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A2 noun #7,500 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

재수

jaesu Top 7,500

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Erklärung 재수 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 재수 (jaesu) is a word used when a student studies for one more year to get into a better university. It is a noun. You might hear students say "나 재수해" (I am retaking the exam). Think of it like a 'second chance' for a big test. In Korea, the college entrance exam is very important, so many students do this. You can remember it as 'Re-study'. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just recognize it as a common topic for people around 18-20 years old.

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At the A2 level, you should be able to use 재수 in simple sentences. Understand that it often combines with the verb '하다' (to do) to become 재수하다. You should also recognize the word 재수생 (a student who is retaking the exam). You might use it to describe a friend or a character in a drama. For example, "제 동생은 재수생이에요" (My younger sibling is a retake student). You should also be aware that this word is specific to the university entrance exam and isn't used for retaking a small quiz in class.

At the B1 level, you should understand the cultural weight of 재수. It's not just 'studying again'; it's a year of intense sacrifice. You should be able to discuss the reasons why someone might choose to do jaesu, such as wanting to go to a more prestigious school. You should also learn related terms like 반수 (half-retake) and 재수 학원 (specialized academies). You can start using it in more complex sentences with connectors like '때문에' (because) or '위해서' (in order to). Example: "더 좋은 대학에 가기 위해서 재수를 결심했어요."

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At the B2 level, you can explore the nuances of the word and its social implications. You should be able to talk about the 'jaesu culture' in Korea and how it affects mental health or family finances. You should also distinguish 재수 from its homonym meaning 'luck' and understand the slang 재수 없다 (to be annoying). You can use the word in debates about the education system. You should also be familiar with terms like N수 and 장수생 and how they differ in connotation.

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At the C1 level, you should have a comprehensive understanding of 재수 within the context of Korean socio-economics. This includes understanding the impact of 'jaesusaengs' on the CSAT curve (grade inflation) and the business model of 'Daechi-dong' academies. You should be able to use the word in academic or professional discussions about educational policy. You should also understand the historical context of why jaesu became so prevalent and how it relates to the concept of 'Hakbeol' (educational background) in Korean society.

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At the C2 level, you should be able to use 재수 and its derivatives with native-like fluency, including subtle emotional undertones. You can use it metaphorically or in high-level sociological analysis. You understand the deep psychological aspects of being a 'jaesusaeng'—the isolation, the pressure, and the resilience. You can effortlessly switch between the academic noun 재수, the informal verb 재수하다, and the various slang terms associated with the culture. You can also analyze how the 'jaesu' phenomenon is reflected in Korean literature and cinema.

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재수 in 30 Sekunden

A noun referring to the one-year period of studying to retake the university entrance exam in Korea.
Commonly used as the verb '재수하다' (to retake the exam) or '재수생' (the student).
Reflects the high competition and importance of university prestige in South Korean society.
Not to be confused with the homonym meaning 'luck' or the university term '재수강'.

The term 재수 (Jaesu) is more than just a word in South Korea; it is a significant cultural phenomenon and a rite of passage for many young adults. At its most literal level, it refers to the act of studying for an additional year to retake the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), known in Korean as Suneung. This occurs when a student is dissatisfied with their initial exam results and believes they can secure a spot in a more prestigious university—typically one of the 'SKY' universities (Seoul National, Korea, and Yonsei)—by dedicating another full year to intensive study. The word is composed of the Hanja characters 再 (ja) meaning 'again' and 修 (su) meaning 'to study' or 'to cultivate'.

Societal Pressure: In a society where university prestige heavily dictates career prospects and social standing, 재수 is often seen as a strategic investment of time rather than a failure. Parents often support this decision financially, paying for expensive specialized academies called jaesu-hagwons.
The Identity of the Student: A person undergoing this process is called a 재수생 (jaesusaeng). Their life is often characterized by a rigorous schedule, starting at 7 AM and ending at 10 PM or later, strictly focused on mock exams and lectures.

"올해 수능 점수가 좋지 않아서 재수를 고민하고 있어요." (My CSAT scores weren't good this year, so I am contemplating retaking the exam.)

The decision to jaesu is usually made in late November or December after the exam results are released. It is a time of high emotion, where students must weigh the mental toll of another year of isolation against the potential for a better future. Interestingly, the term has evolved to include variations like 반수 (bansu), where a student enrolls in a university but studies for the exam again on the side to 'upgrade' their school. If a student fails a second time and tries for a third, it becomes 삼수 (samsu), and so on, leading to the collective term N수 (N-su) for multiple attempts.

