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Phrasebook

English Phrases for School and University

Whether you are an exchange student, starting a degree abroad or taking a language course, these phrases help you ask questions in class, talk to teachers, manage deadlines and work with classmates.

38 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

In class

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Sorry, could you repeat that?

A2
Pardon, tekrar edebilir misiniz?
  • Sure. I said the essay is due Friday.
  • Of course.

Could you explain that again, please?

A2
Bunu tekrar açıklayabilir misiniz, lütfen?
  • Sure. Let me try another example.
  • Which part was unclear?

I have a question.

A1

You can also just raise your hand and wait to be called on.

Bir sorum var.
  • Go ahead.
  • Yes, what is it?

What does this word mean?

A1
Bu kelime ne anlama geliyor?
  • It means "important".
  • Let's look it up together.

Which page are we on?

A1
Hangi sayfadayız?
  • Page forty-two.
  • We're at the top of page ten.

Could you speak a little more slowly?

A2
Biraz daha yavaş konuşabilir misiniz?
  • Sorry, of course.
  • Yes, no problem.

Will the slides be posted online?

B1

Many courses share slides on a learning platform like Canvas or Moodle.

Slaytlar internete yüklenecek mi?
  • Yes, after the lecture.
  • They're already on the course page.

Sorry I'm late.

A1

Say it quietly and sit down. Long explanations interrupt the class.

Geciktiğim için özür dilerim.
  • That's okay, take a seat.
  • Please try to be on time next week.

Talking to teachers and professors

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

When are your office hours?

B1

Office hours are set times when professors meet students. Using them is normal and expected.

Görüşme saatleriniz ne zaman?
  • Tuesdays from two to four.
  • It's on the syllabus.

Do you have a minute?

A2
Bir dakikanız var mı?
  • Sure, come in.
  • Can you come back in ten minutes?

Would it be possible to get an extension?

B1

Ask before the deadline, not after, and give a short reason.

Ek süre almam mümkün olur mu?
  • How much extra time do you need?
  • Sorry, the deadline is firm.

Could I get some feedback on my essay?

B1
Kompozisyonum hakkında geri bildirim alabilir miyim?
  • Sure, come to my office hours.
  • I'll add comments online.

I'm not sure I understand the assignment.

B1
Ödevi anladığımdan emin değilim.
  • What part is confusing?
  • Let me go over it again.

I missed class yesterday. Did I miss anything important?

B1
Dün derse gelemedim. Önemli bir şey kaçırdım mı?
  • Check the slides online.
  • Ask a classmate for their notes.

Could you write me a recommendation letter?

B2

UK: "reference". Ask a few weeks before you need it.

Bana bir tavsiye mektubu yazabilir misiniz?
  • I'd be happy to. When is the deadline?
  • Send me your CV and I'll take a look.

Assignments and deadlines

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

When is the assignment due?

A2
Ödevin teslim tarihi ne zaman?
  • Next Monday at midnight.
  • It's due at the end of the month.

How long does the essay have to be?

A2
Kompozisyon ne uzunlukta olmalı?
  • About two thousand words.
  • No more than five pages.

Do we submit it online or on paper?

B1
Bunu internetten mi teslim ediyoruz, kâğıt olarak mı?
  • Upload it to the course page.
  • Bring a printed copy to class.

I'm behind on my reading.

B1
Okumalarımda geride kaldım.
  • Me too. Let's catch up this weekend.
  • Focus on the main chapters first.

I'm pulling an all-nighter.

B2

Informal. It means studying all night with no sleep.

Bütün gece uyumadan çalışacağım.
  • Good luck. Don't forget to eat.
  • Again?

Do we need to cite our sources?

B2

Copying without citing is plagiarism, and universities treat it very seriously.

Kaynaklarımızı belirtmemiz gerekiyor mu?
  • Yes, use APA style.
  • Yes, every quote needs a reference.

With classmates

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Do you want to study together?

A2
Birlikte çalışmak ister misin?
  • Sure! The library after class?
  • Good idea. When are you free?

Can I borrow your notes?

A2
Notlarını ödünç alabilir miyim?
  • Sure, I'll send you a photo.
  • Yeah, just give them back tomorrow.

Who's in our group?

A2
Grubumuzda kimler var?
  • You, me, Sam and Lena.
  • I'm not sure yet.

Let's split up the work.

B1
İşi aramızda bölüşelim.
  • Good idea. I'll do the research.
  • Okay, who wants the introduction?

Can you take the conclusion?

B1
Sonuç bölümünü sen alabilir misin?
  • Sure, no problem.
  • I'd rather do the slides, if that's okay.

What did you get on the test?

A2

Some people prefer not to share grades, so ask casually.

Sınavdan kaç aldın?
  • A B plus. You?
  • I'd rather not say.

Exams and grades

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

What will the exam cover?

B1
Sınav hangi konuları kapsayacak?
  • Chapters one to six.
  • Everything since the midterm.

Is the exam open-book?

B1
Sınav açık kitap mı?
  • No, it's closed-book.
  • Yes, you can bring your notes.

I'm so nervous about the final.

A2
Final sınavı yüzünden çok gerginim.
  • You'll be fine. You've studied a lot.
  • Me too!

