Approaching a professor to inquire about academic events like seminars requires specific language and etiquette in Korean academic settings. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for students wishing to ask a professor about a seminar, using a renewable energy seminar as an example. Mastering these expressions will help you navigate conversations with faculty respectfully and effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 신재생 에너지 세미나에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sin-jae-saeng e-neo-ji se-mi-na-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have something to ask about the renewable energy seminar. (Formal and polite way to initiate the inquiry)
Initiating the Conversation
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Expression: 교수님, 잠시 시간 괜찮으십니까?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: Professor, do you have a moment? -
Expression: 교수님, 잠시 이야기 나눌 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, jam-si i-ya-gi na-nul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Professor, could I talk with you for a moment? -
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. I am [Student’s Name]. -
Expression: 교수님 연구실에 계신가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim yeon-gu-sil-e gye-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Professor, are you in your office? -
Expression: 지금 잠깐 뵐 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum jam-kkan boel su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I see you briefly now? -
Expression: 혹시 바쁘신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ba-ppeu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you perhaps busy? -
Expression: 드릴 말씀이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: deu-ril mal-sseum-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have something to tell you. (Formal) -
Expression: 여쭤볼 것이 있어서 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si i-sseo-seo wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I came because I have something to ask. -
Expression: 잠시 방해해도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: jam-si bang-hae-hae-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be alright if I interrupted for a moment?
Asking About the Seminar
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Expression: 신재생 에너지 관련 세미나가 있다고 들었습니다.
Pronunciation: sin-jae-saeng e-neo-ji gwal-lyeon se-mi-na-ga it-da-go deu-reot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I heard there is a seminar related to renewable energy. -
Expression: 세미나에 대해 자세히 알고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: se-mi-na-e dae-hae ja-se-hi al-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to know more details about the seminar. -
Expression: 세미나 주제가 구체적으로 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na ju-je-ga gu-che-jeo-geu-ro mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the specific topic of the seminar? -
Expression: 세미나는 언제 어디서 열리나요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na-neun eon-je eo-di-seo yeol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: When and where will the seminar be held? -
Expression: 참가 대상은 누구인가요?
Pronunciation: cham-ga dae-sang-eun nu-gu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Who is the target audience for participation? -
Expression: 학부생도 참석할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hak-bu-saeng-do cham-seok-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can undergraduate students also attend? -
Expression: 참가 신청은 어떻게 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: cham-ga sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I register to participate? -
Expression: 신청 마감일이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong ma-gam-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the application deadline? -
Expression: 세미나 참석 전에 준비해야 할 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na cham-seok jeon-e jun-bi-hae-ya hal geo-si in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything I need to prepare before attending the seminar? -
Expression: 관련 자료나 읽을거리가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gwal-lyeon ja-ryo-na il-geul-geo-ri-ga i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there any related materials or readings? -
Expression: 연사(발표자)는 누구인가요?
Pronunciation: yeon-sa-(bal-pyo-ja)-neun nu-gu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Who is the speaker (presenter)? -
Expression: 참가비가 있나요?
Pronunciation: cham-ga-bi-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a participation fee?
Understanding and Clarifying
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Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 잘 못 들었습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jal mot deu-reot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but I didn’t hear that well. -
Expression: 조금 더 자세히 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain that in a little more detail? -
Expression: [Word/Phrase]이(가) 무슨 뜻인가요?
Pronunciation: [Word/Phrase]-i(-ga) mu-seun tteu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What does [Word/Phrase] mean? -
Expression: 제가 이해한 것이 맞는지 확인하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga i-hae-han geo-si man-neun-ji hwa-gin-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to check if I understood correctly. -
Expression: 그러니까 [Summary of understanding]라는 말씀이시죠?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ni-kka [Summary of understanding]-ra-neun mal-sseum-i-si-jyo?
Meaning: So, you mean [Summary of understanding], right? -
Expression: 혹시 관련 공지사항은 어디서 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si gwal-lyeon gong-ji-sa-hang-eun eo-di-seo bol su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I possibly find the related announcement? -
Expression: 웹사이트 주소를 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: wep-sa-i-teu ju-so-reul al su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I get the website address? -
Expression: 혹시 질문해도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si jil-mun-hae-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be alright if I asked a question?
Expressing Interest and Gratitude
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 정말 흥미로운 주제인 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal heung-mi-ro-un ju-je-in geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems like a really interesting topic. -
Expression: 꼭 참석하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: kkok cham-seok-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I definitely want to attend. -
Expression: 긍정적으로 검토해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: geung-jeong-jeo-geu-ro geom-to-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will consider it positively. -
Expression: 알려주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for letting me know. -
Expression: 자세히 설명해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for explaining in detail. -
Expression: 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다, 교수님.
Pronunciation: si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da, gyo-su-nim.
Meaning: Thank you for your time, Professor. -
Expression: 많은 도움이 되었습니다.
Pronunciation: ma-neun do-um-i doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It was very helpful. -
Expression: 그럼 이만 가보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-man ga-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Then, I’ll be going now. (Polite way to end the conversation) -
Expression: 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Goodbye. (Formal, when leaving)
Korean Culture Notes
Use Formal Language (존댓말 – Jon-daen-mal): Always use formal Korean speech levels (like the -ㅂ/습니다 [-p/seum-ni-da] ending) when speaking to professors. Using informal language (반말 – ban-mal) is highly inappropriate and disrespectful in this context.
