Speaking Quietly in the Library | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a library, one person politely asks another to lower their voice so people nearby can study..

EN → KO / Level: A1

About This Lesson

Use Speaking Quietly in the Library to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

여기서 조금만 더 조용히 말해 주실래요?

yuh-GEE-suh joh-guhm-MAN duh joh-yong-HEE mal-hae joo-shil-LAE-yo? Could you speak a little more quietly here?
B

제가 이렇게 크게 말하고 있는 줄 몰랐어요.

jeh-GA ee-ruh-KEH kuh-GEH mal-ha-GO in-nuhn JOOL mohl-LAHT-suh-yo. I didn't realize I was speaking so loudly.
A

옆 테이블에서 사람들이 공부하고 있어요.

yuhp TEH-ee-buhl-eh-suh SAH-ram-duh-ree gong-boo-ha-go ee-SUH-yo. People are studying at the next table.
B

목소리를 낮출게요.

mok-SSOH-ree-rul nat-CHOOL-geh-yo. I will lower my voice.
A

그러면 모두가 더 쉽게 집중할 수 있을 거예요.

guh-ruh-MYUN mo-DOO-ga duh shweep-KKEH jip-JJOONG-hal soo ee-SSEUL guh-YEH-yo. It will make it easier for everyone to focus.
B

제가 더 가까이 앉아서 크게 말하지 않아도 돼요.

jeh-GA duh gah-KKAH-ee AHN-jah-suh kuh-GEH mal-ha-jee AH-na-do DWEH-yo. I can sit closer so we do not have to talk loudly.
A

그러면 다른 사람을 방해하지 않고 계속 일할 수 있어요.

guh-ruh-MYUN DAH-ruhn sah-rah-muhl bahng-hae-ha-jee AHN-koh gyeh-SOHK eel-hal soo ee-SUH-yo. Then we can keep working without bothering anyone.
B

이제부터 조용히 할게요.

ee-jeh-BOO-tuh joh-yong-HEE HAL-geh-yo. I will keep it down from now on.

