Understanding how to politely request assistance during practical classes like physics experiments is crucial for academic success in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for students needing help from a Teaching Assistant (TA) in a lab setting, focusing on clarity and appropriate formality.
Table Of Content
Core Expression: Asking for Help
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Expression: 조교님, 좀 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-gyo-nim, jom do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: TA, please help me a bit. (A polite and direct way to ask for assistance)
Getting the TA’s Attention
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Expression: 조교님!
Pronunciation: jo-gyo-nim!
Meaning: TA! (Used to call the TA) -
Expression: 저기요, 조교님.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, jo-gyo-nim.
Meaning: Excuse me, TA. -
Expression: 조교님, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: jo-gyo-nim, jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: TA, do you have a moment? -
Expression: 조교님, 질문 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-gyo-nim, jil-mun iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: TA, I have a question. (Formal) -
Expression: 조교님, 질문 있어요.
Pronunciation: jo-gyo-nim, jil-mun iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: TA, I have a question. (Polite informal) -
Expression: 여기 좀 봐주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi jom bwa-ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you take a look here? -
Expression: 실험 관련해서 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sil-heom gwal-lyeon-hae-seo yeo-jjwo-bol geos-i iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have something to ask regarding the experiment. (Formal) -
Expression: 지금 혹시 바쁘신가요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum hok-si ba-ppeu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you perhaps busy right now? -
Expression: 도움이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need help. (Formal statement)
Describing the Problem
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Expression: 실험이 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: sil-heom-i jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The experiment isn’t working well. -
Expression: 이 부분이 이해가 안 가요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-i i-hae-ga an ga-yo.
Meaning: I don’t understand this part. -
Expression: 결과가 이상하게 나와요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-ga i-sang-ha-ge na-wa-yo.
Meaning: The results are coming out strange. -
Expression: 장비가 작동하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: jang-bi-ga jak-dong-ha-ji an-a-yo.
Meaning: The equipment isn’t working. -
Expression: 어떻게 해야 할지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteoh-ge hae-ya hal-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know what to do. -
Expression: 측정값이 계속 변해요.
Pronunciation: cheuk-jeong-gaps-i gye-sok byeon-hae-yo.
Meaning: The measured value keeps changing. -
Expression: 설명서대로 했는데 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong-seo-dae-ro haess-neun-de jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I followed the instructions, but it’s not working well. -
Expression: 제가 뭘 잘못했는지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga mwol jal-mos-haess-neun-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know what I did wrong. -
Expression: 이 계산이 맞는지 확인해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i gye-san-i maj-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you check if this calculation is correct? -
Expression: 데이터 분석에 어려움이 있어요.
Pronunciation: de-i-teo bun-seog-e eo-ryeo-um-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m having difficulty with the data analysis.
Asking Specific Questions
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Expression: 이 장비는 어떻게 사용하나요?
Pronunciation: i jang-bi-neun eo-tteoh-ge sa-yong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I use this equipment? -
Expression: 이 단계 다음에 무엇을 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i dan-gye da-eum-e mu-eos-eul hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What should I do after this step? -
Expression: 이 값은 정상인가요?
Pronunciation: i gaps-eun jeong-sang-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this value normal? -
Expression: 결과를 어떻게 해석해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-reul eo-tteoh-ge hae-seok-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I interpret the results? -
Expression: 이 공식이 맞는지 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i gong-sig-i maj-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if this formula is correct. -
Expression: 실험 절차를 다시 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sil-heom jeol-cha-reul da-si seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the experimental procedure again? -
Expression: 오차의 원인이 무엇일까요?
Pronunciation: o-cha-ui won-in-i mu-eos-il-kka-yo?
Meaning: What could be the cause of the error? -
Expression: 보고서는 언제까지 제출해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: bo-go-seo-neun eon-je-kka-ji je-chul-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: By when do I need to submit the report? -
Expression: 이 부분에 대한 참고 자료가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-e dae-han cham-go ja-ryo-ga iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there any reference materials for this part? -
Expression: 측정할 때 주의할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: cheuk-jeong-hal ttae ju-ui-hal jeom-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any points to be careful about when measuring?
Understanding and Responding
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. (Formal) -
Expression: 네, 이해했습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, i-hae-haess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understood. (Formal) -
Expression: 아, 그렇군요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reoh-gun-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. / Oh, is that so. -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain it one more time? -
Expression: 조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you speak a little more slowly? -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 잘 못 들었어요.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jal mot deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but I couldn’t hear you well. -
Expression: 이해가 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-ga jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I don’t quite understand. -
Expression: 제가 한번 해보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga han-beon hae-bo-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will try it myself. (Formal) -
Expression: 이제 알 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i-je al geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I understand now. -
Expression: 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae bo-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check it. (Formal)
Expressing Gratitude
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Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. (Formal) -
Expression: 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. (Formal, slightly softer than 감사합니다) -
Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for helping me. -
Expression: 덕분에 해결했어요.
