Communicating effectively with professors is a key skill for university students. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for students wishing to inquire about a seminar, specifically focusing on the topic of urban planning. Learn how to politely approach your professor, ask for details about the seminar, express interest, and follow up appropriately.
Table Of Content
Core Inquiry Phrases
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Expression: 교수님, 도시계획 세미나에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, do-si-gye-hoek se-mi-na-e dae-hae yeo-jjeo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Professor, I have something to ask about the urban planning seminar. -
Expression: 세미나 관련해서 질문이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: se-mi-na gwal-lyeon-hae-seo jil-mun-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have a question regarding the seminar.
Initiating the Conversation
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Expression: 교수님, 안녕하세요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Hello, Professor. -
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: 교수님 연구실에 계신가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim yeon-gu-sil-e gye-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Professor, are you in your office? -
Expression: 이메일로 먼저 연락드렸어야 했는데 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: i-me-il-lo meon-jeo yeol-lak-deu-ryeot-eo-ya haet-neun-de joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize, I should have contacted you by email first. -
Expression: 잠깐 질문드려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan jil-mun-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask you a quick question? -
Expression: 도시계획 수업을 듣고 있는 OOO입니다.
Pronunciation: do-si-gye-hoek su-eop-eul deut-go it-neun OOO-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am OOO, currently taking your Urban Planning class. -
Expression: 다음 주 세미나에 대해 궁금한 점이 있어서 찾아왔습니다.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju se-mi-na-e dae-hae gung-geum-han jeom-i it-eo-seo cha-ja-wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I came because I have some questions about next week’s seminar. -
Expression: 혹시 지금 잠시 이야기 나눌 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ji-geum jam-si i-ya-gi na-nul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be possible to talk for a moment now? -
Expression: 바쁘시면 나중에 다시 오겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-si-myeon na-jung-e da-si o-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: If you are busy, I will come back later. -
Expression: 언제 시간이 괜찮으신지 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je si-gan-i gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ji yeo-jjeo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask when would be a convenient time for you?
Asking About Seminar Details
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Expression: 도시계획 세미나 주제가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: do-si-gye-hoek se-mi-na ju-je-ga mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the topic of the urban planning 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: 세미나 시간을 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na si-gan-eul al su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I know the time of the seminar? -
Expression: 세미나 장소는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na jang-so-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the location of the seminar? -
Expression: 세미나에 참석하려면 미리 신청해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na-e cham-seok-ha-ryeo-myeon mi-ri sin-cheong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to register in advance to attend the seminar? -
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: 세미나 관련 자료는 어디서 얻을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na gwal-lyeon ja-ryo-neun eo-di-seo eo-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get materials related to the seminar? -
Expression: 발표자는 누구인가요?
Pronunciation: bal-pyo-ja-neun nu-gu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Who is the presenter? -
Expression: 이 세미나는 학부생도 참석 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i se-mi-na-neun hak-bu-saeng-do cham-seok ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this seminar open to undergraduate students as well? -
Expression: 세미나에 대해 더 자세한 정보를 얻고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: se-mi-na-e dae-hae deo ja-se-han jeong-bo-reul eot-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to get more detailed information about the seminar. -
Expression: 혹시 관련 공지사항이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si gwal-lyeon gong-ji-sa-hang-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any related announcements?
Expressing Interest and Following Up
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Expression: 도시계획 분야에 관심이 많습니다.
Pronunciation: do-si-gye-hoek bun-ya-e gwan-sim-i man-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am very interested in the field of urban planning. -
Expression: 세미나 주제가 흥미롭네요.
Pronunciation: se-mi-na ju-je-ga heung-mi-rom-ne-yo.
Meaning: The seminar topic sounds interesting. -
Expression: 꼭 참석하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: kkok cham-seok-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I definitely want to attend. -
Expression: 자세히 알려주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for providing the details. -
Expression: 혹시 더 궁금한 점이 생기면 다시 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si deo gung-geum-han jeom-i saeng-gi-myeon da-si yeo-jjeo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: If I have more questions later, may I ask again? -
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: 세미나에서 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: se-mi-na-e-seo boep-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will see you at the seminar. -
Expression: 많은 것을 배울 수 있을 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: ma-neun geo-seul bae-ul su it-eul geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I think I will be able to learn a lot. -
Expression: 친구들에게도 알려줘야겠어요.
Pronunciation: chin-gu-deul-e-ge-do al-lyeo-jwo-ya-get-eo-yo.
Meaning: I should let my friends know about this too. -
Expression: 혹시 준비해 가야 할 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si jun-bi-hae ga-ya hal geo-si it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything I should prepare beforehand?
Korean Culture Notes
Addressing Professors: Always use the title 교수님 (gyo-su-nim) when addressing or referring to a professor. It shows respect. Avoid using their name alone.
