About This Lesson
Use Choosing a Gift for a Coworker to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
우리 동료에게 줄 선물을 골라야 해요.
oo-REE dong-NYOH-eh-geh jool SUN-moo-rul gohl-LAH-ya HAE-yo. We need to choose a gift for our coworker.
B
유용한 게 좋을까요, 아니면 좀 더 개인적인 게 좋을까요?
yoo-YONG-han geh joh-uhl-KKAH-yo, ah-nee-MYUN johm doh gae-in-JUH-gin geh joh-uhl-KKAH-yo? Should it be useful or more personal?
A
그녀는 차를 좋아하니까 차 세트가 괜찮을 것 같아요.
geu-NYUH-neun CHA-rul joh-ah-ha-nee-KKAH, CHA SEH-teu-ga gwaen-CHAN-eul geot ga-TAH-yo. She likes tea, so a tea set might work.
B
그건 개인적이지만 그래도 유용한 것 같아요.
geu-GUN gae-in-JUH-gi-jih-man geu-RAE-do yoo-YONG-han geot ga-TAH-yo. That feels personal but still useful.
A
작은 카드도 하나 넣어요.
JAH-geun KAH-deu-do HAH-na NEOH-uh-yo. Let's add a small card too.
B
그녀에게 선물을 주기 전에 모두 그 카드에 서명할 수 있어요.
geu-NYUH-eh-geh SUN-moo-rul JOO-gee JON-eh MOH-doo geu KAH-deu-eh suh-MYUNG-hal soo ee-SSUH-yo. Everyone can sign it before we give her the gift.Word by Word
우리
In "우리 동료에게", "우리" means “our” and identifies the coworker as connected to the speakers. It commonly comes before a noun to refer to a group or person associated with the speaker. Use it when discussing a shared colleague or shared group at work.
동료
In "우리 동료", "동료" means “coworker” or “colleague.” It names the person who will receive the gift, and it combines directly with 우리 to mean “our coworker.” Use it when referring to someone who works with you.
에게
In "동료에게", "에게" marks the person who receives or is directed toward something, so it means “to” the coworker here. It commonly follows a person before an action such as giving something. Use it when naming the recipient of a gift or message.
줄
In "동료에게 줄 선물", "줄" means “to give” in the sense of a gift that will be given to the coworker. Its citation form is 주다, and this form modifies the following noun 선물. Use this pattern when describing something intended for someone.
선물
In "줄 선물", "선물" means “gift.” It is the thing being chosen and marked as the object of the action in the full phrase. Use it when discussing something prepared or given to another person.
을
In "선물을", "을" marks 선물 as the object of the verb 골라야 해요. It follows a noun ending in a consonant and shows what the speakers need to choose. Use it after a consonant-ending noun when that noun is the object of an action.
골라야
In "골라야 해요", "골라야" contributes the meaning “choose” to the expression “need to choose.” Its citation form is 고르다, and this form combines with 해요 to express necessity. Use the pattern [action]아야 해요 when saying that someone needs to do something.
해요
In "골라야 해요", "해요" completes the necessity expression and makes the sentence mean “we need to choose.” Its citation form is 하다, but here it works together with 골라야 rather than meaning a separate “do.” Use it after an -아야 or -어야 form to state a need or obligation politely.
유용한
In "유용한 게", "유용한" means “useful” and describes the kind of gift being considered. Its citation form is 유용하다, and this form comes before the noun-like 게. Use it before a thing when describing something as useful.
게
In "유용한 게 좋을까요", "게" means “thing” or “one,” referring to a useful gift without repeating the noun. It is the contracted spoken form of 것이 in this construction. Use it after a description when referring to “the one that is …” or “the thing that is …”.
좋을까요
In "유용한 게 좋을까요", "좋을까요" asks whether that option would be good or preferable, so the sentence means “Should it be useful?” Its citation form is 좋다, and the polite question form presents the choice tentatively. Use it when asking someone’s opinion about which option would be suitable.
아니면
In "유용한 게 좋을까요, 아니면", "아니면" introduces the alternative “or” or “or else.” It connects the first possible choice with a different choice, here a more personal gift. Use it between two options when asking someone to choose.