Addressing Professors: Address professors as ‘교수님’ (gyo-su-nim). Avoid using their names directly unless specifically invited to do so, which is rare in formal academic settings.
Showing Respect: A slight bow when greeting and leaving is customary. When giving or receiving anything (like documents), using two hands or supporting your right forearm with your left hand shows respect.
Visiting Office Hours: While some professors have open-door policies during office hours, it’s often considered more polite to send a brief email beforehand to ask if it’s okay to visit, especially if you have a specific question that might take time. Knock before entering the office.
Clarity and Conciseness: While politeness is key, try to state your purpose clearly and concisely after the initial greetings. Professors appreciate students who respect their time.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (Min-jun) visits Professor Kim’s office during office hours to ask about an upcoming seminar on renewable energy.
Roles:
A: 민준 (Min-jun) – Student
B: 김 교수님 (Professor Kim)
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Expression: A: (똑똑) 교수님, 잠시 들어가도 괜찮을까요? 민준입니다.
Pronunciation: A: (ttok-ttok) gyo-su-nim, jam-si deu-reo-ga-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo? min-jun-im-ni-da.
Meaning: A: (Knock knock) Professor, may I come in for a moment? It’s Min-jun. -
Expression: B: 아, 민준 학생. 들어오세요. 무슨 일이에요?
Pronunciation: B: a, min-jun hak-saeng. deu-reo-o-se-yo. mu-seun i-ri-e-yo?
Meaning: B: Ah, Min-jun. Come in. What brings you here? -
Expression: A: 네, 교수님. 다음 주에 열리는 신재생 에너지 세미나에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있어서 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, gyo-su-nim. da-eum ju-e yeol-li-neun sin-jae-saeng e-neo-ji se-mi-na-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si i-sseo-seo wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, Professor. I came because I have something to ask about the renewable energy seminar happening next week. -
Expression: B: 아, 그 세미나 말이군요. 네, 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: B: a, geu se-mi-na ma-ri-gun-yo. ne, mu-reo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, you mean that seminar. Yes, go ahead and ask. -
Expression: A: 혹시 세미나의 구체적인 주제와 참가 신청 방법에 대해 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: hok-si se-mi-na-ui gu-che-jeo-gin ju-je-wa cham-ga sin-cheong bang-beob-e dae-hae al su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Could I possibly find out the specific topic of the seminar and how to register for participation? -
Expression: B: 주제는 ‘태양광 에너지의 최신 기술 동향’이고, 신청은 학과 홈페이지 공지사항에 있는 링크를 통해 할 수 있어요. 마감일은 이번 주 금요일까지입니다.
Pronunciation: B: ju-je-neun ‘tae-yang-gwang e-neo-ji-ui choe-sin gi-sul dong-hyang’-i-go, sin-cheong-eun hak-gwa hom-pe-i-ji gong-ji-sa-hang-e it-neun ling-keu-reul tong-hae hal su i-sseo-yo. ma-gam-i-reun i-beon ju geum-yo-il-kka-ji-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: The topic is ‘Latest Technology Trends in Solar Energy’, and you can register through the link in the announcement on the department website. The deadline is this Friday. -
Expression: A: 학부생도 참석 가능한가요? 사전 지식이 많이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: A: hak-bu-saeng-do cham-seok ga-neung-han-ga-yo? sa-jeon ji-si-gi ma-ni pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Can undergraduate students attend as well? Is a lot of prior knowledge required? -
Expression: B: 네, 학부생도 환영입니다. 기초적인 공학 지식이 있으면 좋지만, 필수는 아니에요. 관심 있는 학생이라면 누구나 들을 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, hak-bu-saeng-do hwan-yeong-im-ni-da. gi-cho-jeo-gin gong-hak ji-si-gi i-sseu-myeon jo-chi-man, pil-su-neun a-ni-e-yo. gwan-sim it-neun hak-saeng-i-ra-myeon nu-gu-na deu-reul su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, undergraduates are welcome. Basic engineering knowledge is helpful but not required. Any interested student can listen. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요! 정말 기대됩니다. 자세히 알려주셔서 감사합니다, 교수님.
Pronunciation: A: geu-reo-kun-yo! jeong-mal gi-dae-doem-ni-da. ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da, gyo-su-nim.
Meaning: A: I see! I’m really looking forward to it. Thank you for the detailed information, Professor. -
Expression: B: 천만에요. 유익한 시간이 될 겁니다. 꼭 참석해 보세요.
Pronunciation: B: cheon-ma-ne-yo. yu-ik-han si-ga-ni doel geom-ni-da. kkok cham-seok-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: You’re welcome. It will be a beneficial time. Be sure to attend. -
Expression: A: 네, 꼭 가겠습니다. 그럼 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, kkok ga-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, I will definitely go. Then, goodbye.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases is key to feeling comfortable when speaking with professors! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ You can also practice asking about different types of events, like special lectures or department meetings, by substituting the relevant words.
Remember to pay close attention to using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) and showing respect through your words and actions. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something! Professors generally appreciate students who show genuine interest and make an effort to communicate properly. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
