Joining a club or ‘Donghohoe’ (동호회) is a fantastic way to meet people with shared interests and immerse yourself in Korean culture. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary you’ll need to inquire about, apply for, and participate in various clubs in Korea, from hobby groups to sports teams.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 동호회 가입하기
Pronunciation: dong-ho-hoe ga-ip-ha-gi
Meaning: Joining a club/group
Basic Inquiry Phrases
-
Expression: 어떤 동호회가 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon dong-ho-hoe-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kinds of clubs are there? -
Expression: 이 동호회는 어떤 활동을 하나요?
Pronunciation: i dong-ho-hoe-neun eo-tteon hwal-dong-eul ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What activities does this club do? -
Expression: 가입 조건이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ga-ip jo-geon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any membership requirements? -
Expression: 언제 모이나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je mo-i-na-yo?
Meaning: When do you meet? -
Expression: 어디서 모이나요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo mo-i-na-yo?
Meaning: Where do you meet? -
Expression: 회비는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: hoe-bi-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the membership fee? -
Expression: 누구나 가입할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: nu-gu-na ga-ip-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can anyone join? -
Expression: 동호회 분위기는 어때요?
Pronunciation: dong-ho-hoe bun-wi-gi-neun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: What’s the atmosphere of the club like? -
Expression: 신입 회원을 모집하나요?
Pronunciation: sin-ip hoe-won-eul mo-jip-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Are you recruiting new members? -
Expression: 어떻게 신청하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke sin-cheong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I apply? -
Expression: 연락처 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: yeon-lak-cheo jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the contact information. -
Expression: 참관해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: cham-gwan-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I observe (a meeting/activity)?
Joining Process Phrases
-
Expression: 동호회에 가입하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: dong-ho-hoe-e ga-ip-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to join the club. -
Expression: 가입 신청서를 작성해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ga-ip sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to fill out an application form? -
Expression: 신청서는 어디서 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-neun eo-di-seo ba-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get the application form? -
Expression: 제출 서류가 있나요?
Pronunciation: je-chul seo-ryu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any documents to submit? -
Expression: 회비는 어떻게 내나요?
Pronunciation: hoe-bi-neun eo-tteo-ke nae-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I pay the membership fee? -
Expression: 가입 승인까지 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: ga-ip seung-in-kka-ji eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take for membership approval? -
Expression: 초보자도 괜찮나요?
Pronunciation: cho-bo-ja-do gwaen-chan-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay for beginners? -
Expression: 필요한 준비물이 있나요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han jun-bi-mul-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any necessary supplies/equipment? -
Expression: 가입 절차를 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ga-ip jeol-cha-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the joining procedure? -
Expression: 면접이 있나요?
Pronunciation: myeon-jeop-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an interview? -
Expression: 언제부터 활동할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo hwal-dong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I start participating? -
Expression: 가입 문의는 누구에게 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ga-ip mun-ui-neun nu-gu-e-ge hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Who should I contact for membership inquiries?
Participating in Club Activities
-
Expression: 첫 모임에 참석하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: cheot mo-im-e cham-seok-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will attend the first meeting. -
Expression: 오늘 활동은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul hwal-dong-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is today’s activity? -
Expression: 제가 도울 일이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga do-ul il-i i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything I can help with? -
Expression: 다음 모임은 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: da-eum mo-im-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the next meeting? -
Expression: 정기 모임 외에 다른 활동도 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeong-gi mo-im oe-e da-reun hwal-dong-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there other activities besides regular meetings? -
Expression: 회원들과 친해지고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hoe-won-deul-gwa chin-hae-ji-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get closer to the members. -
Expression: 이 활동은 어떻게 하는 건가요?
Pronunciation: i hwal-dong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How do you do this activity? -
Expression: 참가 신청은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: cham-ga sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I sign up to participate (in a specific event)? -
Expression: 오늘 정말 즐거웠습니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul jeong-mal jeul-geo-wo-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: It was really fun today. -
Expression: 다음에도 꼭 참석할게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e-do kkok cham-seok-hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I will definitely attend next time too. -
Expression: 혹시 회칙 같은 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si hoe-chik ga-teun geo-si it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any club rules by any chance? -
Expression: 모임 장소가 변경되었나요?
Pronunciation: mo-im jang-so-ga byeon-gyeong-doe-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Has the meeting location changed?
Cultural Tips
Donghohoe (동호회) are very common in Korea, covering almost any interest imaginable, from hiking and photography to language exchange and board games. They offer a great way to pursue hobbies and socialize.
Joining a club is often seen as a way to build social networks (인맥 – inmaek) beyond work or school, which is highly valued in Korean society.
