooling. ko en 저는 **학생**이에요 I am a **student** ko en 이 반에는 **학생**이 몇 명 있어요? How many **students** are in this class? ko en 그 **학생**은 항상 질문이 많아요 That **student** always has a lot of questions ko en notes examples 선생님 teacher The polite, everyday word for "teacher." Also commonly used as a title/honorific when addressing or referring to a teacher, similar to "Mr./Ms. [Name]." ko en 우리 **선생님**은 친절해요 Our **teacher** is kind ko en **선생님**, 질문 있어요 **Teacher**, I have a question ko en 저는 커서 **선생님**이 되고 싶어요 I want to become a **teacher** when I grow up ko en notes examples 교사 teacher A more formal/official word for "teacher," often used in writing, job titles, or news, rather than in direct conversation (where 선생님 is preferred). ko en 그는 초등학교 **교사**예요 He is an elementary school **teacher** ko en **교사**가 되려면 시험을 봐야 해요 To become a **teacher**, you have to take an exam ko en notes examples 담임선생님 homeroom teacher Refers specifically to the homeroom teacher who is in charge of a particular class (반) of students. ko en 우리 **담임선생님**은 수학을 가르쳐요 Our **homeroom teacher** teaches math ko en 새 학년이 되면 **담임선생님**이 바뀌어요 When the new school year starts, the **homeroom teacher** changes ko en notes examples 교장선생님 principal Refers to the principal of a school. 교장 alone means "principal," and 선생님 is added as a respectful title. ko en **교장선생님**이 연설을 했어요 The **principal** gave a speech ko en 우리 **교장선생님**은 매우 엄격해요 Our **principal** is very strict ko en notes examples 교감선생님 vice principal Refers to the vice principal, who typically ranks just below the 교장선생님 (principal). ko en **교감선생님**이 학생들을 도와줬어요 The **vice principal** helped the students ko en **교감선생님**은 매일 아침 인사를 해요 The **vice principal** greets everyone every morning ko en notes examples 원어민 선생님 native speaking teacher Refers to a native-speaking teacher, most commonly used for foreign language teachers (like English) who are native speakers of that language. ko en **원어민 선생님**과 영어로 대화했어요 I talked with the **native speaking teacher** in English ko en **원어민 선생님**은 미국에서 왔어요 The **native speaking teacher** is from America ko en notes examples 과목 subject Refers to an academic subject, such as math, science, English, etc. ko en 제가 제일 좋아하는 **과목**은 수학이에요 My favorite **subject** is math ko en 어떤 **과목**을 가르치세요? What **subject** do you teach? ko en 그 **과목**은 너무 어려워요 That **subject** is too difficult ko en notes examples 반 class (group of students) Refers to a class as a group of students (like "homeroom" or "section"), not the lesson itself. Compare with 수업, which refers to the lesson/class session. ko en 우리 **반**에는 학생이 25명 있어요 Our **class** has 25 students ko en 저는 3학년 2**반**이에요 I'm in 3rd grade, **class** 2 ko en 같은 **반** 친구예요 We're friends from the same **class** ko en notes examples 수업 class (lesson) Refers to a class session or lesson, as opposed to 반 which refers to a group of students. Also commonly used with 듣다 ("to take a class") and 끝나다 ("class ends"). ko en **수업**이 몇 시에 시작해요? What time does **class** start? ko en **수업** 끝나고 만나요 Let's meet after **class** ko en 저는 지금 **수업**을 듣고 있어요 I'm currently taking a **class** ko en notes examples 교실 classroom Refers to the physical classroom space. ko en **교실**이 너무 추워요 The **classroom** is too cold ko en 우리 **교실**은 3층에 있어요 Our **classroom** is on the 3rd floor ko en notes examples 교시 period Counter word used for class periods, always used with a number (일 교시, 이 교시, etc.). Uses Sino-Korean numbers. ko en 지금 몇 **교시**예요? What **period** is it now? ko en 다음 **교시**는 뭐예요? What's the next **period**? ko en notes examples 1교시 first period ("일 교시") Uses Sino-Korean number 일 (one) with the counter 교시. This numbering pattern continues for all class periods. ko en **1교시**는 국어 수업이에요 **First period** is Korean language class ko en **1교시**에 늦었어요 I was late for **first period** ko en notes examples 2교시 second period ("이 교시") Uses Sino-Korean number 이 (two) with the counter 교시. ko en **2교시**는 영어 수업이에요 **Second period** is English class ko en **2교시**에 시험을 봤어요 I took an exam during **second period** ko en notes examples 시간표 timetable Refers to a class schedule/timetable. ko en **시간표**를 확인해 봤어요? Did you check the **timetable**? ko en 이번 학기 **시간표**가 바뀌었어요 This semester's **timetable** changed ko en notes examples 급식 the lunch served at school Refers specifically to school-provided cafeteria lunch, as opposed to a packed lunch. ko en 오늘 **급식**은 맛있었어요 Today's school **lunch** was delicious ko en **급식** 메뉴가 뭐예요? What's on the **lunch** menu? ko en notes examples 동아리 club Refers to a school club or extracurricular activity group. ko en 저는 축구 **동아리**에 들어갔어요 I joined the soccer **club** ko en 어떤 **동아리** 활동을 하세요? What **club** activity do you do? ko en notes examples 시험 exam General word for "exam" or "test." Often paired with 보다 to mean "to take an exam." ko en 내일 **시험**이 있어요 There's an **exam** tomorrow ko en **시험**이 너무 어려웠어요 The **exam** was too hard ko en **시험** 공부를 열심히 했어요 I studied hard for the **exam** ko en notes examples 중간고사 midterm exam Refers specifically to the midterm exam. ko en **중간고사**가 다음 주예요 The **midterm exam** is next week ko en **중간고사**를 잘 봤어요 I did well on the **midterm exam** ko en notes examples 기말고사 final exam Refers specifically to the final exam. ko en **기말고사**는 이번 달 말에 있어요 The **final exam** is at the end of this month ko en **기말고사** 준비하느라 바빠요 I'm busy preparing for the **final exam** ko en notes examples 문제 problem/question Can refer to a "problem" in general or a "question" on a test/worksheet. ko en 이 **문제**를 풀 수 없어요 I can't solve this **problem** ko en 시험에 어려운 **문제**가 많았어요 There were many difficult **problems** on the exam ko en 그건 큰 **문제**가 아니에요 That's not a big **problem** ko en notes examples 질문 question Refers to a "question" asked in conversation or class, as opposed to 문제 which often refers to test/exercise questions. ko en **질문** 있어요? Do you have a **question**? ko en 좋은 **질문**이에요 That's a good **question** ko en **질문**에 대답해 주세요 Please answer the **question** ko en notes examples 방학 vacation Refers specifically to a school vacation/break (like summer or winter break), as opposed to 휴가 which is used for adult work vacations. ko en **방학** 때 뭐 할 거예요? What are you going to do during **vacation**? ko en 여름 **방학**이 곧 시작돼요 Summer **vacation** starts soon ko en **방학**이 벌써 끝났어요 **Vacation** is already over ko en notes examples 초등학교 elementary school Refers to elementary school (grades 1-6 in Korea). ko en 제 동생은 **초등학교**에 다녀요 My younger sibling attends **elementary school** ko en **초등학교** 때 친구를 아직도 만나요 I still meet my friends from **elementary school** ko en notes examples 중학교 middle school Refers to middle school (grades 7-9 in Korea). ko en 저는 **중학교** 2학년이에요 I'm in **middle school** 2nd grade ko en **중학교**에서 새 친구를 많이 사귀었어요 I made a lot of new friends in **middle school** ko en notes examples 고등학교 high school Refers to high school (grades 10-12 in Korea). ko en **고등학교** 생활은 정말 바빴어요 **High school** life was really busy ko en 저는 **고등학교**를 졸업했어요 I graduated from **high school** ko en **고등학교** 친구들을 아직 만나요 I still see my **high school** friends ko en notes examples 국립고등학교 public high school Refers to a public/national high school, funded and operated by the government. ko en 저는 **국립고등학교**에 다녔어요 I attended a **public high school** ko en notes examples 사립고등학교 private high school Refers to a private high school. ko en 그 **사립고등학교**는 학비가 비싸요 That **private high school** has expensive tuition ko en notes examples 학원 after school private academy Refers to a private academy/cram school that students attend after regular school hours for extra study. ko en 저는 매일 **학원**에 가요 I go to **academy** every day ko en **학원** 숙제가 너무 많아요 I have too much **academy** homework ko en 영어 **학원**에 다니고 있어요 I'm attending an English **academy** ko en notes examples 학년 grade (3학년 "삼학년" = third grade) Refers to a school grade/year level. Uses Sino-Korean numbers (일학년, 이학년, 삼학년, etc.). ko en 저는 몇 **학년**이에요 What **grade** are you in ko en 3**학년** 학생들이 시험을 봐요 The 3rd **grade** students are taking an exam ko en notes examples 학기 semester (1학기 "일학기" = first semester) Refers to a school semester. Uses Sino-Korean numbers (일학기, 이학기). ko en 이번 **학기**는 정말 힘들었어요 This **semester** was really hard ko en 다음 **학기**에 뭘 배워요? What will you learn next **semester**? ko en notes examples 수능 Korean SAT Short for 대학수학능력시험, the standardized college entrance exam in Korea, similar to the SAT. ko en **수능**은 11월에 있어요 The **Korean SAT** is in November ko en **수능**을 잘 봐야 해요 I need to do well on the **Korean SAT** ko en notes examples 수행평가 performance assessment Refers to a performance-based assessment (like a project, presentation, or report), as opposed to a written exam. ko en **수행평가**를 제출해야 해요 I have to submit my **performance assessment** ko en **수행평가** 점수가 잘 나왔어요 I got a good score on the **performance assessment** ko en notes examples 가르치다 to teach Basic verb meaning "to teach." ko en 저는 영어를 **가르쳐요** I **teach** English ko en 그 선생님은 수학을 잘 **가르쳐요** That teacher **teaches** math well ko en 저에게 한국어를 **가르쳐** 주세요 Please **teach** me Korean ko en notes examples 배우다 to learn Basic verb meaning "to learn." ko en 저는 한국어를 **배워요** I **learn/am learning** Korean ko en 새로운 것을 **배우는** 게 재미있어요 **Learning** new things is fun ko en 어디에서 그걸 **배웠어요**? Where did you **learn** that? ko en notes examples 듣다 to hear (used when "taking" a class) Literally means "to hear/listen," but is used idiomatically with 수업 to mean "to take a class." An irregular ㄷ verb. ko en 저는 이 수업을 **들어요** I'm **taking** this class ko en 어떤 수업을 **듣고** 있어요? What classes are you **taking**? ko en 그 강의를 **들은** 적이 있어요 I've **taken** that lecture before ko en notes examples 이해하다 understand Basic verb meaning "to understand." ko en 이제 **이해했어요** Now I **understand** ko en 그 설명을 **이해하기** 힘들었어요 It was hard to **understand** that explanation ko en 완전히 **이해했어요**? Do you fully **understand**? ko en notes examples 이해가 안 되다 to not understand Literally "understanding doesn't happen/come." A common alternative to negating 이해하다 directly, often used to express confusion in the moment. ko en 이 문제가 **이해가 안 돼요** I **don't understand** this problem ko en 아직도 **이해가 안 돼요** I still **don't understand** ko en notes examples 설명하다 to explain Basic verb meaning "to explain." ko en 다시 **설명해** 주세요 Please **explain** it again ko en 선생님이 자세히 **설명했어요** The teacher **explained** it in detail ko en 이걸 어떻게 **설명해야** 할지 모르겠어요 I don't know how to **explain** this ko en notes examples 평가하다 to evaluate Basic verb meaning "to evaluate" or "assess." ko en 선생님이 학생들을 **평가해요** The teacher **evaluates** the students ko en 이 과제는 어떻게 **평가돼요**? How is this assignment **evaluated**? ko en notes examples 시험을 보다 to take an exam Common collocation using 보다 ("to see/take") with 시험 ("exam") to mean "to take an exam." ko en 내일 **시험을 봐요** I'm **taking an exam** tomorrow ko en **시험을 잘 봤어요** I **did well on the exam** ko en 언제 **시험을 봐요**? When are you **taking the exam**? ko en notes examples 채점하다 to mark or grade an exam Verb used specifically for grading/marking exams or assignments. ko en 선생님이 시험지를 **채점하고** 있어요 The teacher is **grading** the exam papers ko en 아직 **채점이** 안 끝났어요 The **grading** isn't finished yet ko en notes examples 방과 후 수업 after school class (also refers to a class during the vacation) Refers to an after-school class, or can also