In this blog, we will introduce some of the most commonly used Korean words and phrases that you can use in the classroom.

Whether you are a language school student or a university student studying in Korea, it’s important to know key classroom related Korean words and phrases. If you master some of the essential Korean words and phrases, you will be able to maximize your Korean language learning experience. In this blog, we will introduce 30+ most common Korean phrases used in the classroom.

Table of Content

• Use Classroom Greetings in Korea: Formal and Informal
• Understand Instructions from Teachers in Korean
• Explain Absence from Class and Tardiness
• Talk about Favorite Subjects in Korean
• Check for School Supplies – Useful Korean Phrases and Words
• How KoreanClass101 Can Help

1. Use Classroom Greetings in Korea: Formal and Informal
2. Understand Instructions from Teachers in Korean
3. Explain Absence from Class and Tardiness
4. Talk about Favorite Subjects in Korean
5. Check for School Supplies – Useful Korean Phrases and Words
6. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You with Learning Korean

1. Use Classroom Greetings in Korea: Formal and Informal

Since you are already learning Korean, you are aware that the Korean language has several levels of speech. You need to make sure to use the right honorific phrases and Korean vocabulary to speak with your teacher. You will need to speak formally to your teacher during the classroom. Your teacher or professor will speak to you formally or informally – it depends on them.

Also, to give you a little bit about Korean culture knowledge to make your Korean language learning experience more interesting,  it is common for a stranger to ask how old you are. They ask this to determine which speech style to use, as it is based on your age. 

If you are younger than the speaker, then he or she will speak to you casually, and you are expected to speak to him/her formally. Therefore don’t be offended when a person you meet for the first time asks your age; they are not interested in how old you are, they just want to find the right form of speech style. Also, depending on the level of honorific speech, people use different Korean vocabulary. For example, if you are speaking to an old person, let’s say about 60, you will say 생신 (saengsin). On the other hand, if you are speaking to a friend or younger person, you will say 생일 (saengil). Both Korean words have the same meaning “birthday.” 

Here are some of the common Korean phrases used in the classroom. Let’s take a look. 

Want to learn more about korean words and phrases – honorifics and the level of politeness used in Korea? Check out these pages: 

➜ Does Korean have honorifics?
➜ Korean Honorific Titles: Oppa, Unni, Hyung, Nuna & more

2. Understand Instructions from Teachers in Korean

Here are some of the most commonly used korean words and phrases in the classroom. In Korea, it’s common to ask questions to your teacher after the class, because asking questions duing the class will slow down everyone and it is considered inappropriate. Therefore, If you have any questions, make sure to write down your questions and ask after the class. (Or you can ask via email or make a consultation with the teacher to ask questions in detail – this will allow you to maximise your learning Korean experience) 

Here is the list of korean words and phrases that you can immediately use in the classroom. 

Want to practice how teachers and students talk to each other in Korean?

➜ Check out “Getting Help from the Teacher in South Korea” to learn additional korean words and phrases

3. Explain Absence from Class and Tardiness

When you feel sick, it’s better to rest at home and take care of yourself. If you decide to miss the class, make sure to email or let your teacher know in advance. Also, make sure to complete any homework assignments because if you don’t, you will lose points that count towards your grades. Make sure to ask for an extension if you cannot finish the homework on time for personal reasons.

Here is the list of Korean phrases that you will hear a lot during the classroom. 

Want to learn more about school in Korean?

➜ Check out “BACK TO SCHOOL” ebook by KoreanClass101.

4. Talk about Favorite Subjects in Korean

“What’s your favourite subject?” is a great way to initiate a conversation to a stranger and make friends. Here are some of the common Korean phrases that you can ask your friends or someone older than you, as well as the list of subjects in Korean. The name of the subject becomes more complicated if you choose specialized courses. Check out this page that lists all the other specialised subjects in Korean.

Want to learn how to say different subjects in Korean?

➜ Check out our free vocabulary list “School Subjects” by KoreanClass101

5. Check for School Supplies – Useful Korean Phrases and Words

Even if you prepare everything beforehands, sometimes you forget something such as a pencil. If you want to ask someone to lend you utensils, here are some of the useful Korean phrases and words  you can use in the classroom.

Check out these page for more stationary related Korean vocabulary.

➜ Stationary in Korean

6. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You with Learning Korean

In this blog article, you have learned some of the most common Korean words and phrases used in the classroom, for students and for teachers. We also introduced some of the Korean culture related to the level of politeness to use depending on a person’s age and classroom rules that may be different to your country. You don’t need to memorize all the Korean culture and social rules, but learning Korean culture will allow your Korean language learning experience to the fullest. 

KoreanClass101 has plenty of resources for you to learn various Korean words and phrases and we believe that you will have the best Korean language learning experience. Check out our KoreanClass101 Youtube channel and our website! The free Korean vocabulary lists are also a great way to improve your Korean vocabulary skills. You can also practice pronunciation as each Korean vocabulary page has audio. Create a lifetime free account today and access our free Korean words and phrases materials today.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!