학생이에요?
haksaeng-ieyo?
The English phrase "are you a student?" is translated into Korean as 학생이에요? (haksaeng-ieyo?)
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone is currently enrolled in a school or university. In Korean, the subject "you" (당신) is often omitted in this question because it is implied by context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 학생 (student) and the polite ending 이에요? (is/am/are?).
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone younger or a close friend, the informal form 학생이야? is used.
How do you pronounce it?
haksaeng-ieyo?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to include the word for "you" (당신), but using 당신 in this context can actually sound unnatural or even confrontational in Korean.
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific term 만년학생 for a 'perennial student', describing someone who stays in school for many years without graduating.
- Asking 학생이에요? is often used as a social strategy to determine which level of politeness or honorifics to use with a stranger.
- If you are asking a person much older than you, calling them 학생 (student) can be seen as a way to mock them or imply they are acting immaturely.
Examples in context
- 혹시 학생이에요?hoksi haksaeng-ieyo?Are you a student, by any chance?
- 지훈 씨는 학생이에요?Jihoon ssi-neun haksaeng-ieyo?Jihoon, are you a student?
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon meet at a local cafe.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨는 학생이에요?Seoyeon ssi-neun haksaeng-ieyo?Seoyeon, are you a student?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 대학교 2학년이에요.ne, daehakgyo i-hangnyeon-ieyo.Yes, I am a sophomore in college.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그렇군요. 저도 학생이에요.geureokun-yo. jeo-do haksaeng-ieyo.I see. I am a student too.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말요? 반가워요!jeongmal-yo? banga-woyo!Really? Nice to meet you!
