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B1 noun 8 min read

수업료

sueomnyo
Examples Notes & Tips 수업료 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 수업료 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you just need to know that '수업료' (sueomnyo) means 'tuition fee' or the money you pay for a class. You might hear it if you go to a Korean language school. Think of it as '수업' (class) + '료' (fee). You can use it in simple sentences like '수업료가 얼마예요?' (How much is the tuition?). It is important to remember that education is very important in Korea, so this word is used often. Just focus on the fact that it is the price of a lesson. Don't worry about the formal versions yet; just know that you '내다' (pay) the 수업료.
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At the A2 level, you should start using '수업료' in more complete sentences. You can talk about paying it monthly or asking about discounts. You might say '이번 달 수업료를 냈어요' (I paid this month's tuition). You should also learn that it is pronounced as [수엄뇨] because of the way Korean sounds change when 'ㅂ' meets 'ㄹ'. At this level, you can distinguish between '수업료' and '학원비' (academy fee), which is a more common word for private schools. You might also encounter it when looking at posters for language classes or hobby groups.
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At the B1 level, you can understand '수업료' in broader social and administrative contexts. You should be able to discuss the cost of education in Korea and use terms like '수업료 인상' (tuition increase) or '수업료 면제' (tuition waiver). You should also be aware of the metaphorical use: '비싼 수업료를 치르다,' which means to learn a hard lesson through a mistake. This level requires you to use the word in formal settings, like at a university office or when reading a news article about education policies. You should also be comfortable with the formal verb '납부하다' (to pay/remit) instead of just '내다'.
At the B2 level, you should be able to participate in debates about '수업료' issues, such as the '반값 수업료' (half-price tuition) movement in Korea. You should understand the nuance between '수업료,' '등록금,' and '수강료' and use them accurately in professional or academic writing. You can explain how tuition fees impact the economy and family life in Korea. Your pronunciation should be natural, and you should be able to read complex documents like tuition refund policies (수업료 환불 규정) without much difficulty. You understand that this word is a key part of the 'education fever' (교육열) discourse.
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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the socio-economic implications of '수업료' in South Korea. You can analyze academic papers or long-form journalism regarding the financial structures of Korean universities and the private education market. You can use the word in sophisticated metaphorical contexts and understand its historical evolution from terms like '월사금.' You are also familiar with legal terms involving tuition, such as '수업료 징수' (collection of tuition). You can fluidly switch between formal and casual registers when discussing educational costs with different audiences.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of '수업료' is equivalent to a highly educated native speaker. You can discuss the word's Hanja roots (授業料) and its relationship to similar concepts in other East Asian languages. You can draft official policies regarding tuition or write persuasive essays on educational reform. You understand the subtle emotional connotations the word carries in Korean literature and cinema, often representing a parent's sacrifice or a student's burden. You can use the word in any context, from high-level economic analysis to deep philosophical discussions about the value and cost of knowledge.
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Examples Notes & Tips

수업료 in 30 Seconds

  • 수업료 is the standard Korean word for 'tuition fee,' specifically referring to the cost of instruction.
  • It is a compound of '수업' (lesson) and '료' (fee), pronounced as [수엄뇨].
  • Commonly used for private academies (hagwons), tutoring, and university teaching fees.
  • Metaphorically, it refers to a costly life lesson learned through a mistake or failure.

The Korean word 수업료 (sueomnyo) is a compound noun derived from two Hanja components: 수업 (授業), meaning 'lesson' or 'instruction,' and 료 (料), meaning 'fee' or 'charge.' In its most literal sense, it refers to the specific amount of money paid in exchange for educational services. While the English word 'tuition' is the most direct translation, the usage of 수업료 in Korean society carries significant cultural weight due to the nation's intense focus on education, particularly private education. It is the price tag attached to the transmission of knowledge, whether that happens in a prestigious university, a local kindergarten, or a specialized private academy known as a hagwon.

Financial Context
수업료 represents the direct cost of teaching. It is distinct from other school-related expenses like textbook fees (교재비) or facility fees. In the context of private academies, parents often discuss the 'monthly 수업료' as a major part of their household budget.

