Educational terms and academic vocabulary in Korean

Learning a new language often involves understanding various educational terms and academic vocabulary. This can be especially important for students or professionals engaging with Korean academic environments. In this article, we will explore some essential educational terms and academic vocabulary in Korean, their definitions, and example sentences to help you understand their usage in context.

학교 (hakgyo) – School
저는 서울에 있는 중학교에 다녔습니다.
This term refers to any educational institution where learning takes place, from elementary to tertiary levels.

대학교 (daehakgyo) – University
그녀는 대학교에서 경영학을 전공하고 있습니다.
This is used specifically for institutions of higher education or research, which award academic degrees in various disciplines.

교수 (gyosu) – Professor
교수님은 오늘 강의에서 중요한 포인트를 강조했습니다.
A professor is a senior academic instructor or researcher, typically in a college or university.

시험 (siheom) – Exam
내일 우리는 수학 시험을 칠 거예요.
An exam is a formal test that assesses a person’s knowledge or proficiency in a subject or skill.

과목 (gwamok) – Subject
학생들은 다양한 과목을 공부해야 합니다.
Subjects refer to areas of knowledge taught in schools, such as mathematics, science, or literature.

학년 (haknyeon) – Grade/Year level
그는 중학교 1학년 학생입니다.
This term refers to the year level of a student in a school or university.

강의 (gang-ui) – Lecture
오늘 강의는 매우 유익했습니다.
A lecture is a formal presentation or teaching session, usually at a university, given by a lecturer or professor.

졸업 (joreop) – Graduation
내년에는 대학교를 졸업할 예정입니다.
Graduation is the successful completion of an academic degree or course of study.

학점 (hakjeom) – Credit (as in university course credit)
이 수업은 3학점짜리 과목입니다.
Credits are a measure of the amount of time a student has studied a subject, typically used in higher education.

선생님 (seonsaengnim) – Teacher
선생님께서는 항상 제 시간에 수업을 시작하세요.
A teacher is a professional who helps students acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue.

교육 (gyoyuk) – Education
교육은 사회의 발전에 매우 중요합니다.
Education involves the process of facilitating learning or acquiring knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits.

학습 (hakseup) – Learning
학습은 평생 지속되어야 합니다.
Learning is the act or process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, attitudes, and preferences.

과제 (gwaje) – Assignment
이번 주에는 과학 과제가 있습니다.
An assignment is a task or piece of work assigned to someone as part of a job or course of study.

학사 (haksa) – Bachelor’s degree
그녀는 학사 학위를 받기 위해 열심히 공부하고 있습니다.
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to seven years.

석사 (seoksa) – Master’s degree
저는 석사 학위를 위해 논문을 작성하고 있습니다.
A master’s degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

박사 (baksa) – PhD or Doctorate
그는 경제학에서 박사 학위를 받았습니다.
A PhD or doctorate is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most countries.

논문 (nonmun) – Thesis or Dissertation
논문을 준비하는 것은 많은 시간과 노력이 필요합니다.
A thesis or dissertation is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author’s research and findings.

장학금 (janghakgeum) – Scholarship
그는 학업 성취도 덕분에 장학금을 받았습니다.
A scholarship is a grant or payment made to support a student’s education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements.

Understanding these terms can significantly enhance your ability to navigate through educational contexts while learning Korean. They are not only essential for academic success but also for everyday conversations about education in Korea.

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