Getting help when a washing machine won't start | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a shared laundry area, two adults check why a washing machine will not start and fix it by closing the door properly..

EN → KO / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Getting help when a washing machine won't start to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

이 세탁기가 작동하지 않아요.

ee seh-TAHK-kkee-ga jak-TTONG-ha-jee ah-NAH-yoh. This washing machine won't start.
B

플러그와 전원 버튼을 확인해 봤어요?

PULL-luh-goo-wa juhn-WON BUH-tuhn-ool hwa-GIN-hae BWAHSS-uh-yoh? Did you check the plug and the power button?
A

플러그는 꽂혀 있지만 아무 반응이 없어요.

PULL-luh-goo-neun kko-chyuh it-JJI-man ah-moo bah-NEUNG-ee up-SUH-yoh. The plug is in, but nothing happens.
B

문이 제대로 닫히지 않았을지도 몰라요.

MOO-nee jeh-DAE-ro DAHL-chee-jee ah-NAH-sseul-jee-doh moh-LLAH-yoh. Maybe the door isn't closed properly.
A

설명서에는 시작하기 전에 딸깍 소리가 나야 한다고 쓰여 있어요.

suhl-MYUNG-suh-eh-neun shee-JAH-kah-gee juhn-eh TTAL-kkahk soh-REE-ga nah-YAH han-DAH-goh sseu-YUH ee-SUH-yoh. The instructions say it should click before it starts.
B

문을 한 번 더 밀고 시작 버튼을 누르세요.

MOO-neul hahn-BBUN duh MEEL-kko shee-JAHK BUH-tuhn-ool noo-reu-SEH-yoh. Push the door once more, then press start.
A

문에서 딸깍 소리가 났고, 이제 작동해요.

MOO-neh-suh TTAL-kkahk soh-REE-ga naht-KKOH, ee-JEH jak-TTONG-hae-yoh. The door clicked, and now it works.
B

가끔 간단히 확인하는 것만으로 문제가 해결돼요.

gah-KKEUM gan-DAN-hee hwa-GIN-ha-neun geon-ma-neu-ro moon-JEH-ga hae-gyul-DWAE-yoh. Sometimes simple checks solve the problem.

