Facing a challenging academic assignment like an anthropology paper can be tough, especially when studying abroad or learning a new subject. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for students seeking help from a friend with a difficult anthropology paper, specifically in a casual home setting. Learn how to express difficulty, ask for assistance, discuss the paper’s content, and collaborate effectively with your friend in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 인류학 과제 좀 도와줄 수 있어?
Pronunciation: i in-lyu-hak gwa-je jom do-wa-jul su i-sseo?
Meaning: Can you help me with this anthropology paper? (Informal)
Asking for Help
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Expression: 나 이것 좀 도와줘.
Pronunciation: na i-geot jom do-wa-jwo.
Meaning: Help me with this. (Informal) -
Expression: 이 과제 때문에 너무 힘들어.
Pronunciation: i gwa-je ttae-mu-ne neo-mu him-deu-reo.
Meaning: I’m having such a hard time because of this assignment. -
Expression: 혹시 시간 있으면 잠깐 봐줄 수 있을까?
Pronunciation: hok-si si-gan i-sseu-myeon jam-kkan bwa-jul su i-sseul-kka?
Meaning: If you have time, could you take a quick look? -
Expression: 네 도움이 필요해.
Pronunciation: ne do-u-mi pi-ryo-hae.
Meaning: I need your help. (Informal) -
Expression: 같이 좀 보자.
Pronunciation: ga-chi jom bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s look at it together. -
Expression: 어떻게 해야 할지 모르겠어.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo.
Meaning: I don’t know what to do / how to do it. -
Expression: 나 좀 가르쳐 줄래?
Pronunciation: na jom ga-reu-chyeo jul-lae?
Meaning: Can you teach me a bit? / Can you explain it to me? (Informal) -
Expression: 너 인류학 잘 알잖아.
Pronunciation: neo in-lyu-hak jal al-jan-a.
Meaning: You know anthropology well, right? -
Expression: 막히는 부분이 있어서 그래.
Pronunciation: ma-ki-neun bu-bu-ni i-sseo-seo geu-rae.
Meaning: It’s because there’s a part I’m stuck on. -
Expression: 잠깐만 시간 내줄 수 있어?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man si-gan nae-jul su i-sseo?
Meaning: Can you spare just a moment?
Describing the Difficulty
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Expression: 이 인류학 과제가 너무 어려워.
Pronunciation: i in-lyu-hak gwa-je-ga neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo.
Meaning: This anthropology paper is too difficult. -
Expression: 내용이 좀 헷갈려.
Pronunciation: nae-yong-i jom het-gal-lyeo.
Meaning: The content is a bit confusing. -
Expression: 이 부분을 잘 모르겠어.
Pronunciation: i bu-bu-neul jal mo-reu-ge-sseo.
Meaning: I don’t really understand this part. -
Expression: 주제가 너무 광범위해.
Pronunciation: ju-je-ga neo-mu gwang-beom-wi-hae.
Meaning: The topic is too broad. -
Expression: 자료 찾기가 힘들어.
Pronunciation: ja-ryo chat-gi-ga him-deu-reo.
Meaning: It’s hard to find resources/data. -
Expression: 어디서부터 시작해야 할지 감이 안 와.
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo-bu-teo si-ja-kae-ya hal-ji ga-mi an wa.
Meaning: I have no idea where to start. -
Expression: 교수님 설명이 부족했어.
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim seol-myeong-i bu-jo-kae-sseo.
Meaning: The professor’s explanation wasn’t enough. -
Expression: 이 이론은 처음 들어봐.
Pronunciation: i i-ro-neun cheo-eum deu-reo-bwa.
Meaning: I’ve never heard of this theory before. -
Expression: 글이 잘 안 써져.
Pronunciation: geu-ri jal an sseo-jyeo.
Meaning: The writing isn’t going well. / I’m having trouble writing. -
Expression: 시간이 부족할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: si-ga-ni bu-jo-kal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think I might run out of time.
Discussing the Paper
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Expression: 과제 주제가 뭐야?
Pronunciation: gwa-je ju-je-ga mwo-ya?
Meaning: What’s the assignment topic? -
Expression: 인류학 리포트 쓰고 있어.
Pronunciation: in-lyu-hak ri-po-teu sseu-go i-sseo.
Meaning: I’m writing an anthropology report. -
Expression: 마감일이 언제야?
Pronunciation: ma-ga-mi-ri eon-je-ya?
Meaning: When is the deadline? -
Expression: 참고 문헌은 뭘로 했어?
Pronunciation: cham-go mun-heo-neun mwol-lo hae-sseo?
Meaning: What did you use for references? -
Expression: 이 부분 해석 좀 도와줄래?
Pronunciation: i bu-bun hae-seok jom do-wa-jul-lae?
Meaning: Can you help me interpret this part? -
Expression: 교수님이 뭘 강조하셨지?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-ni-mi mwol gang-jo-ha-syeot-ji?
Meaning: What did the professor emphasize? -
Expression: 개요는 잡았어?
Pronunciation: gae-yo-neun ja-ba-sseo?
Meaning: Have you outlined it? -
Expression: 결론을 어떻게 내야 할까?
Pronunciation: gyeol-lo-neul eo-tteo-ke nae-ya hal-kka?
Meaning: How should I conclude it? -
Expression: 이 자료 좀 같이 볼래?
Pronunciation: i ja-ryo jom ga-chi bol-lae?
Meaning: Do you want to look at this material together? -
Expression: 너의 의견은 어때?
Pronunciation: neo-eui ui-gyeo-neun eo-ttae?
Meaning: What’s your opinion? (Informal)
Making Suggestions and Working Together
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Expression: 여기부터 다시 보자.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-bu-teo da-si bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s look again starting from here. -
Expression: 이 부분은 이렇게 쓰는 게 어때?