refer to a special class held during school vacation. ko en **방과 후 수업**에서 그림을 배워요 I learn drawing in **after school class** ko en **방과 후 수업**은 몇 시에 끝나요? What time does **after school class** end? ko en notes examples 학교 끝나고… after school Literally "after school ends…", a common way to say "after school" when talking about plans. ko en **학교 끝나고** 뭐 할 거예요? What will you do **after school**? ko en **학교 끝나고** 친구를 만났어요 I met a friend **after school** ko en notes examples 수업 전에 before class Uses 전에 ("before") after 수업 ("class") to mean "before class." ko en **수업 전에** 숙제를 확인했어요 I checked my homework **before class** ko en **수업 전에** 도착해야 해요 I have to arrive **before class** ko en notes examples 수업 끝나고… after class Literally "after class ends…", parallel in structure to 학교 끝나고. ko en **수업 끝나고** 뭐 할 거예요? What will you do **after class**? ko en **수업 끝나고** 카페에 갔어요 I went to a cafe **after class** ko en notes examples 외국어 Foreign Languages General term for "foreign language(s)," used to refer to the subject category rather than one specific language. ko en 저는 **외국어**를 배우는 것을 좋아해요 I like learning **foreign languages** ko en **외국어** 수업이 몇 개 있어요? How many **foreign language** classes do you have? ko en notes examples 영어 English Refers to the English language/subject. ko en 저는 **영어** 선생님이에요 I am an **English** teacher ko en 이 사람은 우리 학교(의) **영어** 원어민 선생님이에요 This person is our school's native **English** teacher ko en **영어** 시험이 너무 어려웠어요 The **English** exam was so difficult ko en notes examples 영어회화 English Conversation Refers to English conversation as a subject, as distinct from general English classes that may focus more on grammar or reading. ko en 저는 **영어회화** 선생님이에요 I am an **English conversation** teacher ko en 저는 한국에서 **영어 회화**선생님이에요 I am an **English conversation** teacher in Korea ko en 저는 오늘 2교시에 **영어회화** 수업이 있어요 I have an **English conversation** class today at 2nd period ko en notes examples 중국어 Chinese Refers to the Chinese language/subject. ko en 저는 **중국어**를 배우고 싶어요 I want to learn **Chinese** ko en **중국어**는 어려워요 **Chinese** is difficult ko en notes examples 일본어 Japanese Refers to the Japanese language/subject. ko en 저는 **일본어**를 조금 할 수 있어요 I can speak a little **Japanese** ko en **일본어** 수업을 듣고 있어요 I'm taking a **Japanese** class ko en notes examples 독일어 German Refers to the German language/subject. ko en **독일어**는 문법이 복잡해요 **German** grammar is complicated ko en notes examples 스페인어 Spanish Refers to the Spanish language/subject. ko en **스페인어**를 배우고 싶어요 I want to learn **Spanish** ko en notes examples 프랑스어 French Refers to the French language/subject. ko en **프랑스어** 발음이 예뻐요 **French** pronunciation is pretty ko en notes examples 국어 Korean Refers to the Korean language as a school subject (literally "national language"), used specifically to refer to a Korean school's own native language class, as opposed to 한국어 which refers to Korean in a general/foreign-language-learning sense. ko en **국어** 시험이 어려웠어요 The **Korean** exam was difficult ko en 1교시는 **국어** 수업이에요 First period is **Korean** language class ko en notes examples 문학 Literature Refers to literature as a subject. ko en **문학** 수업에서 시를 배웠어요 We learned poems in **literature** class ko en notes examples 과학 Science General term for "science" as a subject. ko en 저는 **과학**동아리에 가입했어요 I entered the **science** club ko en 저는 **과학**동아리를 하고 있어요 I am in the **science** club ko en 저는 **과학**동아리이에요 I am in the **science** club ko en notes examples 생물 Biology Refers to biology as a subject. ko en **생물** 시험을 잘 봤어요 I did well on the **biology** exam ko en notes examples 화학 Chemistry Refers to chemistry as a subject. ko en **화학**은 너무 어려워요 **Chemistry** is too difficult ko en notes examples 물리 Physics Refers to physics as a subject. ko en **물리** 문제를 못 풀었어요 I couldn't solve the **physics** problem ko en notes examples 지구과학 Earth Sciences Refers to earth science as a subject. ko en **지구과학**은 화산에 대해 배워요 In **earth science**, we learn about volcanoes ko en notes examples 사회 Social Studies Refers to social studies as a school subject. ko en **사회** 수업이 있어요 I have **social studies** class ko en notes examples 지리 Geography Refers to geography as a subject. ko en **지리** 시험에 지도가 나왔어요 A map appeared on the **geography** exam ko en notes examples 역사 History Refers to history as a subject. ko en **역사** 수업은 재미있어요 **History** class is fun ko en notes examples 윤리 Ethics Refers to ethics as a school subject. ko en **윤리** 시간에 철학자에 대해 배웠어요 In **ethics** class, we learned about philosophers ko en notes examples 정치 Politics Refers to politics as a subject. ko en **정치** 수업에서 토론을 했어요 We had a debate in **politics** class ko en notes examples 경제 Economics Refers to economics as a subject. ko en **경제** 시험이 다음 주에 있어요 There's an **economics** exam next week ko en notes examples 예체능 Arts and Physical Education Umbrella term combining "arts" (예) and "physical education" (체능), used to refer to that category of subjects together. ko en **예체능** 수업은 오후에 있어요 **Arts and PE** classes are in the afternoon ko en notes examples 미술 Art Refers to art as a subject. ko en **미술** 시간에 그림을 그렸어요 We drew pictures in **art** class ko en notes examples 체육 Physical Education Refers to physical education (PE) as a subject. ko en 저는 처음에 **체육** 수업을 싫어했어요 At first I didn't like **PE** class ko en notes examples 수학 Mathematics Refers to mathematics as a subject. ko en 제가 제일 좋아하는 과목은 **수학**이에요 My favorite subject is **math** ko en 그 선생님은 **수학**을 잘 가르쳐요 That teacher teaches **math** well ko en notes examples 미적분 Calculus Refers to calculus as a subject, more advanced/specific than 수학 (math) generally. ko en **미적분**은 정말 어려워요 **Calculus** is really difficult

