Waiting for Your Turn | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a public waiting area, two adults talk about staying nearby, watching the screen, and keeping a ticket ready for their turn..

EN → KO / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Waiting for Your Turn to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

아직 제 차례를 기다리고 있어요.

ah-JIK jeh CHA-ryeh-reul gee-da-REE-goh ee-SSEO-yoh I am still waiting for my turn.
B

오늘은 사람마다 부르는 데 시간이 오래 걸려요.

oh-NEU-reun sa-RAHM-ma-da boo-REU-neun deh SHI-ga-nee oh-REH geol-LYUH-yoh They are taking a long time to call each person today.
A

그럼 저는 근처에 있어야겠어요.

geu-REOM juh-NEUN geun-CHEH-eh ee-SSEO-yah-get-SSEO-yoh So I should stay nearby.
B

곧 부를 수도 있어요.

GOHT PPOO-reul SSOO-doh ee-SSEO-yoh They may call you soon.
A

어느 창구를 보고 있어야 해요?

uh-NEU CHAHNG-goo-reul BOH-goh ee-SSEO-yah HEH-yoh Which counter should I watch?
B

화면에 맞는 창구가 나올 거예요.

HWAH-myuh-neh MAHN-neun CHAHNG-goo-ga nah-OHL guh-YEH-yoh The screen will show the right counter.
A

그럼 번호표를 손에 들고 있을게요.

geu-REOM buhn-HOH-pyoh-reul SOH-neh DEUL-goh ee-SSEUL-geh-yoh Then I'll keep the ticket in my hand.
B

그렇게 하면 차례가 왔을 때 더 편해요.

geu-ruh-KEH ha-MYUN CHA-ryeh-ga wah-SSEUL tteh DUH PYUN-heh-yoh That makes it easier when your turn comes.

