Approaching a professor to inquire about academic events like seminars requires specific language and etiquette in Korean culture. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for students wishing to ask their professor about an upcoming seminar on artificial intelligence, ensuring polite and effective communication.
Table Of Content
Core Inquiry
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Expression: 교수님, 인공지능 세미나에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, in-gong-ji-neung se-mi-na-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Professor, I have something to ask about the artificial intelligence seminar.
Basic Questions for Professors
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Expression: 교수님, 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim, jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Professor, do you have a moment? -
Expression: 질문이 하나 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jil-mun-i ha-na it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have one question. -
Expression: ~에 대해 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: ~e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask about ~? -
Expression: 혹시 ~에 대해 아시는 것이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ~e dae-hae a-si-neun geo-si i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know anything about ~? -
Expression: 이 부분에 대해 좀 더 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-e dae-hae jom deo seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain this part a bit more? -
Expression: 언제 찾아뵈면 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je cha-ja-boem-yeon jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: When would be a good time to visit you (in your office)? -
Expression: 이메일로 다시 연락드려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: i-me-il-lo da-si yeol-lak-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I contact you again via email? -
Expression: 바쁘신데 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-sin-de joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy. -
Expression: 답변해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: dap-byeon-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your answer. -
Expression: 도움 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-um ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help.
Asking About the Seminar Details
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Expression: 인공지능 세미나가 언제 열리나요?
Pronunciation: in-gong-ji-neung se-mi-na-ga eon-je yeol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: When will the artificial intelligence seminar be held? -
Expression: 세미나 장소는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na jang-so-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the location of the seminar? -
Expression: 세미나 주제가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na ju-je-ga mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the topic of the seminar? -
Expression: 누가 강연하시나요? / 연사분이 누구신가요?
Pronunciation: nu-ga gang-yeon-ha-si-na-yo? / yeon-sa-bun-i nu-gu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Who is giving the lecture? / Who is the speaker? -
Expression: 세미나에 참석하려면 미리 등록해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na-e cham-seok-ha-ryeo-myeon mi-ri deung-nok-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to register in advance to attend the seminar? -
Expression: 등록 마감일이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: deung-nok ma-gam-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the registration deadline? -
Expression: 참가비가 있나요?
Pronunciation: cham-ga-bi-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an participation fee? -
Expression: 학부생도 참석할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hak-bu-saeng-do cham-seok-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can undergraduate students also attend? -
Expression: 세미나 관련 자료는 어디서 얻을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na gwal-lyeon ja-ryo-neun eo-di-seo eo-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get materials related to the seminar? -
Expression: 세미나 시간이 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: se-mi-na si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long will the seminar take? -
Expression: 온라인으로도 참여 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro-do cham-yeo ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is online participation also possible?
Polite Expressions for Professors
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Expression: 교수님 (Gyo-su-nim)
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim
Meaning: Professor (Polite title used when addressing or referring to a professor) -
Expression: ~습니다 / ~ㅂ니다 (~seum-ni-da / ~m-ni-da)
Pronunciation: ~seum-ni-da / ~m-ni-da
Meaning: Formal polite sentence ending. -
Expression: ~시~ (~si~)
Pronunciation: ~si~
Meaning: Honorific infix added to verbs/adjectives to show respect to the subject (the professor). Example: 괜찮으신가요 (gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo – Are you okay?) vs 괜찮아요 (gwaen-chan-a-yo). -
Expression: 여쭤보다 (yeo-jjwo-bo-da)
Pronunciation: yeo-jjwo-bo-da
Meaning: To ask (humble form of 묻다 – mut-da). Use this when asking a superior. -
Expression: 찾아뵙다 (cha-ja-boep-da)
Pronunciation: cha-ja-boep-da
Meaning: To visit (humble form of 찾아가다 – cha-ja-ga-da). Use when talking about visiting a superior. -
Expression: 드리다 (deu-ri-da)
Pronunciation: deu-ri-da
Meaning: To give (humble form of 주다 – ju-da). Use when giving something (like information via email) to a superior. -
Expression: 알겠습니다 (al-get-seum-ni-da)
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da
Meaning: I understand / Okay (formal). -
Expression: 죄송합니다 (joe-song-ham-ni-da)
Pronunciation: joe-song-ham-ni-da
Meaning: I am sorry (formal). -
Expression: 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Thank you (formal). -
Expression: 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da)
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Excuse me (formal, used when interrupting or entering).