Pronunciation: i bu-bu-neun i-reo-ke sseu-neun ge eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about writing this part like this? -
Expression: 내가 아는 선에서 설명해 줄게.
Pronunciation: nae-ga a-neun seo-ne-seo seol-myeong-hae jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll explain it as far as I know. -
Expression: 이 자료가 도움이 될 것 같아.
Pronunciation: i ja-ryo-ga do-u-mi doel geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think this material will be helpful. -
Expression: 같이 인터넷으로 찾아볼까?
Pronunciation: ga-chi in-teo-ne-seu-ro cha-ja-bol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we search online together? -
Expression: 네 생각은 어때?
Pronunciation: ne saeng-ga-geun eo-ttae?
Meaning: What do you think? (Informal) -
Expression: 이 단어 뜻이 뭐야?
Pronunciation: i da-neo tteu-si mwo-ya?
Meaning: What does this word mean? -
Expression: 좀 더 쉽게 설명해 줄 수 있어?
Pronunciation: jom deo swip-ge seol-myeong-hae jul su i-sseo?
Meaning: Can you explain it more simply? -
Expression: 이제 좀 알 것 같아.
Pronunciation: i-je jom al geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think I get it now. -
Expression: 정말 고마워! 덕분에 살았어.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal go-ma-wo! deok-bu-ne sa-ra-sseo.
Meaning: Thank you so much! You saved me. (Figurative)
Cultural Tips
When asking friends for help in Korea, especially with schoolwork, remember that reciprocity is valued. Offer to help them in return, perhaps with a subject you’re strong in, or treat them to a meal or coffee as a thank you (내가 밥 살게 – nae-ga bap sal-ge – I’ll buy you a meal).
While the phrases here are informal (반말 – ban-mal), suitable for close friends, be mindful of the relationship. If you’re not very close or if the friend is older, using slightly more polite endings like -아요/어요 (-a-yo/eo-yo) might be appropriate, e.g., 도와줄 수 있어요? (do-wa-jul su i-sseo-yo?).
Studying together is common in Korea. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, but also be prepared to contribute and work collaboratively. Showing genuine effort before asking for help is generally appreciated.
Acknowledging the difficulty (너무 어려워 – neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo) is perfectly fine and can make asking for help feel more natural.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Min-jun is struggling with his anthropology paper at his friend Ji-hye’s house.
Characters:
- A: Min-jun (Student needing help)
- B: Ji-hye (Friend offering help)
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Expression: A: 지혜야, 나 이 인류학 과제 때문에 죽겠다. 너무 어려워.
Pronunciation: ji-hye-ya, na i in-lyu-hak gwa-je ttae-mu-ne juk-get-da. neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo.
Meaning: Ji-hye, this anthropology paper is killing me. It’s so difficult. -
Expression: B: 왜? 뭐가 그렇게 어려운데? 주제가 뭔데?
Pronunciation: wae? mwo-ga geu-reo-ke eo-ryeo-un-de? ju-je-ga mwon-de?
Meaning: Why? What’s so difficult about it? What’s the topic? -
Expression: A: 문화 상대주의에 대한 건데, 개념이 너무 헷갈려. 혹시 잠깐만 봐줄 수 있을까?
Pronunciation: mun-hwa sang-dae-ju-ui-e dae-han geon-de, gae-nyeo-mi neo-mu het-gal-lyeo. hok-si jam-kkan-man bwa-jul su i-sseul-kka?
Meaning: It’s about cultural relativism, but the concept is really confusing. Could you possibly take a quick look? -
Expression: B: 어, 이리 줘봐. 어디가 제일 헷갈리는데? 같이 보자.
Pronunciation: eo, i-ri jwo-bwa. eo-di-ga je-il het-gal-li-neun-de? ga-chi bo-ja.
Meaning: Oh, give it here. Which part is the most confusing? Let’s look together. -
Expression: A: 이 부분이 특히 이해가 안 돼. 네 생각은 어때?
Pronunciation: i bu-bu-ni teu-ki i-hae-ga an dwae. ne saeng-ga-geun eo-ttae?
Meaning: I especially don’t understand this part. What do you think? -
Expression: B: 음… 이건 이렇게 해석하는 게 더 자연스러울 것 같아. 관련 자료 찾아볼까?
Pronunciation: eum… i-geon i-reo-ke hae-seo-ka-neun ge deo ja-yeon-seu-reo-ul geot ga-ta. gwal-lyeon ja-ryo cha-ja-bol-kka?
Meaning: Hmm… I think interpreting it this way might be more natural. Shall we look for related materials? -
Expression: A: 정말? 고마워! 너 덕분에 살았다 진짜. 내가 나중에 밥 살게!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal? go-ma-wo! neo deok-bu-ne sa-rat-da jin-jja. nae-ga na-jung-e bap sal-ge!
Meaning: Really? Thanks! You really saved me. I’ll buy you a meal later! -
Expression: B: 됐어~ 일단 과제부터 끝내자!
Pronunciation: dwae-sseo~ il-dan gwa-je-bu-teo kkeun-nae-ja!
Meaning: It’s okay~ Let’s finish the assignment first!
Practice Tips
Try role-playing this scenario with a Korean-speaking friend or language partner! Take turns being the student asking for help and the friend offering assistance~ Use the phrases related to describing difficulty (너무 어려워, 헷갈려) and asking for specific help (이 부분 좀 봐줘).
Listen to how native speakers ask for and offer help in casual settings, like in Korean dramas or variety shows featuring students. Pay attention to the intonation and context! The more you practice, the more natural it will feel to ask for help when you need it. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
