Master Must-Know Words, Phrases, and Cultural Insights for Navigating School Life in Korea (학생 생활)

Whether you’re planning to study in Korea or just curious about daily life for Korean students, understanding common vocabulary and phrases related to school, exams, and routines will help you connect deeply with the culture.

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🏫 Must-Know Vocabulary for Korean Student Life

Korean	Pronunciation	English
학생	hak-saeng	Student
학교	hak-gyo	School
초등학교	cho-deung-hak-gyo	Elementary school
중학교	jung-hak-gyo	Middle school
고등학교	go-deung-hak-gyo	High school
대학교	dae-hak-gyo	University
대학원	dae-hak-won	Graduate school
학년	hak-nyeon	Grade / school year
수업	su-eop	Class
교실	gyo-sil	Classroom
선생님	seon-saeng-nim	Teacher
친구	chin-gu	Friend
교복	gyo-bok	School uniform
시험	si-heom	Exam/test
성적	seong-jeok	Grades
과제	gwa-je	Assignment
발표	bal-pyo	Presentation
동아리	dong-a-ri	Club / extracurricular activity
학원	hak-won	Private academy (cram school)
졸업	jol-eop	Graduation

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📚 Useful Verbs & Phrases in a Korean School Setting

Korean	Pronunciation	English
공부하다	gong-bu-ha-da	To study
시험을 보다	si-heom-eul bo-da	To take a test
학교에 가다	hak-gyo-e ga-da	To go to school
수업을 듣다	su-eop-eul deut-da	To take a class
과제를 제출하다	gwa-je-reul je-chul-ha-da	To submit an assignment
동아리에 가입하다	dong-a-ri-e ga-ip-ha-da	To join a club
성적이 나오다	seong-jeok-i na-o-da	To receive grades
졸업하다	jol-eop-ha-da	To graduate
유학하다	yu-hak-ha-da	To study abroad

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🗣️ Common Expressions About Korean Student Life

Korean	Pronunciation	English
오늘 시험 있어요.	o-neul si-heom iss-eo-yo	I have a test today.
공부 너무 많아요.	gong-bu neo-mu man-a-yo	I have too much to study.
수업이 지루해요.	su-eop-i ji-ru-hae-yo	The class is boring.
친구랑 같이 공부했어요.	chin-gu-rang gat-i gong-bu-haet-seo-yo	I studied with a friend.
과제를 늦게 냈어요.	gwa-je-reul neut-ge naet-seo-yo	I submitted the assignment late.
졸업식 언제예요?	jol-eop-sik eon-je-ye-yo?	When is the graduation ceremony?
방학은 언제 시작돼요?	bang-hak-eun eon-je si-jak-dwae-yo?	When does the vacation start?

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🎓 Korean Student Life – Cultural Notes & Things to Know

📏 Strict School Schedules

• Korean students typically attend school from morning until late afternoon, and many go to 학원 (private academies) in the evening.
• Study pressure is intense, especially in high school due to the 수능 (College Scholastic Ability Test).

👕 Uniform Culture

• Most middle and high school students wear 교복 (school uniforms).
• Some schools have summer and winter versions of their uniforms.

🏫 School Clubs & Activities

• 동아리 (clubs) like music, drama, and sports are part of student life but often take a backseat to academics.
• MT (Membership Training) is a fun overnight bonding trip for university students.

📘 University Culture

• University students enjoy more freedom and a vibrant social life, including 축제 (school festivals) and 술자리 (drinking gatherings).
• Many students take part-time jobs (알바) to support themselves or gain experience.

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💬 Bonus Vocabulary: Student Essentials

Korean	Pronunciation	English
노트	no-teu	Notebook
필통	pil-tong	Pencil case
연필	yeon-pil	Pencil
볼펜	bol-pen	Ballpoint pen
책가방	chaek-ga-bang	School bag
온라인 강의	on-la-in gang-ui	Online lecture
캠퍼스	kaem-peo-seu	Campus
학점	hak-jeom	GPA / course credits
자취	ja-chwi	Living alone (as a student)

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🎯 Vocabulary Quiz

1. What’s the Korean word for “assignment”?
2. Translate: “I go to university.”
3. What does “동아리” mean?

💬 Share your answers and tell us:
What part of Korean student life do you want to experience or learn more about?

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📚 Want to Learn More?

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