Actively participating and asking questions is crucial for effective learning, especially in a language classroom. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for asking questions clearly and politely within a Korean classroom setting (교실 – gyo-sil). Mastering these expressions will help you clarify doubts, engage with the teacher (선생님 – seon-saeng-nim), and enhance your understanding of the material.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most fundamental way to indicate you have a question.
- Expression: 질문 있어요.
Pronunciation: jil-mun iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have a question.
Basic Question Starters
Use these phrases to initiate your questions or signal you need help.
- Expression: 저기요…
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo…
Meaning: Excuse me… (Used to get attention) - Expression: 선생님…
Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim…
Meaning: Teacher… (Used to address the teacher) - Expression: 질문해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: jil-mun-hae-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask a question? - Expression: 이게 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i-ge mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this? - Expression: 그게 무슨 뜻이에요?
Pronunciation: geu-ge mu-seun tteus-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What does that mean? - Expression: 왜 그래요?
Pronunciation: wae geu-rae-yo?
Meaning: Why is it like that? / Why? - Expression: 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do you do it? / How is it done? - Expression: 언제예요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is it? - Expression: 어디예요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is it? - Expression: 누구예요?
Pronunciation: nu-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Who is it? - Expression: 뭐라고요?
Pronunciation: mwo-ra-go-yo?
Meaning: What did you say? / Pardon? - Expression: 네?
Pronunciation: ne?
Meaning: Yes? / Pardon? (Used when you didn’t hear or understand)
Asking for Clarification
When you need something explained again or more clearly.
- Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? - Expression: 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please speak slowly? - Expression: 잘 못 들었어요.
Pronunciation: jal mot deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I couldn’t hear you well. - Expression: 이해가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I don’t understand. - Expression: 설명해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can you explain it? - Expression: 예를 들어 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: ye-reul deul-eo ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can you give an example? - Expression: 그 단어 스펠링 좀 알려주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: geu dan-eo seu-pel-ling jom al-lyeo-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please tell me the spelling of that word? - Expression: 칠판에 써 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: chil-pan-e sseo ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please write it on the board? - Expression: 페이지 몇 쪽이에요?
Pronunciation: pe-i-ji myeot jjok-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What page number is it? - Expression: 방금 뭐라고 하셨어요?
Pronunciation: bang-geum mwo-ra-go ha-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: What did you just say? - Expression: 좀 더 자세히 설명해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jom deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please explain in more detail. - Expression: 그 차이점이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: geu cha-i-jeom-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the difference?
Asking About Specifics (Homework, Tests, etc.)
Questions related to assignments, schedules, and materials.
- Expression: 숙제가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: suk-je-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the homework? - Expression: 숙제 언제까지 내야 해요?
Pronunciation: suk-je eon-je-kka-ji nae-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: When is the homework due? - Expression: 시험 범위가 어디까지예요?
Pronunciation: si-heom beo-mwi-ga eo-di-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the scope of the test? / What will be on the test? - Expression: 시험은 언제 봐요?
Pronunciation: si-heom-eun eon-je bwa-yo?
Meaning: When is the test? - Expression: 이 문제 어떻게 풀어요?
Pronunciation: i mun-je eo-tteo-ke pul-eo-yo?
Meaning: How do you solve this problem? - Expression: 정답이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: jeong-dab-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the correct answer? - Expression: 교과서 펴세요?
Pronunciation: gyo-gwa-seo pyeo-se-yo?
Meaning: Should I open the textbook? - Expression: 프린트물 있어요?
Pronunciation: peu-rin-teu-mul iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a handout/printout? - Expression: 다음 수업은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: da-eum su-eob-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the next class? - Expression: 오늘 수업 여기까지예요?
Pronunciation: o-neul su-eop yeo-gi-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Is class over for today? - Expression: 이 표현은 언제 사용해요?
Pronunciation: i pyo-hyeon-eun eon-je sa-yong-hae-yo?
Meaning: When do you use this expression? - Expression: 복습해야 할 부분이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: bok-seup-hae-ya hal bu-bun-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Which part should I review?
Polite Expressions for Asking
Using these adds a layer of politeness, especially when interrupting or asking for a favor.
- Expression: 죄송하지만, 질문 하나 해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jil-mun ha-na hae-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, but may I ask a question? - Expression: 잠깐 질문 좀 드려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan jil-mun jom deu-ryeo-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask you a question for a moment? - Expression: 혹시 이것에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i-geos-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly explain this? - Expression: 바쁘시겠지만, 질문이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-si-gess-ji-man, jil-mun-i iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I know you’re busy, but I have a question. (More formal) - Expression: 이해를 돕기 위해 질문드립니다.
Pronunciation: i-hae-reul dop-gi wi-hae jil-mun-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m asking a question to help my understanding. (Formal) - Expression: 다시 한번 확인해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon hwa-gin-hae-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I check one more time? - Expression: 시간을 잠시 내주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: si-gan-eul jam-si nae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you spare a moment? - Expression: 실례지만, 이것 좀 도와주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ji-man, i-geot jom do-wa-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, but could you help me with this? - Expression: 제 질문이 명확하지 않다면 다시 묻겠습니다.
