Finding specific academic resources like rare journals in a Korean library requires knowing the right phrases. This guide provides essential Korean expressions for students needing to inquire about specialized materials, specifically focusing on locating a rare journal about local history and interacting effectively with library staff.
Table Of Content
Core Inquiry Phrases
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Expression: 향토사 관련 희귀 학술지를 찾고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hyang-to-sa gwal-lyeon hwi-gwi hak-sul-ji-reul chat-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am looking for a rare journal related to local history. -
Expression: 이 학술지 좀 찾아 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i hak-sul-ji jom cha-ja ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you please help me find this journal?
Checking Availability and Location
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Expression: 혹시 [학술지 이름]이라는 학술지가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [hak-sul-ji i-reum]-i-ra-neun hak-sul-ji-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have a journal called [Journal Name]? -
Expression: 이 도서관에 소장되어 있습니까?
Pronunciation: i do-seo-gwan-e so-jang-doe-eo it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Is it held in this library’s collection? -
Expression: 향토사 관련 자료는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: hyang-to-sa gwal-lyeon ja-ryo-neun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the materials related to local history located? -
Expression: 이 학술지가 현재 대출 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i hak-sul-ji-ga hyeon-jae dae-chul ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this journal currently available for checkout? -
Expression: 희귀 자료실에 보관되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: hwi-gwi ja-ryo-sil-e bo-gwan-doe-eo in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it kept in the rare materials room? -
Expression: 온라인 데이터베이스에서도 검색할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in de-i-teo-be-i-seu-e-seo-do geom-saek-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I also search for it in the online database? -
Expression: 이 저널의 특정 호를 찾고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i jeo-neol-ui teuk-jeong ho-reul chat-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am looking for a specific issue of this journal. -
Expression: 서지 정보를 확인할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: seo-ji jeong-bo-reul hwa-gin-hal su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I check the bibliographic information? -
Expression: 이 자료의 위치를 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: i ja-ryo-ui wi-chi-reul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the location of this material. -
Expression: 검색 시스템 사용법 좀 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: geom-saek si-seu-tem sa-yong-beop jom do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me with how to use the search system.
Describing the Specific Journal
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Expression: 제가 찾는 것은 [지역 이름] 향토사 관련 학술지입니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga chan-neun geo-seun [ji-yeok i-reum] hyang-to-sa gwal-lyeon hak-sul-ji-im-ni-da.
Meaning: What I’m looking for is a journal about the local history of [Region Name]. -
Expression: 꽤 오래된 학술지로 알고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: kkwae o-rae-doen hak-sul-ji-ro al-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand it’s quite an old journal. -
Expression: 발행 연도가 [년도]년쯤 됩니다.
Pronunciation: bal-haeng yeon-do-ga [nyeon-do]-nyeon-jjeum doem-ni-da.
Meaning: The publication year is around [Year]. -
Expression: 아마 절판되었을 수도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: a-ma jeol-pan-doe-eo-sseul su-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It might be out of print. -
Expression: 저자나 편집자 이름은 확실하지 않습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-ja-na pyeon-jip-ja i-reum-eun hwak-sil-ha-ji an-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m not sure about the author or editor’s name. -
Expression: 표지 디자인이 [특징]했던 것으로 기억합니다.
Pronunciation: pyo-ji di-ja-in-i [teuk-jing]-haet-deon geo-seu-ro gi-eok-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I remember the cover design was [Characteristic]. -
Expression: 논문 제목은 ‘[논문 제목]’입니다.
Pronunciation: non-mun je-mok-eun ‘[non-mun je-mok]’-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The title of the paper is ‘[Paper Title]’. -
Expression: 이 주제에 대한 중요한 자료라고 들었습니다.
Pronunciation: i ju-je-e dae-han jung-yo-han ja-ryo-ra-go deu-reot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I heard it’s an important resource on this topic. -
Expression: 혹시 비슷한 주제의 다른 학술지는 없을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si bi-seu-tan ju-je-ui da-reun hak-sul-ji-neun eop-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there perhaps other journals on a similar topic? -
Expression: 이 학술지의 ISSN 번호를 알고 계신가요?
Pronunciation: i hak-sul-ji-ui ay-e-seu-e-seu-en beon-ho-reul al-go gye-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you know the ISSN number of this journal?
Using Library Services for Rare Materials
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Expression: 이 자료는 대출이 안 되면 열람만 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i ja-ryo-neun dae-chul-i an doe-myeon yeol-lam-man ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: If this material cannot be checked out, is it only available for reading inside? -
Expression: 자료 복사나 스캔이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ja-ryo bok-sa-na seu-kaen-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to copy or scan the material? -
Expression: 희귀 자료 이용 신청서를 작성해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: hwi-gwi ja-ryo i-yong sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to fill out an application form to use rare materials? -
Expression: 열람실에서만 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeol-lam-sil-e-seo-man bol su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I only view it in the reading room? -
Expression: 다른 도서관에서 상호대차 신청이 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun do-seo-gwan-e-seo sang-ho-dae-cha sin-cheong-i ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to request an interlibrary loan from another library? -
Expression: 디지털화된 버전이 있는지 확인해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: di-ji-teol-hwa-doen beo-jeon-i it-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you check if there is a digitized version? -
Expression: 이용 시간에 제한이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i-yong si-gan-e je-han-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any restrictions on usage time? -
Expression: 자료 보존 상태는 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: ja-ryo bo-jon sang-tae-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the preservation condition of the material? -
Expression: 특별한 취급 규정이 있습니까?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han chwi-geup gyu-jeong-i it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Are there special handling regulations? -
Expression: 연구 목적으로 이용하려고 합니다.
