Hello! Welcome to Daily Hangul! 👋
Annyeonghaseyo! It’s your favorite Korean tutor, Daily Hangul! 🍎
Are you studying in Korea or planning to take a Korean language course? One of the most common things students do is talk about their classes! Whether you are watching a K-Drama like “Law School” or “Cheer Up”, you will always hear students asking each other, “How was the class?” or complaining about homework.
Today, we will learn how to ask for opinions about a class and share how you feel. These phrases are super useful for making friends at school! Let’s level up your Korean! 🚀
📚 Key Expressions
Here are 3 essential phrases to talk about your classes like a native speaker!
1. 수업 어땠어? (Sueop eottaesseo?)
- English Meaning: How was the class?
- Explanation: This is the most standard way to ask a friend for their opinion about a lecture or class. It is in Banmal (casual language), so use it with close friends.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Even though 수업 ends with a ‘p’ sound (ㅂ), when it meets the vowel ‘eo’ (어) in the next word, the sound travels over!
- It sounds more like [Sueo-beottaesseo]. Smooth like butter! 🧈
2. 완전 재미있었어! (Wanjeon jaemiisseosseo!)
- English Meaning: It was totally fun!
- Explanation:
- 완전 (Wanjeon): Literally means “completely,” but in slang, it’s used like “totally” or “super.”
- 재미있었어 (Jaemiisseosseo): Past tense of “to be fun/interesting.”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- 재미 (Jaemi) is easy, but 있었어 (isseosseo) can be tricky. It requires a strong ‘ss’ sound. Think of a snake hissing! 🐍
3. 너무 어려워. (Neomu eoryeowo.)
- English Meaning: It’s too difficult.
- Explanation: Use this when the class content is hard to understand. You can also say “숙제가 너무 많아” (Sukjega neomu mana – There is too much homework) if you want to complain a little! 😉
🗣️ Real-life Conversation
Imagine Minji and Jason meet in the hallway after a Korean language lecture.
Minji: 제이슨, 수업 끝났어?
(Jason, sueop kkeunnatseo?)
Jason, did class finish?
Jason: 응! 방금 끝났어.
(Eung! Banggeum kkeunnatseo.)
Yeah! It just finished.
Minji: 오늘 수업 어땠어?
(Oneul sueop eottaesseo?)
How was the class today?
Jason: 교수님이 너무 웃겨. 근데 문법은 조금 어려워.
(Gyosunimi neomu utgyeo. Geunde munbeobeun jogeum eoryeowo.)
The professor is really funny. But the grammar is a little difficult.
Minji: 걱정 마. 나랑 같이 공부하자!
(Geokjeong ma. Narang gachi gongbuhaja!)
Don’t worry. Let’s study together!
🇰🇷 Culture Tip: Professor vs. Teacher
In many countries, you might call university instructors “Teacher,” but in Korea, titles are very important!
- Elementary ~ High School: You call the teacher 선생님 (Seonsaengnim).
- University: You must call them 교수님 (Gyosunim).
Using “Seonsaengnim” at a university might sound a bit childish or like you are still in high school. So, if you want to impress your professor, make sure to use Gyosunim! 🎓
📝 Wrap-up & Quiz
Great job today! You are now ready to chat with your classmates about your school life. Remember, complaining about homework together is the fastest way to become best friends! 😆
Let’s check what you learned:
- Fill in the blank:
To ask “How was the class?” in Korean: “수업 ______?” - True or False:
At a university in Korea, you should call your instructor “Seonsaengnim.”
[Answers]
1. 어땠어 (eottaesseo)
2. False (You should call them Gyosunim!)
