Approaching a professor to inquire about academic or career-related events requires politeness and clarity. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for students wishing to ask their professor about a career workshop scheduled for next month, ensuring respectful and effective communication.
Table Of Content
Core Inquiry Phrases
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Expression: 교수님, 다음 달 진로 워크숍에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, da-eum dal jin-ro weo-keu-syop-e dae-hae yeo-jjeo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Professor, I have something to ask about the career workshop next month. -
Expression: 진로 워크숍 관련해서 질문이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jin-ro weo-keu-syop gwal-lyeon-hae-seo jil-mu-ni it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have a question regarding the career workshop.
Initiating the Conversation
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Expression: 교수님, 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, jam-si si-gan gwaen-cha-neu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Professor, do you have a moment? -
Expression: 교수님, 잠깐 드릴 말씀이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, jam-kkan deu-ril mal-sseu-mi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Professor, I have something I’d like to discuss briefly. -
Expression: 안녕하세요, 교수님. [Student’s Name]입니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, gyo-su-nim. [Student’s Name]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, Professor. This is [Student’s Name]. -
Expression: 바쁘신데 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-sin-de joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy. -
Expression: 혹시 다음 달 진로 워크숍에 대해 안내받은 것이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-eum dal jin-ro weo-keu-syop-e dae-hae an-nae-ba-deun geo-si i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Have you perhaps received any information about the career workshop next month? -
Expression: 이메일로 먼저 연락드렸어야 했는데, 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: i-me-il-lo meon-jeo yeol-lak-deu-ryeo-sseo-ya haet-neun-de, joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I should have contacted you by email first, I apologize. -
Expression: 교수님 연구실에 찾아뵈어도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim yeon-gu-sil-e cha-ja-boe-eo-do gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be alright if I visited your office? -
Expression: 언제 시간이 괜찮으신지 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je si-ga-ni gwaen-cha-neu-sin-ji yeo-jjeo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask when you might be available? -
Expression: 간단하게 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gan-dan-ha-ge yeo-jjeo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have something simple to ask.
Asking Specific Details about the Workshop
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Expression: 다음 달 진로 워크숍의 정확한 날짜가 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: da-eum dal jin-ro weo-keu-syop-ui jeong-hwa-kan nal-jja-ga eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the exact date of the career workshop next month? -
Expression: 워크숍은 몇 시에 시작하나요?
Pronunciation: weo-keu-syop-eun myeot si-e si-ja-ka-na-yo?
Meaning: What time does the workshop start? -
Expression: 워크숍 장소는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: weo-keu-syop jang-so-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where will the workshop be held? -
Expression: 워크숍의 주요 내용이 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: weo-keu-syop-ui ju-yo nae-yong-i mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the main content of the workshop? -
Expression: 참가 신청은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: cham-ga sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I register to participate? -
Expression: 신청 마감일이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong ma-gam-i-ri eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the application deadline? -
Expression: 사전 준비물이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: sa-jeon jun-bi-mu-ri pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are there any materials I need to prepare beforehand? -
Expression: 워크숍 관련 자료는 어디서 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: weo-keu-syop gwal-lyeon ja-ryo-neun eo-di-seo bol su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find materials related to the workshop? -
Expression: 참가 대상은 누구인가요?
Pronunciation: cham-ga dae-sang-eun nu-gu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Who is eligible to participate? -
Expression: 혹시 관련 공지사항이 나왔나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si gwal-lyeon gong-ji-sa-hang-i na-wan-na-yo?
Meaning: Has there been any related announcement perhaps? -
Expression: 자세한 정보를 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ja-se-han jeong-bo-reul al su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I get more detailed information?
Concluding the Conversation
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Expression: 알려주셔서 감사합니다, 교수님.
Pronunciation: al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da, gyo-su-nim.
Meaning: Thank you for letting me know, Professor. -
Expression: 답변 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: dap-byeon gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your answer. -
Expression: 많은 도움이 되었습니다.
Pronunciation: ma-neun do-u-mi doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: That was very helpful. -
Expression: 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your time. -
Expression: 워크숍 때 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: weo-keu-syop ttae boep-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’ll see you at the workshop. -
Expression: 다음에 또 질문 있으면 연락드려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: da-eu-me tto jil-mun i-sseu-myeon yeol-lak-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I contact you again if I have more questions later? -
Expression: 안녕히 계세요, 교수님.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo, gyo-su-nim.
Meaning: Goodbye, Professor (Stay well). -
Expression: 좋은 하루 보내세요.