이번 달 수업료를 아직 납부하지 않았습니다. (I haven't paid this month's tuition yet.)

In everyday conversation, you will hear this word most frequently when discussing extracurricular activities or private tutoring. If a child takes piano lessons, the monthly payment is called the 수업료. If an adult attends a language school to learn Korean, the cost they pay per term is the 수업료. It is a neutral, formal term used in administrative contexts but is also perfectly common in casual discussions about the high cost of living and education in Korea.

Social Implication
In Korea, the 'burden of tuition' (수업료 부담) is a recurring social theme. High tuition rates for private education are often cited as a reason for declining birth rates, as the financial investment required for a child's success is substantial.

대학교 수업료 인상 소식에 학생들이 반발하고 있습니다. (Students are protesting the news of a university tuition hike.)

Furthermore, the word is used metaphorically. When someone makes a costly mistake but learns a valuable life lesson from it, they might say they paid a 'expensive tuition fee' (비싼 수업료를 치렀다). This usage highlights that learning, whether in a classroom or through life experience, always comes with a cost. This metaphorical extension is common in business and personal growth contexts, emphasizing that failures are not just losses but investments in future wisdom.

Using 수업료 correctly involves understanding the verbs it typically pairs with. The most common action associated with tuition is paying it. In Korean, the verb 내다 (naeda) is used for casual payment, while 납부하다 (nappuhada) is used in more formal or administrative contexts, such as paying a university or a government institution.

Common Verb Pairings
수업료를 내다 (to pay tuition), 수업료를 인상하다 (to raise tuition), 수업료를 면제받다 (to be exempted from tuition).

장학금을 받아서 수업료를 면제받았습니다. (I received a scholarship and was exempted from paying tuition.)

When discussing the amount of the tuition, we use adjectives like 비싸다 (bissada - expensive), 저렴하다 (jeoryeomhada - affordable), or 부담스럽다 (budamseureopda - burdensome). Because education is highly valued, the cost of 수업료 is a frequent topic of debate. For instance, '반값 수업료' (half-price tuition) has been a major political slogan in Korea, reflecting the public's desire for more affordable higher education.

In a professional setting, such as a language school or a private institute, you might encounter the word on invoices or application forms. It is often combined with other nouns to create specific terms. For example, 수업료 미납 (minap) refers to unpaid tuition, and 수업료 환불 (hwanbul) refers to a tuition refund. Understanding these combinations is crucial for navigating the administrative side of studying in Korea.

학원 규정에 따라 수업료 환불이 가능합니다. (According to the academy's regulations, a tuition refund is possible.)

Finally, consider the context of private lessons (과외). In this intimate setting, the term might be replaced by 과외비, but 수업료 remains the formal way to refer to the money exchanged for the teaching. Whether you are a student paying for classes or a teacher receiving payment, using the word 수업료 correctly ensures clarity in financial transactions related to education.

You will encounter 수업료 in a variety of real-world settings in Korea. One of the most common places is at the front desk of a hagwon (private academy). When parents enroll their children in math, English, or art classes, the first question they often ask is about the monthly 수업료. The administrative staff will provide a breakdown of the costs, explaining what the 수업료 covers and if there are additional fees for materials.

At the University
University websites and administrative offices use 수업료 in official documents. You will see it on your tuition bill (등록금 고지서), where it is listed as a primary line item alongside student association fees and insurance.

다음 주까지 수업료를 입금해야 합니다. (You must deposit the tuition by next week.)

The word is also a staple in Korean news media. Because education is a top priority for Korean families, any news regarding the increase or decrease of 수업료 at national universities or private kindergartens is treated as a major headline. Political debates often center on '수업료 동결' (freezing tuition) to alleviate the financial pressure on the middle class. If you watch Korean dramas (K-dramas), you will often see scenes where parents work multiple jobs to afford their children's 수업료, highlighting the sacrificial nature of Korean parenting.

