Understanding complex subjects like physics in a different language can be demanding, especially during lab sessions. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for students needing to ask a Teaching Assistant (TA) for clarification on physics formulas, ensuring you can get the help you need to succeed in your studies.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 물리 공식 좀 다시 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i mul-li gong-sik jom da-si seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you please explain this physics formula again?
Asking for Clarification
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Expression: 조교님, 이 공식이 잘 이해가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: jo-gyo-nim, i gong-si-gi jal i-hae-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: TA, I don’t understand this formula well. -
Expression: 이 공식의 의미가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i gong-si-ge ui-mi-ga mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What does this formula mean? -
Expression: 이 변수는 무엇을 나타내나요?
Pronunciation: i byeon-su-neun mu-eo-seul na-ta-nae-na-yo?
Meaning: What does this variable represent? -
Expression: 공식의 이 부분이 헷갈려요.
Pronunciation: gong-si-ge i bu-bu-ni het-gal-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: I’m confused about this part of the formula. -
Expression: 이 공식을 어떻게 적용해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i gong-si-geul eo-tteo-ke jeo-gyong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I apply this formula? -
Expression: 이 공식 유도 과정을 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i gong-sik yu-do gwa-jeong-eul seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the derivation process of this formula? -
Expression: 이 기호는 무슨 뜻인가요?
Pronunciation: i gi-ho-neun mu-seun tteu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What does this symbol mean? -
Expression: 간단한 예시를 들어주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gan-dan-han ye-si-reul deu-reo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you give me a simple example? -
Expression: 이 두 공식의 차이점이 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i du gong-si-ge cha-i-jeo-mi mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the difference between these two formulas? -
Expression: 이 공식을 언제 사용해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i gong-si-geul eon-je sa-yong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When should I use this formula? -
Expression: 이 항은 왜 필요한 건가요?
Pronunciation: i hang-eun wae pil-yo-han geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Why is this term necessary? -
Expression: 다시 한번 천천히 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon cheon-cheon-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain it again slowly?
Explaining Your Difficulty
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Expression: 어디서부터 잘못됐는지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo-bu-teo jal-mot-dwaet-neun-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know where I went wrong. -
Expression: 이 개념 자체가 이해하기 어려워요.
Pronunciation: i gae-nyeom ja-che-ga i-hae-ha-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: The concept itself is difficult to understand. -
Expression: 계산 결과가 계속 이상하게 나와요.
Pronunciation: gye-san gyeol-gwa-ga gye-sok i-sang-ha-ge na-wa-yo.
Meaning: The calculation results keep coming out strange. -
Expression: 이 공식을 실험 데이터에 적용하는 방법을 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: i gong-si-geul sil-heom de-i-teo-e jeo-gyong-ha-neun bang-beo-beul mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know how to apply this formula to the experimental data. -
Expression: 이 부분에서 막혔어요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-e-seo ma-kyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I got stuck at this part. -
Expression: 수업 시간에 배운 내용과 다른 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: su-eop si-ga-ne bae-un nae-yong-gwa da-reun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems different from what we learned in class. -
Expression: 이 변수의 단위를 어떻게 맞춰야 할지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: i byeon-su-eui dan-wi-reul eo-tteo-ke mat-chwo-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know how to match the units for this variable. -
Expression: 공식은 알겠는데 문제 풀이가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: gong-si-geun al-gen-neun-de mun-je pu-ri-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I understand the formula, but I can’t solve the problem. -
Expression: 제가 이해한 것이 맞는지 확인해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: je-ga i-hae-han geo-si man-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you check if my understanding is correct? -
Expression: 이 공식을 사용했을 때 왜 이런 결과가 나오는지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: i gong-si-geul sa-yong-hae-sseul ttae wae i-reon gyeol-gwa-ga na-o-neun-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t understand why I get this result when using this formula. -
Expression: 이론과 실제 실험 결과가 달라서 혼란스러워요.
Pronunciation: i-ron-gwa sil-je sil-heom gyeol-gwa-ga dal-la-seo hon-lan-seu-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: I’m confused because the theory and the actual experimental results are different. -
Expression: 어떤 부분을 더 공부해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bu-bu-neul deo gong-bu-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Which part should I study more?
Understanding the Explanation
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Expression: 아, 이제 이해가 돼요.
Pronunciation: a, i-je i-hae-ga dwae-yo.
Meaning: Ah, now I understand. -
Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the explanation. -
Expression: 그럼 이 경우에는 이렇게 적용하면 되나요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i gyeong-u-e-neun i-reo-ke jeo-gyong-ha-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: So, in this case, can I apply it like this? -
Expression: 한 가지만 더 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: han ga-ji-man deo yeo-jjwo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask just one more thing? -
Expression: 덕분에 명확해졌어요.