Word by Word

여기서 “여기서” means “here” as the place where the speaking happens. “서” marks the place where an action takes place. Reuse it after a place when saying where an action is done, such as in a library or at home.
조금만 “조금만” means “just a little” and limits the requested amount. Here, the speaker asks for only a small change in speaking volume. Use it when making a gentle request for a small amount or degree.
더 “더” means “more” and asks for an increase from the current degree. In “조금만 더,” it means to become a little quieter than now. Use it before an adjective or adverb when asking for an additional amount or degree.
조용히 “조용히” means “quietly” and describes how the other person should speak. In this library situation, it gives the requested manner of speaking. Use it before an action verb when asking someone to do something quietly.
말해 “말해” means “speak” or “say” in “말해 주실래요?” It names the action that the speaker is politely asking the listener to do. Reuse it with a request expression when asking someone to speak or say something.
주실래요 “주실래요” makes “말해 주실래요?” a polite request asking whether the listener would do the action as a favor. The action before it is “말해,” so the whole expression asks, “Would you please speak?” Use this pattern when making a considerate request to another person.
제가 “제가” means “I” as the subject of the sentence. Here, the speaker identifies themself as the person who has been speaking loudly and will change the behavior. Use it before an action when clearly saying that you will do something.
이렇게 “이렇게” means “like this” or “in this way.” In “이렇게 크게,” it points to the current way and degree of speaking. Use it when referring to a manner or situation that can be shown or understood from context.
크게 “크게” means “loudly” in “이렇게 크게 말하고 있는.” It describes the volume of the speaking. Use it with “말하다” when talking about speaking at a loud volume.
말하고 “말하고” means “speaking” and connects the speaking action to “있는” in “말하고 있는 줄 몰랐어요.” Together, they describe an action that is in progress. Reuse this connecting form before “있어요” when describing an ongoing action.
있는 “있는” completes the ongoing-action expression “말하고 있는,” meaning that the speaking is currently happening. In this sentence, it is part of what the speaker did not realize. Reuse the same ongoing pattern with another action when describing something happening now.
줄 In “말하고 있는 줄 몰랐어요,” “줄” marks the situation or fact that the speaker did not realize. It helps turn “말하고 있는” into the content of what was not known. Reuse “V-는 줄 알다/모르다” when saying that someone knows or does not know that something is the case.
몰랐어요 “몰랐어요” means “did not know” or “did not realize.” Here, the speaker says they were unaware that they were speaking loudly. Use it when admitting that you were not aware of information or a situation.
옆 “옆” means “next to” or “beside.” In “옆 테이블,” it identifies the table beside the speakers’ location. Use it before a noun when referring to something or someone beside a particular place or object.
테이블에서 “테이블에서” means “at the table” as the place where the studying happens. “에서” marks the location of an action. Use a place followed by “에서” when saying where an activity takes place.
사람들이 “사람들이” means “people” as the subject of the sentence. The people at the next table are the ones studying. Use a noun with “이” or “가” when identifying who is doing an action.
공부하고 “공부하고” means “studying” and connects the action to “있어요” in “공부하고 있어요.” Together, they say that the people are studying now. Reuse this form before “있어요” for an activity that is currently in progress.
있어요 With “공부하고,” “있어요” shows that the studying is ongoing and gives the sentence a polite ending. In this dialogue, it means that people are currently studying. Use it after an action connected with “-고” to describe what is happening now.
목소리를 “목소리를” means “the voice” as the object being lowered. In “목소리를 낮출게요,” the speaker promises to lower their voice. Use it with an action that changes, controls, or describes someone’s voice.
낮출게요 “낮출게요” means “I will lower it,” with the voice understood from “목소리를.” It is the speaker’s commitment to reduce the speaking volume after receiving the request. Reuse this ending when promising that you will carry out an action.
그러면 “그러면” means “then” or “in that case.” It connects the proposed change with the expected result in the following sentence. Use it after a condition, suggestion, or decision when introducing its consequence.
모두가 “모두가” means “everyone” as the subject of the sentence. Here, everyone is the group that will be able to focus more easily. Use it before an action or ability when referring to all the people in the situation.
쉽게 “쉽게” means “easily” and describes how everyone will be able to focus. It indicates that the activity will require less difficulty. Use it before an action when describing something done without much difficulty.
집중할 “집중할” names the action of focusing in “집중할 수 있을 거예요.” The form comes before “수” to express the possibility or ability to focus. Reuse it in the pattern “집중할 수 있어요” when saying that someone can focus.
수 In “집중할 수 있을 거예요,” “수” represents possibility or ability. It links “집중할” to the idea of being able to focus, while the complete meaning comes from the whole construction. Reuse it in the pattern “V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다” when expressing that an action is possible or manageable.
있을 “있을” is the form of “있다” used after “수” in “집중할 수 있을 거예요.” It contributes the idea that the ability or possibility will exist in the expected situation. Use it before “거예요” when making a prediction about what will be possible.
거예요 In “집중할 수 있을 거예요,” “거예요” presents the result as expected: everyone will be able to focus more easily. It gives the sentence a polite prediction about a future or expected outcome. Reuse this ending when describing what you expect to happen.
가까이 “가까이” means “closer” or “nearby” and describes where the speaker will sit. With “더,” “더 가까이 앉아서” means sitting closer than before. Use it with a movement or position verb when describing being near someone or something.
앉아서 “앉아서” means “by sitting” or “sitting and then,” connecting the act of sitting closer with the result that follows. Here, sitting closer makes it unnecessary to speak loudly. Use this form when one action provides the way or reason for another result.
말하지 “말하지” means “speak” or “talk” as the action in “말하지 않아도 돼요.” It is not complete by itself here; it combines with the following words to express that speaking is unnecessary. Reuse it in this construction when saying that someone does not have to talk.
않아도 In “말하지 않아도 돼요,” “않아도” means “even without doing” or “without doing.” Together with “말하지,” it says that speaking is not required. Reuse the pattern “V-지 않아도 돼요” to say that someone does not have to do an action.
돼요 In “말하지 않아도 돼요,” “돼요” means that the situation is acceptable, so there is no need to speak. Its meaning here comes from the full pattern with “않아도.” Use this pattern when reassuring someone that an action is unnecessary.
다른 “다른” means “other” or “different.” In “다른 사람을,” it refers to people besides the speaker and listener. Use it before a noun when distinguishing another person, object, or option from the one already being discussed.
사람을 “사람을” means “a person” or “people” as the object of “방해하지.” It identifies whom the speakers want to avoid disturbing. Use a noun with “을” or “를” when it receives the action of a verb.
방해하지 “방해하지” means “disturb” or “bother” as the action being avoided in “방해하지 않고.” It describes causing difficulty or interruption for other people. Reuse it with “않고” when saying that you do something without disturbing someone.
않고 In “방해하지 않고,” “않고” means “without doing” or “and not doing.” It connects avoiding disturbance with continuing to work. Reuse the pattern “V-지 않고” when describing one action done without performing another.
계속 “계속” means “continuously” or “keep doing.” In “계속 일할 수 있어요,” it shows that the work can continue. Use it before an action when saying that something carries on without stopping.
일할 “일할” names the action of working in “계속 일할 수 있어요.” It appears before “수” to express the possibility of continuing to work. Reuse it in “일할 수 있어요” when saying that someone can work.
이제부터 “이제부터” means “from now on,” marking the point when a new behavior begins. In “이제부터 조용히 할게요,” the speaker promises to be quiet starting now. Use it when announcing a change that will apply from the present onward.
할게요 In “조용히 할게요,” “할게요” means “I will do it” or “I will keep it that way,” with being quiet understood from “조용히.” It expresses the speaker’s commitment in response to the request. Reuse this ending when promising to take a particular action.

