Korean Book Club Talk: Comparing Different Editions and Translations
Learn beginner Korean phrases to say you read a different edition or translation, and compare page numbers in a casual book club chat.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In a Korean book club, you might have read the same book but a different edition or translation. This lesson teaches you how to say that naturally in casual Korean. You will learn three key words: 판 (edition), 번역 (translation), and 다르다 (to be different). You will also practice two sentence patterns: 저는 다른 판으로 읽었어요 (I read a different edition) and 번역이 달라서 내용이 조금 달라요 (Because the translation is different, the content is a bit different). Then you will use these in a short dialogue about page numbers. The register is informal, so you can use it with friends or close club members. Let's begin.
By the end, you can…
- say that I read a different edition of a book in casual Korean.
- explain that a translation difference makes the content slightly different.
- ask and answer about page numbers when comparing editions.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
저는 다른 판으로 읽었어요.
I read a different edition.
jeo-neun da-reun pan-eu-ro il-geo-sseo-yo.
Use this to state you read a different edition. It is polite but casual. If you want to be more casual with close friends, you can drop 저는 and say 다른 판으로 읽었어.
번역이 달라서 내용이 조금 달라요.
Because the translation is different, the content is a bit different.
beon-yeok-i dal-la-seo nae-yong-i jo-geum dal-la-yo.
Use this to explain why your version feels different. It connects the translation difference to a content difference. The casual form is 번역이 달라서 내용이 조금 달라.
몇 쪽이에요?
What page is it?
myeot jjok-i-e-yo?
Use this to ask for a page number. It is neutral and works in most casual conversations. For a more casual version, you can say 몇 쪽이야?
제 책에는 120쪽에 있어요.
In my book, it's on page 120.
je chaek-e-neun baek-i-sip jjok-e i-sseo-yo.
Use this to give a page number in your edition. Replace 120 with the actual page. The casual form is 제 책에는 120쪽에 있어.
판이 달라서 쪽수가 달라요.
Because the edition is different, the page numbers are different.
pan-i dal-la-seo jjok-su-ga dal-la-yo.
Use this to explain why page numbers don't match. It is a useful summary when comparing editions. Casual: 판이 달라서 쪽수가 달라.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '저는 다른 판으로 읽었어요' means 'I read a different edition.' Here, 다른 (da-reun) means 'different,' 판 (pan) means 'edition,' and 으로 (eu-ro) marks the means or method. You can replace 다른 판 with 다른 번역 (different translation) to say 저는 다른 번역으로 읽었어요. To explain a result, use '번역이 달라서 내용이 조금 달라요.' The -아서/어서 ending means 'because.' 달라서 comes from 다르다 (to be different). 조금 (jo-geum) means 'a little.' So the sentence literally says 'Because the translation is different, the content is a little different.' You can also say 판이 달라서 쪽수가 달라요 (Because the edition is different, the page numbers are different).
When to use it
Use these patterns when you are in a casual book club and realize others have a different version. For example, if someone mentions a scene on page 50 but your book has it on page 62, you can say '제 책에는 62쪽에 있어요. 판이 달라서 쪽수가 달라요.' If you want to ask which edition someone read, say '어떤 판으로 읽었어요?' (What edition did you read?). If you want to ask about translation, say '번역이 달라요?' (Is the translation different?). These are all informal and friendly. Avoid using them in formal presentations unless you adjust the endings to polite style.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이 책 재미있지? 나는 50쪽에서 그 장면 읽었어.
This book is fun, right? I read that scene on page 50.i chaek jae-mi-it-ji? na-neun o-sip jjok-e-seo geu jang-myeon il-geo-sseo.어? 나는 62쪽에서 읽었는데? 판이 달라서 쪽수가 달라.
Huh? I read it on page 62. Because the edition is different, the page numbers are different.eo? na-neun yuk-sip-i jjok-e-seo il-geot-neun-de? pan-i dal-la-seo jjok-su-ga dal-la.아, 그래? 나는 다른 판으로 읽었어. 번역도 달라?
Oh, really? I read a different edition. Is the translation different too?a, geu-rae? na-neun da-reun pan-eu-ro il-geo-sseo. beon-yeok-do dal-la?응, 번역이 달라서 내용이 조금 달라. 그래도 이야기는 같아.
Yeah, because the translation is different, the content is a bit different. But the story is the same.eung, beon-yeok-i dal-la-seo nae-yong-i jo-geum dal-la. geu-rae-do i-ya-gi-neun ga-ta.A little context goes a long way
Korean book clubs often mix casual and polite speech depending on age and familiarity. If you are new, listen to how others speak and match their level. Using casual endings like -어/아 with strangers can seem rude, so start with polite -요 and switch only if others do. Also, when comparing editions, Koreans may use the English loanword 에디션 (edition) alongside 판, but 판 is more common in everyday talk. It is fine to ask which edition someone read; it shows interest, not criticism.
One thing to watch for
Saying '나는 다른 판을 읽었어요' with 을/를 instead of 으로.
Try this instead: Use 으로 to mean 'with' or 'by means of' an edition. The correct casual sentence is '나는 다른 판으로 읽었어.' If you say '다른 판을 읽었어,' it sounds like you read the edition itself, not the book in that edition. So remember: 다른 판으로 읽었어요.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I read a different translation' in casual Korean?
Show a sample answer
나는 다른 번역으로 읽었어.
This uses 다른 번역 (different translation) with 으로 to show the means. You can also say 저는 다른 번역으로 읽었어요 for a polite version. Both are correct depending on register.
2Your friend says the scene is on page 30, but your book has it on page 45. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
내 책에는 45쪽에 있어. 판이 달라서 쪽수가 달라.
This states your page number and explains the difference. You could also say 나는 다른 판으로 읽었어. Both are natural in casual conversation.
3What does '번역이 달라서 내용이 조금 달라요' mean?
Show a sample answer
Because the translation is different, the content is a bit different.
This sentence connects the cause (translation difference) to the result (content difference). 조금 means 'a little,' so it softens the difference. You can replace 조금 with 많이 (a lot) if the difference is big.
Use 판 for edition, 번역 for translation, and 다르다 for 'to be different.' Practice the patterns 저는 다른 판으로 읽었어요 and 번역이 달라서 내용이 조금 달라요. When comparing page numbers, say 제 책에는 [number]쪽에 있어요. Keep it casual with friends, and switch to polite -요 if you are unsure.
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