Word by Word

이 “이” points to the washing machine being referred to as “this” one. Use it before a nearby noun when identifying a specific object, as in “이 세탁기” for “this washing machine.”
세탁기가 “세탁기가” identifies the washing machine as the subject that is not operating. “세탁기” is used for a washing machine, and “세탁기가 작동하지 않아요” is a useful pattern for saying that it does not work.
작동하지 “작동하지” means “operate” in the negative expression “작동하지 않아요,” describing the machine as not working. Use “작동하지 않아요” when a machine or device fails to operate.
않아요 “않아요” makes the preceding action or state negative, so “작동하지 않아요” means that the machine does not operate. This polite ending is useful for calmly describing a problem, such as a device that is not working.
플러그와 “플러그와” means “the plug and” and links the plug to the next item, “전원 버튼.” Use “와” to join nouns when listing things to check, as in “플러그와 전원 버튼.”
전원 “전원” refers to electrical power in “전원 버튼,” the power button. It commonly appears before a device-related noun, such as a power button or power supply.
버튼을 “버튼을” means “the button” as the object being checked. In “전원 버튼을 확인해 봤어요,” the button is the thing the speaker checked; use this object-marked form before an action directed at a button.
확인해 “확인해” means “check” in the expression “확인해 봤어요,” asking whether someone checked something. Use it before “보다” in a pattern such as “확인해 봤어요?” when asking whether someone has tried checking an item.
봤어요 “봤어요” completes “확인해 봤어요,” showing that the speaker tried or carried out the checking. This pattern is useful when asking whether someone has tried an action, such as checking a plug or button.
플러그는 “플러그는” makes the plug the topic of the statement, contrasting its condition with the lack of a response. In “플러그는 꽂혀 있지만,” it introduces the fact that the plug is connected before another problem is mentioned.
꽂혀 “꽂혀” means “be plugged in” in “플러그는 꽂혀 있지만.” Use this form to describe a plug as already inserted into an outlet, especially before adding a contrast with “지만.”
있지만 “있지만” links the fact that the plug is in place to the contrasting statement that nothing responds. In this dialogue, “꽂혀 있지만” means “although it is plugged in”; use “지만” to connect a condition with an unexpected result.
아무 “아무” means “any” or, with the negative “없어요,” “any at all” in “아무 반응이 없어요.” This pattern is useful for saying that there is no response or result whatsoever.
반응이 “반응이” means “response” as the subject of the statement “아무 반응이 없어요.” Use “반응이 없다” when a machine, screen, or other object gives no reaction.
없어요 “없어요” says that something is absent or does not exist, so “아무 반응이 없어요” means that there is no response. Use it after a noun when reporting that a result, reaction, or other expected thing is missing.
문이 “문이” identifies the door as the subject of the possible problem. In “문이 제대로 닫히지 않았을지도 몰라요,” the door is the thing that may not have closed correctly.
제대로 “제대로” means “properly” or “correctly” and describes how the door was or was not closed. Use it before an action or state when checking whether something was done as intended, as in “제대로 닫히다.”
닫히지 “닫히지” means “not be closed” in the expression “제대로 닫히지 않았을지도 몰라요.” Use it when the door or another object has not reached a closed state, especially when explaining why a machine may not start.
않았을지도 “않았을지도” contributes the possibility that the door was not properly closed in “닫히지 않았을지도 몰라요.” Use this form when suggesting a possible earlier problem without stating that it definitely happened.
몰라요 “몰라요” means “I do not know” and completes “않았을지도 몰라요,” making the statement a cautious possibility. Use this polite expression when you are unsure about the cause of a problem.
설명서에는 “설명서에는” means “in the instructions” and presents the manual as the source of the information. Use it before information found in a manual, guide, or instruction sheet.
시작하기 “시작하기” means “starting” in “시작하기 전에,” referring to the action that happens after the click. Use this form before “전에” when describing what must happen before starting a machine or activity.
전에 “전에” means “before” and places the click before the machine starts in “시작하기 전에.” Use it after an action or event to mark an earlier point, as in “시작하기 전에” for “before starting.”
딸깍 “딸깍” represents a small click sound in “딸깍 소리가 나야 한다고.” It can be used before “소리” to describe the sound made by a switch, latch, button, or door.
소리가 “소리가” means “a sound” as the subject of “딸깍 소리가 나야 한다고.” Use “소리가 나다” when saying that a sound is made or heard, such as a click from a door.
나야 “나야” expresses that the click sound should occur in “딸깍 소리가 나야 한다고.” Use it in a pattern like “소리가 나야 해요” when explaining that a particular sound must be made for something to work correctly.
한다고 “한다고” connects the requirement “딸깍 소리가 나야 한다” to what the instructions say in “쓰여 있어요.” It is useful for reporting the content of a statement or instruction after describing what someone or something says.
쓰여 “쓰여” means “be written” in “쓰여 있어요,” describing information recorded in the instructions. Use “쓰여 있어요” when pointing out that a direction or fact is written in a manual or notice.
있어요 “있어요” shows that the written information exists or remains in the instructions in “쓰여 있어요.” This polite form is useful for describing something that is present in a document or located somewhere.
문을 “문을” identifies the door as the object to push in “문을 한 번 더 밀고.” Use this object-marked form before an action performed directly on a door, button, or other object.
한 “한” means “one” in the quantity expression “한 번,” referring to one time. Use it before “번” when counting an action or occurrence.
번 “번” counts a time or occasion, and “한 번 더” means “one more time.” Use it after a number when telling someone how many times to repeat an action.
더 “더” means “more” in “한 번 더,” asking for one additional push. Use it after a quantity or action when requesting an extra repetition, such as doing something one more time.
밀고 “밀고” means “push and then,” linking the push of the door to the next instruction to press start. Use “고” to connect sequential actions, as in “문을 밀고 버튼을 누르세요.”
시작 “시작” means “start” as the label in “시작 버튼,” the button used to begin the machine’s operation. It is commonly placed before “버튼” when identifying a start button.
누르세요 “누르세요” politely tells someone to press something, here in “시작 버튼을 누르세요.” Use it for a polite instruction involving a button, switch, or other control.
문에서 “문에서” means “from the door” and marks the door as the source of the click in “문에서 딸깍 소리가 났고.” Use “에서” after a place or object when identifying where a sound or action comes from.
났고 “났고” says that a sound occurred and connects that event to the next result in “딸깍 소리가 났고, 이제 작동해요.” Use it to link a completed event, such as a sound being made, with another statement.
이제 “이제” means “now” and marks the changed situation after the door clicked. Use it when reporting a current result that follows a problem or an action.
작동해요 “작동해요” means “works” or “operates,” describing the washing machine’s current state. Use it for machines and devices that are functioning, as in “이제 작동해요.”
가끔 “가끔” means “sometimes” and says that the following result happens on some occasions. Use it at the beginning of a sentence when describing an occasional experience or solution.
간단히 “간단히” means “simply” or “in a simple way” and describes the checking in “간단히 확인하는 것만으로.” Use it before an action when emphasizing that the action is uncomplicated.
확인하는 “확인하는” means “checking” and describes the action referred to by “것” in “확인하는 것만으로.” Use this form before “것” when turning an action such as checking into the thing being discussed.
것만으로 “것만으로” means “just by doing that” in “확인하는 것만으로,” referring to checking alone as the sufficient means. Use it after an action expressed with “것” when saying that one action by itself produces a result.
문제가 “문제가” identifies the problem as the subject that is resolved in “문제가 해결돼요.” Use it when talking about a problem that changes, continues, or gets solved.
해결돼요 “해결돼요” means “gets solved” or “is resolved,” describing the problem’s result after a simple check. Use “문제가 해결돼요” to say that a problem is resolved, especially after an action or fix.

