Debate Time: Korean School Uniforms, Yay or Nay?

Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Have you ever watched a K-drama set in a high school or seen a K-pop group’s “school concept” music video and thought about the uniforms? School uniforms, or 교복 (gyobok), are a huge part of Korean youth culture. But are they a good thing? Lately in Korea, the debate about whether students should wear them is always a hot topic.

Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean expressions you need to jump into this debate! You’ll be able to share your opinion on uniforms—or any other topic—just like a native speaker. Let’s get started!

Core Expressions for Your Debate

Here are the key phrases you need to state your case clearly and confidently.

1. 찬성하다 (chanseonghada)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Chanseonghada
• English Meaning: To agree; to be in favor of
• Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect word to use when you want to formally express your support for an idea or proposal. It’s much stronger and more formal than just saying “좋아요” (I like it). Use it in discussions, debates, or when you want to sound thoughtful.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘찬 (chan)’ sound has an aspirated ‘ㅊ (ch)’. It’s a puff of air, like the ‘ch’ in “chart.” Make sure to release that air for a natural sound!

2. 반대하다 (bandaehada)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Bandaehada
• English Meaning: To disagree; to be against; to oppose
• Detailed Explanation: This is the direct opposite of 찬성하다. It’s how you formally state your opposition to a topic. It clearly communicates that you are on the other side of the argument.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: This one is quite straightforward! The sounds ‘반 (ban)’ and ‘대 (dae)’ are pronounced just as they look. Just remember to keep the vowel sounds crisp and clear.

3. ~(이)라고 생각하다 (~(i)rago saenggakhada)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: ~(i)rago saenggakhada
• English Meaning: I think that…
• Detailed Explanation: This is your go-to grammar pattern for expressing any opinion! It’s incredibly versatile.
  • Attach -라고 생각하다 after a noun ending in a vowel (e.g., 문제라고 생각해요 – I think it’s a problem).
  • Attach -이라고 생각하다 after a noun ending in a consonant (e.g., 좋은 생각이라고 생각해요 – I think it’s a good idea).
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: When you say ‘생각해요 (saenggakhaeyo)’, the final ‘ㄱ (k)’ sound of ‘생각 (saenggak)’ and the ‘ㅎ (h)’ of ‘해요 (haeyo)’ often blend together to make a stronger ‘ㅋ (k)’ sound. Try saying it smoothly: [생가캐요 (saenggakaeyo)]. This little trick will make you sound much more natural!

4. 개성을 표현하다 (gaeseong-eul pyohyeonhada)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Gaeseong-eul pyohyeonhada
• English Meaning: To express one’s individuality
• Detailed Explanation: This phrase is a key argument for the anti-uniform side! 개성 (gaeseong) means “individuality” or “personality,” and 표현하다 (pyohyeonhada) means “to express.” Together, they form a powerful phrase for talking about personal freedom and style.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: In ‘표현 (pyohyeon)’, the ‘ㅍ (p)’ is an aspirated sound, like a strong “p” in “party.” Also, when you say ‘개성을 (gaeseong-eul)’ quickly, the final consonant ‘ㅇ (ng)’ of ‘성 (seong)’ links smoothly to the vowel ‘으 (eu)’ in ‘을 (eul)’. It flows together as one sound: [개성응을 (gaeseongeul)].

Example Dialogue

Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation. Two friends, A and B, are talking after watching the latest episode of a popular high school K-drama.

A: 와, 드라마 ‘우리들의 여름’에 나오는 교복 진짜 예쁘다! 나도 저런 교복 입어보고 싶어.
(Wa, deurama ‘Urideurui Yeoreum’-e naoneun gyobok jinjja yeppeuda! Nado jeoreon gyobok ibeobogo sipeo.)
Wow, the school uniforms in the drama ‘Our Summer’ are so pretty! I want to try wearing a uniform like that, too.

B: 글쎄… 나는 교복에 반대해. 학생들의 개성을 표현할 수 없잖아.
(Geulsse… Naneun gyobog-e bandaehae. Haksaengdeurui gaeseong-eul pyohyeonhal su eopjana.)
Hmm… I’m against school uniforms. You know, students can’t express their individuality.

A: 정말? 나는 찬성하는데. 모두 똑같은 옷을 입으면 소속감이 생겨서 좋다고 생각해.
(Jeongmal? Naneun chanseonghaneunde. Modu ttokgateun oseul ibeumyeon sosokgami saenggyeoseo jotago saenggakhae.)
Really? I’m in favor of them. I think it’s good because it creates a sense of belonging when everyone wears the same clothes.

B: 그것도 일리 있네. 하지만 나는 자유롭게 옷을 입는 게 더 중요하다고 생각해.
(Geugeotdo illi inne. Hajiman naneun jayuropge oseul imneun ge deo jung-yohadago saenggakhae.)
That makes sense, too. But I think that being able to dress freely is more important.

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

In Korea, the school uniform (교복) is more than just school clothes—it’s a powerful symbol of youth and nostalgia. This is why it has become a fashion trend in itself!

You might be surprised to learn that it’s extremely popular for young couples and friends (even adults!) to rent stylized, fashionable school uniforms for a day. They visit places like Lotte World amusement park or trendy neighborhoods like Hongdae, wearing the uniforms to take cute photos and relive their school days.

Furthermore, K-pop idols from groups like NewJeans, EXO, and IVE have famously used the “school concept,” turning the simple uniform into a high-fashion statement. This shows how the 교복 has a dual identity in Korea: a symbol of conformity for some, and a trendy, nostalgic fashion item for others. Knowing this cultural context will help you understand the depth of the debate!

Let’s Review and Practice!

Great job today! We learned how to agree (찬성하다), disagree (반대하다), express our thoughts (~라고 생각하다), and talk about individuality (개성을 표현하다).

Now it’s your turn to practice!

Practice Question:
Complete the following sentence with your own opinion. Choose either 찬성해요 or 반대해요 and give a simple reason.

저는 학교 교복에 ________. (찬성해요 / 반대해요)

왜냐하면 __________________ 때문이에요.

(I ______ school uniforms because _______________.)

What’s your stance on the great uniform debate? Share your practice sentence in the comments below using the expressions you learned today! We can’t wait to read your opinions