being_a_teacher being_a_student studying school classes exams clubs after_school ko en 저는 선생님이에요 I am a teacher ko en 저는 영어회화 선생님이에요 I am an English conversation teacher ko en 저는 영어 선생님이에요 I am an English teacher ko en 저는 곧 선생님이 될 것입니다 I will become a teacher soon ko en 저는 선생님이 되고 싶어요 I want to be/become a teacher ko en 저는 언젠가 선생님이 되고 싶어요 I want to become a teacher someday ko en 담임선생님은 누구예요? Who is your homeroom teacher? ko en 저는 한국에서 영어 회화선생님이에요 I am an English conversation teacher in Korea ko en 무슨 과목을 가르쳐요? What subject do you teach? ko en 선생님이 왜 되고 싶었어요? Why did you want to become a teacher? ko en 이 학교에서 언제부터 일했어요? Since when have you been at this school? ko en 이 학교 일을 어떻게 구했어요? How did you find this position (at this school)? ko en 학교에서 몇 시에 퇴근해요? What time do you leave school? ko en 집에 몇 시에 가요? What time will you go home? ko en 1주일에 수업을 몇 개 가르쳐요? How many classes do you teach per week? ko en 하루에 (보통) 수업을 몇 개 가르쳐요? How many classes do you (usually) teach per day? ko en 이 사람은 우리 학교(의) 영어 원어민 선생님이에요 This person is our school’s native English teacher ko en 교장선생님은 선생님들에게 존경 받아요 The principal is respected by the teachers ko en 학생들은 수업 시간 동안 자고 있었어요 The students were sleeping during class ko en 그 사람이 선생님인지 아닌지 몰라요 I don’t know if that person is a teacher or not ko en 내가 선생님이면 학생들을 잘 가르칠 거야 If/When I am a teacher, I would teach students well ko en 만약 제가 선생님이라면 학생들에게 존경을 받고 싶을 거에요 If I were a teacher, I would want to be respected by students ko en 이렇게 많은 내용을 학생들에게 가르치려고 고생을 많이 했어요 I worked hard/suffered in order to teach that much content to the students ko en 몇 반이에요? What class are you in? ko en 몇 학년이에요? What grade are you in? ko notes ko_text en 저는 1-2이에요 ("일학년-이반") 저는 일학년-이반이에요 I am in class 1-2 ko en 저는 3학년이에요 I’m in third grade ko en 저는 내년에 수능을 봐 야 돼요 I need to write 수능 next year ko en 저는 심심해요 I’m bored ko en 오늘 수업 시간 동안 뭐 할 거에요? What are we going to do during class today? ko en 그 학생은 수업에 집중을 못 해요 That student can’t concentrate during class ko en 제일 좋아하는 선생님이 누구예요? Who is your favorite teacher? ko en 제일 좋아하는 과목이 뭐예요? What is your favorite subject? ko en 다음 수업은 뭐에요? What is the next class? ko en 저는 학교에 친구가 없어요 I have no friends at school ko en 저는 학교에 친구가 많아요 I have a lot of friends at school ko en 선생님, 어디 가세요? Teacher, where are you going? ko en 저는 그 학생이 어느 대학교를 다니는 지 기억 안 나요 I don’t remember which university that student attends ko en 그 학생이 학교에서 왕따인 것 같아 That student is probably an outcast at school ko en 너는 고등학생 같이 보여 You look like a high school student ko en 초등학생과 같아요 You’re like an elementary school student ko en 열심히 공부해요! Study hard! ko en 저는 교감선생님에게서 한국어를 배웠어요 I learned Korean from my vice principal ko en 선생님, 저는 이 것이 이해가 안 돼요 Teacher, I don’t understand this ko en 저는 선생님이 그 것을 언제 가르친 지 기억 안 나요 I don’t remember when the teacher taught ko en 선생님은 우리를 너무 잘 가르치셨어 Our teacher taught us really well ko en 수업이 4시쯤에 시작될 예정이에요 The class is scheduled to start at about 4:00 ko en 제가 공부했을 때 문법만 공부했어요 When I studied, I only studied grammar ko en 제가 공부를 하면 엄마는 TV를 꺼요 When I study, my mother turns off the TV ko en (만약) 공부한다면 성공할 거야 If you study, you will succeed ko en 대학교에 가고 싶다면 열심히 공부해 야 해요 If you want to go to university, you have to study hard ko en 내일 공부하러 독서실에 갈래요? Shall we go to the library tomorrow to study? ko en 나는 선생님에게 열심히 공부했다고 말했어 I told the teacher that I studied hard ko en 그는 공부하지 않았다고 했어요 He said that he didn’t study ko en 선생님은 학생들에게 열심히 공부하라고 했어요 The teacher told the students to study hard ko en 학생들이 너무 시끄러워서 저는 교수님의 말을 못 들었어요 The students were too loud, so I couldn’t hear the professor ko en 지금 공부를 하고 있기 때문에 너랑 통화하고 싶지 않아 I don’t want to talk with you on the phone because I’m studying now