In the digital age, you will also find this word on online learning platforms. Sites like Coursera or local Korean platforms like Inflearn or Class101 will display the 수업료 for each course. Even in the context of 'free' education, the word might appear in the phrase 무상 교육 (free education), which implies that the 수업료 is covered by the state. Whether in a physical classroom, a bank, or a digital storefront, 수업료 is the essential term for the cost of learning.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 수업료 with 등록금 (deungnokgeum). While they both refer to money paid for education, their usage is specific. 등록금 is the total 'registration fee' for a semester at a university or college, which includes 수업료 plus other administrative fees. Using 수업료 when you mean the entire university bill is technically narrow, though usually understood. However, using 등록금 for a small private piano lesson would sound very strange and overly formal.

수업료 vs. 교육비
수업료 is the specific fee for teaching. 교육비 (education expenses) is a broader category that includes textbooks, school uniforms, transportation, and lunches. If you are talking about the total cost of raising a student, use 교육비.

❌ 대학교 수업료를 고지서에 써 있어요. (Incorrect phrasing)
✅ 대학교 등록금 고지서에 수업료가 적혀 있어요. (Correct: The tuition fee is written on the university registration bill.)

Another mistake is the pronunciation. Due to Korean phonological rules, the 'ㅂ' in 수업 is followed by 'ㄹ' in 료. This causes a nasalization process where the 'ㅂ' becomes 'ㅁ' and the 'ㄹ' becomes 'ㄴ'. Therefore, it is pronounced as [수엄뇨]. Many beginners try to pronounce it literally as [su-eop-ryo], which sounds unnatural and is difficult to say quickly. Mastering the [수엄뇨] pronunciation is a key step toward sounding like a native speaker.

Lastly, be careful with the metaphorical usage. While you can say '비싼 수업료를 냈다' to mean you learned a hard lesson, you cannot use 수업료 to mean 'experience' in a general sense. It must specifically imply that the experience cost you something (money, time, or emotional energy) and that you gained knowledge in return. Using it just to mean 'I had a lesson' without the element of cost or consequence would be incorrect.

To enrich your Korean vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 수업료 with related terms. Each word has a specific nuance depending on the type of institution and the nature of the payment.

등록금 (Deungnokgeum)
This is 'registration money.' It is used primarily for universities and colleges. It is an all-encompassing term for the semester's bill. If you are a college student, you 'pay your 등록금' rather than just your 수업료.
학원비 (Hagwon-bi)
Literally 'academy cost.' This is the most casual and common way to refer to the monthly fee for private academies. While 수업료 is the formal name of the fee, parents usually say '학원비를 내다.'
강사료 (Gangsaryo)
'Instructor fee.' This term focuses on the payment going to the teacher rather than the student's cost. It is often used in business contexts when hiring a guest speaker or a part-time lecturer.

Comparison:
- 수업료: Formal term for the cost of instruction.
- 학원비: Casual term for private academy fees.
- 교육비: General term for all education-related expenses.

Another alternative is 수강료 (sugangryo). While 수업료 focuses on the 'lesson' (수업), 수강료 focuses on the 'taking of the class' (수강). 수강료 is very common for adult education, online courses, and cultural centers. If you sign up for a yoga class or a coding bootcamp, the fee is typically called 수강료. The difference is subtle, but 수강료 often implies a more voluntary, lecture-style enrollment compared to the more traditional schooling implied by 수업료.

Finally, in very formal or historical contexts, you might see 월사금 (wolsageum), an old term for monthly tuition. You won't hear this in modern life except in literature or period dramas set in the mid-20th century. Stick to 수업료 or 학원비 for modern daily life in Korea.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the past, tuition was sometimes paid in grain (like rice) or cloth instead of currency, reflecting the agrarian roots of Korean society.

