공부 잘해
gongbu jalhae
The English phrase "study well" is expressed in Korean as 공부 잘해 (gongbu jalhae).
This phrase is used to encourage someone to study hard or do a good job with their studies.
Which one should you use?
For a more direct command or a strong exhortation, such as when an elder speaks to a junior, you can use 공부 잘해라.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal situations, you should use the polite phrase 열심히 공부하세요 to express "study well". For an informal context like talking to a close friend, you can also say 열심히 공부해.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the imperative suffix '-라' to 공부 잘해 creates a more direct command or a strong exhortation often used by elders to juniors.
How do you pronounce it?
gongbu jalhae
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, telling someone to 'study well' can feel much more like a heavy social expectation than a lighthearted encouragement. Because academic success is so deeply tied to social standing, the phrase can carry a weight of pressure that 'study hard' lacks in English.
- The word 공부 (gongbu) is a Sino-Korean term where the individual characters originally meant 'labour' and 'man'.
- In Korea, saying 공부 잘해 is often paired with the gift of 'study snacks' or high-energy foods. Giving a student a specific snack before a big exam is a common cultural gesture of support.
Example conversation
Minji is saying goodbye to Dohyun before he goes to the library.
- 민지 Min-ji도현아, 이제 도서관 가?Dohyeon-a, ije doseogwan ga?Dohyun, are you going to the library now?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 시험 공부 하려고.eung, siheom gongbu haryeogo.Yes, I'm going to study for the exam.
- 민지 Min-ji그래, 공부 잘해!geurae, gongbu jalhae!Okay, study well!
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워, 나중에 봐.gomawo, najunge bwa.Thanks, see you later.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공부, CC BY-SA 4.0.