Pronunciation: jo-eun ha-ru bo-nae-se-yo.
Meaning: Have a good day. -
Expression: 확인해 보겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check it out. Thank you.
Korean Culture Notes
Using Formal Language (존댓말 – Jon-daen-mal): Always use formal language (존댓말) when speaking to professors. This includes using honorific titles like 교수님 (gyo-su-nim – Professor) and formal verb endings like -습니다/ㅂ니다 (-seum-ni-da/-m-ni-da) or -아요/어요 (-a-yo/-eo-yo) with polite intention.
Approaching Professors: It’s generally considered more polite to schedule a brief meeting via email rather than dropping by their office unannounced, unless it’s during designated office hours. Acknowledge they might be busy (바쁘신데 죄송합니다 – ba-ppeu-sin-de joe-song-ham-ni-da).
Hierarchy and Respect: The student-professor relationship in Korea is hierarchical. Show respect through polite language, bowing slightly when greeting and leaving, and listening attentively.
Clarity and Purpose: State your reason for approaching the professor clearly and concisely. Prepare your questions beforehand to make the interaction efficient and respectful of their time.
Expressing Gratitude: Always thank the professor for their time and information using phrases like 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) or 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다 (si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student approaches their professor after class to ask about an upcoming career workshop.
Characters:
- A: Student (학생 – hak-saeng)
- B: Professor (교수님 – gyo-su-nim)
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Expression: A: 교수님, 안녕하세요. 김민지입니다. 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. gim-min-ji-im-ni-da. jam-si si-gan gwaen-cha-neu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Professor, hello. I’m Kim Minji. Do you have a moment? -
Expression: B: 아, 민지 학생. 네, 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이에요?
Pronunciation: a, min-ji hak-saeng. ne, gwaen-cha-na-yo. mu-seun i-ri-e-yo?
Meaning: B: Ah, Minji. Yes, I do. What is it? -
Expression: A: 다음 달에 열리는 진로 워크숍에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있어서요. 혹시 자세한 정보를 아시나요?
Pronunciation: da-eum da-re yeol-li-neun jin-ro weo-keu-syop-e dae-hae yeo-jjeo-bol geo-si i-sseo-seo-yo. hok-si ja-se-han jeong-bo-reul a-si-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I have something to ask about the career workshop being held next month. Do you happen to know the detailed information? -
Expression: B: 아, 그 워크숍 말이군요. 네, 학과 사무실에서 공지를 봤어요. 다음 달 15일 오후 2시에 강당에서 열린다고 해요.
Pronunciation: a, geu weo-keu-syop ma-ri-gun-yo. ne, hak-gwa sa-mu-sil-e-seo gong-ji-reul bwa-sseo-yo. da-eum dal si-bo-il o-hu du-si-e gang-dang-e-seo yeol-lin-da-go hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, you mean that workshop. Yes, I saw the notice from the department office. They say it’s on the 15th of next month at 2 PM in the auditorium. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요! 참가 신청은 따로 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo! cham-ga sin-cheong-eun tta-ro hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I see! Do I need to register separately to participate? -
Expression: B: 네, 학과 홈페이지에 신청 링크가 올라올 거라고 들었어요. 아마 다음 주 중으로 공지될 거예요. 확인해 보세요.
Pronunciation: ne, hak-gwa hom-pe-i-ji-e sin-cheong ring-keu-ga ol-la-ol geo-ra-go deu-reo-sseo-yo. a-ma da-eum ju jung-eu-ro gong-ji-doel geo-ye-yo. hwa-gin-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I heard an application link will be posted on the department website. It will probably be announced sometime next week. Check it out. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 알려주셔서 정말 감사합니다, 교수님!
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da, gyo-su-nim!
Meaning: A: Okay, I understand. Thank you so much for letting me know, Professor! -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 워크숍에서 좋은 정보 많이 얻길 바라요.
Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseu-meul-lyo. weo-keu-syop-e-seo jo-eun jeong-bo ma-ni eot-gil ba-ra-yo.
Meaning: B: You’re welcome. I hope you gain a lot of good information at the workshop. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다! 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da! an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, thank you! Goodbye (Stay well).
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially when using formal Korean! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Imagine different scenarios where you might need to ask your professor for information. Pay close attention to using 교수님 (gyo-su-nim) and the appropriate polite verb endings. Review the phrases for asking specific details and practice asking and answering them. You can also try writing a polite email to practice formulating your questions in writing. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
