Korean for Academic Help: How to Say 'Can You Explain This Problem?'
Learn to politely ask a teacher or classmate to explain an academic problem in Korean. Includes phrases, a dialogue, and a common mistake.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you're stuck on a math equation, a grammar rule, or a science concept, you need to ask for an explanation—not just any favor. In Korean, the way you ask depends on who you're talking to and what exactly you need explained. This lesson teaches you how to say 'Can you explain this problem?' and related academic requests. You'll learn the key verb 설명하다 (seolmyeonghada, to explain) and how to use it in polite requests. We'll also cover how to specify the problem, such as 'this math problem' or 'this grammar point'. By the end, you'll be able to ask for academic help clearly and politely, whether you're talking to a teacher or a peer.
By the end, you can…
- ask a teacher or classmate to explain an academic problem in Korean.
- specify the subject or type of problem when asking for help.
- use the polite request form -(으)ㄹ 수 있어요? with the verb 설명하다.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
이 문제를 설명해 주실 수 있어요?
Can you explain this problem for me?
i mun-je-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Polite and formal. Use with teachers or superiors. 주실 is the honorific form of 주다 (to give).
이 문제를 설명해 줄 수 있어요?
Can you explain this problem for me?
i mun-je-reul seol-myeong-hae jul su i-sseo-yo?
Polite but less formal. Use with classmates or people of similar age/status.
이 수학 문제를 설명해 주세요.
Please explain this math problem.
i su-hak mun-je-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Direct request using 주세요. Use when you need immediate help and it's appropriate to be direct.
이 문법을 이해하지 못했어요. 도와주실 수 있어요?
I didn't understand this grammar. Can you help me?
i mun-beo-beul i-hae-ha-ji mo-tae-sseo-yo. do-wa-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Shows you've tried and are stuck. 도와주실 수 있어요? is a polite way to ask for help.
다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Could you explain it one more time?
da-si han beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Very polite. Use when you need a repeat explanation. 주시겠어요? is more formal than 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is [problem] + 을/를 + 설명해 주다 + -(으)ㄹ 수 있어요? The verb 설명하다 means 'to explain'. Adding 주다 (to give) makes it 'explain for someone'. The honorific 주시다 is used for teachers. For example: 이 문제를 설명해 주실 수 있어요? (Can you explain this problem for me?) The particle 을/를 marks the object. Use 을 after a consonant and 를 after a vowel: 문제를 (mun-je-reul), 숙제를 (suk-je-reul). To specify the subject, put it before 문제: 수학 문제 (su-hak mun-je, math problem), 영어 문법 (yeong-eo mun-beop, English grammar).
When to use it
Use the honorific form 주실 수 있어요? with teachers, professors, or anyone older. Use 줄 수 있어요? with classmates or friends. If you're very close, you can drop the polite ending and say 설명해 줄래? (seol-myeong-hae jul-lae?), but stick to polite forms in academic settings. When asking for a repeat, use 다시 한 번 (da-si han beon, one more time). For example: 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요? (Could you explain one more time?) This is softer and more polite than repeating the same request.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
선생님, 이 수학 문제를 설명해 주실 수 있어요?
Teacher, can you explain this math problem for me?seon-saeng-nim, i su-hak mun-je-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?네, 어디가 이해가 안 돼요?
Yes, which part don't you understand?ne, eo-di-ga i-hae-ga an dwae-yo?이 공식이 이해가 안 돼요. 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?
I don't understand this formula. Could you explain it one more time?i gong-sik-i i-hae-ga an dwae-yo. da-si han beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?그럼, 이렇게 해 보세요. 먼저 이 값을 대입해요.
Then, try it this way. First, substitute this value.geu-reom, i-reo-ke hae bo-se-yo. meon-jeo i gap-eul dae-ip-hae-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean academic settings, showing respect through language is important. Using the honorific 주시다 with teachers is expected. Also, it's common to first say you don't understand (이해가 안 돼요) before asking for an explanation, to show you've made an effort. Directly saying 'explain this' without a polite request can sound demanding. Additionally, when asking a peer, using 요 (yo) is safe unless you're very close. If you're close friends, you might use 반말 (banmal, casual speech), but in class, polite speech is safer.
One thing to watch for
Using 설명하다 without 주다, as in 이 문제를 설명할 수 있어요? (Can you explain this problem?)
Try this instead: While grammatically correct, it sounds like you're asking about ability, not making a request. To ask for a favor, add 주다: 이 문제를 설명해 줄 수 있어요? (Can you explain this problem for me?) The 주다 makes it a request for help. For teachers, use 주실 수 있어요?.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask a teacher to explain this English grammar point?
Show a sample answer
이 영어 문법을 설명해 주실 수 있어요?
This uses the honorific 주실 수 있어요? and specifies the subject (영어 문법). You could also say 이 영어 문법을 설명해 주시겠어요? which is slightly more formal.
2What is the difference between 설명해 줄 수 있어요? and 설명해 주실 수 있어요?
Show a sample answer
설명해 줄 수 있어요? is used with peers or people of similar age or status, while 설명해 주실 수 있어요? is honorific and used with teachers or superiors.
The honorific infix -시- in 주실 marks respect for the person you're asking. Using the wrong form can be rude. If unsure, use the honorific with teachers.
3How do you ask for a repeat explanation very politely?
Show a sample answer
다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?
This uses 주시겠어요?, which is more formal than 주실 수 있어요?. It's appropriate when you need to hear the explanation again. You could also say 다시 한 번 설명해 주실 수 있어요? which is also polite.
To ask for academic help in Korean, use the pattern [problem] + 을/를 + 설명해 주실 수 있어요? with teachers, and 설명해 줄 수 있어요? with peers. Always include the problem you need explained, and use honorifics when appropriate.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Korean into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr