Korean Dictionary
How to say "Transfer Student" in Korean
“Transfer Student” in Korean is 전학생 (pronounced "jeonhaksaeng").
전학생
jeonhaksaeng
Usage & Context
A transfer student is someone who moves to a new school during the school year. Transfer students must adjust to a new environment and make new friends. They often bring fresh perspectives to their new school community.
Example Sentence
새로운 전학생이 우리 반에 들어왔어요.
A new transfer student joined our class.
How to use 전학생 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Transfer Student” is 전학생, romanized as jeonhaksaeng.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 전학생.
Pronunciation Guide
For 전학생 (jeonhaksaeng), 'jeon' sounds like 'john,' 'hak' like 'hock,' and 'saeng' rhymes with 'sang' in 'sang-froid.' The 'n' in 'jeon' naturally connects to 'hak,' and 'hak' to 'saeng.' Say it as 'Jon-hock-sang.'
More Example Sentences
Announcing a new student in class.
우리 반에 새로운 전학생이 왔어.
A new transfer student came to our class.
A former transfer student reflecting on their experience.
전학생이라서 처음엔 좀 어색했는데, 지금은 친해졌어요.
Since I was a transfer student, it was a bit awkward at first, but now I've become close with everyone.
Suggesting a way to welcome a new student.
전학생을 위해 환영 파티를 열어주는 건 어때?
How about throwing a welcome party for the transfer student?
Cultural Context
'전학생' is a common trope in K-dramas and webtoons, often serving as a catalyst for new friendships, rivalries, or romantic interests. The arrival of a '전학생' can significantly shake up the existing social dynamics of a classroom. Korean students often move schools due to family relocations or sometimes for academic reasons, so the experience of being or having a '전학생' is quite relatable. Welcoming a new '전학생' is usually done by introducing them to the class and helping them adjust.
Editorial note
We review entries like 전학생 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
전학생 왔대!
They say a transfer student came!
전학생이랑 친해지고 싶어.
I want to become friends with the transfer student.
나도 예전에 전학생이었어.
I was a transfer student before too.
Related Expressions
신입생
sinipsaeng
New student (freshman)
재학생
jaehaksaeng
Enrolled student (current student)
졸업생
joropsaeng
Graduate
유학생
yuhaksaeng
International student (studying abroad)
More School Life Words
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