"그는 재수 끝에 서울대학교에 합격했다." (After retaking the exam, he finally got accepted into Seoul National University.)

Economic Impact: The jaesu market is a multi-billion dollar industry. High-end dorm-style academies (기숙학원) provide a military-like environment where students' phones are confiscated and their every minute is scheduled to maximize efficiency.

Ultimately, understanding 재수 is key to understanding the competitive nature of the Korean education system. It represents resilience, the heavy burden of expectation, and the belief that a single year of sacrifice can change one's entire life trajectory. When you hear a Korean person say they are 'doing jaesu,' they are signaling a period of intense focus and temporary withdrawal from social life to achieve a higher goal.

Using 재수 correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as both a noun and a component of a verb. Most commonly, it is paired with the verb 하다 (to do) to form 재수하다, meaning 'to retake the entrance exam'. It can also be used with 결심하다 (to decide), 포기하다 (to give up), or 성공하다 (to succeed).

The Verb Form: To say someone is currently in the process of retaking exams, use 재수 중이다 (in the middle of retaking) or 재수하고 있다 (is retaking). This implies a continuous state of studying.

"친구는 지금 학원에서 재수하고 있어요." (My friend is currently retaking the exam at an academy.)

When discussing the *decision* to retake, the noun form is often used with the object marker -를. For example, 재수를 선택하다 (to choose to retake). In casual conversation, the marker is often dropped: 나 재수해 (I'm retaking). It is important to note that 재수 specifically implies a second attempt. If you are on your third attempt, you must use 삼수 (Samsu).

"재수 기간 동안은 친구들을 거의 만나지 않았어요." (During the exam retake period, I hardly met any friends.)

Common Collocations

재수 학원: An academy specifically for retakers.
독학 재수: Self-studying for the retake without an academy.
재수 성공: Successfully getting into a better school after the retake.

In formal settings, such as news reports or academic discussions, 재수 is treated as a standard sociological term. In informal settings, it can carry a sense of sympathy or shared struggle. For instance, if someone tells you they are doing jaesu, a common supportive response is "힘내세요!" (Keep your strength up!) or "좋은 결과 있을 거예요" (You will have good results).

You will encounter 재수 in various spheres of Korean life, particularly during the winter months. The most common location is within the family. When CSAT results are released in December, families across the country have intense discussions about whether the student should settle for their current score or commit to 재수. You might hear a parent say, "한 번 더 해보자. 재수 비용은 우리가 지원해 줄게." (Let's try one more time. We'll support the costs for the retake.)

"강남에는 유명한 재수 학원들이 정말 많아요." (There are so many famous retake academies in Gangnam.)

In pop culture, particularly K-Dramas, the 'jaesusaeng' is a recurring character type. They are often portrayed as stressed, wearing thick glasses, and living in small 'gosiwon' rooms. Dramas like Sky Castle or Crash Course in Romance vividly depict the high-stakes environment surrounding the CSAT and the lengths to which families go to ensure a successful 재수. In these shows, characters might argue about the merits of different academies or the psychological pressure of being a year 'behind' their peers.

News and Media: Every year, news outlets report on the 'jaesu rate'. You'll hear phrases like "재수생 강세" (jaesu students showing strength/dominating) when retakers perform better than current high school seniors on the CSAT. This is a common headline when the exam is particularly difficult.

Finally, in casual social gatherings, people often use their 'jaesu' status as a way to explain their age or grade level. Since Korean social hierarchy is largely based on age and the year you entered university (학번), someone might say, "저는 재수를 해서 동기들보다 한 살 많아요." (I did a retake, so I am one year older than my classmates.) This is a very common way to introduce oneself in university clubs or at work.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 재수 is confusing it with its homonym that means 'luck' or 'fortune'. While spelled and pronounced identically in Hangeul (재수), they come from completely different Hanja and are used in entirely different contexts. The 'luck' version of 재수 is often used in the phrase 재수 없다, which literally means 'to have no luck' but is used colloquially to mean 'snotty,' 'unpleasant,' or 'annoying'.

