Navigating Korean libraries requires specific vocabulary, especially when searching for specialized or rare materials like ancient history books. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for students interacting with librarians to locate and inquire about rare books, ensuring a smooth and successful search.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 희귀 도서
Pronunciation: hui-gwi do-seo
Meaning: Rare book
Basic Library Phrases
-
Expression: 사서 선생님께 여쭤볼 게 있어요.
Pronunciation: sa-seo seon-saeng-nim-kke yeo-jjwo-bol ge iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have something to ask the librarian. -
Expression: 도서관 이용은 처음이에요.
Pronunciation: do-seo-gwan i-yong-eun cheo-eum-i-e-yo.
Meaning: This is my first time using the library. -
Expression: 도서관 카드는 어떻게 만드나요?
Pronunciation: do-seo-gwan ka-deu-neun eo-tteo-ke man-deu-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I make a library card? -
Expression: 책은 어디서 찾을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: chaek-eun eo-di-seo cha-jeul su inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find books? -
Expression: 컴퓨터는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo-neun eo-di-e inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the computers? -
Expression: 이 책을 대출하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i chaek-eul dae-chul-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to borrow this book. -
Expression: 대출 기간은 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: dae-chul gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the borrowing period? -
Expression: 열람실은 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: yeol-lam-sil-eun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the reading room? -
Expression: 반납은 어디서 하나요?
Pronunciation: ban-nab-eun eo-di-seo ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where do I return books? -
Expression: 조용히 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to be quiet? -
Expression: 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the Wi-Fi password? -
Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help.
Asking About Specific Books
-
Expression: 고대 역사 관련 책을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: go-dae yeok-sa gwal-lyeon chaek-eul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for books related to ancient history. -
Expression: 혹시 [책 제목]이라는 책이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [chaek je-mok]-i-ra-neun chaek-i inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have a book called [Book Title]? -
Expression: 이 저자의 다른 책도 있나요?
Pronunciation: i jeo-ja-ui da-reun chaek-do inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there other books by this author? -
Expression: 이 책 재고가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i chaek jae-go-ga inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this book in stock? / Is this book available? -
Expression: 온라인으로 검색할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro geom-saek-hal su inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I search for it online? -
Expression: 이 책은 어느 서가에 있나요?
Pronunciation: i chaek-eun eo-neu seo-ga-e inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Which shelf is this book on? -
Expression: 역사 코너는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: yeok-sa ko-neo-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the history section? -
Expression: 찾는 데 도움을 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: chat-neun de do-um-eul ju-sil su inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help me find it? -
Expression: 이 책 예약할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i chaek ye-yak-hal su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I reserve this book? -
Expression: 신간 도서는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-gan do-seo-neun eo-di-e inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the new arrivals? -
Expression: 이 주제에 대한 추천 도서가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i ju-je-e dae-han chu-cheon do-seo-ga inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any recommended books on this topic? -
Expression: 이 책의 출판 연도를 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i chaek-ui chul-pan yeon-do-reul al su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I know the publication year of this book?
Discussing Rare Books
-
Expression: 고대 역사에 관한 희귀 도서를 찾고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: go-dae yeok-sa-e gwan-han hui-gwi do-seo-reul chat-go iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am looking for a rare book about ancient history. -
Expression: 이 책은 희귀 자료인가요?
Pronunciation: i chaek-eun hui-gwi ja-ryo-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this book a rare material? -
Expression: 이 책을 직접 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i chaek-eul jik-jeop bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see this book in person? -
Expression: 이 책은 대출이 불가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i chaek-eun dae-chul-i bul-ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this book unavailable for borrowing? -
Expression: 열람실에서만 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeol-lam-sil-e-seo-man bol su inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I only view it in the reading room? -
Expression: 특별 허가가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol heo-ga-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is special permission required? -
Expression: 복사나 촬영이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: bok-sa-na chwal-yeong-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is photocopying or photography allowed? -
Expression: 이 자료를 보려면 어떻게 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i ja-ryo-reul bo-ryeo-myeon eo-tteo-ke hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What do I need to do to view this material? -
Expression: 희귀 도서 목록이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hui-gwi do-seo mong-nok-i inn-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a list of rare books? -
Expression: 보존 상태는 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: bo-jon sang-tae-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is its preservation condition? -
Expression: 이 책과 유사한 다른 자료도 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i chaek-gwa yu-sa-han da-reun ja-ryo-do iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there other similar materials to this book? -
Expression: 이 책을 열람하려면 신청서를 작성해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i chaek-eul yeol-lam-ha-ryeo-myeon sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to fill out an application form to view this book?
