sueop junge jipjungharyeogo noryeokhaeyo.

I try to focus during class.

Breakdown of sueop junge jipjungharyeogo noryeokhaeyo.

• 수업: class
• 중에: during
• 집중하다: to focus
• ~려고: in order to

Questions & Answers about sueop junge jipjungharyeogo noryeokhaeyo.

What does the piece 중에 mean here, and how is it different from 동안 or 때?

• 중에 here means “during” (literally “in the middle of”). So 수업 중에 = “during class.”
• 동안 emphasizes the length of time. With events like “class,” it’s more natural to say 수업하는 동안 or 수업 시간 동안, rather than bare 수업 동안.
• 때 means “at the time (when).” 수업 때 is casual and common in speech.
  Summary:
• 수업 중에 = during class (activity in progress)
• 수업(을) 하는 동안 / 수업 시간 동안 = for the duration of class
• 수업 때 = when it’s class (colloquial “in class”)

Can I say 수업에서 instead of 수업 중에?

• 수업에서 is usually “in class (at class) [place/context]” and often introduces what happened in class: 수업에서 시험을 봤어요 (We took a test in class).
• 수업 중에 focuses on the time period during which something occurs.
  In your sentence, 수업 중에 is the best fit because you’re talking about what you do during that time block (you try to concentrate).

Is 수업 중 without 에 okay? When do I use 중 vs 중에?