좀
In "좀 더 개인적인", "좀" means “somewhat” or “a little” and softens the comparison. It commonly appears before an adjective or comparison to make the wording less absolute. Use it when suggesting a moderate degree rather than a strong one.
더
In "좀 더 개인적인", "더" means “more” and compares the gift with the other possibility. It comes before the describing form 개인적인. Use it before an adjective when saying that something has a greater degree of a quality.
개인적인
In "더 개인적인", "개인적인" means “personal” and describes a gift chosen with the coworker’s individual preferences in mind. Its citation form is 개인적이다, and this form modifies the implied gift. Use it when contrasting an individual or thoughtful choice with a merely practical one.
그녀
In "그녀는 차를 좋아하니까", "그녀" means “she” and refers to the female coworker receiving the gift. It is followed by the topic marker 는 in this sentence. Use it when identifying the woman being discussed.
는
In "그녀는", "는" marks 그녀 as the topic, meaning “as for her” or “she.” It sets up information about the coworker before stating that she likes tea. Use it after a noun or pronoun when introducing the main topic of a sentence.
차
In "차를 좋아하니까", "차" means “tea,” the coworker’s preference and the reason for suggesting a tea set. It is followed by the object marker 를 because it is what she likes. Use it when discussing tea as a drink or as a gift theme.
를
In "차를 좋아하니까", "를" marks 차 as the object of 좋아하다. It follows a vowel-ending noun and shows what the person likes. Use it after a vowel-ending noun when that noun is the object of an action.
좋아하니까
In "차를 좋아하니까", "좋아하니까" means “because she likes” and gives the reason for suggesting a tea set. Its citation form is 좋아하다, and the -니까 ending connects that reason to the next statement. Use this form when explaining why a suggestion or decision follows.
세트
In "차 세트", "세트" means “set,” referring to a group of tea-related items sold or given together. It follows 차 to specify what kind of set it is. Use it after a noun when naming a matching collection of items.
가
In "차 세트가 괜찮을 것 같아요", "가" marks 차 세트 as the subject of the opinion that it seems suitable. It follows a noun ending in a vowel. Use it after a vowel-ending noun when that noun is the subject of a description or judgment.
괜찮을
In "괜찮을 것 같아요", "괜찮을" presents the tea set as something that seems okay or might work. Its citation form is 괜찮다, and this form appears before 것 같아요 to express a tentative judgment. Use this pattern when proposing an option without stating the judgment too strongly.
것
In "괜찮을 것 같아요", "것" helps turn the preceding description into the thing or possibility that seems true; the whole expression means “it seems okay” or “I think it might work.” It is not the entire meaning by itself, so it is best learned together with 같아요. Use 것 같아요 after a description when giving an impression or opinion.
같아요
In "괜찮을 것 같아요", "같아요" means “seems” or “I think,” making the suggestion tentative. Its citation form is 같다, and together with 것 it expresses an impression rather than certainty. Use it when politely sharing what you think is likely or suitable.
그건
In "그건 개인적이지만", "그건" means “that” or “as for that,” referring to the tea set just mentioned. It is the contracted form of 그것은, with the topic meaning carried by the ending. Use it to comment on an option that has already been mentioned.
개인적이지만
In "그건 개인적이지만", "개인적이지만" means “is personal, but” and introduces a contrast with the following idea that the gift is still useful. Its citation form is 개인적이다, and -지만 adds the contrastive “but.” Use it when acknowledging one quality before adding a contrasting point.
그래도
In "그래도 유용한 것 같아요", "그래도" means “still” or “even so.” It shows that despite the gift being personal, the speaker continues to judge it useful. Use it when maintaining a conclusion after recognizing a possible opposing point.
작은
In "작은 카드", "작은" means “small” and describes the card being added to the gift. Its citation form is 작다, and this form comes directly before 카드. Use it before a noun when describing something as small.
카드
In "작은 카드도", "카드" means “card,” specifically the small card that will accompany the gift. It is marked with 도 to show that it is an additional item. Use it when referring to a card included with a present or message.