"저 사람은 정말 재수 없어!" (That person is so annoying/rude! — *Note: This is NOT about exams.*)

Mistake 1: Wrong Context: Using 재수 to mean 'retaking' when you actually mean 're-enrolling' in a specific class. For a single course retake at a university, the term is 재수강 (jaesugang), not just 재수. 재수 is reserved for the entire university entrance process.

Another mistake is using 재수 for any repeat attempt at anything. While the 'ja' (再) prefix does mean 'again', you cannot simply attach it to any noun to mean 'retake'. For example, if you are retaking a driver's license test, you would say 시험에 다시 응시하다 or 재시험, but never 재수. Using 재수 in this context would sound very strange to a native speaker.

"나 이번에 재수해." (I am retaking the entrance exam. — *Correct usage.*)

Mistake 2: Confusing N-su Terms: Learners often use 재수 as a general term for all retakers. However, if someone has been studying for 3 years, calling them a 재수생 is technically incorrect and might even be seen as downplaying their struggle. They are a 삼수생.

Lastly, remember that 재수 is a noun. To use it as a verb, you must add 하다. Simply saying "나 재수" is incomplete and sounds like 'I luck' or 'I retake' without the necessary action. Always ensure you have the proper verb ending to clarify your meaning.

To truly master the vocabulary surrounding the Korean exam culture, you should be familiar with the variations of 재수. These terms describe the specific situation of the student and how many times they have attempted the exam.

반수 (Bansu): This is a 'half-retake'. A student attends a university they aren't fully satisfied with for the first semester, then takes a leave of absence in the second semester to study for the CSAT again. This provides a 'safety net' in case they don't improve their score.
삼수 / 사수 (Samsu / Sasu): 'Sam' (three) and 'Sa' (four) indicate the number of attempts. 삼수 is a third attempt, and 사수 is a fourth. Beyond four, people often use the term 장수생 (jangsusaeng), which means a 'long-term student' who has been trying for many years.

"그는 반수를 해서 더 좋은 대학에 갔다." (He did a half-retake and went to a better university.)

Another related term is 편입 (pyeon-ip), which means 'transferring' to another university. While 재수 involves retaking the high school graduation exam (CSAT) to enter as a freshman, 편입 involves taking a different set of exams to enter a university as a junior (third-year student). This is an alternative path for those who don't want to start over from the first year.

"장수생 생활을 청산하고 드디어 합격했다." (I finally passed and ended my life as a long-term retaker.)

N수 (N-su): In modern internet slang and casual talk, 'N' represents a variable number. If someone is an 'N-su-saeng', it means they have retaken the exam multiple times, and the specific number is either unknown or too high to bother counting.

Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate conversations about education in Korea more effectively. While 재수 is the most common term, knowing 반수 or 편입 shows a deeper understanding of the various paths Korean students take to reach their academic goals.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

While 'jaesu' means retaking exams, the homonym 'jaesu' (luck) uses the Hanja 財 (wealth) and 數 (number/fate).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /dʒɛ.su/

US /dʒeɪ.su/

The stress is balanced, but the first syllable '재' is slightly more emphasized.

Reimt sich auf

매수 (maesu - purchase) 개수 (gaesu - count) 대수 (daesu - algebra) 회수 (hoesu - withdrawal) 배수 (baesu - multiple) 괴수 (goesu - monster) 세수 (sesu - washing face) 백수 (baeksu - unemployed)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'ae' as 'ah-ee' (it should be a single vowel sound).
Over-emphasizing the 's' in 'su' (it should be soft).
Confusing the pitch with the 'luck' homonym (though they are usually identical in pitch in modern Seoul dialect).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The word itself is simple, but it often appears in complex sentences about education.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires understanding how to use it as a noun vs. a verb with '하다'.

Sprechen 2/5

Very common in daily conversation among young adults.

Hören 3/5

Must distinguish from the homonym 'luck' based on context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

대학 시험 공부 학생 학교

Als Nächstes lernen

수능 학원 합격 불합격 성적

Fortgeschritten

학벌주의 공교육 사교육 입시 전쟁

Wichtige Grammatik

Nominalization (-는 것)

재수하는 것은 쉬운 일이 아니다.

Reason/Cause (-기 때문에)

재수하기 때문에 친구들을 못 만나요.

Intention (-으려고)

더 좋은 대학에 가려고 재수해요.

Experience (-어 본 적이 있다)

재수해 본 적이 있어요?

