학부생
The English term undergraduate is translated into Korean as 학부생.
학부생 is a noun used to refer to an undergraduate student. It is specifically used to distinguish students in a bachelor's program from those in professional or graduate programs.
Meaning: student at a university who has not yet received a degree (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 학부 (undergraduate department/division) and 생 (student).
Which one should you use?
While 학부생 refers to an undergraduate, the term 대학원생 is used for a graduate student.
Did you know?
- Undergraduates in Korea often use the term 새내기 to specifically describe a first-year 학부생, which carries a connotation of being 'fresh' or 'naive'.
- In Korean universities, the term 과잠 refers to a varsity jacket worn by 학부생 to show pride in their specific department.
- In a university setting, a 학부생 would rarely address a 대학원생 as a peer, often using honorifics to acknowledge the difference in academic hierarchy.
Examples in context
- 화학 대학생Chemistry undergraduate
- 그는 아직 학부생이에요.geuneun ajik hakbusaeng-ieyo.He is still an undergraduate.
- 우리 학교 학부생은 많아요.uri hakgyo hakbusaeng-eun manhayo.There are many undergraduates at our school.
- 학부생을 위한 장학금이 있어요.hakbusaeng-eul wihan janghakgeum-i isseoyo.There is a scholarship for undergraduates.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are talking about their university studies.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨는 지금 대학원생인가요?Hyun-woo ssi-neun ji-geum dae-hak-won-saeng-in-ga-yo?Hyunwoo, are you a graduate student now?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니요, 저는 아직 학부생이에요.a-ni-yo, jeo-neun a-jik hak-bu-saeng-i-e-yo.No, I am still an undergraduate.
- 수빈 Su-bin그렇군요. 전공이 무엇인가요?geu-reoh-gun-yo. jeon-gong-i mu-eot-in-ga-yo?I see. What is your major?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 컴퓨터 공학을 전공하고 있어요.jeo-neun keom-pyu-teo gong-hak-eul jeon-gong-ha-go it-eo-yo.I am majoring in computer science.
