Table of Contents
Introduction
When you learn Korean, one of the first words you may want to know is teacher in Korean. This word is very important because it is used not only in schools but also in many other situations in Korean culture. In English, “teacher” usually means someone who teaches at a school. But in Korean, the word for teacher, 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim), has many meanings. You can use it in formal settings, in everyday life, and even in martial arts like Taekwondo.
In this blog post, I will explain:
- How to say teacher in Korean
- How to pronounce teacher in Korean
- Different formal and informal ways to use it
- Special cultural meanings of the word
- Useful example phrases like “thank you teacher in Korean,” “hello teacher in Korean,” and “good morning teacher in Korean”
- Fun facts about slang and special uses
Let’s get started!
How to Say Teacher in Korean
The most common word for teacher in Korean is:
선생님 (seon-saeng-nim)
This is the polite and respectful way to say it. The ending -님 is an honorific. It shows respect.
For example:
- 우리 선생님 (uri seonsaengnim) = our teacher
- 영어 선생님 (yeongeo seonsaengnim) = English teacher
- 김 선생님 (Kim seonsaengnim) = Teacher Kim
So if you want to call your teacher, you don’t just say their name. You usually add 선생님 after their last name.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
저는 선생님을 만날 거예요.
Pronunciation Guide
저는 (jeo-neun) 선생님을 (seon-saeng-ni-meul) 만날 (man-nal) 거예요 (geo-ye-yo).
Meaning and Context
저 (I; humble form) 는 (topic marker; the sentence is about “I”) 선생님 (teacher; polite, respectful form) 을 (object marker; teacher is the object) 만날 거예요 (will meet; future tense, polite ending).
English Translation
I will meet the teacher.
Literal Translation
I will meet teacher.
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How to Pronounce Teacher in Korean
The pronunciation of 선생님 is:
[seon-saeng-nim]
- 선 (seon) sounds like “sun” but softer.
- 생 (saeng) rhymes with “sang.”
- 님 (nim) sounds like “neem.”
Together: seon-saeng-nim.
If you are practicing Korean pronunciation, try saying it slowly: seon… saeng… nim. Then speed up until it sounds natural.
Watch this Korean reading practice video to see Teacher in action
Teacher in Korean: Formal vs. Informal
Like many Korean words, the word teacher can change depending on formality.
Formal way
- 선생님 (seonsaengnim) → The polite, respectful way.
Use this at school, in class, or with any adult who is teaching.
Informal way
- 선생 (seonsaeng) → Without 님.
This sounds more casual and is usually not used directly to the teacher’s face. You might hear it in old books or between friends.
For example:
- Formal: “우리 선생님은 한국 사람이에요.” (Our teacher is Korean.)
- Informal: “선생은 학생을 가르친다.” (A teacher teaches students.)
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
선생, 요즘 많이 바빠?
Pronunciation Guide
선생 (seon-saeng), 요즘 (yo-jeum) 많이 (ma-ni) 바빠 (ba-ppa)?
Meaning and Context
선생 (teacher; less polite form, without 님) 요즘 (these days / recently) 많이 (a lot, very) 바빠? (busy?; casual question form).
English Translation
Teacher, are you very busy these days?
Literal Translation
Teacher, very busy these days?
Very casual (slang)
Sometimes, young people or TV shows use the word 쌤 (ssaem).
This is a short form of 선생님. It is slang and very casual.
Students may call their private tutor or a friendly teacher 쌤.
So, if you want to be respectful, always use 선생님. If you are talking to close friends about a teacher, you might say 쌤.
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Cultural Meaning of Teacher in Korean
In Korean culture, the word 선생님 does not only mean someone who teaches in school. It is also used as a title of respect.
For example:
- A doctor can be called 선생님.
- An artist can be called 선생님.
- A lecturer or trainer can be called 선생님.
So, if you go to a hospital in Korea, you might hear people calling the doctor 선생님 instead of “doctor.” It is a way to show honor and respect.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
선생님, 배가 아파요.
Pronunciation Guide
선생님 (seon-saeng-nim), 배가 (bae-ga) 아파요 (a-pa-yo).
Meaning and Context
선생님 (teacher/honorific title; here used for a doctor, since doctors are also called “선생님” in Korea) 배 (stomach) 가 (subject marker) 아파요 (hurts; polite ending).
English Translation
Doctor, my stomach hurts.
Literal Translation
Teacher, stomach hurts.
Common Phrases with Teacher in Korean
Now let’s learn some useful expressions with the word teacher in Korean.
Hello teacher in Korean
- 선생님, 안녕하세요. (Seonsaengnim, annyeonghaseyo.)
= Hello, teacher.
Good morning teacher in Korean
Koreans don’t usually say “good morning” like in English, but they might say:
- 선생님, 좋은 아침이에요. (Seonsaengnim, joeun achim-ieyo.)
= Good morning, teacher.
Thank you teacher in Korean
- 선생님, 감사합니다. (Seonsaengnim, gamsahamnida.)
= Thank you, teacher.
I am a teacher in Korean
- 저는 선생님이에요. (Jeoneun seonsaengnim-ieyo.)