Word by Word

아직 “아직” means “still” or “yet” in “아직 제 차례를 기다리고 있어요,” showing that the waiting has not finished. Use it when a situation is continuing or has not changed yet.
제 “제” means “my” here and is the polite possessive form related to “저.” In “제 차례,” it identifies whose turn it is. Use it directly before a noun to refer politely to something belonging to the speaker.
차례 “차례” means a person’s turn in “제 차례,” referring to the opportunity to be called or served. Use it when talking about turns in a queue or an ordered activity.
를 “를” marks “차례” as the object of the action in “차례를 기다리고 있어요.” It is used after this noun because the speaker is waiting for the turn. Use it as an object-marking particle after a vowel-ending noun.
기다리고 “기다리고” comes from “기다리다” and means “waiting” here. In “기다리고 있어요,” it combines with “있어요” to describe an action that is continuing. Use this connecting form before “있어요” for an ongoing action.
있어요 “있어요” is the polite form of “있다.” After “기다리고,” it helps express that the waiting is still in progress in “기다리고 있어요.” Use it after an action form ending in “-고” when describing an ongoing action.
오늘 “오늘” means “today” and sets the time in “오늘은 사람마다 부르는 데 시간이 오래 걸려요.” It tells the listener that this situation applies to the current day. Use it to specify when an event or situation happens.
은 “은” marks “오늘” as the topic in “오늘은,” making today the time being discussed. It is attached to the time expression before the rest of the sentence. Use it after a consonant-ending noun or expression when setting a topic.
사람 “사람” means “person” in “사람마다,” referring to each person being called. Use it before “마다” when describing something that applies individually to people.
마다 “마다” means “each” or “every” when attached to “사람” in “사람마다.” It distributes the action across the people one by one. Use it after a noun when the same situation applies to every member of a group.
부르는 “부르는” comes from “부르다” and means “calling” here. In “부르는 데,” it describes the calling process that takes a long time. Use this form before “데” to refer to the action or process of calling.
데 “데” in “부르는 데 시간이 오래 걸려요” refers to the process of calling people and provides the setting for saying that it takes time. It follows the action described by “부르는.” Use this construction when explaining how much time or effort an activity requires.
시간 “시간” means “time” in “시간이 오래 걸려요,” the thing that takes a long time. It is the subject of the expression about duration. Use it when describing how long an activity requires.
이 “이” marks “시간” as the subject in “시간이 오래 걸려요.” It shows that the time required is what is being described. Use it after a consonant-ending noun when marking the subject.
오래 “오래” means “for a long time” in “오래 걸려요,” emphasizing the length of the wait or process. It modifies the expression about time being required. Use it with an action or process that continues for a long duration.
걸려요 “걸려요” comes from “걸리다” and means “takes” in the time expression “시간이 오래 걸려요.” Here it describes the amount of time needed to call each person. Use it when saying that an activity requires a certain amount of time.
그럼 “그럼” means “then” or “in that case” and introduces the speaker’s next conclusion in “그럼 저는 근처에 있어야겠어요.” It connects the previous information with a decision or response. Use it when drawing a practical conclusion from what someone has just said.
저 “저” means “I” or “me” in “저는,” referring politely to the speaker. It is followed by a topic marker before the speaker explains what they should do. Use it when referring to yourself politely.
는 “는” marks “저” as the topic in “저는,” so the following statement describes the speaker’s action or situation. Use it after “저” when introducing what you will or should do.
근처 “근처” means “the nearby area” in “근처에 있어야겠어요.” It identifies the place where the speaker should remain while waiting. Use it with a location marker when referring to an area near a place or person.
에 “에” marks “근처” as the location in “근처에 있어야겠어요.” It shows where the speaker should be. Use it after a place expression with “있다” when indicating a location.
있어야겠어요 “있어야겠어요” means “I should stay” or “I suppose I should be” in “근처에 있어야겠어요.” The form expresses the speaker’s conclusion about what is necessary in this situation. Use it when deciding that you need to remain in a particular place or state.
곧 “곧” means “soon” in “곧 부를 수도 있어요,” referring to the near future. It tells the listener that the call may happen shortly. Use it before an expected event that is not far away.
부를 “부를” comes from “부르다” and is the form used before “수” in “부를 수도 있어요.” Together with the rest of that expression, it means that they may call the listener. Use this form before a possibility expression when referring to a possible calling action.
수 “수” means “possibility” in the construction “부를 수도 있어요.” It is not the whole meaning by itself; with the surrounding form, it helps express that the call might happen. Use it as part of a construction describing whether an action is possible or may occur.
도 “도” is part of the possibility expression “부를 수도 있어요,” which means “may call” in this dialogue. Here it helps present the calling as one possible outcome rather than simply adding “also.” Use it inside a possibility construction after the verb form.
어느 “어느” means “which” in “어느 창구,” asking the listener to select one counter from the available options. Use it directly before a noun when asking which specific one is meant.
창구 “창구” means a service counter or service window in “어느 창구” and “맞는 창구.” Here it refers to the counter connected with the person’s turn. Use it when talking about a place where public or administrative service is provided.
보고 “보고” comes from “보다” and means “watching” or “looking at” in “보고 있어야 해요.” It connects the act of watching with “있어야 해요,” expressing that the person needs to keep watching. Use this form with “있다” for an ongoing viewing action.
있어야 “있어야” comes from “있다” and means “need to be” or “need to remain” in “보고 있어야 해요.” With “보고,” it describes the state that must be maintained: watching the counter or screen. Use it before “해요” to express a required state or action.
해요 “해요” is the polite form of “하다,” but in “있어야 해요” it completes the expression meaning “need to” or “must.” It makes the need to keep watching polite and conversational. Use it after “-어야” when stating what is necessary.
화면 “화면” means “screen” in “화면에 맞는 창구가 나올 거예요.” It is the display where the appropriate counter will appear. Use it when referring to information shown on a screen.
맞는 “맞는” comes from “맞다” and means “right” or “appropriate” in “맞는 창구.” It describes the counter that corresponds to the learner’s turn. Use this form before a noun when identifying something as the correct or suitable one.
가 “가” marks “창구” as the subject in “맞는 창구가 나올 거예요.” It identifies the counter that will appear on the screen. Use it after a vowel-ending noun when marking the subject.
나올 “나올” comes from “나오다” and means “will appear” or “will come out” in “나올 거예요.” Here it describes the appropriate counter appearing on the screen. Use this form before “거예요” to describe an expected future appearance or event.
거예요 “거예요” in “나올 거예요” expresses an expected future event: the right counter will appear. It gives the statement a polite, conversational tone. Use it after a verb form such as “나올” when saying what is expected to happen.
번호표 “번호표” means “number ticket” in “번호표를 손에 들고 있을게요.” It is the ticket that identifies the person’s place or turn in the waiting area. Use it when referring to a numbered ticket used in a queue.
손 “손” means “hand” in “손에 들고 있을게요.” It identifies where the speaker will keep the number ticket. Use it with a location marker when describing an item being held in the hand.
들고 “들고” comes from “들다” and means “holding” in “들고 있을게요.” Together with “있을게요,” it expresses keeping the ticket in hand. Use this connecting form before “있다” when maintaining the action or state of holding something.
있을게요 “있을게요” comes from “있다” and expresses the speaker’s intention or promise to remain in that state. In “들고 있을게요,” it means “I’ll keep holding it.” Use it when politely telling someone what you will do or keep doing in the situation.
그렇게 “그렇게” means “that way” or “like that” in “그렇게 하면,” referring to the action of keeping the ticket in hand. It points back to the manner just described. Use it to refer to carrying out an action in the previously mentioned way.
하면 “하면” comes from “하다” and means “if you do that” or “when you do that” in “그렇게 하면.” It introduces the condition that leads to the result in the rest of the sentence. Use it to connect an action with its consequence.
왔을 “왔을” comes from “오다” and is the form used before “때” in “차례가 왔을 때.” In this dialogue, the phrase means “when your turn comes.” Use this form before “때” to refer to the time when an event arrives or happens.
때 “때” means “when” or “the time” in “차례가 왔을 때.” It links the arrival of the turn with the situation that is easier. Use it after a clause to specify when something happens.
더 “더” means “more” in “더 편해요,” increasing the degree of convenience or ease. It shows that keeping the ticket ready makes the situation easier than otherwise. Use it directly before an adjective when comparing or increasing its degree.
편해요 “편해요” comes from “편하다” and means “is easier” or “is more convenient” in “더 편해요.” Here it describes the improved situation when the person’s turn arrives. Use it to say that an arrangement or situation is comfortable, convenient, or easy.