ko en 저는 내년에 대학교에 갈 것이기 때문에 지금 열심히 공부하고 있어요 Because I will be going to university next year, I am studying hard now ko en 요즘에 한국어를 열심히 공부하고 있지만 아직도 잘 말할 수 없어요 Even though I am studying Korean hard these days, I still can’t speak well ko en 이 학교는 우리 학교와 같아요 This school and our school are (exactly) the same ko en 저는3일 동안 학교에 안 갔어요 I didn’t go to school for 3 days ko en 고등학교는 한국에서 어려워요 High school is difficult in Korea ko en 저는 학교에서 멀리 살고 있어요 I live far from school ko en 저는 3시부터 학교에 있을 거에요 I will be at school from 3:00 ko en 저는 작년부터 한국어를 배웠어요 I have been learning Korean since last year ko en 밥은 학교에 제공되었어요 food is provided by the school ko en 우리학교에서 식당까지 10분 걸려요 It takes 10 minutes to get from our school to the restaurant ko en 저는 학교에 가서 공부할 거에요 I will go to school and then study ko en 오늘 수업이 몇 개 있어요? How many classes do you have today? ko en 저는 오늘 1교시 수업이 있어요 I have a class first period today ko en 저는 오늘 2교시에 영어회화 수업이 있어요 I have an English conversation class today at 2nd period ko en 오늘 수업 시간 동안 뭐 할까요? What should we do during class today? ko en 오늘 수업 시간 동안 뭐 하고 싶어요? What do you want to do during class today? ko en 제일 좋아하는 수업은 뭐예요? What is your favorite class? ko en 제일 재미있는 수업은 뭐예요? What is the most fun class? ko en 각 수업은 50분이에요 Each class is 50 minutes ko en 저는 10분 후에 1학년3반 수업이 있어요 I have a class (lesson) with class 1-3 in 10 minutes ko en 이 것은 저의 마지막 수업이에요 This is my last class ko en 저는 처음에 체육 수업을 싫어했어요 At first I didn’t like PE class ko en 저는 지난 수업을 안 들었어요 I didn’t go to/attend the last class ko en 저는 3일에 수업을 들었어요 I went to class on the 3rd (day of the month) ko en 저는 3일 동안 수업을 들었어요 I went to class for three days ko en 저는 2달 동안 한국어 수업을 들었어요 I took a Korean class for 2 months ko en 저는 2개월 동안 한국어 수업을 들었어요 I took a Korean class for 2 months ko en 수업은 2 분 후에 끝날 거에요 Class will finish 2 minutes from now ko en 학생들은 다음 주에 중간고사를 볼 거에요 Students will write the midterm next week ko en 학생들은 다음 주에 기말고사를 볼 거에요 Students will write the final exam next week ko en 영어 시험이 너무 어려웠어요 The English exam was so difficult ko en 저는 시험문제를 만들고 있어요 I am making exam questions ko en 저는 시험문제를 만들어야 돼요 I need to make exam questions ko en 우리는 시험 문제를 언제까지 내야 돼요? When do we need to submit the exam questions by? ko en 저는 시험을 채점하고 있어요 I am marking the exams ko en 시험을 잘 봤어요? Did you do well on the exam? ko en 시험을 잘 봤어요 I did well on the exam ko en 시험을 망했어요! I messed up the exam! ko en 저는 이번 시험에 벼락치기를 했어요 I crammed for this exam ko en 저는 지금 시험 감독을 해 야 돼요 I need to proctor an exam now ko en 학생들을 평가하려고 내일 시험을 볼 거에요 In order to evaluate the students, they will do an exam tomorrow ko en 저는 공부하지 않아서 시험을 못 봤어요 I didn’t study, therefore, I didn’t do well on the exam ko en 제가 공부했더라면 시험을 합격했을 거에요 If I studied, I would have passed the test ko en 저는 6월 20일에 시험을 봐 야 되어서 지금 열심히 공부해 야 돼요 Because I have to write an exam on June 20th, I need to study really hard now ko en 저는 과학동아리에 가입했어요 I entered the science club ko en 저는 동아리 친구들이랑 같이 봉사를 했어요 I volunteered with my friends in my club ko en 저는 과학동아리에 있어요 I am in the science club ko en 저는 과학동아리를 하고 있어요 I am in the science club ko en 저는 과학동아리이에요 I am in the science club ko en 방학식은 언제예요? When is the last day of school? ko en 개학식은 언제예요? When is the first day of school? ko en 졸업식은 언제예요? When is the graduation ceremony? ko en 방학 언제 해요? When is your vacation? ko en 방학 동안 뭐 할 거에요? What are you going to do during the vacation? ko en 여름 방학 동안 뭐 할 거에요? What are you going to do during summer vacation? ko en 저는 오늘 학교 끝나고 친구를 만날 거에요 I’m going to meet a friend after school ko en 저는 방학 동안 방과 후 수업을 들을 거에요 I’m going to take a class during the vacation ko en 방학 동안 저는 학교에 있고 싶지 않아요 I don’t want to be at school during vacation

