Asking for Help with Homework in Korean

Facing a challenging academic task like a tricky psychology paper can be daunting, especially when studying alone. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for asking a friend for help with difficult homework or assignments, focusing on politeness and clarity when seeking assistance.

Core Expression

• Expression: 과제 좀 도와줄 수 있어?
  Pronunciation: gwa-je jom do-wa-jul su i-sseo?
  Meaning: Can you help me with my assignment? (Informal, used with close friends)

Explaining the Problem

• Expression: 이 심리학 과제 너무 어려워.
  Pronunciation: i sim-ri-hak gwa-je neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo.
  Meaning: This psychology assignment is too difficult.
• Expression: 어디서부터 시작해야 할지 모르겠어.
  Pronunciation: eo-di-seo-bu-teo si-jak-hae-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo.
  Meaning: I don’t know where to start.
• Expression: 이 부분이 이해가 잘 안 돼.
  Pronunciation: i bu-bun-i i-hae-ga jal an dwae.
  Meaning: I don’t quite understand this part.
• Expression: 자료 조사를 어떻게 해야 할지 막막해.
  Pronunciation: ja-ryo jo-sa-reul eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-ji mak-mak-hae.
  Meaning: I feel lost about how to do the research.
• Expression: 논문 주제 잡기가 힘들어.
  Pronunciation: non-mun ju-je jap-gi-ga him-deu-reo.
  Meaning: It’s hard to decide on a thesis topic.
• Expression: 교수님 요구사항이 좀 까다로워.
  Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim yo-gu-sa-hang-i jom kka-da-ro-wo.
  Meaning: The professor’s requirements are a bit tricky.
• 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 복잡해서 정리가 안 돼.
  Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga bok-jap-hae-seo jeong-ri-ga an dwae.
  Meaning: My head is so cluttered, I can’t organize my thoughts.
• Expression: 참고 자료를 봐도 잘 모르겠어.
  Pronunciation: cham-go ja-ryo-reul bwa-do jal mo-reu-ge-sseo.
  Meaning: Even looking at the reference materials, I don’t understand well.
• Expression: 글 쓰는 게 너무 막막해.
  Pronunciation: geul sseu-neun ge neo-mu mak-mak-hae.
  Meaning: I feel completely stuck with writing.
• Expression: 이 개념 설명 좀 해줄 수 있어?
  Pronunciation: i gae-nyeom seol-myeong jom hae-jul su i-sseo?
  Meaning: Can you explain this concept to me?
• Expression: 완전 멘붕이야.
  Pronunciation: wan-jeon men-bung-i-ya.
  Meaning: I’m having a total mental breakdown. (Slang)

Asking for Specific Help

• Expression: 혹시 시간 괜찮으면 잠깐 봐줄 수 있을까?
  Pronunciation: hok-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-myeon jam-kkan bwa-jul su i-sseul-kka?
  Meaning: If you have time, could you take a quick look?
• Expression: 같이 아이디어 좀 내줄래?
  Pronunciation: ga-chi a-i-di-eo jom nae-jul-lae?
  Meaning: Can you brainstorm some ideas with me?
• Expression: 내가 쓴 거 한번 읽어봐 줄 수 있어?
  Pronunciation: nae-ga sseun geo han-beon il-geo-bwa jul su i-sseo?
  Meaning: Could you read over what I’ve written?
• Expression: 문법이나 어색한 표현 없는지 확인해 줘.
  Pronunciation: mun-beo-bi-na eo-saek-han pyo-hyeon eom-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae jwo.
  Meaning: Please check if there are any grammar mistakes or awkward expressions.
• Expression: 이 부분 어떻게 생각하는지 의견 좀 듣고 싶어.
  Pronunciation: i bu-bun eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-ha-neun-ji ui-gyeon jom deut-go si-peo.
  Meaning: I’d like to hear your opinion on this part.
• Expression: 자료 찾는 것 좀 도와줄 수 있어?
  Pronunciation: ja-ryo chat-neun geot jom do-wa-jul su i-sseo?
  Meaning: Can you help me find some resources?
• Expression: 논리 흐름이 괜찮은지 봐줘.
  Pronunciation: nol-li heu-reum-i gwaen-chan-eun-ji bwa-jwo.
  Meaning: Please check if the logical flow is okay.
• Expression: 참고 문헌 목록 만드는 것 좀 알려줘.
  Pronunciation: cham-go mun-heon mong-nok man-deu-neun geot jom al-lyeo-jwo.
  Meaning: Can you show me how to make the bibliography?
• Expression: 네 생각은 어때? 조언 좀 해줘.
  Pronunciation: ne saeng-ga-geun eo-ttae? jo-eon jom hae-jwo.
  Meaning: What do you think? Please give me some advice.
• Expression: 잠깐만 같이 고민해 줄 수 있을까?
  Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man ga-chi go-min-hae jul su i-sseul-kka?
  Meaning: Could you think this through with me for just a moment?
• Expression: 이론 설명 좀 다시 해줄 수 있어?
  Pronunciation: i-ron seol-myeong jom da-si hae-jul su i-sseo?
  Meaning: Can you explain the theory again?
• Expression: 어떻게 접근해야 할지 팁 좀 줄래?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke jeop-geun-hae-ya hal-ji tip jom jul-lae?
  Meaning: Can you give me some tips on how to approach this?