Decision (-기로 하다)

결국 재수하기로 했어요.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

저는 올해 재수해요.

I am retaking the exam this year.

Present tense of '재수하다'.

제 친구는 재수생입니다.

My friend is a retake student.

Noun + 이다.

재수는 힘들어요.

Retaking the exam is hard.

Noun as a subject.

누나가 재수를 해요.

My older sister is retaking the exam.

Object marker -를 is often omitted.

학원에서 재수해요.

I am retaking the exam at an academy.

Location particle -에서.

재수 공부를 시작했어요.

I started studying for the retake.

Noun used as a modifier.

우리는 재수생 친구가 많아요.

We have many friends who are retaking the exam.

Adjective form of '재수생'.

재수하지 마세요.

Please don't retake the exam.

-지 마세요 (prohibition).

재수를 하려면 돈이 많이 들어요.

It costs a lot of money to retake the exam.

-려면 (if you intend to).

그는 재수 끝에 대학에 합격했다.

He got into university after retaking the exam.

Noun + 끝에 (at the end of).

재수생들은 보통 아침 일찍 일어나요.

Retake students usually wake up early in the morning.

Plural marker -들.

부모님이 재수를 허락해 주셨어요.

My parents gave me permission to retake the exam.

Honorific form of give (-어 주시다).

재수 학원을 알아보고 있어요.

I am looking into retake academies.

-고 있다 (present progressive).

작년에 재수해서 올해 입학했어요.

I retook the exam last year and entered university this year.

-해서 (reason/sequence).

재수가 꼭 나쁜 것만은 아니에요.

Retaking the exam isn't necessarily a bad thing.

-는 것 (nominalization).

재수 생활은 정말 외로워요.

Life as a retake student is really lonely.

Noun + 생활 (life).

성적이 생각보다 안 나와서 재수를 결심했어요.

My grades weren't as good as I thought, so I decided to retake the exam.

결심하다 (to decide).

재수하는 동안 스마트폰을 안 썼어요.

While retaking the exam, I didn't use a smartphone.

-는 동안 (while).

많은 학생들이 서울에 있는 대학에 가려고 재수를 합니다.

Many students retake the exam to go to a university in Seoul.

-려고 (in order to).

재수생들에게 가장 필요한 것은 자신감이에요.

What retake students need most is confidence.

Dative case for people (-에게).

그는 재수를 포기하고 군대에 가기로 했다.

He gave up on retaking the exam and decided to go to the army.

-기로 하다 (to decide to).

재수 학원비가 너무 비싸서 부담스러워요.

The cost of the retake academy is so expensive it's burdensome.

Adjective '부담스럽다'.

재수 성공 비결이 무엇인가요?

What is the secret to success in retaking the exam?

Noun + 비결 (secret/key).

재수를 하면 1년이라는 시간을 더 써야 해요.

If you retake the exam, you have to spend an extra year of time.

Conditional -면.

재수 문화는 한국 교육열의 단면을 보여줍니다.

The jaesu culture shows a facet of Korea's passion for education.

단면 (facet/side).

그는 삼수 끝에 원하는 대학에 합격하는 쾌거를 이루었다.

After a third attempt, he achieved the feat of passing his desired university.

쾌거 (feat/achievement).

재수생의 비율이 높아지면 수능 난이도에 영향을 줍니다.

If the ratio of retake students increases, it affects the difficulty of the CSAT.

비율 (ratio) and 영향 (influence).

재수 생활의 스트레스를 견디는 것이 쉽지 않다.

It is not easy to endure the stress of life as a retake student.

견디다 (to endure).

부모님의 기대 때문에 억지로 재수를 하는 경우도 있다.

There are cases where people retake the exam against their will because of parental expectations.

억지로 (against one's will).

재수 학원에서는 엄격한 규칙을 따라야 합니다.

In a retake academy, you must follow strict rules.

엄격한 (strict).

재수를 통해 자신의 부족한 점을 보완할 수 있습니다.

Through retaking the exam, you can supplement your shortcomings.

보완하다 (to supplement).

그는 재수 시절의 고통을 잊지 못한다.

He cannot forget the pain of his retake days.

시절 (days/period).

재수생의 증가는 공교육의 한계를 시사하기도 합니다.

The increase in retake students also suggests the limitations of public education.

시사하다 (to suggest/imply).

