Level 2 · Basic Conversation
Talk about school life in Korean -- learn vocabulary for classes, exams, and studying, express ability with -(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다, turn verbs into nouns with -기, and discover Korea's intense education culture.
13 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
Education is at the heart of Korean society. Korea's dramatic transformation from a war-torn nation to a global economic powerhouse is often attributed to 교육열 (gyoyungnyeol) -- an intense national passion for education. In this unit, you'll learn 13 essential words for talking about school, studying, and academic life. You'll also master two powerful grammar patterns: how to express ability ("I can / I can't") and how to turn verbs into noun forms (like "studying" or "learning"). Whether you're a student yourself or just want to understand Korean culture better, this unit is essential. 공부 시작합시다! Let's start studying!
school
학교에 몇 시에 가요?What time do you go to school?
💡 Memory tip: "Hak-gyo" -- think of "hacking" through your education at school! 학 means "learning" and 교 means "teaching."
Pronunciation: 학교 is pronounced [학꾜]. The ㄱ batchim before ㄱ causes the following ㄱ to become tense [ㄲ].
university
어느 대학교에 다녀요?Which university do you attend?
💡 Memory tip: 대 (big/great) + 학교 (school) = "big school" = university! Korean logic is beautifully straightforward.
Pronunciation: 대학교 is pronounced [대학꾜]. Same tensification as 학교. 대 has the ㅐ diphthong [ae].
class / lesson
오늘 수업이 재미있었어요.Today's class was interesting.
💡 Memory tip: "Su-eop" -- think "super" class! 수 means "to receive/learn" and 업 means "work/undertaking."
Pronunciation: 수업 is pronounced [수업]. The ㅂ final is unreleased at the end of a word.
exam / test
다음 주에 시험이 있어요.There's an exam next week.
💡 Memory tip: "Si-heom" -- "See him?" No, he's too busy studying for the test!
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [시험]. The ㅎ in 험 is clearly aspirated. Final ㅁ is a nasal [m].
homework
숙제를 다 했어요?Did you finish all the homework?
💡 Memory tip: "Suk-je" -- homework "sucks, yeah?" Everyone can relate to that feeling!
Pronunciation: 숙제 is pronounced [숙쩨]. The ㄱ batchim before ㅈ causes tensification: ㅈ → [ㅉ].
to study
매일 한국어를 공부해요.I study Korean every day.
💡 Memory tip: 공부 (study) + 하다 (to do). "Gong-bu" -- hitting the "gong" to signal "boo, time to study!"
Pronunciation: 공 has the nasal ㅇ final [ng]. 부 is a simple [bu]. Polite form: 공부해요.
to learn
한국어를 배우고 있어요.I'm learning Korean.
💡 Memory tip: "Bae-u-da" -- you're learning to be a "bae" (beloved) by studying Korean!
Pronunciation: ㅐ in 배 sounds like "bae." The ㅜ in 우 is a pure [u] sound. Polite form: 배워요 (우 + 어 → 워).
to teach
선생님이 영어를 가르쳐요.The teacher teaches English.
💡 Memory tip: "Ga-reu-chi-da" -- the teacher "gathers" children to teach them. 가르 sounds like "gather."
Pronunciation: ㄹ in 르 is a flap [r] between vowels. 치 has the aspirated ㅊ. Polite form: 가르쳐요.
to graduate
작년에 대학교를 졸업했어요.I graduated from university last year.
💡 Memory tip: 졸 (finish/complete) + 업 (work/undertaking) + 하다. You've finished your educational work -- you've graduated!
Pronunciation: 졸업 is pronounced [조럽]. The ㄹ batchim links to the following vowel: 졸 + 업 → [조럽].
classroom
교실에 학생이 많아요.There are many students in the classroom.
💡 Memory tip: 교 (teaching) + 실 (room) = "teaching room" = classroom. Simple and logical!
Pronunciation: 교 starts with the velar ㄱ + ㅛ glide. 실 has a clear ㅅ [s] and final ㄹ.
library
도서관에서 공부해요.I study at the library.
💡 Memory tip: 도서 (books/documents) + 관 (hall/building) = "book hall" = library. 도서 is the formal word for books.
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [도서관]. 관 has the rounded ㄱㅘ [gwa] sound with a nasal ㄴ final.
subject (academic)
어떤 과목을 좋아해요?Which subject do you like?
💡 Memory tip: "Gwa-mok" -- think of a "catalog" (과 means "division/section" and 목 means "item/list") of subjects you take at school.
Pronunciation: 과 has the rounded ㄱㅘ [gwa] diphthong. 목 ends with the unreleased ㄱ [k] batchim.
grades / score
이번 시험 성적이 좋았어요.My grades on this exam were good.
💡 Memory tip: 성 (achievement/accomplishment) + 적 (record) = "achievement record" = your grades!
Pronunciation: 성적 is pronounced [성적]. The ㅇ nasal in 성 links smoothly to the ㅈ in 적.
Education is arguably the single most defining feature of modern Korean society. Understanding 교육열 (gyoyungnyeol, "education fever") is key to understanding Korea itself.
-- 수능 (Suneung / CSAT): The College Scholastic Ability Test is a single-day, make-or-break national exam taken by hundreds of thousands of students every November. On test day, stock markets open late, planes are grounded during the listening section, and police escort late students to test centers. An entire nation holds its breath. Your score largely determines which university you attend, which shapes your entire career.
-- 학원 (Hagwon): Private cram schools are a multi-billion-dollar industry. Most Korean students attend hagwon after regular school, sometimes studying until 10 PM or later. There are hagwon for every subject: English, math, music, art, coding, even taekwondo. The government has tried to impose curfews on hagwon hours to reduce student stress.
-- SKY Universities: 서울대 (Seoul National), 고려대 (Korea University), and 연세대 (Yonsei University) form the "SKY" group -- Korea's most prestigious universities. Admission is fiercely competitive and a source of immense family pride. Your university name follows you throughout your career.
-- 스터디카페 (Study Cafes): Modern paid study spaces with private cubicles, Wi-Fi, free drinks, and a quiet atmosphere. Students and professionals pay by the hour to study in a focused environment. They've become incredibly popular as an alternative to crowded libraries.
-- 유학 (Yuhak / Studying Abroad): Many Korean families invest heavily in sending children abroad to learn English and gain international experience. Countries like the US, UK, Australia, and Canada are popular destinations. "조기유학" (early study abroad) -- sending young children overseas -- is a controversial but common practice.
-- The human cost: Korea's education system produces world-class results (consistently top PISA rankings), but the pressure takes a real toll. Student stress, sleep deprivation, and mental health challenges are serious social issues. There's a growing movement advocating for more balanced education and valuing creativity alongside academic achievement.
-- A common Korean saying: "공부는 배신하지 않는다" (Study doesn't betray you) -- reflecting the deep belief that education is the most reliable path to success.
Practice these 13 words with quizzes & spaced repetition
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