Communicating effectively with professors is a key skill for university students. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for students needing to ask their professor about an upcoming guest lecture, covering everything from basic inquiries to specific details about the event.
Table Of Content
Core Expression: Guest Lecture Inquiry
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Expression: 특강 문의
Pronunciation: teuk-gang mun-ui
Meaning: Inquiry about the guest lecture (This phrase encapsulates the purpose of the interaction.)
Basic Questions to Ask
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Expression: 교수님, 질문 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, jil-mun it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Professor, I have a question. -
Expression: 다음 주 특강에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju teuk-gang-e dae-hae yeo-jjeo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have something to ask about next week’s guest lecture. -
Expression: 다음 주 특강 관련해서 질문해도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: da-eum ju teuk-gang gwal-lyeon-hae-seo jil-mun-hae-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask a question regarding next week’s guest lecture? -
Expression: 혹시 다음 주 특강 정보 좀 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-eum ju teuk-gang jeong-bo jom al su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I possibly get some information about next week’s guest lecture? -
Expression: 특강 공지를 아직 못 봤습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-gang gong-ji-reul a-jik mot bwat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I haven’t seen the announcement for the guest lecture yet. -
Expression: 특강에 대해 궁금한 점이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-gang-e dae-hae gung-geum-han jeom-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have some questions about the guest lecture. -
Expression: 교수님, 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Professor, do you have a moment? -
Expression: 특강 관련해서 여쭤보고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-gang gwal-lyeon-hae-seo yeo-jjeo-bo-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to ask about the guest lecture. -
Expression: 다음 주 수업 시간에 특강이 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-eum ju su-eop si-gan-e teuk-gang-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a guest lecture during class time next week?
Asking About Lecture Details
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Expression: 다음 주 특강은 언제, 어디서 하나요?
Pronunciation: da-eum ju teuk-gang-eun eon-je, eo-di-seo ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When and where is the guest lecture next week? -
Expression: 특강 연사님은 누구신가요?
Pronunciation: teuk-gang yeon-sa-nim-eun nu-gu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Who is the guest speaker? -
Expression: 특강 주제가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: teuk-gang ju-je-ga mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the topic of the guest lecture? -
Expression: 특강은 몇 시에 시작하나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-gang-eun myeot si-e si-jak-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What time does the guest lecture start? -
Expression: 강의실 번호를 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gang-ui-sil beon-ho-reul al su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I know the lecture room number? -
Expression: 특강은 필수 참석인가요?
Pronunciation: teuk-gang-eun pil-su cham-seok-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is attendance at the guest lecture mandatory? -
Expression: 사전 준비가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: sa-jeon jun-bi-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is any prior preparation needed? -
Expression: 특강 자료는 미리 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-gang ja-ryo-neun mi-ri ba-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I receive the lecture materials in advance? -
Expression: 특강 시간이 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-gang si-gan-i eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the guest lecture? -
Expression: 온라인으로도 참여 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro-do cham-yeo ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to participate online as well?
Follow-up and Clarification
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Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? -
Expression: 제가 제대로 이해했는지 확인하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga je-dae-ro i-hae-haet-neun-ji hwa-gin-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to check if I understood correctly. -
Expression: 그러면 다음 주 [요일] [시간]에 [장소]에서 하는 것이 맞나요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-myeon da-eum ju [yo-il] [si-gan]-e [jang-so]-e-seo ha-neun geo-si mat-na-yo?
Meaning: So, is it correct that it’s next [Day of week] at [Time] in [Location]? -
Expression: 혹시 관련 공지사항은 어디서 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si gwal-lyeon gong-ji-sa-hang-eun eo-di-seo bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find the related announcement, by any chance? -
Expression: 다른 질문이 또 생기면 다시 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jil-mun-i tto saeng-gi-myeon da-si yeo-jjeo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: If I have another question later, may I ask again? -
Expression: 정보 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-bo ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the information. -
Expression: 특강 기대됩니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-gang gi-dae-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m looking forward to the guest lecture. -
Expression: 혹시 특강 후에 질의응답 시간도 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si teuk-gang hu-e jil-ui-eung-dap si-gan-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps a Q&A session after the lecture? -
Expression: 알겠습니다. 확인 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. hwa-gin gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. Thank you for confirming.
