Asking About the Science Fair in Korean

Understanding how to inquire about school events like a science fair is essential for students. This guide provides key Korean phrases a student can use to ask their teacher about a science fair scheduled for the next semester, covering everything from basic questions to participation details.

Core Expression

• Expression: 과학 박람회
  Pronunciation: gwa-hak bak-ram-hoe
  Meaning: Science Fair (literally “science exposition/fair”)

Asking Basic Questions

• Expression: 선생님, 다음 학기 과학 박람회에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim, da-eum hak-gi gwa-hak bak-ram-hoe-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Teacher, I have something to ask about the science fair next semester.
• Expression: 다음 학기에 과학 박람회가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: da-eum hak-gi-e gwa-hak bak-ram-hoe-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a science fair next semester?
• Expression: 과학 박람회는 언제 열리나요?
  Pronunciation: gwa-hak bak-ram-hoe-neun eon-je yeol-li-na-yo?
  Meaning: When will the science fair be held?
• Expression: 정확한 날짜가 정해졌나요?
  Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-han nal-jja-ga jeong-hae-jyeot-na-yo?
  Meaning: Has the exact date been decided?
• Expression: 어떤 주제로 진행되나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon ju-je-ro jin-haeng-doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: What will the theme be?
• Expression: 참가 대상은 누구인가요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga dae-sang-eun nu-gu-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Who is eligible to participate?
• Expression: 모든 학년이 참가할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: mo-deun hak-nyeon-i cham-ga-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can all grades participate?
• Expression: 작년 과학 박람회는 어땠나요?
  Pronunciation: jak-nyeon gwa-hak bak-ram-hoe-neun eo-ttaet-na-yo?
  Meaning: How was last year’s science fair?
• Expression: 자세한 정보를 어디서 얻을 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ja-se-han jeong-bo-reul eo-di-seo eo-deul su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I get detailed information?
• Expression: 공지사항이 나올 예정인가요?
  Pronunciation: gong-ji-sa-hang-i na-ol ye-jeong-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Will there be an announcement?

Inquiring About Participation

• Expression: 과학 박람회에 참가하고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: gwa-hak bak-ram-hoe-e cham-ga-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I would like to participate in the science fair.
• Expression: 참가 신청은 어떻게 하나요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: How do I apply to participate?
• Expression: 신청 마감일은 언제인가요?
  Pronunciation: sin-cheong ma-gam-il-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: When is the application deadline?
• Expression: 개인으로 참가해야 하나요, 아니면 팀으로 참가할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: gae-in-eu-ro cham-ga-hae-ya ha-na-yo, a-ni-myeon tim-eu-ro cham-ga-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I have to participate individually, or can we participate as a team?
• Expression: 팀원은 몇 명까지 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: tim-won-eun myeot myeong-kka-ji ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: How many members can be on a team?
• Expression: 프로젝트 제안서를 제출해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu je-an-seo-reul je-chul-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to submit a project proposal?
• Expression: 어떤 종류의 프로젝트가 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui peu-ro-jek-teu-ga ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What kinds of projects are possible?
• Expression: 실험 보고서 양식이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: sil-heom bo-go-seo yang-sik-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a template for the experiment report?
• Expression: 발표도 해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: bal-pyo-do hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do we also have to give a presentation?
• Expression: 심사 기준은 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: sim-sa gi-jun-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What are the judging criteria?

Discussing Preparation and Support

• Expression: 프로젝트 준비에 도움이 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu jun-bi-e do-um-i pil-lyo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I need help preparing the project.
• Expression: 주제 선정에 대해 조언을 구할 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: ju-je seon-jeong-e dae-hae jo-eon-eul gu-hal su it-seul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Could I ask for advice on choosing a topic?
• Expression: 실험 장비는 학교에서 빌릴 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: sil-heom jang-bi-neun hak-gyo-e-seo bil-lil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I borrow experiment equipment from the school?
• Expression: 참고할 만한 자료가 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: cham-go-hal man-han ja-ryo-ga it-seul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any reference materials available?
• Expression: 선생님께 중간 점검을 받을 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim-kke jung-gan jeom-geom-eul ba-deul su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I get intermediate feedback from you, teacher?
• Expression: 프로젝트 진행 중에 질문이 생기면 여쭤봐도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu jin-haeng jung-e jil-mun-i saeng-gi-myeon yeo-jjwo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: If I have questions while working on the project, may I ask you?
• Expression: 준비 기간은 얼마나 되나요?
  Pronunciation: jun-bi gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: How long is the preparation period?
• Expression: 발표 자료는 어떻게 만들어야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: bal-pyo ja-ryo-neun eo-tteo-ke man-deul-eo-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: How should I prepare the presentation materials?
• Expression: 예산 지원이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ye-san ji-won-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there any budget support?
• Expression: 안전 수칙에 대해 알려주세요.
  Pronunciation: an-jeon su-chik-e dae-hae al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please inform me about the safety rules.