Expressing Gratitude and Offering Reciprocity

• Expression: 도와줘서 정말 고마워.
  Pronunciation: do-wa-jwo-seo jeong-mal go-ma-wo.
  Meaning: Thank you so much for helping me.
• Expression: 네 덕분에 살았어.
  Pronunciation: ne deok-bun-e sa-ra-sseo.
  Meaning: You saved me / I survived thanks to you. (Figurative)
• Expression: 정말 큰 도움이 됐어.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal keun do-um-i dwae-sseo.
  Meaning: It was a really big help.
• 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: Let me at least buy you a coffee.
• 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: If you need help next time, definitely tell me.
• Expression: 너 아니었으면 진짜 큰일 날 뻔했어.
  Pronunciation: neo a-ni-eo-sseu-myeon jin-jja keun-il nal ppeon-hae-sseo.
  Meaning: If it weren’t for you, I would have been in big trouble.
• Expression: 시간 내줘서 고마워.
  Pronunciation: si-gan nae-jwo-seo go-ma-wo.
  Meaning: Thank you for making time for me.
• Expression: 역시 너밖에 없다.
  Pronunciation: yeok-si neo-bak-ke eop-da.
  Meaning: As expected, you’re the only one (I can rely on).
• Expression: 이 은혜는 꼭 갚을게.
  Pronunciation: i eun-hye-neun kkok ga-peul-ge.
  Meaning: I’ll definitely repay this favor.
• Expression: 정말 고맙다, 친구야.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal go-map-da, chin-gu-ya.
  Meaning: Thank you so much, my friend.
• Expression: 덕분에 과제 잘 끝낼 수 있을 것 같아.
  Pronunciation: deok-bun-e gwa-je jal kkeun-nael su i-sseul geot ga-ta.
  Meaning: Thanks to you, I think I can finish the assignment well.

Korean Culture Notes

Asking Friends for Help: In Korea, it’s common for close friends to help each other with schoolwork. However, it’s important to be considerate of their time and not ask for excessive help, especially near deadlines. Frame your request politely and acknowledge their effort.

Reciprocity is Key: When a friend helps you, showing gratitude is crucial. Offering to buy a meal (밥 살게 – bap sal-ge) or coffee (커피 살게 – keo-pi sal-ge) is a very common and appreciated gesture. Also, be ready to return the favor when your friend needs help.

Study Culture: Studying together, whether in libraries, cafes, or homes, is a significant part of student life in Korea. Asking for help within this context is natural. However, be mindful of academic integrity – asking for ideas or proofreading is generally fine, but asking someone to do the work for you is not.

Using Informal Language: When speaking with close friends, using informal language (반말 – ban-mal) like in the examples (도와줘 – do-wa-jwo, ~ㄹ래? – ~l-lae?) is appropriate. If you’re asking an older student (선배 – seon-bae) or someone you’re not very close to, you would need to use more formal language (~주세요 – ~ju-se-yo, ~ㄹ 수 있을까요? – ~l su i-sseul-kka-yo?).

