Understanding historical sites is key to appreciating Korean culture. This guide introduces you to 향교 (Hyanggyo), traditional local schools from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, and provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases for discussing or visiting these important cultural landmarks. Learn how to talk about Hyanggyo, ask questions, and understand their significance in Korean history.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 향교
Pronunciation: hyang-gyo
Meaning: Hyanggyo (Traditional local Confucian school)
Basic Related Terms
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Expression: 유교
Pronunciation: yu-gyo
Meaning: Confucianism -
Expression: 조선시대
Pronunciation: jo-seon-si-dae
Meaning: Joseon Dynasty -
Expression: 고려시대
Pronunciation: go-ryeo-si-dae
Meaning: Goryeo Dynasty -
Expression: 교육 기관
Pronunciation: gyo-yuk gi-gwan
Meaning: Educational institution -
Expression: 지방 학교
Pronunciation: ji-bang hak-gyo
Meaning: Local school -
Expression: 성현
Pronunciation: seong-hyeon
Meaning: Sages and virtuous men (Confucian scholars) -
Expression: 제사
Pronunciation: je-sa
Meaning: Ancestral rite, memorial ceremony -
Expression: 문화재
Pronunciation: mun-hwa-jae
Meaning: Cultural heritage, cultural property -
Expression: 서원
Pronunciation: seo-won
Meaning: Seowon (Private Confucian academy, similar but distinct from Hyanggyo) -
Expression: 대성전
Pronunciation: dae-seong-jeon
Meaning: Daeseongjeon (Main hall enshrining Confucius) -
Expression: 명륜당
Pronunciation: myeong-ryun-dang
Meaning: Myeongryundang (Lecture hall) -
Expression: 양반
Pronunciation: yang-ban
Meaning: Yangban (Aristocratic class during Joseon)
Visiting a Hyanggyo
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Expression: 이 근처에 향교가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e hyang-gyo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a Hyanggyo near here? -
Expression: 향교는 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: hyang-gyo-neun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the Hyanggyo? -
Expression: 향교 입장료는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: hyang-gyo ip-jang-nyo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the entrance fee for the Hyanggyo? -
Expression: 안에 들어가 봐도 되나요?
Pronunciation: an-e deu-reo-ga bwa-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: May I go inside and look around? -
Expression: 사진 찍어도 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jji-geo-do gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to take pictures? -
Expression: 이 건물은 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i geon-mu-reun i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this building? -
Expression: 향교 안내도가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hyang-gyo an-nae-do-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a map of the Hyanggyo? -
Expression: 관람 시간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ram si-ga-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the visiting hours? -
Expression: 여기가 대성전인가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga dae-seong-jeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the Daeseongjeon (main shrine)? -
Expression: 저쪽 건물은 명륜당이에요?
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok geon-mu-reun myeong-ryun-dang-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is that building over there the Myeongryundang (lecture hall)? -
Expression: 조용히 관람하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi gwan-ram-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will look around quietly. -
Expression: 여기서 어떤 행사를 하나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eo-tteon haeng-sa-reul ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of events are held here?
Learning about Hyanggyo
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Expression: 향교는 어떤 곳이었나요?
Pronunciation: hyang-gyo-neun eo-tteon go-si-eon-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of place was a Hyanggyo? -
Expression: 언제 지어졌어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je ji-eo-jeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: When was it built? -
Expression: 여기서 무엇을 가르쳤나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo mu-eo-seul ga-reu-chyeot-na-yo?
Meaning: What was taught here? -
Expression: 누가 여기서 공부했나요?
Pronunciation: nu-ga yeo-gi-seo gong-bu-haen-na-yo?
Meaning: Who studied here? -
Expression: 향교의 역할은 무엇이었어요?
Pronunciation: hyang-gyo-ui yeo-ka-reun mu-eo-si-eo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What was the role of the Hyanggyo? -
Expression: 성균관과 향교는 어떻게 다른가요?
Pronunciation: seong-gyun-gwan-gwa hyang-gyo-neun eo-tteo-ke da-reun-ga-yo?