Pronunciation: je jil-mun-i myeong-hwak-ha-ji an-ta-myeon da-si mut-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: If my question isn’t clear, I will ask again. - Expression: 답변해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: dap-byeon-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for answering. - Expression: 잠시만요, 질문 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, jil-mun iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Just a moment, I have a question. - Expression: 괜찮으시다면, 질문 하나 더 해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eu-si-da-myeon, jil-mun ha-na deo hae-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: If it’s alright with you, may I ask one more question?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding classroom culture helps in communicating effectively.
- Addressing the Teacher: Always address your teacher as 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim). Adding their last name before it (e.g., 김 선생님 – Kim seon-saeng-nim) is also common and respectful.
- Raising Your Hand: It’s standard etiquette to raise your hand and wait to be called on before asking a question, just like in many Western cultures. Saying “저기요 (jeo-gi-yo)” or “선생님 (seon-saeng-nim)” while raising your hand is common.
- Hesitation: Some Korean students might seem hesitant to ask questions during class to avoid interrupting the flow or appearing ignorant. However, in language learning environments, teachers usually encourage questions. Don’t feel shy!
- Politeness Levels: Using the ‘-요 (-yo)’ or ‘-ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/seumnida)’ endings is crucial for showing respect to the teacher. Avoid using informal language (반말 – ban-mal).
- Timing: While questions are generally welcome, try to ask them at appropriate times, such as during Q&A sessions, after an explanation, or if the teacher explicitly asks if there are any questions (질문 있어요? – jil-mun iss-eo-yo?). If you need to interrupt, use polite phrases like “죄송하지만 (joe-song-ha-ji-man)…”.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (A) didn’t understand a grammar point explained by the teacher (B) during a Korean language class. Roles: A = Student, B = Teacher
- Expression: A: 선생님, 죄송하지만 질문 있어요.
Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim, joe-song-ha-ji-man jil-mun iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Teacher, excuse me, but I have a question. - Expression: B: 네, 말씀하세요. 어떤 질문이에요?
Pronunciation: ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo. eo-tteon jil-mun-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Yes, please speak. What is your question? - Expression: A: 방금 설명하신 ‘-거나’ 문법이 잘 이해가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: bang-geum seol-myeong-ha-sin ‘-geo-na’ mun-beob-i jal i-hae-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I don’t quite understand the ‘-geona’ grammar point you just explained. - Expression: B: 아, ‘-거나’요? 어느 부분이 헷갈리나요?
Pronunciation: a, ‘-geo-na’-yo? eo-neu bu-bun-i het-gal-li-na-yo?
Meaning: Oh, ‘-geona’? Which part is confusing? - Expression: A: ‘-이나’랑 어떻게 다른지 모르겠어요. 예를 들어 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: ‘-i-na’-rang eo-tteo-ke da-reun-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo. ye-reul deul-eo ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: I don’t know how it’s different from ‘-ina’. Could you give an example? - Expression: B: 네, 좋아요. ‘-거나’는 동사나 형용사에 붙어서 둘 이상의 행동이나 상태 중 하나를 선택할 때 써요. 예를 들면, ‘주말에 영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요.’ 처럼요. ‘-이나’는 명사 뒤에 붙어서 선택을 나타내죠. ‘커피나 차 주세요.’ 처럼요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. ‘-geo-na’-neun dong-sa-na hyeong-yong-sa-e but-eo-seo dul i-sang-ui haeng-dong-i-na sang-tae jung ha-na-reul seon-taek-hal ttae sseo-yo. ye-reul deul-myeon, ‘ju-mal-e yeong-hwa-reul bo-geo-na chaek-eul ilg-eo-yo.’ cheo-reom-yo. ‘-i-na’-neun myeong-sa dwi-e but-eo-seo seon-taek-eul na-ta-nae-jyo. ‘keo-pi-na cha ju-se-yo.’ cheo-reom-yo.
Meaning: Yes, okay. ‘-geona’ attaches to verbs or adjectives to indicate a choice between two or more actions or states. For example, like ‘On the weekend, I watch a movie or read a book.’ ‘-ina’ attaches after nouns to indicate a choice. Like ‘Please give me coffee or tea.’ - Expression: A: 아, 이제 알겠어요! 설명해 주셔서 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: a, i-je al-gess-eo-yo! seol-myeong-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Ah, now I understand! Thank you for explaining! - Expression: B: 네, 천만에요. 또 질문 있으면 언제든지 하세요.
Pronunciation: ne, cheon-man-e-yo. tto jil-mun iss-eu-myeon eon-je-deun-ji ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, you’re welcome. If you have more questions, ask anytime.
Practice Tips
Don’t be afraid to use these phrases in your Korean class~! Teachers appreciate students who actively participate. Try formulating one or two questions before each class based on the previous lesson or the upcoming topic. Practice saying them out loud. Even starting with a simple “질문 있어요 (jil-mun iss-eo-yo)” is a great first step! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!)