Pronunciation Guide

UK su.ʌm.njo
US su.ʌm.njo
The stress is equal on all syllables, as is typical in Korean, but the 'nyo' syllable is often slightly elongated in casual speech.
Rhymes With
음료 (eumnyo - beverage) 재료 (jaeryo - material) 무료 (muryo - free) 연료 (yeollyo - fuel) 사료 (saryo - feed/fodder) 조료 (joryo - seasoning) 도료 (doryo - paint) 항료 (hangnyo - fragrance)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it literally as [su-eop-ryo] without nasalization.
  • Failing to change the 'ㄹ' to 'ㄴ'.
  • Putting too much emphasis on the 'p' sound.
  • Pronouncing 'u' like 'oo' in 'book' instead of 'oo' in 'moon'.
  • Treating it as three separate words instead of a fluid compound.
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Examples by Level

1

수업료가 얼마예요?

How much is the tuition fee?

수업료 (subject) + 가 (particle) + 얼마예요 (is how much?)

2

수업료를 내요.

I pay the tuition.

수업료 (object) + 를 (particle) + 내요 (pay)

3

한국어 수업료는 싸요.

The Korean class tuition is cheap.

수업료 + 는 (topic particle) + 싸요 (is cheap)

4

오늘 수업료를 냅니다.

I pay the tuition today.

Formal ending -니다.

5

수업료가 비싸요?

Is the tuition expensive?

Question form of an adjective.

6

수업료를 주세요.

Please give the tuition.

-주세요 (request form)

7

피아노 수업료예요.

It is the piano tuition.

Noun + 예요 (it is)

8

수업료가 없습니다.

There is no tuition fee.

없습니다 (there is not)

1

매달 수업료를 내야 합니다.

You have to pay tuition every month.

-아/어야 하다 (must/have to)

2

수업료를 카드로 결제했어요.

I paid the tuition by card.

-로 (by means of) + 결제하다 (to pay/settle)

3

수업료가 지난달보다 올랐어요.

The tuition has increased since last month.

-보다 (than) + 오르다 (to rise)

4

수업료를 어디에서 내요?

Where do I pay the tuition?

어디에서 (at where)

5

수업료 영수증을 주세요.

Please give me a tuition receipt.

영수증 (receipt)

6

부모님이 수업료를 보내주셨어요.

My parents sent me the tuition money.

Honorific -시- in 보내주셨어요.

7

수업료 할인이 있나요?

Is there a tuition discount?

할인 (discount)

8

수업료를 아직 못 냈어요.

I haven't been able to pay the tuition yet.

못 (cannot/unable to)

1

수업료 납부 기간을 확인하세요.

Please check the tuition payment period.

납부 (payment/remittance) + 기간 (period)

2

경제적 어려움으로 수업료를 미뤘어요.

I postponed the tuition due to financial difficulties.

-으로 (due to/because of)

3

수업료를 환불받고 싶습니다.

I would like to get a tuition refund.

환불받다 (to receive a refund)

4

수업료가 너무 비싸서 부담스러워요.

The tuition is so expensive that it's burdensome.

부담스럽다 (to be burdensome)

5

그 학원은 수업료가 저렴한 편이에요.

That academy's tuition is on the cheaper side.

-ㄴ 편이다 (to be on the side of/tend to be)

6

수업료 외에 교재비가 따로 들어요.

Besides tuition, there's a separate cost for textbooks.

외에 (besides/other than)

7

수업료 인상 반대 시위가 열렸습니다.

A protest against the tuition increase was held.

반대 (opposition) + 시위 (protest)

8

실수를 통해 비싼 수업료를 치렀네요.

You've paid a high price (tuition) for your mistake.

Metaphorical usage of 수업료.

1

정부는 수업료 동결을 권고하고 있습니다.

The government is recommending a tuition freeze.

동결 (freeze) + 권고하다 (to recommend)

2

수업료 미납 시 제적될 수 있습니다.

You may be expelled if tuition is unpaid.

미납 (unpaid) + 시 (at the time of) + 제적 (expulsion)

3

수업료 산정 기준이 불투명합니다.

The criteria for calculating tuition are opaque.

산정 (calculation) + 불투명하다 (to be opaque)

4

장학금 혜택으로 수업료 전액을 감면받았다.

I received a full tuition waiver thanks to scholarship benefits.

전액 (full amount) + 감면 (reduction/exemption)

5

수업료가 교육의 질을 보장하지는 않는다.