Korean Culture Notes
Hierarchy and Politeness: Korean society places significant emphasis on hierarchy. Always use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal), including polite titles like 교수님 (gyo-su-nim) and formal sentence endings (~습니다/~ㅂ니다), when speaking to professors.
Approaching Professors: It’s generally best to approach professors during their office hours (오피스 아워 – o-pi-seu a-wo) or make an appointment via email beforehand. Knock before entering their office and wait to be acknowledged.
Using Humble Language: When referring to your own actions towards the professor, use humble verb forms like 여쭤보다 (yeo-jjwo-bo-da – to ask), 찾아뵙다 (cha-ja-boep-da – to visit), and 드리다 (deu-ri-da – to give). This shows respect.
Bowing: A slight bow when greeting the professor and when leaving is customary and shows respect.
Be Prepared and Concise: Professors are busy. Have your questions prepared and try to be concise and clear in your inquiries. Thank them for their time at the end.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (Min-jun) approaches Professor Kim after class to ask about an AI seminar mentioned earlier.
Characters:
- A: 민준 (Min-jun) – Student
- B: 김 교수님 (Kim Gyo-su-nim) – Professor Kim
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Expression: A: 교수님, 잠시 시간 괜찮으신가요? 인공지능 세미나에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: A: gyo-su-nim, jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo? in-gong-ji-neung se-mi-na-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Professor, do you have a moment? I have something to ask about the artificial intelligence seminar. -
Expression: B: 네, 민준 학생. 괜찮아요. 무엇이 궁금한가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, min-jun hak-saeng. gwaen-chan-a-yo. mu-eo-si gung-geum-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, Min-jun. It’s fine. What are you curious about? -
Expression: A: 네, 그 세미나가 언제 어디서 열리는지 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, geu se-mi-na-ga eon-je eo-di-seo yeol-li-neun-ji al su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, could I know when and where that seminar will be held? -
Expression: B: 다음 주 금요일 오후 2시에 공학관 101호에서 열립니다. 학과 홈페이지에 공지가 올라갔으니 확인해 보세요.
Pronunciation: B: da-eum ju geum-yo-il o-hu du-si-e gong-hak-gwan baek-il-ho-e-seo yeol-lim-ni-da. hak-gwa hom-pe-i-ji-e gong-ji-ga ol-la-ga-sseu-ni hwa-gin-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: It will be held next Friday at 2 PM in Engineering Building Room 101. An announcement has been posted on the department website, so please check it. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 혹시 미리 등록해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. hok-si mi-ri deung-nok-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, I see. Do I happen to need to register in advance? -
Expression: B: 네, 좌석이 한정되어 있어서 미리 등록하는 것이 좋습니다. 공지에 등록 링크가 있을 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jwa-seo-gi han-jeong-doe-eo i-sseo-seo mi-ri deung-nok-ha-neun geo-si jo-seum-ni-da. gong-ji-e deung-nok ling-keu-ga i-sseul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, seats are limited, so it’s good to register in advance. There should be a registration link in the announcement. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 자세히 알려주셔서 감사합니다, 교수님!
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da, gyo-su-nim!
Meaning: A: I understand. Thank you for the detailed information, Professor! -
Expression: B: 네. 세미나에서 봅시다.
Pronunciation: B: ne. se-mi-na-e-seo bop-si-da.
Meaning: B: Okay. See you at the seminar.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially with formal Korean! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Remember to always use “교수님” (gyo-su-nim) and the formal “~습니다/~ㅂ니다” endings. Pay attention to the humble verbs like “여쭤보다” (yeo-jjwo-bo-da). You can also practice by writing out potential questions you might have about a real or imaginary seminar. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