Grammar Points

V-(으)ㄹ지도 몰라요

문이 닫히지 않았을지도 몰라요.

MOO-nee DAHL-chee-jee ah-NAH-sseul-jee-doh moh-LLAH-yoh.

The door might not be closed.

This expresses uncertainty or possibility. After a verb stem, use -(으)ㄹ지도 몰라요.

V-기 전에

시작하기 전에 설명서를 확인하세요.

shee-JAH-kah-gee juhn-eh suh-MYUNG-suh-reul hwa-GIN-ha-SEH-yoh.

Check the instructions before starting.

Attach -기 전에 to a verb to mean “before doing something.”

Korean Vocabulary

꽂히다 verb
kko-CHEE-da to be plugged in 꽂혀 있지만
닫히다 verb
DAHL-chee-da to be closed 닫히지 않았을지도 몰라요
문 noun
moon door 문이
반응 noun
bah-NEUNG response; reaction 반응이
설명서 noun
suhl-MYUNG-suh instructions; manual 설명서에는
세탁기 noun
seh-TAHK-kkee washing machine 세탁기가
시작하다 verb
shee-JAH-kah-da to start 시작하기 전에
작동하다 verb
jak-TTONG-ha-da to work; to operate 작동하지 않아요
전원 버튼 phrase
juhn-WON BUH-tuhn power button 전원 버튼을
제대로 adv
jeh-DAE-ro properly
플러그 noun
PULL-luh-goo plug 플러그는
확인하다 verb
hwa-GIN-ha-da to check 확인해 봤어요

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

This washing machine won't start.

Show Answer이 세탁기가 작동하지 않아요.

Did you check the plug and the power button?

Show Answer플러그와 전원 버튼을 확인해 봤어요?

The plug is in, but nothing happens.

Show Answer플러그는 꽂혀 있지만 아무 반응이 없어요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

plug

Show Answer플러그는

washing machine

Show Answer세탁기가

instructions; manual

Show Answer설명서에는

response; reaction

Show Answer반응이