Tackling a challenging literature essay can be daunting, especially when studying in Korean. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and expressions for asking a friend for help when you’re stuck on a difficult assignment at home. Learn how to express difficulty, ask for specific assistance, and show appreciation effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Expression for Asking for Help
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Expression: 이 문학 에세이 좀 도와줄 수 있어?
Pronunciation: i mun-hak e-se-i jom do-wa-jul su i-sseo?
Meaning: Can you help me a bit with this literature essay? (Informal, used with close friends)
Phrases for Describing the Difficulty
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Expression: 이 문학 과제 너무 어려워.
Pronunciation: i mun-hak gwa-je neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo.
Meaning: This literature assignment is too difficult. -
Expression: 어떻게 시작해야 할지 모르겠어.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke si-jak-hae-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo.
Meaning: I don’t know how to start. -
Expression: 주제가 너무 막연해.
Pronunciation: ju-je-ga neo-mu mak-yeon-hae.
Meaning: The topic is too vague. -
Expression: 이 부분이 이해가 잘 안 돼.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-i i-hae-ga jal an dwae.
Meaning: I don’t understand this part well. -
Expression: 생각이 정리가 안 돼.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-i jeong-ri-ga an dwae.
Meaning: I can’t organize my thoughts. -
Expression: 자료를 찾아도 뭐가 중요한지 모르겠어.
Pronunciation: ja-ryo-reul cha-ja-do mwo-ga jung-yo-han-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo.
Meaning: Even after finding resources, I don’t know what’s important. -
Expression: 글이 잘 안 써져.
Pronunciation: geul-i jal an sseo-jyeo.
Meaning: The writing isn’t going well. / I’m having trouble writing. -
Expression: 시간이 부족한데 진도가 안 나가.
Pronunciation: si-gan-i bu-jok-han-de jin-do-ga an na-ga.
Meaning: I’m running out of time, but I’m not making progress. -
Expression: 머리가 하얘졌어.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga ha-yae-jyeo-sseo.
Meaning: My mind went blank. -
Expression: 이 분석이 맞는 건지 모르겠어.
Pronunciation: i bun-seok-i mat-neun geon-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo.
Meaning: I don’t know if this analysis is correct.
Phrases for Asking for Specific Help
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Expression: 아이디어 좀 줄 수 있을까?
Pronunciation: a-i-di-eo jom jul su i-sseul-kka?
Meaning: Could you give me some ideas? -
Expression: 같이 개요 좀 짜볼래?
Pronunciation: ga-chi gae-yo jom jja-bol-lae?
Meaning: Shall we try outlining it together? -
Expression: 내가 쓴 부분 좀 읽어봐 줄래?
Pronunciation: nae-ga sseun bu-bun jom il-geo-bwa jul-lae?
Meaning: Could you read the part I wrote? -
Expression: 이 문장 좀 더 자연스럽게 고칠 수 있을까?
Pronunciation: i mun-jang jom deo ja-yeon-seu-reop-ge go-chil su i-sseul-kka?
Meaning: Could you help me make this sentence sound more natural? -
Expression: 네 생각은 어때?
Pronunciation: ne saeng-gak-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: What do you think? -
Expression: 이 해석에 대해 어떻게 생각해?
Pronunciation: i hae-seok-e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-hae?
Meaning: What do you think about this interpretation? -
Expression: 참고할 만한 자료 혹시 알아?
Pronunciation: cham-go-hal man-han ja-ryo hok-si a-ra?
Meaning: Do you happen to know any good reference materials? -
Expression: 잠깐만 같이 봐줄 수 있어?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man ga-chi bwa-jul su i-sseo?
Meaning: Can you take a quick look together with me? -
Expression: 어디가 이상한지 좀 알려줘.
Pronunciation: eo-di-ga i-sang-han-ji jom al-lyeo-jwo.
Meaning: Please tell me what seems strange/wrong. -
Expression: 논리적으로 말이 되는지 확인해 줄래?
Pronunciation: nol-li-jeok-eu-ro mal-i doe-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae jul-lae?
Meaning: Can you check if it makes sense logically?
Expressing Gratitude and Offering Something in Return
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Expression: 정말 고마워!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal go-ma-wo!
Meaning: Thank you so much! (Informal) -
Expression: 네 덕분에 살았어.
Pronunciation: ne deok-bun-e sa-ra-sseo.
Meaning: You saved me. / Thanks to you, I survived. (Figurative) -
Expression: 진짜 큰 도움이 됐어.
Pronunciation: jin-jja keun do-um-i dwae-sseo.
Meaning: It was really a big help. -
Expression: 역시 너밖에 없다.
Pronunciation: yeok-si neo-bak-ke eop-da.
Meaning: As expected, you’re the only one (who could help). / You’re the best. -
Expression: 내가 나중에 밥 살게.
Pronunciation: nae-ga na-jung-e bap sal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll buy you a meal later. -
Expression: 커피라도 한잔 살게.
Pronunciation: keo-pi-ra-do han-jan sal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll buy you a coffee (at least). -
Expression: 다음에 네가 도움이 필요하면 꼭 말해줘.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e ne-ga do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon kkok mal-hae-jwo.