Korean Culture Notes
Addressing Librarians: It’s polite to address librarians as 사서 선생님 (sa-seo seon-saeng-nim), which translates to “Librarian Teacher.” Using 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim – teacher) shows respect.
Handling Rare Materials: Rare books (희귀 도서 – hui-gwi do-seo) or old documents (고문서 – go-mun-seo) often have strict handling rules. Expect restrictions like “reading room only” (열람실 전용 – yeol-lam-sil jeon-yong), no photocopying, and sometimes the need to wear gloves.
Quiet Environment: Korean libraries, especially university or research libraries, maintain a very quiet atmosphere. Keep conversations brief and hushed, particularly near study areas or reading rooms (열람실 – yeol-lam-sil).
Request Procedures: Accessing rare materials might require filling out a request form (열람 신청서 – yeol-lam sin-cheong-seo) and presenting identification. Be prepared for potential waiting times while the item is retrieved from storage.
Using Search Systems: Familiarize yourself with the library’s online catalog system. While librarians are helpful, demonstrating you’ve already tried searching shows initiative. You can ask, “온라인으로 검색해 봤는데 못 찾았어요.” (on-la-in-eu-ro geom-saek-hae bwan-neun-de mot cha-jass-eo-yo – I searched online but couldn’t find it.)
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A university student approaches the librarian’s desk to inquire about a specific rare book on ancient Korean history needed for their thesis.
Roles:
A: Student (학생 – hak-saeng)
B: Librarian (사서 – sa-seo)
-
Expression: A: 저기, 사서 선생님, 잠시 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi, sa-seo seon-saeng-nim, jam-si yeo-jjwo-bol geos-i iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, Librarian, I have something to ask you briefly. -
Expression: B: 네, 학생. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, hak-saeng. mu-eos-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, student. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 제가 논문 때문에 고대 역사 관련 희귀 도서를 찾고 있는데요. 혹시 [책 제목]이라는 책이 있는지 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga non-mun ttae-mun-e go-dae yeok-sa gwal-lyeon hui-gwi do-seo-reul chat-go inn-neun-de-yo. hok-si [chaek je-mok]-i-ra-neun chaek-i inn-neun-ji al su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: I’m looking for a rare book related to ancient history for my thesis. Could you tell me if you have a book called [Book Title]? -
Expression: B: 아, [책 제목]이요. 잠시만요, 시스템에서 확인해 보겠습니다… 네, 저희 도서관에 소장되어 있네요. 하지만 희귀 자료로 분류되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: a, [chaek je-mok]-i-yo. jam-si-man-yo, si-seu-tem-e-seo hwa-gin-hae bo-gess-seum-ni-da… ne, jeo-hui do-seo-gwan-e so-jang-doe-eo inn-ne-yo. ha-ji-man hui-gwi ja-ryo-ro bul-lyu-doe-eo iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Ah, [Book Title]. Just a moment, let me check the system… Yes, our library has it in its collection. However, it’s classified as a rare material. -
Expression: A: 그럼 대출은 안 되고 열람만 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom dae-chul-eun an doe-go yeol-lam-man ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Does that mean it cannot be borrowed and only viewed? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 지정된 열람실에서만 보실 수 있고, 신청서를 작성하셔야 합니다. 신분증도 필요하고요.
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. ji-jeong-doen yeol-lam-sil-e-seo-man bo-sil su it-go, sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-ha-syeo-ya ham-ni-da. sin-bun-jjeung-do pil-yo-ha-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s correct. You can only view it in the designated reading room, and you need to fill out an application form. You’ll also need your ID card. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 신청서는 어디서 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. sin-cheong-seo-neun eo-di-seo ba-deul su inn-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I understand. Where can I get the application form? -
Expression: B: 여기 안내 데스크에서 바로 드릴 수 있습니다. 작성 후 제출해 주시면 자료를 준비해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi an-nae de-seu-keu-e-seo ba-ro deu-ril su iss-seum-ni-da. jak-seong hu je-chul-hae ju-si-myeon ja-ryo-reul jun-bi-hae deu-ri-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: I can give it to you right here at the information desk. Once you fill it out and submit it, we will prepare the material for you. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Okay, thank you!
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases takes practice! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Imagine you’re the student and they are the librarian. You could even visit a local library (if possible) and try asking simple questions like where the history section is, just to get comfortable speaking in that environment! Remember to use polite language like 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim) when addressing staff. Good luck with your research! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