= I am a teacher.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
선생님, 안녕하세요.
Pronunciation Guide
선생님 (seon-saeng-nim), 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo).
Meaning and Context
선생님 (teacher; respectful title) 안녕하세요 (hello; polite form).
English Translation
Hello, teacher.
Teacher in Korean Taekwondo
In Taekwondo, students often call their master 사범님 (sabomnim), which means martial arts instructor. But sometimes foreign students also use 선생님 when talking about their Taekwondo teacher.
Teacher in Korean Slang
As I mentioned before, the most popular slang for teacher is:
쌤 (ssaem)
This is short for 선생님. It is playful and casual. Students often text their tutor:
- “쌤, 숙제 다 했어요.” (Ssaem, I finished the homework.)
But be careful! You should not call your school teacher “쌤” unless you are very close to them and they allow it.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
쌤! 떡볶이 사 주세요.
Pronunciation Guide
쌤 (ssaem)! 떡볶이 (tteok-bbo-kki) 사 (sa) 주세요 (ju-se-yo).
Meaning and Context
쌤 (slang/casual for “teacher”; from 선생님) 떡볶이 (tteokbokki; spicy rice cakes) 사 주세요 (please buy for me; polite request).
English Translation
Ssaem! Please buy me tteokbokki.
Literal Translation
Ssaem! Please buy tteokbokki and give (me).
Why Teacher in Korean Is Special
The word “teacher” in Korean is not just about a job. It is about respect. In Korean culture, teachers are seen as guides, mentors, and people who help shape your life.
There is even a special day in Korea called 스승의 날 (Seuseung-ui nal) = Teacher’s Day. On this day, students give flowers and gifts to their teachers to say thank you.
So when you say 선생님, you are not just calling someone by their job. You are showing honor and respect.
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Original Korean Sentence
사자가 코끼리를 잡아요.
Pronunciation Guide
사자가 (sa-ja-ga) 코끼리를 (ko-ggi-ri-reul) 자바요 (ja-ba-yo).
English Translation
The lion catches the elephant.
Literal Translation
Lion catch elephant.
Quick Reference
사자가 (lion) 코끼리를 (elephant) 잡아요 (catch).
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🔍 Deep Learning
Meaning and Context
사자 (lion)
→ The lion — the one taking action now in the story.
가 (subject marker)
→ Points out that the lion is doing the action.
코끼리 (elephant)
→ The one the action is done to.
를 (object marker)
→ Shows that the elephant is the object being caught.
잡 (to catch, grab, take)
→ The action — the lion catches or grabs the elephant.
아요 (polite ending)
→ I’m telling you this in a polite and friendly way.
Real-Life Usage
잡아요 is common when talking about catching or holding something.
Pattern Practice
1. 사자가 토끼를 잡아요.
2. 고양이가 쥐를 잡아요.
3. 아이가 공을 잡아요.
4. 강아지가 공을 잡았어요.
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FAQs (What You Might Still Wonder About)
Is “teacher in Korean” always 선생님, or are there other words?
Not always. While 선생님 (seonsaengnim) is the most common word, there are others. For example, a Taekwondo instructor is often called 사범님 (sabomnim), and a professor at a university is usually called 교수님 (gyosunim) instead of 선생님.
How do you say thank you teacher in Korean in a very formal way?
Besides 선생님, 감사합니다, you can also say 선생님, 진심으로 감사드립니다 (sincerely, thank you, teacher). This is very formal and respectful, often used in ceremonies like Teacher’s Day speeches.
Is Konglish the same as “strange English”?
Not exactly. Strange English usually means incorrect grammar or mistakes made by learners. Konglish, however, is a creative mix of languages. For example, “Eye shopping” is not wrong grammar—it’s a unique cultural word.
Can you call your boss or mentor teacher in Korean?
Yes! In Korea, the word 선생님 can sometimes be used for people who are not school teachers. For example, if someone taught you an important life skill or mentored you, you might still call them 선생님 out of respect.
How do kids usually say hello teacher in Korean?
Young children might just wave and say 쌤, 안녕! (Hi, teacher!) using the slang form 쌤. It’s playful and casual, very different from the polite 선생님, 안녕하세요 that older students use.
What is the difference between teacher in Korean informal and teacher in Korean slang?
Informal → 선생 (seonsaeng), which feels old-fashioned or less polite.
Slang → 쌤 (ssaem), which is modern, cute, and often used by students with close teachers or tutors.
Why do people call doctors teacher in Korean?
In Korea, doctors are often called 선생님 instead of “doctor.” This shows respect, similar to how teachers are honored. So when you say 선생님, 배가 아파요, you could be speaking to a doctor, not a classroom teacher.
Final words
Learning how to say teacher in Korean is more than just memorizing one word. It helps you understand Korean culture, respect, and communication styles.
Remember:
- Always use 선생님 to show respect.
- Use 쌤 only in casual situations.
- Teachers, doctors, artists, and even trainers can all be called 선생님 in Korea.
Next time you meet a Korean teacher, you will know exactly what to say:
“선생님, 안녕하세요!”