재수 학원 밀집 지역인 대치동은 밤늦게까지 불이 꺼지지 않는다.

Daechi-dong, an area dense with retake academies, never sees its lights go out until late at night.

밀집 (densely populated).

재수 과정에서의 심리적 압박감은 상상을 초월한다.

The psychological pressure during the retake process is beyond imagination.

상상을 초월하다 (to go beyond imagination).

재수 성공 사례를 분석하여 효율적인 학습법을 찾아야 한다.

We must analyze successful retake cases to find efficient learning methods.

사례 (case/example).

재수는 단순히 시험을 다시 보는 것 이상의 의미를 갖는다.

Retaking the exam holds more meaning than simply taking a test again.

이상의 의미 (more meaning than).

재수생들의 학업 성취도는 대체로 현역 학생들보다 높다.

The academic achievement of retake students is generally higher than that of current students.

성취도 (achievement level).

재수 비용의 사회적 손실에 대한 논의가 필요하다.

A discussion on the social loss caused by retake costs is necessary.

사회적 손실 (social loss).

재수 생활을 통해 인내심과 끈기를 배울 수 있었다.

Through life as a retaker, I was able to learn patience and persistence.

인내심 (patience) and 끈기 (persistence).

재수라는 굴레에서 벗어나기 위해 필사적으로 노력했다.

I tried desperately to break free from the shackles of retaking the exam.

굴레 (shackles/fetters).

재수생의 양산은 서열화된 대학 구조의 산물이다.

The mass production of retake students is a product of the hierarchical university structure.

양산 (mass production) and 산물 (product).

재수 시절의 트라우마가 성인이 된 후에도 영향을 미치기도 한다.

Trauma from retake days sometimes affects people even after they become adults.

영향을 미치다 (to exert influence).

재수 문화의 기저에는 학벌주의라는 고질적인 병폐가 자리 잡고 있다.

At the base of the jaesu culture lies the chronic malady of academic elitism.

기저 (base) and 병폐 (malady/evil).

재수 여부를 결정하는 데 있어 가장 중요한 것은 본인의 의지이다.

In deciding whether to retake the exam, the most important thing is one's own will.

여부 (whether or not).

재수생의 고뇌를 다룬 문학 작품들이 독자들의 공감을 얻고 있다.

Literary works dealing with the agony of retake students are gaining empathy from readers.

고뇌 (agony/suffering).

재수 시스템의 구조적 결함을 해결하기 위한 정책적 대안이 시급하다.

Policy alternatives to solve the structural flaws of the retake system are urgent.

구조적 결함 (structural flaw).

재수라는 터널을 지나 마침내 빛을 보게 되었다.

After passing through the tunnel of retaking the exam, I finally saw the light.

Metaphorical usage.

Häufige Kollokationen

재수를 결심하다

재수에 성공하다

재수 학원

독학 재수

재수 생활

재수 비용

재수생 비율

재수 중이다

재수 끝에

재수 고민

Häufige Phrasen

재수하다

— To retake the university entrance exam.

저는 내년에 재수할 거예요.

재수생

— A student who is studying to retake the exam.

그 식당은 재수생들에게 할인을 해준다.

재수 없다

— To be unlucky or to be annoying (Homonym usage).

오늘 정말 재수 없는 날이야.

재수 옴 붙다

— To have extremely bad luck (Homonym usage).

오늘따라 왜 이렇게 재수 옴 붙은 일만 생기지?

재수강

— Retaking a specific university course.

학점이 안 좋아서 재수강을 신청했다.

재수 전선

— The 'front line' of retaking exams (metaphor for the struggle).

그는 다시 재수 전선에 뛰어들었다.

재수 명당

— A place (like a specific seat or library) famous for exam success.

이 자리가 재수 명당으로 소문났다.

재수 성공기

— A success story of someone who retook the exam.

인터넷에서 재수 성공기를 읽고 용기를 얻었다.

재수생 할인

— Discounts offered to students with a retake ID card.

재수생 할인을 받으려면 수험표가 필요해요.

재수 불사

— Not being afraid to retake the exam (willingness to do it).

그는 재수 불사의 각오로 시험을 봤다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

재수 vs 재수 (luck)

Identical spelling, different meaning. '재수 없다' usually refers to luck or being annoying.

재수 vs 재수강

Specifically for retaking a university course, not the entrance exam.