(Theme) Unit 1: #1 – School

Introduction

I know this is a generalization, but the majority of foreign learners of Korean are teachers or exchange students in Korea. If you don’t fit into one of these categories, it is likely that you are a student somewhere. Of course, there will be some people studying Korean who are neither teachers nor students, but I feel that the majority of Korean learners have some relation with a school. As such – why not begin the Theme Lessons with a lesson about school?

First, let me introduce you to a variety of words that you can use in a school. The word “class” as it relates to schools is very difficult for English speakers. In English, the word “class” refers to many things, and each of these has a different word in Korean. Three common words that could translate to “class” are:

반 = class (group of people)

For example: “There are 30 students in my class”

수업 = class (lesson that you receive)

For example: “We had 5 classes today”

교실 = class (classroom)

For example: “He is in the classroom”

Another word that could be confusing with these words is:

교시 = class period

This is usually translated as “period” in English

If I was going to write the following sentence:

• Our class had PE class in the classroom during second period

Notice where I place each of those Korean words if I substituted them for the English word:

• Our 반 had PE수업 in the 교실 during second 교시

Below is a list of other vocabulary you may find useful in a school:

Vocabulary

Nouns

학교 = school

학생 = student

선생님 = teacher

교사 = teacher

담임선생님 = homeroom teacher

교장선생님 = principal

교감선생님 = vice principal

원어민 선생님 = native speaking teacher

과목 = subject

반 = class (group of students)

수업 = class (lesson)

교실 = classroom

교시 = period

1교시 = first period (“일 교시”)

2교시 = second period (“이 교시”)

시간표 = timetable

급식 = the lunch served at school

동아리 = club

시험 = exam

중간고사 = midterm exam

기말고사 = final exam

문제 = problem/question

질문 = question

방학 = vacation

초등학교 = elementary school

중학교 = middle school

고등학교 = high school

국립고등학교 = public high school

사립고등학교 = private high school

학원 = after school private academy

학년 = grade (3학년 “삼학년” = third grade)

학기 = semester (1학기 “일학기” = first semester)

수능 = Korean SAT (short for 대학수학능력시험)

수행평가 = performance assessment

Verbs

가르치다 = to teach

배우다 = to learn

듣다 = to hear (used when “taking” a class)

이해하다 = to understand

이해가 안 되다 = to not understand

설명하다 = to explain

평가하다 = to evaluate

시험을 보다 = to take an exam

채점하다 = to mark or grade an exam

Adverbs and Other Words

방과 후 수업 = after school class (also refers to a class during the vacation)

학교 끝나고… = after school

수업 전에 = before class

수업 끝나고… = after class

Now let’s look at some specific sentences that you may find useful in a school:

Sentences

Being a teacher

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저는 선생님이에요 = I am a teacher

저는 영어회화 선생님이에요 = I am an English conversation teacher

저는 영어 선생님이에요 = I am an English teacher

저는 곧 선생님이 될 것입니다 = I will become a teacher soon

저는 선생님이 되고 싶어요 = I want to be/become a teacher

저는 언젠가 선생님이 되고 싶어요 = I want to become a teacher someday

담임선생님은 누구예요? = Who is your homeroom teacher?

저는 한국에서 영어 회화선생님이에요 = I am an English conversation teacher in Korea

무슨 과목을 가르쳐요? = What subject do you teach?

선생님이 왜 되고 싶었어요? = Why did you want to become a teacher?

이 학교에서 언제부터 일했어요? = Since when have you been at this school?

이 학교 일을 어떻게 구했어요? = How did you find this position (at this school)?

학교에서 몇 시에 퇴근해요? = What time do you leave school?

집에 몇 시에 가요? = What time will you go home?

1주일에 수업을 몇 개 가르쳐요? = How many classes do you teach per week?

하루에 (보통) 수업을 몇 개 가르쳐요? = How many classes do you (usually) teach per day?

이 사람은 우리 학교(의) 영어 원어민 선생님이에요 = This person is our school’s native English teacher

교장선생님은 선생님들에게 존경 받아요 = The principal is respected by the teachers

학생들은 수업 시간 동안 자고 있었어요 = The students were sleeping during class

그 사람이 선생님인지 아닌지 몰라요 = I don’t know if that person is a teacher or not

내가 선생님이면 학생들을 잘 가르칠 거야 = If/When I am a teacher, I would teach students well

만약 제가 선생님이라면 학생들에게 존경을 받고 싶을 거에요 = If I were a teacher, I would want to be respected by students

이렇게 많은 내용을 학생들에게 가르치려고 고생을 많이 했어요 = I worked hard/suffered in order to teach that much content to the students

Being a student

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몇 반이에요? = What class are you in?

몇 학년이에요? = What grade are you in?

저는 1-2이에요 (일학년-이반) = I am in class 1-2

저는 3학년이에요 = I’m in third grade

저는 내년에 수능을 봐 야 돼요 = I need to write 수능 next year

저는 심심해요 = I’m bored

오늘 수업 시간 동안 뭐 할 거에요? = What are we going to do during class today?

그 학생은 수업에 집중을 못 해요 = That student can’t concentrate during class

제일 좋아하는 선생님이 누구예요? = Who is your favorite teacher?

제일 좋아하는 과목이 뭐예요? = What is your favorite subject?

다음 수업은 뭐에요? = What is the next class?

저는 학교에 친구가 없어요 = I have no friends at school

저는 학교에 친구가 많아요 = I have a lot of friends at school

선생님, 어디 가세요? = Teacher, where are you going?