Korean Culture Notes

Politeness Levels: When speaking to a teacher (선생님 – seon-saeng-nim), students typically use the polite ‘-yo’ (-요) or the more formal ‘-mnida/-seumnida’ (-ㅂ니다/-습니다) endings. Using polite language shows respect, which is crucial in the Korean teacher-student relationship.

Importance of School Events: Events like science fairs (과학 박람회) are often significant parts of the school year in Korea. Participation can be encouraged and sometimes contributes to a student’s overall school record or experience.

Asking Questions: While Korean culture values respect for authority, teachers generally welcome questions from students who show genuine interest. Approaching the teacher politely and at an appropriate time (e.g., after class, during office hours) is recommended.

Proactive Approach: Showing initiative by asking about the science fair well in advance demonstrates enthusiasm and responsibility, qualities often valued in the Korean educational system.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A student approaches their science teacher after class to ask about the science fair planned for the next semester.

Roles:
A: Student (학생 – Hak-saeng)
B: Teacher (선생님 – Seon-saeng-nim)

• Expression: A: 선생님, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요? 다음 학기 과학 박람회에 대해 여쭤보고 싶은 게 있어요.
  Pronunciation: A: seon-saeng-nim, jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo? da-eum hak-gi gwa-hak bak-ram-hoe-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bo-go si-peun ge it-seo-yo.
  Meaning: A: Teacher, do you have a moment? I have something I’d like to ask about the science fair next semester.
• Expression: B: 아, 그래요? 무엇이 궁금한가요?
  Pronunciation: B: a, geu-rae-yo? mu-eo-si gung-geum-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: B: Oh, really? What are you curious about?
• Expression: A: 네, 다음 학기에 과학 박람회가 열린다고 들었는데, 혹시 정확한 날짜나 주제가 정해졌나요?
  Pronunciation: A: ne, da-eum hak-gi-e gwa-hak bak-ram-hoe-ga yeol-lin-da-go deul-eot-neun-de, hok-si jeong-hwak-han nal-jja-na ju-je-ga jeong-hae-jyeot-na-yo?
  Meaning: A: Yes, I heard there will be a science fair next semester. Have the exact date or theme been decided yet?
• Expression: B: 아직 구체적인 날짜는 확정되지 않았지만, 아마 학기 중반쯤일 거예요. 주제는 ‘지속 가능한 미래 기술’로 생각하고 있어요. 곧 공지할 예정입니다.
  Pronunciation: B: a-jik gu-che-jeo-gin nal-jja-neun hwak-jeong-doe-ji an-at-ji-man, a-ma hak-gi jung-ban-jjeum-il geo-ye-yo. ju-je-neun ‘ji-sok ga-neung-han mi-rae gi-sul’-lo saeng-gak-ha-go it-seo-yo. got gong-ji-hal ye-jeong-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: B: The specific date isn’t confirmed yet, but it will likely be around the middle of the semester. We’re considering the theme ‘Sustainable Future Technology’. We plan to announce it soon.
• Expression: A: 그렇군요! 저도 참가하고 싶은데, 참가 신청은 언제부터 가능한가요? 팀으로도 참가할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: A: geu-reo-kun-yo! jeo-do cham-ga-ha-go si-peun-de, cham-ga sin-cheong-eun eon-je-bu-teo ga-neung-han-ga-yo? tim-eu-ro-do cham-ga-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: A: I see! I’d like to participate too. When can we start applying? Can we participate as a team?
• Expression: B: 공지가 나가면 바로 신청받을 예정이고, 팀 참가도 가능해요. 팀은 3명까지 구성할 수 있습니다. 관심 있어서 좋네요!
  Pronunciation: B: gong-ji-ga na-ga-myeon ba-ro sin-cheong-ba-deul ye-jeong-i-go, tim cham-ga-do ga-neung-hae-yo. tim-eun se-myeong-kka-ji gu-seong-hal su it-seum-ni-da. gwan-sim it-seo-seo jon-ne-yo!
  Meaning: B: We plan to start accepting applications right after the announcement, and team participation is also possible. Teams can have up to 3 members. It’s good that you’re interested!
• Expression: A: 감사합니다, 선생님! 공지 기다리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da, seon-saeng-nim! gong-ji gi-da-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: A: Thank you, teacher! I will wait for the announcement.

Practice Tips

Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing this conversation with a friend or study partner. One person can be the student, and the other can be the teacher. Focus on using the correct polite endings (-요 or -ㅂ니다/습니다) when speaking as the student. Pay close attention to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks! You can also try formulating your own questions about the science fair using the vocabulary learned here. Good luck with your Korean studies! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)