재수 vs 복학

Returning to school after a leave of absence, not retaking an exam.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"재수가 좋다"

— To be lucky (Homonym).

오늘 길에서 돈을 주웠으니 재수가 좋다.

Informal

"재수가 없다"

— To be unlucky or annoying (Homonym).

재수 없는 소리 좀 하지 마.

Slang/Informal

"하늘이 돕는 재수"

— A retake year where everything goes perfectly.

그는 정말 하늘이 돕는 재수를 해서 명문대에 갔다.

Informal

"재수생은 서러워"

— A common sentiment that being a retake student is sorrowful.

명절에 친척들 만나기 싫은 걸 보니 재수생은 서러워.

Casual

"재수의 늪"

— The 'swamp' of retaking exams (getting stuck doing it for years).

한 번 시작하면 재수의 늪에 빠지기 쉽다.

Metaphorical

"재수는 필수, 삼수는 선택"

— A cynical joke that retaking once is mandatory in Korea.

요즘은 재수는 필수, 삼수는 선택이라는 말이 있다.

Slang

"재수 밥 먹다"

— To live the life of a retake student.

나도 재수 밥 좀 먹어봐서 그 기분 잘 알아.

Casual

"재수 구덩이"

— A difficult or miserable retake environment.

이 좁은 재수 구덩이에서 언제 나갈 수 있을까?

Informal

"재수의 정석"

— The 'standard' or 'perfect' way to do a retake.

그는 재수의 정석대로 공부해서 성공했다.

Informal

"재수 대박"

— A huge success in the retake exam.

이번에 재수 대박 나서 가고 싶은 대학 다 붙어라!

Slang

Leicht verwechselbar

재수 vs 반수

Both involve retaking the CSAT.

Jaesu is a full gap year; Bansu is retaking while enrolled in a college.

그는 대학에 다니면서 반수를 했다.

재수 vs 편입

Both are ways to change universities.

Jaesu is starting as a freshman; Pyeon-ip is entering as a junior.

그는 3학년으로 편입했다.

재수 vs 재시험

Both mean 'taking a test again'.

Jaesu is for the CSAT specifically; Jaesiheom is for any retake (like a makeup test).

내일 수학 재시험을 봐요.

재수 vs 고시

Both involve long-term intensive study.

Jaesu is for college; Gosi is for high-level professional licenses (law, civil service).

그는 행정고시를 준비한다.

재수 vs 복습

Both involve 'studying again'.

Jaesu is a year-long path; Bokseup is daily reviewing of what you learned.

오늘 배운 내용을 복습하자.

Satzmuster

N(이/가) 재수를 하다

동생이 재수를 해요.

N은/는 재수생이다

그는 재수생이에요.

V-기 위해 재수를 결심하다

대학에 가기 위해 재수를 결심했어요.

재수 끝에 V

재수 끝에 합격했어요.

재수하는 동안 N

재수하는 동안 스트레스를 많이 받았어요.

재수 비용이 Adj

재수 비용이 너무 비싸요.

재수생의 비율이 V

재수생의 비율이 급격히 늘어났다.

재수라는 굴레/터널

재수라는 긴 터널을 빠져나왔다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

재수생 (retake student)

재수학원 (retake academy)

재수생활 (retake life)

Verben

재수하다 (to retake the exam)

Verwandt

삼수

사수

반수

N수

장수생

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frequency

Very high in educational contexts and among young adults.

Häufige Fehler

나 재수해요 (for a math quiz) → 나 수학 재시험 봐요
재수 is only for the university entrance exam.
재수 없어! (to a student retaking exams) → 재수하느라 힘들지?
재수 없어 means 'You are annoying/unlucky'.
그는 재수생을 했다 → 그는 재수를 했다
You 'do jaesu' (the act) or you 'are a jaesusaeng' (the person).
재수강을 해서 대학에 갔다 → 재수를 해서 대학에 갔다
재수강 is retaking a college class, not the entrance exam.
그는 삼수생 재수를 했다 → 그는 삼수를 했다
If it's the third time, use 삼수, not jaesu.

Tipps

The Suneung Life

Being a jaesusaeng is a full-time job. Expect them to be busy from dawn till late at night.

Noun vs Verb

Always remember that '재수' is the noun. Use '재수하다' for the action.

