Understanding the concept and terminology for elderly education is increasingly important in societies with aging populations, including Korea. This guide covers the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to educational programs and activities designed for senior citizens, often referred to as 노인교육 (no-in-gyo-yuk). Learning these expressions will help you discuss, inquire about, and participate in lifelong learning opportunities available for older adults in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 노인교육
Pronunciation: no-in-gyo-yuk
Meaning: Elderly education, Senior education (Direct translation: old person education)
Basic Vocabulary
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Expression: 평생교육
Pronunciation: pyeong-saeng-gyo-yuk
Meaning: Lifelong education -
Expression: 노인
Pronunciation: no-in
Meaning: Elderly person, Senior citizen -
Expression: 복지관
Pronunciation: bok-ji-gwan
Meaning: Welfare center -
Expression: 문화센터
Pronunciation: mun-hwa-sen-teo
Meaning: Cultural center -
Expression: 수업
Pronunciation: su-eop
Meaning: Class, Lesson -
Expression: 강좌
Pronunciation: gang-jwa
Meaning: Course, Lecture series -
Expression: 신청하다
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-ha-da
Meaning: To apply, To register -
Expression: 참여하다
Pronunciation: cham-yeo-ha-da
Meaning: To participate -
Expression: 배우다
Pronunciation: bae-u-da
Meaning: To learn -
Expression: 건강
Pronunciation: geon-gang
Meaning: Health -
Expression: 취미
Pronunciation: chwi-mi
Meaning: Hobby -
Expression: 디지털 교육
Pronunciation: di-ji-teol gyo-yuk
Meaning: Digital education
Useful Phrases
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Expression: 어떤 수업을 듣고 싶으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon su-eo-beul deut-go si-peu-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of class would you like to take? -
Expression: 노인 복지관에서 하는 수업이 많아요.
Pronunciation: no-in bok-ji-gwa-ne-seo ha-neun su-eo-bi ma-na-yo.
Meaning: There are many classes offered at the senior welfare center. -
Expression: 이 강좌는 언제 시작해요?
Pronunciation: i gang-jwa-neun eon-je si-jak-hae-yo?
Meaning: When does this course start? -
Expression: 수강료는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: su-gang-nyo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the tuition fee? -
Expression: 온라인으로 신청할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-i-neu-ro sin-cheong-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I apply online? -
Expression: 저는 컴퓨터 수업을 배우고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun keom-pyu-teo su-eo-beul bae-u-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to learn computer skills. -
Expression: 할머니께서 스마트폰 사용법을 배우고 싶어 하세요.
Pronunciation: hal-meo-ni-kke-seo seu-ma-teu-pon sa-yong-beo-beul bae-u-go si-peo ha-se-yo.
Meaning: My grandmother wants to learn how to use a smartphone. -
Expression: 요즘 노인분들을 위한 디지털 교육이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum no-in-bun-deu-reul wi-han di-ji-teol gyo-yu-gi jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Digital education for seniors is important these days. -
Expression: 취미 활동으로 그림 그리기 수업을 들어요.
Pronunciation: chwi-mi hwal-dong-eu-ro geu-rim geu-ri-gi su-eo-beul deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: I take a drawing class as a hobby. -
Expression: 건강을 위해 요가 수업에 참여하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang-eul wi-hae yo-ga su-eo-be cham-yeo-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am participating in a yoga class for my health. -
Expression: 문화센터에서 다양한 강좌를 제공해요.
Pronunciation: mun-hwa-sen-teo-e-seo da-yang-han gang-jwa-reul je-gong-hae-yo.
Meaning: The cultural center offers various courses. -
Expression: 평생교육의 중요성이 점점 커지고 있어요.
Pronunciation: pyeong-saeng-gyo-yu-gui jung-yo-seong-i jeom-jeom keo-ji-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The importance of lifelong education is growing.
Discussing Programs
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Expression: 어떤 프로그램에 관심 있으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon peu-ro-geu-rae-me gwan-sim i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Which program are you interested in? -
Expression: 이 프로그램은 초보자도 들을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i peu-ro-geu-rae-meun cho-bo-ja-do deu-reul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can beginners take this program too? -
Expression: 수업 시간표를 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: su-eop si-gan-pyo-reul al su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I know the class schedule? -
Expression: 강사님은 어떤 분이신가요?
Pronunciation: gang-sa-nim-eun eo-tteon bu-ni-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of instructor is it? (Who is the instructor?) -
Expression: 이 수업의 목표는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i su-eo-bui mok-pyo-neun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the goal of this class? -
Expression: 준비물이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: jun-bi-mu-ri pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are there any materials I need to prepare? -
Expression: 다른 수강생들과 교류할 기회가 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun su-gang-saeng-deul-gwa gyo-ryu-hal gi-hoe-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an opportunity to interact with other students? -
Expression: 이 수업을 통해 무엇을 배울 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i su-eo-beul tong-hae mu-eo-seul bae-ul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: What can I learn through this class? -
Expression: 수료증이 발급되나요?
