수업
sueop[sʰuʌ̹p̚]
The English phrase 'classes' is translated in Korean as 수업 (sueop).
수업 refers to a class as an instructional session or a particular lesson. When you want to say you are 'taking a class' or 'attending a class', use the phrase 수업을 듣다 (literally 'to listen to a class'). To express that you 'have a class' scheduled, it is more natural to use 수업이 있다 (literally 'class exists') rather than a verb for possessing a class.
Which one should you use?
While 수업 refers to a class or lesson in a general sense, the word 강의 is used specifically for university-level lectures.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of 수업 is 수업들, though in natural Korean, the plural marker –들 is often omitted when the context already implies multiple classes.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [sueop].
Did you know?
- In South Korea, many students attend private 'academy' classes called 학원 after their official school 수업. These private classes are often seen as a mandatory second school day.
- In Korean schools, students often change classrooms for every 수업, while the teachers stay put. This is the opposite of the common American high school system where students stay in one room.
- The word 수업 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning it is built from Chinese characters. It combines 授, which means 'to give' or 'to bestow', with 業, which means 'work' or 'business'.
Examples in context
- 톰과의 데이트 후에 메리는 하루종일 정신이 산란했어, 수업에서 집중도 못하고 배고픔도 느끼지 못했어.After her first date with Tom, Mary was distracted all day, couldn't concentrate on her classes and didn't feel hungry.This sentence shows how someone might struggle to concentrate on their 수업.Tatoeba #3674967 by HappyMidnight, translation #2673765 by WestofEden
- 저는 한국어 강의를 듣고 있어요I am taking Korean classes.
- 학교 수업이 재미있어요School classes are interesting.
- 학교 교실에서 수업이 진행됩니다Classes are held in the school classrooms.
- 오늘 수업 어때?How was today's class?
- 나는 요리 강좌를 들었어I took a cooking class.
- 우리 학교에는 다양한 전공 강의가 있어요.Our school offers various major-specific classes.
- 나는 드로잉 강좌를 신청했어.I enrolled in a drawing class.
- 요즘 온라인 수강이 인기가 많아졌어요.Recently, online classes have become very popular.
- 수업이 끝나고 도서관에 갈 거예요.sueobi kkeutnago doseogwane gal geoyeyo.I will go to the library after classes.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are talking at the university hallway.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨, 오늘 수업 다 끝났어요?Jieun ssi, oneul sueob da kkeutnasseoyo?Jieun, are your classes all finished for today?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 민준 씨. 이제 집에 가요.ne, Minjun ssi. ije jibe gayo.Yes, Minjun. I'm going home now.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 같이 저녁 먹으러 갈까요?geureom gat-i jeonyeok meogeureo galkkayo?Then shall we go grab dinner together?
- 지은 Ji-eun좋아요! 같이 가요.joayo! gat-i gayo.Sounds good! Let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 수업, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 수업, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