Pronunciation: deok-bun-e hae-gyeol-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I solved it. -
Expression: 친절하게 설명해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge seol-myeong-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for explaining kindly. -
Expression: 많은 도움이 되었습니다.
Pronunciation: man-eun do-um-i doe-eoss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It was very helpful. (Formal) -
Expression: 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your time. -
Expression: 정말 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you very much. -
Expression: 수고하셨습니다.
Pronunciation: su-go-ha-syeoss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your hard work / You’ve worked hard. (Common polite closing)
Korean Culture Notes
Addressing the TA: Always address the Teaching Assistant as 조교님 (jo-gyo-nim). The 님 (-nim) suffix shows respect and is essential in academic settings. Avoid using their first name unless specifically invited to do so, which is rare.
Politeness Levels: Use formal language (like the -ㅂ니다/-습니다 [-mnida/-seumnida] or -아요/-어요 [-ayo/-eoyo] endings) when speaking to the TA. Being overly casual can be seen as disrespectful.
Asking Questions: It’s perfectly acceptable and encouraged to ask questions when you don’t understand something. Korean TAs expect students to seek help. However, try to pinpoint your problem first rather than just saying “I don’t understand anything.”
Showing Gratitude: Clearly expressing thanks (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) after receiving help is very important in Korean culture. It shows appreciation for the TA’s time and effort.
Classroom Atmosphere: While labs can be busy, maintain a respectful and focused attitude. Avoid loud chatter unrelated to the experiment when the TA is assisting you or others nearby.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (A) is having trouble getting a correct reading from a voltmeter during a physics experiment and asks the TA (B) for help.
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Expression: A: 저기요, 조교님!
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, jo-gyo-nim!
Meaning: A: Excuse me, TA! -
Expression: B: 네, 무슨 문제 있어요?
Pronunciation: ne, mu-seun mun-je iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, what’s the problem? -
Expression: A: 전압계 값이 계속 이상하게 나와서요. 제가 뭘 잘못 연결했는지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-ap-gye gaps-i gye-sok i-sang-ha-ge na-wa-seo-yo. je-ga mwol jal-mot yeon-gyeol-haess-neun-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: The voltmeter reading keeps coming out strange. I don’t know if I connected something wrong. -
Expression: B: 어디 한번 봅시다… 아, 여기 연결이 잘못되었네요. 이 선을 이쪽 단자에 연결해야 해요.
Pronunciation: eo-di han-beon bop-si-da… a, yeo-gi yeon-gyeol-i jal-mot-doe-eoss-ne-yo. i seon-eul i-jjok dan-ja-e yeon-gyeol-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Let me take a look… Ah, this connection is wrong here. You need to connect this wire to this terminal. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요! 제가 설명서를 잘못 봤나 봐요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reoh-gun-yo! je-ga seol-myeong-seo-reul jal-mot bwass-na bwa-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, I see! I must have misread the manual. -
Expression: B: 네, 이렇게 하면 제대로 나올 거예요. 다시 측정해 보세요.
Pronunciation: ne, i-reoh-ge ha-myeon je-dae-ro na-ol geo-ye-yo. da-si cheuk-jeong-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, if you do it like this, it should come out correctly. Try measuring again. -
Expression: A: 네! 감사합니다, 조교님! 덕분에 해결했어요.
Pronunciation: ne! gam-sa-ham-ni-da, jo-gyo-nim! deok-bun-e hae-gyeol-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Okay! Thank you, TA! Thanks to you, I solved it. -
Expression: B: 천만에요. 또 문제 있으면 부르세요.
Pronunciation: cheon-man-e-yo. tto mun-je iss-eu-myeon bu-reu-se-yo.
Meaning: B: You’re welcome. Call me if you have another problem.
Practice Tips
Familiarize yourself with the core phrases first, especially how to call the TA (조교님 – jo-gyo-nim) and ask for help (좀 도와주세요 – jom do-wa-ju-se-yo / 질문 있어요 – jil-mun iss-eo-yo)~!
Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or study partner. Practice describing simple problems you might encounter in a lab setting using the phrases provided. Don’t be afraid to mix and match expressions!
Listen carefully to how your TA or professor speaks and try to mirror their level of formality. Pay attention to pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks. Good luck with your experiments! 파이팅! (pa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