저는 그 학생이 어느 대학교를 다니는 지 기억 안 나요 = I don’t remember which university that student attends

그 학생이 학교에서 왕따인 것 같아 = That student is probably an outcast at school

너는 고등학생 같이 보여 = You look like a high school student

초등학생과 같아요 = You’re like an elementary school student

Learning/Studying

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열심히 공부해요! = Study hard!

저는 교감선생님에게서 한국어를 배웠어요 = I learned Korean from my vice principal

선생님, 저는 이 것이 이해가 안 돼요 = Teacher, I don’t understand this

저는 선생님이 그 것을 언제 가르친 지 기억 안 나요 = I don’t remember when the teacher taught

선생님은 우리를 너무 잘 가르치셨어 = Our teacher taught us really well

수업이 4시쯤에 시작될 예정이에요 = The class is scheduled to start at about 4:00

제가 공부했을 때 문법만 공부했어요 = When I studied, I only studied grammar

제가 공부를 하면 엄마는 TV를 꺼요 = When I study, my mother turns off the TV

(만약) 공부한다면 성공할 거야 = If you study, you will succeed

대학교에 가고 싶다면 열심히 공부해 야 해요 = If you want to go to university, you have to study hard

내일 공부하러 독서실에 갈래요? = Shall we go to the library tomorrow to study?

나는 선생님에게 열심히 공부했다고 말했어 = I told the teacher that I studied hard

그는 공부하지 않았다고 했어요 = He said that he didn’t study

선생님은 학생들에게 열심히 공부하라고 했어요 = The teacher told the students to study hard

학생들이 너무 시끄러워서 저는 교수님의 말을 못 들었어요 = The students were too loud, so I couldn’t hear the professor

지금 공부를 하고 있기 때문에 너랑 통화하고 싶지 않아 = I don’t want to talk with you on the phone because I’m studying now

저는 내년에 대학교에 갈 것이기 때문에 지금 열심히 공부하고 있어요 = Because I will be going to university next year, I am studying hard now

요즘에 한국어를 열심히 공부하고 있지만 아직도 잘 말할 수 없어요 = Even though I am studying Korean hard these days, I still can’t speak well

School

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이 학교는 우리 학교와 같아요 = This school and our school are (exactly) the same

저는3일 동안 학교에 안 갔어요 = I didn’t go to school for 3 days

고등학교는 한국에서 어려워요 = High school is difficult in Korea

저는 학교에서 멀리 살고 있어요 = I live far from school

• 저는 3시부터 학교에 있을 거에요 = I will be at school from 3:00
• 저는 작년부터 한국어를 배웠어요 = I have been learning Korean since last year

밥은 학교에 제공되었어요 = food is provided by the school

우리학교에서 식당까지 10분 걸려요 = It takes 10 minutes to get from our school to the restaurant

저는 학교에 가서 공부할 거에요 = I will go to school and then study

Classes

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오늘 수업이 몇 개 있어요? = How many classes do you have today?

저는 오늘 1교시 수업이 있어요 = I have a class first period today

저는 오늘 2교시에 영어회화 수업이 있어요 = I have an English conversation class today at 2^nd period

오늘 수업 시간 동안 뭐 할까요? = What should we do during class today?

오늘 수업 시간 동안 뭐 하고 싶어요? = What do you want to do during class today?

제일 좋아하는 수업은 뭐예요? = What is your favorite class?

제일 재미있는 수업은 뭐예요? = What is the most fun class?

각 수업은 50분이에요 = Each class is 50 minutes

저는 10분 후에 1학년3반 수업이 있어요 = I have a class (lesson) with class 1-3 in 10 minutes

이 것은 저의 마지막 수업이에요 = This is my last class

저는 처음에 체육 수업을 싫어했어요 = At first I didn’t like PE class

저는 지난 수업을 안 들었어요 = I didn’t go to/attend the last class

저는 3일에 수업을 들었어요 = I went to class on the 3rd (day of the month)

저는 3일 동안 수업을 들었어요 = I went to class for three days

저는 2달 동안 한국어 수업을 들었어요 = I took a Korean class for 2 months

저는 2개월 동안 한국어 수업을 들었어요 = I took a Korean class for 2 months

수업은 2 분 후에 끝날 거에요 = Class will finish 2 minutes from now

Exams

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학생들은 다음 주에 중간고사를 볼 거에요 = Students will write the midterm next week

학생들은 다음 주에 기말고사를 볼 거에요 = Students will write the final exam next week

영어 시험이 너무 어려웠어요 = The English exam was so difficult

저는 시험문제를 만들고 있어요 = I am making exam questions

저는 시험문제를 만들어야 돼요 = I need to make exam questions

우리는 시험 문제를 언제까지 내야 돼요? = When do we need to submit the exam questions by?

저는 시험을 채점하고 있어요 = I am marking the exams

시험을 잘 봤어요? = Did you do well on the exam?

시험을 잘 봤어요 = I did well on the exam

시험을 망했어요! = I messed up the exam!

저는 이번 시험에 벼락치기를 했어요 = I crammed for this exam

저는 지금 시험 감독을 해 야 돼요 = I need to proctor an exam now

학생들을 평가하려고 내일 시험을 볼 거에요 = In order to evaluate the students, they will do an exam tomorrow

저는 공부하지 않아서 시험을 못 봤어요 = I didn’t study, therefore, I didn’t do well on the exam

제가 공부했더라면 시험을 합격했을 거에요 = If I studied, I would have passed the test

저는 6월 20일에 시험을 봐 야 되어서 지금 열심히 공부해 야 돼요 = Because I have to write an exam on June 20^th, I need to study really hard now

Clubs

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저는 과학동아리에 가입했어요 = I entered the science club

저는 동아리 친구들이랑 같이 봉사를 했어요 = I volunteered with my friends in my club

In order to say “What club are you in?” there are a few ways that don’t seem like they would be natural. Some of the ways you could say this are:

• 저는 과학동아리에 있어요 = I am in the science club
• 저는 과학동아리를 하고 있어요 = I am in the science club
• 저는 과학동아리이에요 = I am in the science club

The first one seems like it would be most correct but that is probably used least often in Korean. The second and third sentences are probably best, even if the grammar looks strange.