Age Matters

In Korea, doing jaesu makes you one year older than your classmates, which affects how you address each other.

The 'Re-' Prefix

The 'ja' (再) in jaesu is the same 'ja' in 'jaebal' (recurrence) or 'jae-un' (remarriage).

Encouragement

If someone is doing jaesu, the best thing to say is '힘내!' (Stay strong!).

Hanja Roots

Learning the Hanja (再修) helps you distinguish it from the 'luck' (財數) homonym.

Tone and Context

Listen for the surrounding words. If they mention 'college' or 'grades', it's about the exam.

Compound Nouns

Korean loves compound nouns like '재수생' and '재수학원'. Try using them in your essays.

Avoid Slang

Avoid using '재수 없다' unless you are sure you want to call someone annoying.

The 'N' in N-su

Use 'N수' when you want to refer to the whole community of retakers regardless of how many times they've tried.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'J' for 'Junior year' being repeated, and 'SU' for 'Suneung' (the test). JAESU = Junior-year Suneung repeat.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a student with a headband that says 'RETAKE' sitting in a room full of tall stacks of books.

Word Web

Suneung Academy Pressure SKY Universities Daechi-dong Gap year Success Study

Herausforderung

Try to explain to a friend why a Korean student might choose to do 'jaesu' instead of going to a lower-ranked university.

Wortherkunft

From the Hanja 再 (재 - again) and 修 (수 - study/prepare).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To study again or to re-cultivate one's knowledge.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Kultureller Kontext

Be sensitive when asking a Korean person about their 'jaesu' experience; for some, it was a very traumatic and lonely time.

In English-speaking countries, this is similar to a 'gap year', but with much more focus on studying rather than travel or work.

The drama 'Sky Castle' focuses heavily on the extreme measures taken for university entrance. The movie 'Pluto' explores the dark side of high school competition. Many K-pop idols mention their 'jaesu' or 'samsu' experiences in interviews.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At a family gathering

재수하기로 했어요.
재수는 힘들지 않니?
재수 비용이 걱정이에요.
재수해서 꼭 성공해라.

Inside a Hagwon

재수 종합반 등록해요.
재수생 생활 수칙
모의고사 점수가 올랐어요.
재수 성공 전략

Meeting new people in college

재수하셨어요?
저는 재수해서 한 살 많아요.
재수생 동기들이 많아요.
재수 시절 이야기

Watching the news

재수생 강세 현상
재수생 유입 증가
재수 학원가 풍경
올해 재수생 비율

Encouraging a friend

재수 성공할 거야!
일 년 금방 가.
힘내, 재수생!
너는 할 수 있어.

Gesprächseinstiege

"혹시 재수해 본 적 있으세요?"

"한국의 재수 문화에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"재수를 하면 정말 성적이 많이 오를까요?"

"제 동생이 재수를 고민 중인데 조언해 줄 게 있나요?"

"재수 학원 비용이 정말 그렇게 비싼가요?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

만약 내가 원하는 대학에 떨어지면, 재수를 할 것인가 아니면 다른 길을 찾을 것인가?

한국의 재수생들이 겪는 가장 큰 어려움은 무엇이라고 생각하는가?

재수 생활을 통해 배울 수 있는 긍정적인 가치는 무엇인가?

나의 나라와 한국의 입시 문화를 비교해 보자.

재수생 친구를 위로해 주는 편지를 써 보자.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

재수 (Jaesu) is the second attempt (one retake), while 삼수 (Samsu) is the third attempt (two retakes). The prefix changes according to the number of attempts.

No, '재수' is specifically for the university entrance exam. For a driving test, you would use '재시험' (retake test) or '다시 보다' (take again).

Not necessarily. While it's stressful, it's often seen as a sign of ambition and hard work to get into a better school.

It is a private academy where students who are retaking the CSAT spend all day studying under strict supervision.

In modern slang, it more often means that someone is 'rude', 'arrogant', or 'annoying'. Use it carefully!

It can be very expensive, often costing over $1,000–$3,000 USD per month for high-end academies and materials.

Bansu (half-retake) is safer because the student already has a spot in a university if they fail the retake.

N수 is a general term for anyone who has retaken the exam more than once (2, 3, 4+ times).

Technically no, but most students are in their late teens or early twenties. Older students are called '장수생'.

You can say '재수에 성공했어요' or '재수해서 합격했어요'.

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