시험 잘 봐
siheom jal bwa
In Korean, "good luck for exam" is expressed as 시험 잘 봐 (siheom jal bwa).
This phrase is used specifically to wish someone success in performing well on a test, rather than expressing general "good luck."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "take the exam well". 시험 means exam, 잘 means well and 봐 is the imperative form of the verb meaning to see or take (an exam).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 시험 잘 봐 is in the informal style and should only be used with friends or people younger than you. To express this politely to someone older or in a higher position, use the form 시험 잘 보세요.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the honorific suffix -세요 to the end of the phrase makes it a polite request or wish, such as in 시험 잘 보세요.
How do you pronounce it?
siheom jal bwa
Did you know?
- During the 수능 (suneung) college entrance exam, South Korean flights are sometimes delayed to keep the skies quiet and avoid waking students during the test.
- Some students avoid eating 미역국 (miyeok-guk), or seaweed soup, before an exam because the slippery nature of the seaweed is thought to make your grade 'slip' away.
- While 시험 잘 봐 is the standard wish, students often share 엿 (yeot), a sticky traditional taffy, to ensure they 'stick' to the exam questions and pass.
Examples in context
- 시험 잘 볼 수 있도록, [Name] 씨에게 행운을 빕니다.I wish you, [Name], good luck on your exam.
- 힘내세요! 시험에서 뛰어난 실력을 보여주세요.Be strong! Show your outstanding skills in the exam.
- 너라면 분명히 시험에서 성공할 거야.You will surely succeed in the exam.
- 오늘 시험 잘 봐.oneul siheom jal bwa.Good luck on your exam today.
- 내일 시험 잘 봐!naeil siheom jal bwa!Good luck with your exam tomorrow!
- 너 이번 시험 잘 봐.neo ibeon siheom jal bwa.I hope you do well on this exam.
Example conversation
Subin is wishing Jihun luck before he leaves for his finals.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈아, 오늘 시험 잘 봐.Jihun-a, oneul siheom jal bwa.Jihun, good luck on your exam today.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워, 수빈아. 긴장된다.Gomawo, Subin-a. Ginjangdoenda.Thanks, Subin. I'm nervous.
- 수빈 Su-bin할 수 있어! 화이팅!Hal su isseo! Hwaiting!You can do it! Fighting!
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 응원해 줘서 고마워.Eung, eungwonhae jwoseo gomawo.Yeah, thanks for cheering me on.