After school and Vacation

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방학식은 언제예요? = When is the last day of school?

개학식은 언제예요? = When is the first day of school?

졸업식은 언제예요? = When is the graduation ceremony?

방학 언제 해요? = When is your vacation?

방학 동안 뭐 할 거에요? = What are you going to do during the vacation?

여름 방학 동안 뭐 할 거에요? = What are you going to do during summer vacation?

저는 오늘 학교 끝나고 친구를 만날 거에요 = I’m going to meet a friend after school

저는 방학 동안 방과 후 수업을 들을 거에요 = I’m going to take a class during the vacation

방학 동안 저는 학교에 있고 싶지 않아요 = I don’t want to be at school during vacation

School Subjects

The following are the common subjects you would find at a Korean school:

• 외국어 = Foreign Languages
• 영어 = English
• 영어회화 = English Conversation
• 중국어 = Chinese
• 일본어 = Japanese
• 독일어 = German
• 스페인어 = Spanish
• 프랑스어 = French

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• 국어 = Korean
• 문학 = Literature

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• 과학 = Science
• 생물 = Biology
• 화학 = Chemistry
• 물리 = Physics
• 지구과학 = Earth Sciences

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• 사회 = Social Studies
• 지리 = Geography
• 역사 = History
• 윤리 = Ethics
• 정치 = Politics
• 경제 = Economics

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• 예체능 = Arts and Physical Education
• 미술 = Art
• 체육 = Physical Education

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• 수학 = Mathematics
• 미적분 = Calculus

Korean Schools

If you have never been to Korea before, you might not be aware of many of the differences between a Korean school and the school that you are used to in your home country. The school year starts at the beginning of March, and is divided into two semesters (학기). The first semester usually ends sometime in July, at which time there is about a one month summer vacation (여름방학). School starts up again sometime in August and runs until the end of December, right before the start of a two month winter vacation (겨울방학).

Korean students attend elementary school from ages 8 to 13 and elementary school is from grade 1 – 6. You also might not be aware that the age system in Korea is different from the rest of the world, but I don’t want to get into that here. After elementary school, students move to middle school, which consists of grades 1 – 3. In Canada (and I’m sure most other western countries), we continue counting up from elementary school to high school. However, in Korea, when students enter their first year of middle school, they are now a 1^st grade middle school (중학교 1학년) student. Likewise, a student who has been in middle school for three years is a 3^rd grade middle school (중학교 3학년) student. After three years of middle school, students attend three years of high school, which again are referred to as 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd grade.

Competition to get into the best schools, especially for university and to a lesser extent high school is incredibly fierce. Korean students study all the time in order to improve their grades so that they can get into the best schools. This often comes at the expense of over-studying, lots of pressure and a system that measures students’ abilities using only exams.

The competitiveness and pressure is more apparent when students enter high school, but it is getting more and more common amongst middle school students and even elementary school students. The school day usually runs from around 8:00am to around 4:00pm, and the majority of students continue their studies after school by attending a Hagwon (학원). 학원 usually translates to “private school” in English, but this is not exactly what it is. A private school to me is a school – like a high school/middle school/elementary school – that is not funded by the government. This is true of Hagwons, but Hagwons are not an actual school. They are typically small companies run in offices that teach students after school. As businesses, most decisions are based on money or what makes the Hagwon look good on the outside (especially to parents).

During the day, at their actual school, students usually sit through lessons with very little activity or hands-on learning. This of course depends on the school, but most schools focus on exams – and any teaching that is not specifically related to solving exam questions is often seen as a waste of time by both students and teachers. A typical semester at school for any given class might have one or two evaluations outside of the final and midterm exams which are called 수행평가, which normally translates to “performance assessment.” The performance assessment usually consists of about 30% of a final grade, and the rest is made up from the midterm (중간고사) and final (기말고사) exams.

The scores that students receive for a class or on an exam do not determine if they fail or not. It is very rare for a student in Korea to have to re-do a grade at school. Rather, students are ranked with their peers in the same class and grade. If you ask a student about the score he/she received on an exam, he/she would more likely respond by telling you the rank he/she fell in instead of telling you an actual score or percentage.

This sometimes creates a dilemma for students when selecting a high school. If a slightly-above-average student chooses to enter (and is accepted) to one of the top high schools, his grades may rank him at the bottom of pack when compared to other students in the same grade. However, if that same student enters a regular high school, his scores might be near the top of the pack in the same grade.

The three years of studying in high school ends when students write the Korean version of the SAT, 대학수학능력시험 (commonly referred to as 수능) sometime in mid-November each year. Most of the basis for getting into University is based on a student’s score on this test – and there is only one test per year. As such, students are under an extreme amount of pressure to do well. If you do poorly on the test you can re-write it, but you have to wait another year. Writing the test again is colloquially called “재수” (재 (再) is the Hanja which means “re-do” or “re-..”). A student who writes the test again is called a “재수생.”

All of this pressure and the desire to do well – whether good or bad – causes Korean students do study hard. Korean students are one of the brightest in the world, and are incredibly diligent in their studies.

That’s it for this lesson. Click here to check out our next Theme Lesson.

Have something you want to include? Want to know how to say a sentence in Korean? Post in the thread designated to this specific lesson in our Forum, and we will add it to this lesson.