I think I did well.

A2
Bence iyi geçti.
  • That's great!
  • Me too, I hope.

I failed the midterm.

A2

UK students often say "mid-term exam" or just "the exam".

Ara sınavdan kaldım.
  • Oh no. Can you retake it?
  • Talk to the professor. Maybe there's extra credit.

Can I ask about my grade?

B1

UK: "mark". Ask calmly and ask what you can improve.

Notumla ilgili bir şey sorabilir miyim?
  • Of course. Which part?
  • Let's look at your paper together.

Campus life

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

What's your major?

A2

UK: "What are you studying?" or "What's your course?"

Bölümün ne?
  • Computer science.
  • I haven't decided yet.

What year are you in?

A2

US students say freshman, sophomore, junior and senior.

Kaçıncı sınıftasın?
  • I'm a sophomore.
  • I'm in my second year.

Where's the library?

A1
Kütüphane nerede?
  • It's the big building next to the cafeteria.
  • Across from the main entrance.

How do I sign up for this course?

B1

US: "register for a class". UK: "enrol on a module".

Bu derse nasıl kaydolurum?
  • Through the student portal.
  • Ask the registrar's office.

Are you joining any clubs?

A2
Herhangi bir kulübe katılacak mısın?
  • Yeah, the hiking club.
  • Maybe. Is there a club fair this week?

Sample dialogues

Asking for an extension

Student
Hi, Professor Miller. Do you have a minute?
Merhaba, Profesör Miller. Bir dakikanız var mı?
Professor
Sure, come in. What can I do for you?
Tabii, gel. Senin için ne yapabilirim?
Student
I've been sick this week, and I'm behind on my essay.
Bu hafta hastaydım ve kompozisyonumda geride kaldım.
Student
Would it be possible to get an extension?
Ek süre almam mümkün olur mu?
Professor
I'm sorry to hear that. How much extra time do you need?
Buna üzüldüm. Ne kadar ek süreye ihtiyacın var?
Student
Could I hand it in next Wednesday?
Gelecek çarşamba teslim edebilir miyim?
Professor
That's fine. Just send me an email so I have it in writing.
Olur. Yazılı olması için bana sadece bir e-posta gönder.
Student
I will. Thank you so much.
Göndereceğim. Çok teşekkür ederim.

Planning a group project

Lena
So, we have three weeks for this project. Let's split up the work.
Bu proje için üç haftamız var. İşi aramızda bölüşelim.
Kerem
Good idea. I can do the research.
İyi fikir. Ben araştırmayı yapabilirim.
Sam
I'll write the introduction. Lena, can you take the conclusion?
Ben girişi yazarım. Lena, sonuç bölümünü sen alabilir misin?
Lena
Sure. Who's making the slides?
Tabii. Slaytları kim hazırlıyor?
Kerem
I can do that too, if you send me your parts by Friday.
Bölümlerinizi cumaya kadar gönderirseniz onu da ben yapabilirim.
Sam
Deal. Should we meet in the library on Monday?
Anlaştık. Pazartesi kütüphanede buluşalım mı?
Lena
Works for me. Let's say four o'clock.
Bana uyar. Saat dört diyelim.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

I will give an exam tomorrow.

I'm taking an exam tomorrow.

Turkish "sınava girmek" is "take an exam" (UK also "sit an exam"). "Give an exam" is what the teacher does.

Hocam, can I ask something?

Professor Miller, can I ask something?

"Hocam" has no direct English match. Use the title and surname, or the first name if the teacher asks you to.

I passed the class with 85 points.

I passed the class with an 85.

English talks about a grade or a score, not "points". In the UK you might say "I got 85 percent".

Our homeworks are very difficult.

Our homework is very difficult.

"Homework" is uncountable. Say "homework" or "assignments", never "homeworks".

I'm reading at Boğaziçi University.

I study at Boğaziçi University.

Turkish "okumak" means both read and study. In English you "study at" or "go to" a university.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. "Sınava girmek" in English is...

  2. 2. You need more time for an essay. You ask...

  3. 3. Set times when a professor meets students are called...

  4. 4. Which sentence is correct?

  5. 5. A US student in their second year is a...

  6. 6. "I'm pulling an all-nighter" means...

  7. 7. In British English, a grade is often called a...

  8. 8. Complete: "I study ___ Ankara University."

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. take an exam
  2. Would it be possible to get an extension?
  3. office hours
  4. I have a lot of homework.
  5. sophomore
  6. I'm studying all night.
  7. mark
  8. at

See what the B1 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

How should I address my teacher or professor in English?+

Use a title and surname, like "Professor Miller" or "Dr. Miller". Many teachers in the US and UK will tell you to use their first name. If they do, it is fine to follow that.

What is the difference between a major and a minor?+

In the US, your major is your main subject and a minor is a smaller second subject. UK universities usually talk about your "degree" or "course" instead.

Is it rude to ask questions in class?+

No. In English-speaking classrooms questions are welcome and show you are engaged. Start with "Sorry, could you explain..." or "I have a question about...".

What is the difference between college and university?+

In the US, people use "college" for almost any university degree. In the UK, a college is often a place for students aged 16 to 18 or for vocational courses, and "university" is used for degrees.

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