Pronunciation: deok-bu-ne myeong-hwa-kae-jeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It became clear thanks to you. -
Expression: 이해가 잘 안 가는 부분이 아직 조금 있어요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-ga jal an ga-neun bu-bu-ni a-jik jo-geum i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s still a small part I don’t quite understand. -
Expression: 다시 한번 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon hwa-gin-hae bo-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check it again. -
Expression: 친절하게 설명해주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge seol-myeong-hae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for explaining kindly. -
Expression: 이제 어떻게 해야 할지 알겠어요.
Pronunciation: i-je eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-ji al-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Now I know what to do. -
Expression: 혹시 관련 자료를 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si gwal-lyeon ja-ryo-reul chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly recommend related materials? -
Expression: 도움 주셔서 정말 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-um ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you so much for your help.
Cultural Tips
When interacting with Teaching Assistants (조교 – jo-gyo) in Korea, remember that politeness and respect are crucial. Always use formal language endings like ‘-요’ (-yo) or ‘-ㅂ니다/습니다’ (-m-ni-da / -seum-ni-da).
Address the TA respectfully using ‘조교님’ (jo-gyo-nim), adding the honorific suffix ‘님’ (nim). Avoid using their first name unless specifically invited to do so.
It’s generally acceptable and encouraged to ask questions when you don’t understand. TAs are there to help. However, try to formulate your question clearly and show that you’ve already put some thought into the problem before asking.
Be mindful of the TA’s time, especially during busy lab sessions. If your question requires a lengthy explanation, consider asking if you can schedule a brief meeting during their office hours.
Expressing gratitude after receiving help (‘감사합니다’ – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) is very important and shows appreciation for their time and effort.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (학생 – hak-saeng) is struggling with a formula during a physics lab session and approaches the TA (조교 – jo-gyo) for help.
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Expression: 학생 (A): 조교님, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요? 이 공식이 잘 이해가 안 돼서요.
Pronunciation: jo-gyo-nim, jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-cha-neu-se-yo? i gong-si-gi jal i-hae-ga an dwae-seo-yo.
Meaning: TA, do you have a moment? I don’t understand this formula well. -
Expression: 조교 (B): 네, 괜찮아요. 어떤 공식인가요?
Pronunciation: ne, gwaen-cha-na-yo. eo-tteon gong-si-gin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, it’s fine. Which formula is it? -
Expression: 학생 (A): 여기 실험 노트에 있는 이 운동량 보존 법칙 공식이요. 특히 이 항이 왜 들어가는지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi sil-heom no-teu-e it-neun i un-dong-ryang bo-jon beop-chik gong-si-gi-yo. teu-ki i hang-i wae deu-reo-ga-neun-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: This conservation of momentum formula here in the lab notes. I especially don’t understand why this term is included. -
Expression: 조교 (B): 아, 이 부분이요? 이건 외부 힘이 없을 때 전체 시스템의 총 운동량이 보존된다는 것을 의미해요. 이 항은 두 번째 물체의 운동량을 나타내는 거예요.
Pronunciation: a, i bu-bu-ni-yo? i-geon oe-bu hi-mi eop-seul ttae jeon-che si-seu-te-me chong un-dong-ryang-i bo-jon-doen-da-neun geo-seul ui-mi-hae-yo. i hang-eun du beon-jjae mul-che-eui un-dong-ryang-eul na-ta-nae-neun geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Ah, this part? This means that the total momentum of the entire system is conserved when there are no external forces. This term represents the momentum of the second object. -
Expression: 학생 (A): 아, 그럼 충돌 전후의 총 운동량이 같다는 뜻이군요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reom chung-dol jeon-hu-eui chong un-dong-ryang-i gat-da-neun tteu-si-gun-yo?
Meaning: Ah, so it means the total momentum before and after the collision is the same? -
Expression: 조교 (B): 네, 맞아요. 정확히 이해하셨네요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. jeong-hwa-ki i-hae-ha-syeon-ne-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. You’ve understood it correctly. -
Expression: 학생 (A): 이제 이해가 돼요! 설명 감사합니다, 조교님.
Pronunciation: i-je i-hae-ga dwae-yo! seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da, jo-gyo-nim.
Meaning: Now I understand! Thank you for the explanation, TA. -
Expression: 조교 (B): 천만에요. 또 모르는 거 있으면 언제든지 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: cheon-ma-ne-yo. tto mo-reu-neun geo i-sseu-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mu-reo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: You’re welcome. If there’s anything else you don’t know, feel free to ask anytime.
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases requires practice! Try role-playing the conversation example with a study partner~ Imagine different physics formulas and practice asking specific questions about variables, terms, or applications.
Review your physics notes and identify formulas you find challenging. Try explaining them to yourself first, then formulate questions in Korean as if you were asking a TA. This helps solidify both the physics concepts and the Korean expressions!
Don’t be afraid to use these phrases in real lab situations if you have the opportunity. Real-world practice is the best way to build confidence. Remember to always be polite and respectful when addressing your TA. Good luck with your physics studies! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