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Minji is visiting her friend Jihoon’s home. She’s struggling with her psychology paper and decides to ask Jihoon for help.

Characters:

• A: Minji (Student asking for help)
• B: Jihoon (Friend providing help)

• Expression: A: 지훈아, 나 진짜 큰일났어. 심리학 과제 때문에 머리가 터질 것 같아.
  Pronunciation: Ji-hun-a, na jin-jja keun-il-la-sseo. Sim-ri-hak gwa-je ttae-mun-e meo-ri-ga teo-jil geot ga-ta.
  Meaning: A: Jihoon, I’m in real trouble. My head feels like it’s going to explode because of the psychology paper.
• Expression: B: 왜? 많이 어려워? 무슨 내용인데?
  Pronunciation: Wae? Ma-ni eo-ryeo-wo? Mu-seun nae-yong-in-de?
  Meaning: B: Why? Is it very difficult? What’s it about?
• Expression: A: 응, 인지 편향에 대한 건데, 어디서부터 어떻게 써야 할지 감이 안 와. 혹시 시간 괜찮으면 잠깐만 같이 봐줄 수 있을까?
  Pronunciation: Eung, in-ji pyeon-hyang-e dae-han geon-de, eo-di-seo-bu-teo eo-tteo-ke sseo-ya hal-ji gam-i an wa. Hok-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-myeon jam-kkan-man ga-chi bwa-jul su i-sseul-kka?
  Meaning: A: Yeah, it’s about cognitive bias, but I have no idea where or how to start writing. If you have some time, could you possibly take a quick look with me?
• Expression: B: 어, 그럼. 나도 마침 과제 다 끝냈어. 가져와 봐. 같이 보자.
  Pronunciation: Eo, geu-reom. Na-do ma-chim gwa-je da kkeun-nae-sseo. Ga-jyeo-wa bwa. Ga-chi bo-ja.
  Meaning: B: Oh, sure. I just finished my assignment anyway. Bring it over. Let’s look at it together.
• Expression: A: 정말? 고마워! 특히 이 이론 부분이 이해가 잘 안 돼. 네 생각은 어떤지 좀 듣고 싶어.
  Pronunciation: Jeong-mal? Go-ma-wo! Teuk-hi i i-ron bu-bun-i i-hae-ga jal an dwae. Ne saeng-ga-geun eo-tteon-ji jom deut-go si-peo.
  Meaning: A: Really? Thanks! I especially don’t understand this theory part well. I’d like to hear what you think about it.
• Expression: B: 알았어. 일단 네가 쓴 거 있으면 먼저 읽어보고, 같이 이야기해보자. 너무 걱정 마.
  Pronunciation: A-ra-sseo. Il-dan ne-ga sseun geo i-sseu-myeon meon-jeo il-geo-bo-go, ga-chi i-ya-gi-hae-bo-ja. Neo-mu geok-jeong ma.
  Meaning: B: Okay. First, if you have anything written, I’ll read it, and let’s talk about it together. Don’t worry too much.
• Expression: A: 휴, 네 덕분에 살았다. 내가 저녁 쏠게!
  Pronunciation: Hyu, ne deok-bun-e sa-rat-da. Nae-ga jeo-nyeok ssol-ge!
  Meaning: A: Phew, you saved me. I’ll treat you to dinner!
• Expression: B: 하하, 됐어. 친구끼리 뭘. 일단 과제부터 해결하자!
  Pronunciation: Ha-ha, dwae-sseo. Chin-gu-kki-ri mwol. Il-dan gwa-je-bu-teo hae-gyeol-ha-ja!
  Meaning: B: Haha, it’s okay. That’s what friends are for. Let’s tackle the assignment first!

Practice Tips

Now you have a good set of phrases for asking a friend for help with a tough assignment like a psychology paper! Try practicing these expressions with a study partner or friend~ Role-playing the conversation example is a great way to get comfortable. Remember to be specific about what you need help with and always show your appreciation! Offering a small treat like coffee or a meal is a nice touch in Korean culture. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and be ready to offer help in return! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – Good luck)!