Learn Hardcore Korean: sueop jeone kkok yeseuphae, geuraedo sigani eobseumyeon jemokgwa naeyongeul memojange jeogeo. - Make sure to preview before class; still, if you don’t have time, write the title and content in the notepad.

꼭 means “for sure,” “definitely,” or “by all means,” adding firm emphasis to the instruction. It’s stronger than just telling someone to do something; it urges that the action not be skipped. Close alternatives:

반드시: stronger, more formal “without fail.”
기필코: very strong/literary.

Using 꼭 can feel pushy if the relationship is equal; adding softeners (see below) can balance it.

What speech level is 예습해 and what are polite alternatives?

예습해 is the informal casual imperative (friendly or between close peers). Alternatives by politeness:

Polite: 예습해요.
Polite honorific/request: 예습하세요.
Softer request: 예습해 주세요 / 예습 좀 해.
Stronger command: 예습해라 (plain imperative; can sound brusque).

How does 그래도 work with the conditional 시간이 없으면? Isn’t that odd?

It’s natural. 그래도 = “even so / nevertheless,” and here it points back to the first command as the baseline. The structure implies:

“Make sure to preview. Even so, if you still don’t have time, then do X.” There’s an ellipsis after 그래도: it means “Even then (even after trying to preview), if you don’t have time…” A more explicit version: 그래도 (예습할) 시간이 없으면…

Could I use 하지만 instead of 그래도 here?

You could, but the nuance shifts:

그래도: concessive “even then (despite that).”
하지만: simple contrast “but/however.” In this sentence, 그래도 better captures “if, despite that, you still can’t…” 하지만 is not wrong but slightly less “concessive.” You could also say:
그렇더라도 시간이 없으면… (more formal “even then”)
Conversational: 그래도 시간 없으면… (particle drop)

Why is there no subject like 너는? Who is being addressed?

In Korean imperatives, the subject “you” is usually omitted and understood from context. 예습해, 적어 are commands directed at the listener. Adding 너는 would sound pointed/contrastive and is often unnecessary.

What’s the difference between 수업 전에, 수업 전, and 수업하기 전에?

수업 전에: “before class” (N + 전에 after a time/event noun). Very common.
수업 전: “pre-class” as a noun phrase/attributive (“수업 전 준비”). As a standalone time expression, it’s fine in casual contexts.
수업하기 전에: verb-based “before doing class/holding class.” Slightly more explicit/natural when the base is a verb.

Why does only the last item take 을 in 제목과 내용을?

In coordinated noun phrases, Korean typically attaches the case particle to the final noun, and it governs the whole phrase:

제목과 내용(을) = “the title and the content (as the object).” You can also attach particles to both for emphasis or clarity, but it’s unnecessary here.

Why 적어 and not 써 for “write”?

Both mean “to write,” but:

적다: “to jot down, record (notes, points).” Suits quick/brief writing like reminders.
쓰다: general “to write (letters, essays, text),” also “to use/wear.” For notes in a memo pad, 적다 is the natural choice. Alternatives:
기록해 (record; a bit formal)
메모해 (make a memo; focus on the act of memoing)

What exactly is 메모장? Paper pad or phone app?

메모장 can mean:

A physical memo pad/notepad.
A notes app on a phone/computer (including Windows Notepad). Other options:
메모 (a memo/note)
수첩 (small pocket planner)
노트/공책 (notebook for class notes)

Why is it 메모장에 적어 with 에? Could it be 에다(가)?

에 marks the target place you write in: “write in the notepad.”
에다(가) also works: 메모장에다 적어. It adds a slight sense of “onto/into that target (as opposed to elsewhere)” and can sound a bit more colloquial/emphatic. Don’t use 으로 here; that would mean “by means of” rather than “into/on.”

Can I change the word order, like 메모장에 제목과 내용을 적어?

Yes. Common variants:

제목과 내용을 메모장에 적어. (default: object then location)
메모장에 제목과 내용을 적어. (location focus first) Using 은/는 can add contrastive focus:
그래도 시간이 없으면 제목과 내용은 메모장에 적어. (“At least the title and content, write them in the pad.”)

Any pronunciation tips (linking/tensification)?

수업 전에: often [수업쩌네] (post-obstruent tensification makes ㅈ sound tense).
없으면: [업쓰면] (ㅅ assimilation → “업쓰-”).
제목과: commonly [제목꽈] (ㄱ before ㄱ tensifies). These are natural phonetic processes in fast speech; you don’t change spelling.

Is the comma after 예습해 normal? Could it be a period?

In casual writing, a comma is fine to connect closely related instructions. In more standard/formal writing, use a period:

수업 전에 꼭 예습해. 그래도 시간이 없으면…

How can I make the sentence softer or stronger?

Softer/polite:
- 수업 전에 꼭 예습해주세요. 그래도 시간이 없으면 제목과 내용을 메모장에 적어주세요.
- Add 좀: 꼭 예습 좀 해.
Stronger/goal-oriented:
- 꼭 예습해. 그래도 시간이 없으면 제목과 내용을 메모장에 적어 둬. (-어 두다 = do it and keep it for later)
- Very firm/plain: 예습해라… 적어라. (can sound commanding)