Press Conference Korean: Announcing a New World!
Hello! Welcome back to [Maeil Hangeul], where we upgrade your Korean skills to the next level!
Have you ever imagined being the one to announce a groundbreaking discovery to the world? Today, we’re going to step into the shoes of a top scientist. We’ll learn the formal, high-level Korean needed to hold a press conference after a major astronomical breakthrough. Recently, the world has been captivated by new images from deep space and ambitious missions to the Moon and Mars. So, let’s learn how to talk about these stellar events like a true professional in Korean!
Key Expressions for Your Big Announcement
Here are some essential phrases that will make you sound authoritative and articulate during a formal press conference.
1. 이 자리를 빌려 (i jarireul billyeo)
- Romanization: [i jarireul billyeo]
- English Meaning: Taking this opportunity… / On this occasion…
- Detailed Explanation: This is a very formal and polite phrase used to begin an important announcement in a public setting. Literally, it means “to borrow this spot/place,” but it idiomatically signals that you are about to say something of great significance. It immediately sets a serious and respectful tone for your statement.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- The particle ‘를’ after ‘자리’ links smoothly, so you pronounce it as [jarireul], not [jari-reul]. This is a common liaison (연음) rule where a final consonant moves to the next syllable if it starts with a vowel.
2. -는/은 바입니다 (-neun/eun baimnida)
- Romanization: [-neun/eun ba-imnida]
- English Meaning: We hereby state/announce that…
- Detailed Explanation: This is a highly formal and declarative sentence ending used in official statements, legal documents, and press conferences. The noun ‘바’ refers to a ‘fact,’ ‘matter,’ or ‘what is known.’ Using this ending conveys a strong sense of authority and finality, making it much more formal than a standard ‘-습니다’ ending. For example, “발표합니다” (We announce) becomes “발표하는 바입니다” (We hereby announce).
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- The pronunciation of ‘입니다’ is actually [imnida]. The ‘ㅂ’ (b) sound before a nasal consonant like ‘ㄴ’ (n) changes to an ‘ㅁ’ (m) sound. This is called nasalization (비음화). It makes the pronunciation smoother.
3. 귀추가 주목됩니다 (gwichuga jumokdoemnida)
- Romanization: [gwichuga jumokdoemnida]
- English Meaning: The future development/outcome is drawing keen attention.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a sophisticated phrase perfect for concluding a point about the discovery’s significance. ‘귀추’ (歸趨) is a Sino-Korean word meaning the final direction or outcome of a matter. ‘주목되다’ means ‘to be the subject of attention.’ Journalists and experts frequently use this phrase to describe a situation where everyone is eagerly waiting to see what happens next.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Just like in our previous example, the ‘ㅂ’ in ‘됩니다’ is nasalized before the ‘ㄴ’, so it’s pronounced [doemnida], not [doebnida]. Practice this to sound more natural!
4. 학계에 큰 파장을 일으키다 (hakgye-e keun pajangeul ireukida)
- Romanization: [hakgye-e keun pajang-eul ireukida]
- English Meaning: To cause a great stir / create significant waves in the academic community.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a fantastic idiomatic expression to describe the impact of your findings. ‘학계’ (學界) means the ‘academic world,’ and ‘파장’ (波長) literally means ‘wavelength’ but is used metaphorically for ‘ripple effect’ or ‘sensation.’ ‘일으키다’ means ‘to cause’ or ‘create.’ Using this phrase shows a high level of vocabulary and an understanding of nuanced expression.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Notice the liaison in ‘파장을 일으키다’. It’s pronounced [pajang-eul ireukida]. The final ‘ㅇ’ (ng) of ‘파장’ and the ‘ㄹ’ of ‘을’ both carry over smoothly to the following vowel sounds.
Sample Press Conference Dialogue
Let’s see these expressions in action!
- A: 과학자 (Scientist)
- B: 기자 (Reporter)
A: 안녕하십니까. 오늘 이 자리를 빌려, 저희 연구소에서 인류 역사에 길이 남을 중대한 발견을 했음을 공식적으로 발표하는 바입니다. 저희는 태양계 밖에서 액체 상태의 물이 존재할 가능성이 매우 높은 외계 행성을 발견했습니다.
(Hello. Taking this opportunity, we hereby officially announce that our research institute has made a momentous discovery that will go down in human history. We have discovered an exoplanet outside our solar system with a very high probability of possessing liquid water.)
B: 정말 놀라운 소식입니다. 이번 발견이 구체적으로 어떤 의미를 가지는지 설명해 주실 수 있습니까?
(That is truly amazing news. Could you explain the specific significance of this discovery?)
A: 네, 이번 발견은 지구 외 생명체의 존재 가능성을 크게 높였다는 점에서 학계에 큰 파장을 일으킬 것으로 예상됩니다. 앞으로 이 행성에 대한 추가 연구가 어떻게 진행될지 그 귀추가 주목됩니다.
(Yes, this discovery is expected to create significant waves in the academic community as it greatly increases the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The future developments regarding further research on this planet are drawing keen attention.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
The formal, authoritative language we learned today isn’t just for fictional space discoveries! You’ll hear this exact style of speech in many real-life situations in Korea that require formality and gravitas.
- Government Briefings: During major national events, such as the KCDC (Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) briefings or presidential announcements, officials use phrases like ‘발표하는 바입니다’ to deliver critical information to the public.
- Corporate Announcements: When major Korean companies like Samsung or Hyundai unveil a new product or announce business plans, their press releases and conferences are filled with this type of high-level, formal vocabulary.
- Korea’s Space Ambitions: As Korea’s own space program continues to achieve new milestones with its Nuri rocket (누리호) and lunar exploration plans, you’ll increasingly hear scientists and officials using these exact expressions in the news. Knowing them will give you a deeper understanding of current events in Korea!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today, future space explorer! You’ve learned some powerful C1-level Korean expressions to handle a formal press conference.
Now, let’s test your knowledge:
- Fill in the blank:
이번 연구 결과는 전 세계 ________ 큰 파장을 일으킬 것입니다.
(This research result will create significant waves throughout the global academic community.) -
Make a sentence:
Imagine you are a CEO announcing a new revolutionary technology. Start your announcement using the phrase “이 자리를 빌려…”.
Leave your answers in the comments below! We’re excited to see you master these advanced expressions. Keep reaching for the stars with your Korean learning