Meaning: How are Seonggyungwan and Hyanggyo different? -
Expression: 서원과 향교의 차이점은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: seo-won-gwa hyang-gyo-ui cha-i-jeo-meun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the difference between a Seowon and a Hyanggyo? -
Expression: 지금도 교육 기능을 하나요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum-do gyo-yuk gi-neung-eul ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it still function as an educational facility now? -
Expression: 이 향교의 역사에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i hyang-gyo-ui yeok-sa-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the history of this Hyanggyo? -
Expression: 여기서 지내는 제사는 어떤 의미가 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ji-nae-neun je-sa-neun eo-tteon ui-mi-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the significance of the memorial rites held here? -
Expression: 이 지역에서 향교는 어떤 중요성을 가졌나요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeo-ge-seo hyang-gyo-neun eo-tteon jung-yo-seong-eul ga-jeon-na-yo?
Meaning: What importance did the Hyanggyo hold in this region? -
Expression: 향교 건축의 특징은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: hyang-gyo geon-chu-gui teuk-jing-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the characteristics of Hyanggyo architecture?
Cultural Tips
Hyanggyo were state-sponsored local schools established throughout Korea during the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1897) dynasties. Their primary purpose was to educate the sons of the local gentry (Yangban) in Confucian classics and ethics, preparing them for civil service examinations.
Beyond education, Hyanggyo also served as important community centers and shrines. They regularly held ceremonies (제사, je-sa) honoring Confucius and other prominent Confucian sages (성현, seong-hyeon), reinforcing Confucian values within the local community.
While Hyanggyo were public institutions funded by the state, Seowon (서원) were private academies, often established by prominent scholars or factions. Both played crucial roles in disseminating Confucianism, but Hyanggyo represented the official educational system at the local level.
Many Hyanggyo buildings are preserved today as valuable cultural heritage sites (문화재, mun-hwa-jae). When visiting, remember these are historically significant places. Maintain a respectful demeanor, speak quietly, and follow any posted rules regarding photography or access to certain areas.
Today, some Hyanggyo continue to hold traditional ceremonies and offer cultural programs or classes on Confucianism, calligraphy, or traditional etiquette, keeping their historical spirit alive.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two tourists (A and B) are visiting a historical town and asking a local resident (C) about a nearby Hyanggyo.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 이 근처에 향교가 있다고 들었는데요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. i geun-cheo-e hyang-gyo-ga it-da-go deu-reon-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. I heard there is a Hyanggyo near here. -
Expression: C: 네, 맞아요. 저쪽으로 조금만 가시면 오래된 향교가 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. jeo-jjok-eu-ro jo-geum-man ga-si-myeon o-rae-doen hyang-gyo-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. If you go just a little way in that direction, there’s an old Hyanggyo. -
Expression: B: 향교가 정확히 어떤 곳인가요? 옛날 학교라고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: hyang-gyo-ga jeong-hwa-ki eo-tteon go-sin-ga-yo? yen-nal hak-gyo-ra-go deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: What exactly is a Hyanggyo? I heard it’s an old school. -
Expression: C: 네. 조선시대 지방 교육 기관이었어요. 유교를 가르치고 제사도 지냈죠.
Pronunciation: ne. jo-seon-si-dae ji-bang gyo-yuk gi-gwan-i-eo-sseo-yo. yu-gyo-reul ga-reu-chi-go je-sa-do ji-naet-jyo.
Meaning: Yes. It was a local educational institution during the Joseon Dynasty. They taught Confucianism and also held memorial rites. -
Expression: A: 지금도 들어가 볼 수 있나요? 관람 시간은 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum-do deu-reo-ga bol su it-na-yo? gwan-ram si-ga-neun eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can we go inside now? What are the visiting hours? -
Expression: C: 네, 보통 낮에는 열려 있어요. 조용히 둘러보시면 됩니다. 대성전과 명륜당 건물이 특히 중요해요.
Pronunciation: ne, bo-tong na-je-neun yeol-lyeo i-sseo-yo. jo-yong-hi dul-leo-bo-si-myeon doem-ni-da. dae-seong-jeon-gwa myeong-ryun-dang geon-mu-ri teu-ki jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it’s usually open during the day. You can look around quietly. The Daeseongjeon and Myeongryundang buildings are particularly important. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다! 한번 가봐야겠네요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! han-beon ga-bwa-ya-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: Thank you! We should definitely go check it out.
Practice Tips
Learning about historical terms like 향교 (Hyanggyo) enriches your understanding of Korea! Try visiting a real Hyanggyo if you get the chance – many towns still have them. Use the phrases you learned here to ask questions and engage with the history~ You can also look up famous Hyanggyo online, like the Jeonju Hyanggyo or Naju Hyanggyo, and practice describing them in Korean. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be discussing Korean history and culture with confidence!