Formality Level: When speaking to a professor, use formal Korean speech levels, typically ending sentences with -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-m-ni-da / -seum-ni-da) or the polite -아요/어요 (-a-yo / -eo-yo) ending, though the former is generally safer for initial interactions or formal settings.
Initiating Contact: While stopping by the professor’s office is acceptable, sending a brief, polite email beforehand to ask for a convenient time is often appreciated, especially if you need more than a few minutes.
Showing Respect: Use polite language like 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요? (jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo? – Do you have a moment?) and express gratitude frequently using 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you).
Seminar Etiquette: Arrive on time for seminars. If there’s a Q&A session, wait to be acknowledged before asking questions. It’s polite to thank the speaker afterwards.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (Min-jun) visits Professor Kim’s office to ask about an upcoming urban planning seminar mentioned in class.
Characters:
- A: Min-jun (Student)
- B: Professor Kim
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Expression: A: (똑똑) 교수님, 안에 계신가요? 도시계획 수업 듣는 김민준입니다.
Pronunciation: A: (ttok-ttok) gyo-su-nim, an-e gye-sin-ga-yo? do-si-gye-hoek su-eop deut-neun gim-min-jun-im-ni-da.
Meaning: A: (Knock, knock) Professor, are you in? I’m Kim Min-jun from the Urban Planning class. -
Expression: B: 아, 민준 학생. 들어와요. 무슨 일이에요?
Pronunciation: B: a, min-jun hak-saeng. deu-reo-wa-yo. mu-seun i-ri-e-yo?
Meaning: B: Ah, student Min-jun. Come in. What brings you here? -
Expression: A: 교수님, 다음 주에 열리는 도시계획 세미나에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있어서 왔습니다. 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: A: gyo-su-nim, da-eum ju-e yeol-li-neun do-si-gye-hoek se-mi-na-e dae-hae yeo-jjeo-bol geo-si it-eo-seo wat-seum-ni-da. jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Professor, I came because I have something to ask about the urban planning seminar happening next week. Do you have a moment? -
Expression: B: 네, 괜찮아요. 무엇이 궁금한가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, gwaen-chan-a-yo. mu-eo-si gung-geum-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, it’s fine. What are you curious about? -
Expression: A: 세미나의 구체적인 주제와 시간, 장소를 알 수 있을까요? 그리고 학부생도 참석 가능한지 궁금합니다.
Pronunciation: A: se-mi-na-ui gu-che-jeo-gin ju-je-wa si-gan, jang-so-reul al su it-eul-kka-yo? geu-ri-go hak-bu-saeng-do cham-seok ga-neung-han-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Could I know the specific topic, time, and location of the seminar? Also, I’m wondering if undergraduate students can attend. -
Expression: B: 아, 그 세미나 말이군요. 주제는 ‘지속가능한 도시 개발 전략’이고, 다음 주 수요일 오후 3시에 공학관 101호에서 열립니다. 학부생도 당연히 환영이에요.
Pronunciation: B: a, geu se-mi-na ma-ri-gun-yo. ju-je-neun ‘ji-sok-ga-neung-han do-si gae-bal jeol-lyak’-i-go, da-eum ju su-yo-il o-hu se-si-e gong-hak-gwan baek-il-ho-e-seo yeol-lim-ni-da. hak-bu-saeng-do dang-yeon-hi hwan-yeong-i-e-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, that seminar. The topic is ‘Sustainable Urban Development Strategies’, and it will be held next Wednesday at 3 PM in Engineering Building Room 101. Undergraduates are certainly welcome. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다! 혹시 미리 신청해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! hok-si mi-ri sin-cheong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Thank you! Do I need to register in advance by any chance? -
Expression: B: 아니요, 따로 신청할 필요는 없어요. 그냥 시간에 맞춰 오면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: a-ni-yo, tta-ro sin-cheong-hal pi-ryo-neun eop-seo-yo. geu-nyang si-gan-e mat-chwo o-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: No, there’s no need to register separately. Just come on time. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 자세히 알려주셔서 정말 감사합니다, 교수님! 꼭 참석하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da, gyo-su-nim! kkok cham-seok-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: I understand. Thank you so much for the detailed information, Professor! I will definitely attend. -
Expression: B: 그래요. 와서 많이 배우길 바랍니다.
Pronunciation: B: geu-rae-yo. wa-seo ma-ni bae-u-gil ba-ram-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Okay. I hope you come and learn a lot.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases is key to feeling comfortable when speaking with your professor! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ You can also practice asking about different types of events, like guest lectures or department meetings, by slightly modifying the phrases. Remember to use 교수님 (gyo-su-nim) and maintain formal language. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something! Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