Pronunciation: yeon-gu mok-jeok-eu-ro i-yong-ha-ryeo-go ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I intend to use it for research purposes.
Korean Culture Notes
When interacting with librarians (사서 – sa-seo) in Korea, using polite language is important. Address them respectfully, often using titles like 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim) if unsure, although simply using polite verb endings is usually sufficient.
Korean libraries, especially university or specialized ones, often have dedicated sections or rooms for rare books and archives (희귀 자료실 – hwi-gwi ja-ryo-sil or 고문서실 – go-mun-seo-sil). Access to these materials usually requires a formal request and may involve specific handling procedures to preserve the items.
Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible about the material you are seeking. Knowing the title, author, publication year, or even the specific topic (주제 – ju-je) like ‘local history’ (향토사 – hyang-to-sa) significantly helps the librarian locate the item.
Using the library’s online public access catalog (OPAC) or search system (자료 검색 시스템 – ja-ryo geom-saek si-seu-tem) beforehand can save time. Librarians can assist if you have trouble navigating the system.
Interlibrary loan services (상호대차 서비스 – sang-ho-dae-cha seo-bi-seu) are common, allowing you to request materials from other libraries if your current one doesn’t hold them. Ask the librarian about this possibility for rare items.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A university student approaches the information desk at the library to ask about a specific, potentially rare journal for their local history research.
Roles: A: Student, B: Librarian (사서 – sa-seo)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 자료 관련해서 문의 좀 드리려고 하는데요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ja-ryo gwal-lyeon-hae-seo mun-ui jom deu-ri-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I’d like to inquire about some materials. -
Expression: B: 네, 어떤 자료 찾으시나요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-tteon ja-ryo cha-jeu-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, what materials are you looking for? -
Expression: A: 혹시 ‘서울 향토 연구’라는 오래된 학술지가 있는지 궁금합니다. 1970년대쯤 발행된 것으로 알고 있어요.
Pronunciation: hok-si ‘seo-ul hyang-to yeon-gu’-ra-neun o-rae-doen hak-sul-ji-ga it-neun-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da. cheon-gu-baek-chil-sim-nyeon-dae-jjeum bal-haeng-doen geo-seu-ro al-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m wondering if you have an old journal called ‘Seoul Local History Research’. I believe it was published around the 1970s. -
Expression: B: 잠시만요, 저희 시스템에서 검색해 보겠습니다… 네, ‘서울 향토 연구’가 저희 도서관에 소장되어 있네요. 다만 희귀 자료로 분류되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, jeo-hui si-seu-tem-e-seo geom-saek-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da… ne, ‘seo-ul hyang-to yeon-gu’-ga jeo-hui do-seo-gwan-e so-jang-doe-eo in-ne-yo. da-man hwi-gwi ja-ryo-ro bul-lyu-doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: One moment, I’ll search our system… Yes, ‘Seoul Local History Research’ is held in our library. However, it’s classified as a rare material. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 그럼 대출은 안 되고 열람만 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. geu-reom dae-chul-eun an doe-go yeol-lam-man ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Oh, I see. Does that mean it cannot be checked out and is only available for viewing inside? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 희귀 자료실에서만 열람 가능하시고, 이용하시려면 신청서를 작성하셔야 합니다. 신분증도 필요하고요.
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. hwi-gwi ja-ryo-sil-e-seo-man yeol-lam ga-neung-ha-si-go, i-yong-ha-si-ryeo-myeon sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-ha-syeo-ya ham-ni-da. sin-bun-jjeung-do pil-yo-ha-go-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s correct. You can only view it in the rare materials room, and you need to fill out an application form to use it. You’ll also need identification. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 신청서는 어디서 받을 수 있나요? 그리고 혹시 필요한 부분을 복사할 수도 있나요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. sin-cheong-seo-neun eo-di-seo ba-deul su in-na-yo? geu-ri-go hok-si pil-yo-han bu-bun-eul bok-sa-hal su-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Understood. Where can I get the application form? And is it possible to copy necessary parts? -
Expression: B: 신청서는 바로 여기서 드릴 수 있습니다. 복사는 자료 상태에 따라 제한될 수 있지만, 담당 사서와 상의 후 가능할 수도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-neun ba-ro yeo-gi-seo deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da. bok-sa-neun ja-ryo sang-tae-e tta-ra je-han-doel su it-ji-man, dam-dang sa-seo-wa sang-ui hu ga-neung-hal su-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: You can get the application form right here. Copying might be restricted depending on the material’s condition, but it may be possible after consulting with the librarian in charge.
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases by imagining yourself in a Korean library! Try substituting different journal titles or topics~ You can also role-play the conversation with a study partner. Visiting a local library, even if you don’t need a rare journal, can help you get comfortable with the environment and perhaps practice basic inquiries. Remember, librarians are there to help, so don’t hesitate to ask using polite Korean expressions! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)