도
In "카드도", "도" means “also” or “too,” showing that the card will be included in addition to the gift. It attaches directly to the noun it adds. Use it when adding another person, thing, or action to what has already been mentioned.
하나
In "카드도 하나 넣어요", "하나" means “one” and indicates a single card to add. It appears after 카드도 and gives the quantity of the added item. Use it when specifying that there is one item of something.
넣어요
In "카드도 하나 넣어요", "넣어요" means “put in” or, in this gift context, “add.” Its citation form is 넣다, and the sentence functions as a polite suggestion to include the card. Use it when placing something inside a container or adding it to a package.
주기
In "주기 전에", "주기" means “giving” and names the action that must happen after everyone signs the card. Its citation form is 주다, and -기 turns the action into a noun-like form before 전에. Use the pattern [verb]-기 전에 to say “before doing something.”
전
In "주기 전", "전" means “before” and identifies the time preceding the giving of the gift. It follows the noun-like action 주기 and is followed by 에 in the full expression. Use it after an event or action when referring to the time before it.
에
In "주기 전에", "에" marks the time point or period involved in the expression “before giving.” Together with 전, it completes the time phrase rather than marking a destination. Use it after time expressions such as 전 when specifying when something happens.
모두
In "모두 그 카드에 서명할 수 있어요", "모두" means “everyone” or “all,” referring to every person in the group. It appears before the action to show that all members can sign the card. Use it when referring to all people or all items in a group.
그
In "그 카드에", "그" means “the” or “that” and identifies the card already mentioned. It comes directly before 카드 to modify it. Use it before a noun when referring to a specific item known from the conversation.
서명할
In "서명할 수 있어요", "서명할" means “sign” as the action that everyone can perform. Its citation form is 서명하다, and this form comes before 수 있어요 in the ability expression. Use it when talking about signing a card, document, or other written item.
수
In "서명할 수 있어요", "수" is the possibility or ability part of the expression meaning “can sign.” It must be understood together with the preceding 서명할 and following 있어요. Use the pattern [verb]ㄹ/을 수 있어요 to say that someone can do something.
있어요
In "서명할 수 있어요", "있어요" completes the expression for ability and makes the sentence mean “can sign.” Its citation form is 있다, but here it does not mean simple physical location; it works with 수 to express possibility. Use it after 수 to state politely that an action is possible.
Grammar Points
-아/어야 해요
선물을 골라야 해요.
SUN-moo-rul gohl-LAH-ya HAE-yo.We need to choose a gift.
This ending expresses necessity or obligation: “need to” or “have to.”
-기 전에
선물을 주기 전에 카드를 넣어요.
SUN-moo-rul JOO-gee JON-eh KAH-deu-rul NEOH-uh-yo.Before giving the gift, we put in the card.
Attach -기 전에 to a verb stem to mean “before doing something.”
Korean Vocabulary
개인적인
adj
gae-in-JUH-gin
personal
골라야 해요
verb
gohl-LAH-ya HAE-yo
need to choose
괜찮을 것 같아요
phrase
gwaen-CHAN-eul geot ga-TAH-yo
seems like it might work; seems okay
동료
noun
dong-NYOH
coworker
동료에게
선물
noun
SUN-mool
gift
선물을
아니면
conj
ah-nee-MYUN
or; otherwise
우리
pron
oo-REE
our
우리 동료에게 줄 선물
유용한
adj
yoo-YONG-han
useful
좋아하니까
verb
joh-ah-ha-nee-KKAH
because she likes
그녀는 차를 좋아하니까
좋을까요
adj
joh-uhl-KKAH-yo
would it be good; should it be
줄
verb
jool
to give; for giving
동료에게 줄 선물
차 세트
phrase
CHA SEH-teu
tea set
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
We need to choose a gift for our coworker.
Show Answer
우리 동료에게 줄 선물을 골라야 해요.That feels personal but still useful.
Show Answer
그건 개인적이지만 그래도 유용한 것 같아요.Let's add a small card too.
Show Answer
작은 카드도 하나 넣어요.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
personal
Show Answer
개인적인would it be good; should it be
Show Answer
좋을까요coworker
Show Answer
동료에게because she likes