Many clubs have regular social gatherings, often called ‘hoesik’ (회식), involving food and drinks. These are important for bonding and getting to know members better. Participation is often encouraged!
Hierarchy based on age or seniority (선후배 관계 – seonhubae gwangye) can sometimes exist, even in casual clubs. Using polite language (존댓말 – jondaetmal) with older members or seniors is generally recommended, especially initially.
Active participation and showing enthusiasm are generally appreciated. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, offer help, and engage in activities to integrate smoothly into the group.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun wants to join a photography club and approaches Sunwoo, a current member, at a university club fair.
Roles: A: Minjun (Prospective Member), B: Sunwoo (Current Member)
-
Expression: A: 저기요, 혹시 사진 동호회 회원이신가요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, hok-si sa-jin dong-ho-hoe hoe-won-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, are you perhaps a member of the photography club? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 저희 사진 동호회 부스입니다. 관심 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. jeo-hui sa-jin dong-ho-hoe bu-seu-im-ni-da. gwan-sim i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. This is our photography club booth. Are you interested? -
Expression: A: 네, 저도 사진에 관심이 많아서 동호회에 가입하고 싶어서요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeo-do sa-jin-e gwan-sim-i ma-na-seo dong-ho-hoe-e ga-ip-ha-go si-peo-seo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’m also very interested in photography, so I’d like to join the club. -
Expression: B: 아, 잘 오셨어요! 저희 마침 신입 회원을 모집하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: a, jal o-syeo-sseo-yo! jeo-hui ma-chim sin-ip hoe-won-eul mo-jip-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Oh, welcome! We happen to be recruiting new members right now. -
Expression: A: 정말요? 가입 조건이 따로 있나요? 초보자도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-lyo? ga-ip jo-geon-i tta-ro it-na-yo? cho-bo-ja-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Really? Are there specific requirements? Is it okay for beginners? -
Expression: B: 특별한 조건은 없고, 사진을 좋아하는 마음만 있으면 돼요. 초보자분들도 대환영입니다! 저희가 기초부터 알려드려요.
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han jo-geon-eun eop-go, sa-jin-eul jo-a-ha-neun ma-eum-man i-sseu-myeon dwae-yo. cho-bo-ja-bun-deul-do dae-hwan-yeong-im-ni-da! jeo-hui-ga gi-cho-bu-teo al-lyeo-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: There are no special requirements, just a love for photography is enough. Beginners are very welcome! We teach from the basics. -
Expression: A: 다행이네요! 회비나 정기 모임은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: da-haeng-i-ne-yo! hoe-bi-na jeong-gi mo-im-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: That’s a relief! How about the membership fee and regular meetings? -
Expression: B: 회비는 한 학기에 2만 원이고, 매주 금요일 저녁에 모여서 출사를 가거나 실내에서 스터디를 해요.
Pronunciation: hoe-bi-neun han hak-kki-e i-man won-i-go, mae-ju geum-yo-il jeo-nyeog-e mo-yeo-seo chul-sa-reul ga-geo-na sil-lae-e-seo seu-teo-di-reul hae-yo.
Meaning: The fee is 20,000 won per semester, and we meet every Friday evening for photo outings or indoor study sessions. -
Expression: A: 좋네요! 어떻게 신청하면 되나요?
Pronunciation: jon-ne-yo! eo-tteo-ke sin-cheong-ha-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Sounds great! How can I apply? -
Expression: B: 여기 신청서가 있어요. 간단히 작성해서 저에게 주시면 됩니다. 궁금한 거 더 있으시면 편하게 물어보세요!
Pronunciation: yeo-gi sin-cheong-seo-ga i-sseo-yo. gan-dan-hi jak-seong-hae-seo jeo-e-ge ju-si-myeon doem-ni-da. gung-geum-han geo deo i-sseu-si-myeon pyeon-ha-ge mul-eo-bo-se-yo!
Meaning: Here’s the application form. Just fill it out briefly and give it to me. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
Practice Tips
Great job learning these essential phrases for joining a Korean club! Remember, practice is key~ Try saying the expressions aloud, focusing on the syllable-by-syllable pronunciation. Pay attention to the intonation too!
Role-playing the conversation example with a study partner or even by yourself can really help solidify the phrases in your mind. Imagine you’re actually at a club fair or talking to a member!
If you have the opportunity, look for online Korean communities or clubs at universities or community centers. You could try using some of these phrases to inquire, even just for practice. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – it’s part of learning!
Understanding how to talk about joining groups is super useful for making friends and experiencing more of Korean culture. Keep reviewing and practicing these expressions, and you’ll be ready to join a 동호회 in no time! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