Grammar Points

-아/어 주실래요?

여기서 조용히 말해 주실래요?

yuh-GEE-suh joh-yong-HEE mal-hae joo-shil-LAE-yo?

Could you speak quietly here?

This polite pattern asks someone to do something for you. 주다 adds the meaning of doing an action as a favor.

-지 않아도 돼요

말하지 않아도 돼요.

mal-ha-jee AHN-ta-do DWEH-yo.

You don't have to speak.

This pattern means that an action is not necessary or is allowed to remain undone.

Korean Vocabulary

공부하다 verb
GONG-boo-ha-da to study 공부하고 있어요

옆 테이블에서 사람들이 공부하고 있어요.

낮추다 verb
nat-CHOO-da to lower 낮출게요

목소리를 낮출게요.

말하다 verb
mal-HA-da to speak; to talk 말해

여기서 조금만 더 조용히 말해 주실래요?

모두 pron
MOH-doo everyone; all 모두가

그러면 모두가 더 쉽게 집중할 수 있을 거예요.

모르다 verb
MOHL-ruh-da to not know; to not realize 몰랐어요

제가 이렇게 크게 말하고 있는 줄 몰랐어요.

목소리 noun
mok-SSOH-ree voice 목소리를

목소리를 낮출게요.

사람 noun
SAH-ram person; people 사람들이

사람들이 공부하고 있어요.

여기서 adv
yuh-GEE-suh here

여기서 조금만 더 조용히 말해 주실래요?

옆 noun
yuhp next to; beside

옆 테이블에서 사람들이 공부하고 있어요.

조용히 adv
joh-yong-HEE quietly

여기서 조금만 더 조용히 말해 주실래요?

주다 verb
JOO-da to give; used to express doing something for someone 주실래요

말해 주실래요?

크게 adv
kuh-GEH loudly; greatly

제가 이렇게 크게 말하고 있는 줄 몰랐어요.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Could you speak a little more quietly here?

Show Answer여기서 조금만 더 조용히 말해 주실래요?

People are studying at the next table.

Show Answer옆 테이블에서 사람들이 공부하고 있어요.

I will lower my voice.

Show Answer목소리를 낮출게요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

person; people

Show Answer사람들이

to not know; to not realize

Show Answer몰랐어요

to give; used to express doing something for someone

Show Answer주실래요

to lower

Show Answer낮출게요