Pronunciation: su-ryo-jeung-i bal-geup-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is a certificate of completion issued? -
Expression: 정원이 몇 명인가요?
Pronunciation: jeong-wo-ni myeot myeong-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the class size limit? -
Expression: 대기자 명단에 올릴 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: dae-gi-ja myeong-da-ne ol-lil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I be put on the waiting list? -
Expression: 혹시 다른 추천해주실 만한 강좌가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun chu-cheon-hae-ju-sil man-han gang-jwa-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other courses you would recommend?
Cultural Tips
Lifelong learning (평생교육 – pyeong-saeng-gyo-yuk) is highly valued in Korea. Many local governments and community organizations offer a wide variety of affordable, high-quality programs specifically for senior citizens.
Common locations for these programs include local welfare centers (복지관 – bok-ji-gwan), cultural centers (문화센터 – mun-hwa-sen-teo), and dedicated senior centers (노인정 – no-in-jeong or 경로당 – gyeong-no-dang).
Popular subjects for elderly education include digital literacy (computer and smartphone usage), health and wellness (yoga, dance, exercise), arts and crafts (calligraphy, painting, pottery), music (singing, instruments), and humanities.
These educational programs serve not only as learning opportunities but also as important social hubs, helping seniors stay active, engaged, and connected with their communities.
When discussing elderly relatives participating in these programs, using respectful language and showing genuine interest in their activities is considered polite and caring.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minji (A) and Sujin (B), are discussing educational programs for their elderly parents.
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Expression: A: 요즘 부모님께서 집에만 계셔서 걱정이에요. 노인 교육 프로그램 같은 거 알아보셨어요?
Pronunciation: yo-jeum bu-mo-nim-kke-seo ji-be-man gye-syeo-seo geok-jeong-i-e-yo. no-in gyo-yuk peu-ro-geu-raem ga-teun geo a-ra-bo-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: I’m worried because my parents are just staying home these days. Have you looked into any elderly education programs? -
Expression: B: 네, 마침 동네 복지관에서 하는 노인 교육 강좌들을 찾아봤어요. 컴퓨터나 스마트폰 수업도 있고, 노래 교실도 있더라고요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-chim dong-ne bok-ji-gwa-ne-seo ha-neun no-in gyo-yuk gang-jwa-deu-reul cha-ja-bwa-sseo-yo. keom-pyu-teo-na seu-ma-teu-pon su-eop-do it-go, no-rae gyo-sil-do it-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I just looked up some elderly education courses offered at the local welfare center. They have computer and smartphone classes, and also a singing class. -
Expression: A: 정말요? 저희 어머니는 그림 그리기에 관심 있으신데, 그런 수업도 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-lyo? jeo-hui eo-meo-ni-neun geu-rim geu-ri-gi-e gwan-sim i-sseu-sin-de, geu-reon su-eop-do i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Really? My mother is interested in drawing, would there be a class like that? -
Expression: B: 아마 있을 거예요. 문화센터나 복지관 홈페이지에서 강좌 목록을 확인해보세요. 신청 기간 놓치지 마시고요!
Pronunciation: a-ma i-sseul geo-ye-yo. mun-hwa-sen-teo-na bok-ji-gwan hom-pe-i-ji-e-seo gang-jwa mong-no-geul hwa-gin-hae-bo-se-yo. sin-cheong gi-gan no-chi-ji ma-si-go-yo!
Meaning: Probably. Check the course list on the cultural center or welfare center website. Don’t miss the application period! -
Expression: A: 좋은 정보 감사해요. 당장 알아봐야겠네요. 부모님께 좋은 취미가 생기면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: jo-eun jeong-bo gam-sa-hae-yo. dang-jang a-ra-bwa-ya-gen-ne-yo. bu-mo-nim-kke jo-eun chwi-mi-ga saeng-gi-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks for the good information. I should look into it right away. I hope my parents can find a good hobby. -
Expression: B: 네, 노인 교육이 활기찬 노후 생활에 큰 도움이 되더라고요. 잘 찾아보세요!
Pronunciation: ne, no-in gyo-yu-gi hwal-gi-chan no-hu saeng-hwa-re keun do-u-mi doe-deo-ra-go-yo. jal cha-ja-bo-se-yo!
Meaning: Yes, elderly education is really helpful for an active retirement life. Good luck finding something!
Practice Tips
Familiarize yourself with the core term 노인교육 (no-in-gyo-yuk) and related vocabulary like 복지관 (bok-ji-gwan) and 문화센터 (mun-hwa-sen-teo)~ Try searching online for local community centers in Korea using these terms to see real examples of course offerings!
Practice asking questions about courses using phrases like “이 강좌는 언제 시작해요?” (i gang-jwa-neun eon-je si-jak-hae-yo?) or “수강료는 얼마인가요?” (su-gang-nyo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?). Imagine you are inquiring for yourself or a family member.
Role-play the conversation example with a study partner or practice saying both parts yourself. This helps internalize the flow of discussion about senior education programs. Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to discuss this important topic confidently in Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