Tuition fees do not guarantee the quality of education.

보장하다 (to guarantee)

6

사교육비 중 수업료가 차지하는 비중이 크다.

Tuition accounts for a large portion of private education costs.

차지하다 (to occupy/account for)

7

수업료 고지서가 이메일로 발송되었습니다.

The tuition bill has been sent via email.

고지서 (bill/notice) + 발송되다 (to be sent)

8

그는 인생에서 값비싼 수업료를 낸 셈이다.

It's as if he paid a high tuition fee in life.

-ㄴ 셈이다 (it is as if/one could say)

1

수업료 책정 과정에 학생 참여를 보장하라.

Guarantee student participation in the tuition setting process.

책정 (setting/fixing a price)

2

학위 취득을 위한 수업료 투자가 과도하다.

The investment in tuition for obtaining a degree is excessive.

취득 (acquisition) + 과도하다 (to be excessive)

3

수업료 반환 소송이 법원에서 진행 중이다.

A lawsuit for a tuition refund is underway in court.

반환 (return/refund) + 소송 (lawsuit)

4

대학교 수업료 의존도를 낮춰야 한다.

The dependence on university tuition must be reduced.

의존도 (degree of dependence)

5

수업료 체납으로 인해 졸업이 유예되었다.

Graduation was postponed due to tuition arrears.

체납 (arrears) + 유예되다 (to be postponed/deferred)

6

수업료는 교육 서비스에 대한 정당한 대가인가?

Is tuition a fair price for educational services?

정당한 (fair/just) + 대가 (price/compensation)

7

수업료 차등 적용 정책이 논란이 되고 있다.

The policy of differential tuition application is causing controversy.

차등 적용 (differential application)

8

무상 교육 담론은 수업료 폐지를 전제로 한다.

The discourse on free education presupposes the abolition of tuition.

담론 (discourse) + 전제로 하다 (to presuppose)

1

수업료의 급격한 인상은 교육 기회의 불평등을 심화시킨다.

A sharp rise in tuition deepens inequality in educational opportunities.

심화시키다 (to deepen/intensify)

2

고등교육 재정에서 수업료가 차지하는 구조적 한계.

The structural limits of the role tuition plays in higher education finance.

구조적 한계 (structural limit)

3

수업료 징수의 법적 근거를 면밀히 검토해야 한다.

The legal basis for collecting tuition must be closely examined.

면밀히 (closely/thoroughly)

4

수업료 자율화 조치가 대학 서열화를 부추겼다.

The deregulation of tuition fueled the ranking of universities.

자율화 (liberalization) + 부추기다 (to fuel/instigate)

5

수업료 수익에 의존하는 사립대의 취약한 재정 구조.

The fragile financial structure of private universities that depend on tuition revenue.

취약한 (fragile/weak)

6

수업료 면제 대상자를 소득 분위에 따라 선정한다.

Candidates for tuition exemption are selected based on income deciles.

소득 분위 (income decile)

7

수업료는 단순한 비용을 넘어 사회적 계약의 일부이다.

Tuition is more than a simple cost; it is part of a social contract.

~을 넘어 (beyond/more than)

8

수업료의 실질적 가치는 교육의 내실에 의해 결정된다.

The real value of tuition is determined by the substance of the education.

내실 (substance/inner quality)

Antonyms

장학금

Common Collocations

수업료를 내다
수업료가 오르다
수업료를 인상하다
수업료를 납부하다
수업료를 면제하다
수업료를 환불하다
수업료가 비싸다
수업료를 미납하다
반값 수업료
비싼 수업료를 치르다

Common Phrases

수업료 고지서

— A tuition bill or notice.

수업료 고지서가 집으로 배달되었다.

수업료 할인

— A discount on the tuition fee.

형제가 같이 다니면 수업료 할인을 해줘요.

수업료 동결

— A tuition freeze (no increase).

올해는 수업료 동결이 결정되었습니다.

수업료 감면

— Reduction or exemption of tuition.

다자녀 가구는 수업료 감면 혜택이 있다.

수업료 미납

— Unpaid tuition.