Polite Expressions for Addressing Professors
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Expression: 교수님
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim
Meaning: Professor (Polite way to address a professor) -
Expression: ~습니다 / ~ㅂ니다
Pronunciation: ~seum-ni-da / ~m-ni-da
Meaning: Formal polite sentence ending. -
Expression: ~시~ / ~으시~
Pronunciation: ~si~ / ~eu-si~
Meaning: Honorific infix used to show respect towards the subject (the professor). -
Expression: 괜찮으시다면…
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eu-si-da-myeon…
Meaning: If it’s okay with you… / If you don’t mind… -
Expression: 바쁘신데 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-sin-de joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Sorry to bother you when you’re busy. -
Expression: 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your time. -
Expression: 덕분에 잘 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: deok-bun-e jal al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I understand well. -
Expression: 여쭤보다
Pronunciation: yeo-jjeo-bo-da
Meaning: To ask (humble form, used when asking someone of higher status). -
Expression: 실례지만…
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ji-man…
Meaning: Excuse me, but…
Korean Culture Notes
Hierarchy and Politeness: Korean society places significant emphasis on hierarchy. When speaking to a professor (교수님 – gyo-su-nim), always use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal), including formal sentence endings like ~습니다/~ㅂ니다 (~seum-ni-da/~m-ni-da) and honorifics like ~시/~으시 (~si/~eu-si).
Addressing Professors: Address professors as 교수님 (gyo-su-nim), often preceded by their last name, e.g., 김 교수님 (Kim gyo-su-nim). Avoid using their first name.
Approaching Professors: It’s polite to acknowledge their time, perhaps starting with “교수님, 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요?” (gyo-su-nim, jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo? – Professor, do you have a moment?). Approaching them after class or during office hours is generally preferred over interrupting them unexpectedly.
Expressing Gratitude: Always thank the professor for their time and information using phrases like “시간 내주셔서 감사합니다” (si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you for your time) or “정보 주셔서 감사합니다” (jeong-bo ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you for the information).
Using Humble Language: When asking questions, use the humble form 여쭤보다 (yeo-jjeo-bo-da) instead of the standard 물어보다 (mur-eo-bo-da).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (Minji) approaches Professor Kim after class to ask about a guest lecture mentioned for the following week.
Characters:
A: Minji (Student)
B: Professor Kim
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Expression: A: 교수님, 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요? 다음 주 특강에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: A: gyo-su-nim, jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo? da-eum ju teuk-gang-e dae-hae yeo-jjeo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Professor, do you have a moment? I have something to ask about next week’s guest lecture. -
Expression: B: 네, 민지 학생. 괜찮아요. 무엇이 궁금한가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, min-ji hak-saeng. gwaen-chan-a-yo. mu-eo-si gung-geum-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, Minji. It’s fine. What are you curious about? -
Expression: A: 다음 주 특강이 언제, 어디서 열리는지 정확한 정보를 알 수 있을까요? 공지를 아직 못 봐서요.
Pronunciation: A: da-eum ju teuk-gang-i eon-je, eo-di-seo yeol-li-neun-ji jeong-hwak-han jeong-bo-reul al su it-seul-kka-yo? gong-ji-reul a-jik mot bwa-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Could I get the exact information on when and where next week’s guest lecture will be held? I haven’t seen the announcement yet. -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 다음 주 수요일 오후 2시, 본관 301호에서 진행됩니다. 곧 공지 올릴 예정이에요.
Pronunciation: B: a, ne. da-eum ju su-yo-il o-hu du-si, bon-gwan sam-baek-il-ho-e-seo jin-haeng-doem-ni-da. got gong-ji ol-lil ye-jeong-i-e-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, yes. It will be held next Wednesday at 2 PM in Main Building Room 301. I plan to post the announcement soon. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 혹시 특강 연사님과 주제도 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. hok-si teuk-gang yeon-sa-nim-gwa ju-je-do al su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: I see. Could I also possibly know the speaker and the topic? -
Expression: B: 물론이죠. 박철수 박사님께서 ‘미래 산업 기술 동향’에 대해 강연하실 겁니다.
Pronunciation: B: mul-lon-i-jyo. bak-cheol-su bak-sa-nim-kke-seo ‘mi-rae san-eop gi-sul dong-hyang’-e dae-hae gang-yeon-ha-sil geom-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Of course. Dr. Park Cheol-su will be lecturing on ‘Future Industry Technology Trends’. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 기대됩니다! 정보 주셔서 감사합니다, 교수님.
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal gi-dae-doem-ni-da! jeong-bo ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da, gyo-su-nim.
Meaning: A: Wow, I’m really looking forward to it! Thank you for the information, Professor. -
Expression: B: 네, 유익한 시간이 될 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, yu-ik-han si-gan-i doel geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it should be a beneficial time.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially when using formal Korean! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Remember to use 교수님 (gyo-su-nim) and the formal ~습니다/~ㅂ니다 (~seum-ni-da/~m-ni-da) endings. Listen carefully to how native speakers interact with figures of authority in Korean dramas or university vlogs to pick up nuances! Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
