🎓 Emailing a Professor in Korean: Recommendation Letter Tips!

Introduction

Hello! It’s Daily Hangul (DailyHangul.com), ready to upgrade your Korean skills! 🌟

Are you studying in Korea or planning to? One of the most nerve-wracking moments for international students is asking a professor for a favor, especially a Recommendation Letter! Whether it’s for a scholarship, graduate school, or a job, this is a crucial skill.

In K-Dramas like Law School or Cheese in the Trap, you often see students speaking very politely to their professors. Today, let’s learn how to sound polite, professional, and respectful so your professor will say “Yes!” immediately! Let’s dive in! 📚✨

Core Expressions

Here are 4 essential expressions you need when asking for a favor.

1. 교수님 (Gyosunim)

• English Meaning: Professor
• Pronunciation: [Gyo-su-nim]
• Detail: In Korea, you never call a teacher by their first name or “Mr./Ms.” Always use their job title. Adding -nim (-님) makes it respectful.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘Gy’ sound is like the ‘g’ in ‘give’ followed quickly by a ‘y’. The ‘s’ is soft.

2. 추천서 (Chucheonseo)

• English Meaning: Recommendation Letter
• Pronunciation: [Chu-cheon-seo]
• Detail: This is the key word for today! ‘Chucheon’ means recommendation, and ‘seo’ means document/paper.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘Ch’ is aspirated (lots of air!). Make sure to pronounce the ‘eo’ (EO) clearly, like the ‘u’ in ‘run’.

3. 부탁드려요 (Butakdeuryeoyo)

• English Meaning: I ask a favor of you / Please
• Pronunciation: [Bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo]
• Detail: This is a polite way to say “I have a request.” It is much more formal than just saying “Juseyo” (Give me). It implies you are humbly asking for help.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: When saying ‘Tak-deu’, the ‘k’ sound almost stops before the ‘d’ starts. It flows smoothly.

4. 찾아뵈어도 될까요? (Chajaboeeodo doelkkayo?)

• English Meaning: May I visit you? / May I come see you?
• Pronunciation: [Cha-ja-bwe-eo-do dwel-kka-yo?]
• Detail: This is super high-level politeness (Honorifics)! Instead of saying “Can I go to your office?”, use this phrase. It shows immense respect to the professor.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: ‘Boeeo’ sounds like ‘Bwe-eo’. ‘Doel’ sounds like ‘Dwel’.

Real-life Dialogue

Let’s see how Minji (Student) asks Professor Kim for a recommendation letter.

👩🏻 Minji: 교수님, 안녕하세요! 한국 문학 수업을 듣는 민지입니다.
(Gyosunim, annyeonghaseyo! Hanguk munhak sueobeul deunneun Minji-imnida.)

Hello Professor! I am Minji, taking your Korean Literature class.

👨🏻‍🏫 Prof. Kim: 어, 민지 학생. 무슨 일이에요?
(Eo, Minji haksaeng. Museun irieyo?)

Oh, Minji. What brings you here (What’s the matter)?

👩🏻 Minji: 대학원에 지원하고 싶은데, 추천서를 부탁드려요.
(Daehagwone jiwonhago sipeunde, chucheonseo-reul butakdeuryeoyo.)

I want to apply to graduate school, so I would like to ask for a recommendation letter.

👨🏻‍🏫 Prof. Kim: 그래요. 자세한 내용은 연구실에서 이야기할까요?
(Geuraeyo. Jasehan naeyongeun yeongusireseo iyagihalkkayo?)

Sure. Shall we talk about the details in my office?

👩🏻 Minji: 네! 언제 찾아뵈어도 될까요?
(Ne! Eonje chajaboeeodo doelkkayo?)

Yes! When may I visit you?

Culture Tip: Korean Email Etiquette 📩

Did you know that Email Etiquette is super important in Korea?
When you email a professor to ask for a meeting or a letter, you cannot just say “Hi”.

1. Subject Line: Must be clear! e.g., “[Recommendation Request] Student Name, Class Name.”
2. Greeting: Start with “To Professor [Name]” (OOO 교수님께).
3. Self-Intro: Always state your Department + Student ID Number + Name first.

Using the expressions we learned today in an email will make you look like a pro student! 😎

Conclusion & Quiz

Today we learned how to ask a professor for a recommendation letter politely. Remember, respect is key in Korean culture! Use these phrases to achieve your study abroad dreams! 🌏🎓

📝 Mini Quiz

1. How do you say “Recommendation Letter” in Korean?
   ( )

2. Which phrase means “May I visit you?” (Choose one)
   A. 가도 돼요? (Gado dwaeyo?)
   B. 찾아뵈어도 될까요? (Chajaboeeodo doelkkayo?)

Answer Key:
1. 추천서 (Chucheonseo)
2. B