수업료 미납 안내 문자를 받았다.

수업료 인하

— Lowering the tuition fee.

학생들이 수업료 인하를 요구하고 있다.

수업료 전액

— The full amount of tuition.

수업료 전액을 장학금으로 충당했다.

수업료 반환

— Returning the tuition fee.

수업 일수가 부족하면 수업료 반환이 안 됩니다.

수업료 체납

— Arrears or overdue tuition payment.

수업료 체납으로 인해 제적 위기에 처했다.

수업료 지원

— Tuition support or subsidy.

정부에서 저소득층에게 수업료 지원을 한다.

Idioms & Expressions

"비싼 수업료를 치르다"

— To learn a valuable lesson through a painful or costly mistake.

주식 투자 실패로 비싼 수업료를 치렀다.

Common
"수업료도 못 건지다"

— To not even get back the cost of instruction; a complete failure.

장사를 시작했는데 수업료도 못 건지고 망했다.

Colloquial
"수업료를 떼먹다"

— To run away without paying the tuition fee.

그 학생은 수업료를 떼먹고 잠적했다.

Slangy/Informal
"수업료 값을 하다"

— To be worth the tuition paid; to show progress commensurate with the cost.

열심히 공부해서 수업료 값을 해야지.

Common
"수업료가 아깝다"

— To feel that the tuition was a waste of money because the teaching was poor.

선생님이 너무 못 가르쳐서 수업료가 아깝다.

Common
"수업료를 벌다"

— To earn money specifically to pay for classes.

밤새 아르바이트를 해서 수업료를 벌었다.

Common
"수업료에 허리가 휘다"

— To be overburdened by the high cost of tuition (literally: back is bending).

아이들 수업료에 부모님 허리가 휜다.

Metaphorical
"수업료를 쏟아붓다"

— To pour a massive amount of money into tuition.

의대에 보내려고 수업료를 쏟아부었다.

Emphatic
"수업료를 깎다"

— To haggle or negotiate for a lower tuition fee.

원장님께 사정해서 수업료를 좀 깎았다.

Informal
"수업료가 뉘 집 애 이름인가"

— Is tuition some random neighborhood kid's name? (Used to mean tuition is not a joke/is very expensive).

수업료가 뉘 집 애 이름인 줄 알아? 함부로 쓰지 마.

Sarcastic/Dialect-tinged

Word Family

Nouns

수업 (lesson/class)
료 (fee/charge)
수강료 (lecture fee)
학원비 (academy fee)
등록금 (registration fee)

Verbs

수업하다 (to have a class)
납부하다 (to pay officially)
결제하다 (to pay/settle)
환불하다 (to refund)

Adjectives

비싸다 (expensive)
저렴하다 (cheap)
무료이다 (to be free)

Related

학교 (school)
선생님 (teacher)
학생 (student)
장학금 (scholarship)
교재 (textbook)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SUE' (수) taking an 'EOM' (업) class and paying a 'NYO' (료) fee. SUE-EOM-NYO.

Visual Association

Imagine a student handing a stack of 'Won' bills over a desk that has a 'Class in Progress' sign on it.

Word Web

Education Money School Hagwon Payment Learning Cost Teacher

Challenge

Try to use '수업료' in a sentence about a hobby you want to learn, like 'I want to learn guitar, but the 수업료 is too high.'

Word Origin

Composed of the Hanja characters 授 (su - to give/teach), 業 (eop - work/study), and 料 (ryo - fee/material). Together, they signify the fee for the work of teaching.

Original meaning: The price paid for receiving instruction or guidance in a specific field of study.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when discussing tuition with Korean friends, as it can be a source of significant family stress or debt.

In English-speaking countries, 'tuition' usually refers to university costs, while 'lesson fees' is used for private classes. In Korean, '수업료' covers both.

The term '반값 등록금' (Half-price tuition) is a famous political slogan in South Korea. Many K-dramas (like Sky Castle) depict the intense struggle to pay for elite tutoring 수업료. The song 'Tuition' by various indie artists often discusses the burden of student debt.
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