Meaning: Let me know if you need help next time. -
Expression: 정말 고맙다, 친구야.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal go-map-da, chin-gu-ya.
Meaning: Thank you so much, my friend. -
Expression: 너 아니었으면 큰일 날 뻔했어.
Pronunciation: neo a-ni-eo-sseu-myeon keun-il nal ppeon-hae-sseo.
Meaning: If it weren’t for you, I would have been in big trouble. -
Expression: 이 은혜는 꼭 갚을게.
Pronunciation: i eun-hye-neun kkok ga-peul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll definitely repay this favor.
Cultural Notes on Asking for Help
Even among close friends in Korea, it’s polite to acknowledge that you’re asking for their time and effort. Avoid demanding help; instead, phrase it as a request or question.
Reciprocity is important. Offering to treat your friend to a meal (밥 살게 – bap sal-ge) or coffee (커피 살게 – keo-pi sal-ge) after they help you is a common and appreciated gesture.
Be specific about what you need help with. Instead of just saying “I need help,” explain the problem (e.g., “I don’t understand this part,” “Can you check this sentence?”). This shows respect for your friend’s time.
While friends are often willing to help, be mindful of their own workload and deadlines. Asking well in advance is better than asking for urgent help last minute, though sometimes unavoidable.
Expressing sincere gratitude is key. Using phrases like 정말 고마워 (jeong-mal go-ma-wo) and acknowledging the value of their help strengthens the friendship.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minji is struggling with her literature essay at home and asks her friend Jihoon, who is visiting, for help.
Roles: A: Minji (Student needing help), B: Jihoon (Friend helping)
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Expression: A: 아, 지훈아… 나 이 문학 에세이 때문에 미치겠다. 너무 어려워.
Pronunciation: A: a, ji-hun-a… na i mun-hak e-se-i ttae-mun-e mi-chi-get-da. neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo.
Meaning: A: Ah, Jihoon… I’m going crazy because of this literature essay. It’s so difficult. -
Expression: B: 왜? 뭐가 그렇게 어려운데?
Pronunciation: B: wae? mwo-ga geu-reo-ke eo-ryeo-un-de?
Meaning: B: Why? What’s so difficult about it? -
Expression: A: 주제는 알겠는데, 어떻게 분석해야 할지 감이 안 와. 혹시 잠깐만 봐줄 수 있어?
Pronunciation: A: ju-je-neun al-gen-neun-de, eo-tteo-ke bun-seok-hae-ya hal-ji gam-i an wa. hok-si jam-kkan-man bwa-jul su i-sseo?
Meaning: A: I understand the topic, but I have no clue how to analyze it. Could you possibly take a quick look? -
Expression: B: 어디 보자. 음… 이 부분 해석이 조금 애매하네. 다른 관점에서 생각해 보는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: B: eo-di bo-ja. eum… i bu-bun hae-seok-i jo-geum ae-mae-ha-ne. da-reun gwan-jeom-e-seo saeng-gak-hae bo-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: B: Let me see. Hmm… This interpretation here is a bit ambiguous. How about thinking about it from a different perspective? -
Expression: A: 다른 관점? 예를 들면? 아이디어 좀 줄래?
Pronunciation: A: da-reun gwan-jeom? ye-reul deul-myeon? a-i-di-eo jom jul-lae?
Meaning: A: A different perspective? For example? Can you give me some ideas? -
Expression: B: 작가의 시대적 배경이랑 연결해 보면 어떨까? 이 부분 자료 내가 전에 본 거 있는데 찾아줄까?
Pronunciation: B: jak-ga-ui si-dae-jeok bae-gyeong-i-rang yeon-gyeol-hae bo-myeon eo-tteol-kka? i bu-bun ja-ryo nae-ga jeon-e bon geo it-neun-de cha-ja-jul-kka?
Meaning: B: How about connecting it to the author’s historical background? I saw some materials about this part before, should I find them for you? -
Expression: A: 정말? 찾아주면 진짜 고맙지! 역시 너밖에 없다!
Pronunciation: A: jeong-mal? cha-ja-ju-myeon jin-jja go-map-ji! yeok-si neo-bak-ke eop-da!
Meaning: A: Really? I’d be really grateful if you found them! You’re the best! -
Expression: B: 알았어. 잠깐만 기다려봐. 대신 끝나고 맛있는 거 사줘!
Pronunciation: B: a-ra-sseo. jam-kkan-man gi-da-ryeo-bwa. dae-sin kkeun-na-go ma-sit-neun geo sa-jwo!
Meaning: B: Okay. Wait a moment. Buy me something delicious after you’re done instead! -
Expression: A: 당연하지! 내가 풀코스로 쏠게! 정말 고마워, 지훈아!
Pronunciation: A: dang-yeon-ha-ji! nae-ga pul-ko-seu-ro ssol-ge! jeong-mal go-ma-wo, ji-hun-a!
Meaning: A: Of course! I’ll treat you to a full course meal! Thank you so much, Jihoon!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try using these phrases when discussing homework or study challenges with Korean-speaking friends or language partners. Start by describing a simple difficulty you encountered while studying Korean itself. Role-playing the conversation example with a friend is also a great way to internalize the expressions! Remember to use informal language (반말 – ban-mal) with close friends, as shown in the examples. Good luck with your essays and your Korean studies!