Grammar Points

-고 있어요

아직 제 차례를 기다리고 있어요.

ah-JIK jeh CHA-ryeh-reul gee-da-REE-goh ee-SSEO-yoh

I am still waiting for my turn.

The pattern -고 있어요 expresses an action that is currently in progress.

-(으)ㄹ 거예요

곧 맞는 번호가 나올 거예요.

GOHN MAHN-neun buhn-HOH-ga nah-OHL guh-YEH-yoh

The correct number will appear soon.

The pattern -(으)ㄹ 거예요 expresses a future expectation or prediction.

Korean Vocabulary

걸리다 verb
guh-LEE-da to take time 걸려요
곧 adv
GOHT soon
근처 noun
geun-CHUH nearby 근처에
기다리다 verb
gee-da-REE-da to wait 기다리고 있어요
부르다 verb
boo-REU-da to call 부르는
사람마다 phrase
sa-RAHM-ma-da each person
시간 noun
SHI-gan time
아직 adv
ah-JIK still, yet
어느 det
uh-NEU which
오래 adv
oh-REH for a long time
제 pron
jeh my (humble form)
차례 noun
CHA-ryeh turn

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I am still waiting for my turn.

Show Answer아직 제 차례를 기다리고 있어요.

So I should stay nearby.

Show Answer그럼 저는 근처에 있어야겠어요.

They may call you soon.

Show Answer곧 부를 수도 있어요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

each person

Show Answer사람마다

nearby

Show Answer근처에

still, yet

Show Answer아직

for a long time

Show Answer오래