In this speaking workshop, you will practice asking someone to explain homework and checking that you understand the reply. You will use short, polite Korean lines that fit a study setting. First, read the English meaning of each recorded line. Then say the Korean line aloud. After that, try the three tasks: a guided exchange, a reply comprehension choice, and a recall task where you play both roles. Speak slowly and clearly. If a line feels long, say it in two parts, then join them. You can repeat each task until your voice feels calm and steady.
Asking for an explanation
Start with a polite request. The recorded line «이 문제를 설명해 주실 수 있어요?» means that you are asking someone to explain a problem for you. The recorded line «이 문제를 설명해 줄 수 있어요?» has the same meaning, so you can use either one when you want help. When the subject is math, the recorded line «이 수학 문제를 설명해 주세요.» means that you are asking for an explanation of a math problem. If the difficult part is grammar, the recorded line «이 문법을 이해하지 못했어요. 도와주실 수 있어요?» means that you did not understand the grammar and you are asking for help. These lines are useful when you speak to a teacher, a tutor, or a classmate. Keep your tone soft and friendly. Pause after the request and wait for the other person to answer.
Understanding the teacher's reply
A teacher may answer your request with a question. The recorded line «네, 어디가 이해가 안 돼요?» means that the teacher agrees to help and asks which part you do not understand. This is a helpful reply because it shows the teacher is ready to focus on your difficult point. After that, you can explain the exact part that is hard. The recorded line «이 공식이 이해가 안 돼요. 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?» means that you do not understand a formula and you are asking for one more explanation. The teacher may then give a method. The recorded line «그럼, 이렇게 해 보세요. 먼저 이 값을 대입해요.» means that the teacher suggests trying it a certain way and gives the first step: substitute this value. Listen for the first step and repeat it to yourself before you try the problem again.
Putting the exchange together
A full study conversation can move from a request to a reply and then to a method. The recorded line «선생님, 이 수학 문제를 설명해 주실 수 있어요?» means that you are speaking to a teacher and asking for an explanation of a math problem. The recorded line «네, 어디가 이해가 안 돼요?» is the teacher's answer: yes, and which part do you not understand? Then the recorded line «이 공식이 이해가 안 돼요. 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?» means that you still do not understand the formula and you ask for one more explanation. Finally, the recorded line «그럼, 이렇게 해 보세요. 먼저 이 값을 대입해요.» means that the teacher tells you to try it a certain way and gives the first step. When you practice, say your request first, then imagine the teacher's reply, then say your follow-up question. This order helps you stay calm and clear.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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?
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?
이 수학 문제를 설명해 주세요.
Please explain this math problem.
i su-hak mun-je-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
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?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
선생님, 이 수학 문제를 설명해 주실 수 있어요?
Teacher, can you explain this math problem for me?네, 어디가 이해가 안 돼요?
Yes, which part don't you understand?이 공식이 이해가 안 돼요. 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?
I don't understand this formula. Could you explain it one more time?그럼, 이렇게 해 보세요. 먼저 이 값을 대입해요.
Then, try it this way. First, substitute this value.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided request exchange
Imagine you are a student who needs help with a math problem. Your teacher is ready to listen. You will say your request first, then imagine the teacher's reply, then say your follow-up question.
Your task: Say the recorded line «선생님, 이 수학 문제를 설명해 주실 수 있어요?» as your first request. Then imagine the teacher says the recorded line «네, 어디가 이해가 안 돼요?». After that, say the recorded line «이 공식이 이해가 안 돼요. 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?» to ask for one more explanation. Repeat the whole exchange two times.
Choose the right reply
Imagine you asked a teacher for help. The teacher now says the recorded line «네, 어디가 이해가 안 돼요?». You need to choose what to say next. Read both choices and pick the one that fits.
Your task: Choice A: say the recorded line «이 공식이 이해가 안 돼요. 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?». Choice B: say the recorded line «그럼, 이렇게 해 보세요. 먼저 이 값을 대입해요.». Which choice fits you as the student who still does not understand the formula? Say your chosen line aloud.
Recall both roles
Imagine a short study conversation between a student and a teacher. You will play both roles from memory. Use only the lines you have practiced.
Your task: First, as the student, say the recorded line «선생님, 이 수학 문제를 설명해 주실 수 있어요?». Then, as the teacher, say the recorded line «네, 어디가 이해가 안 돼요?». Next, as the student, say the recorded line «이 공식이 이해가 안 돼요. 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?». Finally, as the teacher, say the recorded line «그럼, 이렇게 해 보세요. 먼저 이 값을 대입해요.». Try to do this without looking at the lines.
Common questions
Can I use these lines with a classmate instead of a teacher?
Yes. The recorded lines are polite requests for help. You can use them with a teacher, a tutor, or a classmate. Keep your tone friendly and wait for the other person to answer before you ask your follow-up question.
What should I do if I still do not understand after the teacher explains?
You can ask for one more explanation. The recorded line «이 공식이 이해가 안 돼요. 다시 한 번 설명해 주시겠어요?» means that you do not understand the formula and you are asking for one more explanation. Say it calmly, then listen for the first step in the teacher's method.
Sources and further reading
- korean: ask for help with homeworkChecked September 2026
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