About This Lesson
Use Improving Sleep Habits to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
요즘 잠을 잘 못 자요.
yoh-JUM JAH-mul jal mot JAH-yoh. I have not been sleeping well recently.
B
아마 저녁 습관을 바꿔야 할 것 같아요.
ah-MAH juh-NYUK sup-KKWAHN-ul bah-KWUH-yah hal kut kah-TAH-yoh. Maybe your evening routine needs changing.
A
저는 자기 바로 전에 휴대폰을 사용해요.
juh-NUN JAH-gee pah-roh juh-neh hyoo-DEH-pon-ul sah-YONG-heh-yoh. I use my phone right before bed.
B
화면을 보는 시간을 줄이면 편하게 쉴 수 있어요.
hwah-MYUN-ul BOH-nun SHEE-gah-nul joo-lee-myun pyun-HAH-geh shweel soo ee-SUH-yoh. Less screen time may help you relax.
A
그 대신 책을 읽을까요?
guh teh-SHIN cheh-gul eel-gul-KKAH-yoh? Should I read a book instead?
B
차분하고 쉬운 것을 고르세요.
chah-BOON-hah-goh SHWEE-oon kuh-sul goh-ruh-SEH-yoh. Choose something calm and easy.
B
그러면 머리가 좀 쉴 수 있어요.
guh-ruh-MYUN muh-REE-gah johm shweel soo ee-SUH-yoh. So your mind can slow down.
A
며칠 밤 그렇게 해 볼게요.
myuh-CHIL pahm guh-ruh-KEH heh BOL-geh-yoh. I will try that for a few nights.
B
규칙적인 습관은 잠을 더 잘 자는 데 도움이 될 수 있어요.
gyoo-CHEEK-juh-gin sup-KKWAH-nun JAH-mul tuh jal JAH-nun deh toh-OO-mee dwel soo ee-SUH-yoh. A steady routine can improve sleep.Word by Word
요즘
“요즘” means recently or these days, referring to the current recent period. It is commonly placed near the beginning of a sentence, as in “요즘 잠을 잘 못 자요.” You would use it when describing a recent change in your health, routine, or situation.
잠을
“잠을” means sleep as the object of “자요” in “잠을 잘 못 자요.” The object marker 을 shows what is being slept. “잠을 자다” is a common pattern for talking about sleeping, such as when reporting poor sleep.
잘
“잘” means well in “잠을 잘 못 자요,” describing the quality of sleeping. It is placed before the verb expression it modifies. A common reuse pattern is 잘 + verb when saying that something is done well.
못
“못” shows inability or an unsuccessful result before “자요,” so “잘 못 자요” means cannot sleep well. It is placed directly before the verb. You would use it when explaining that you are unable to do something successfully.
자요
“자요” means sleep in this dialogue and is the polite form used in “잠을 잘 못 자요.” Together with “잠을,” it describes the act of sleeping. “잠을 자요” is a common way to state that someone sleeps.
아마
“아마” means maybe or probably and makes the suggestion less definite. It appears at the beginning of “아마 저녁 습관을 바꿔야 할 것 같아요.” You would use it when offering a likely explanation or suggestion without claiming complete certainty.
저녁
“저녁” means evening and modifies “습관” in “저녁 습관.” It identifies the time of day connected with the routine. A common reuse pattern is 저녁 + noun when talking about evening activities or habits.
습관을
“습관을” means habit or routine as the object of changing in “저녁 습관을 바꿔야 할 것 같아요.” The marker 을 shows that the habit is what needs to be changed. You would use this form when describing a habit that someone wants or needs to change.
바꿔야
“바꿔야” means need to change or must change in “습관을 바꿔야 할 것 같아요.” This form expresses that changing is necessary and connects to “할 것 같아요,” which makes the whole suggestion tentative. A reusable pattern is an object followed by 바꿔야 when saying that it needs to be changed.
할
“할” is the form of 하다 used in “바꿔야 할 것 같아요,” where it modifies “것” and contributes the idea of something that should be done. It does not by itself express the whole suggestion. A reusable pattern is 바꿔야 할 + noun for something that needs to be changed.
것
“것” means thing in “바꿔야 할 것 같아요,” helping package the preceding idea as something that seems to be necessary. Together with “같아요,” it forms a tentative statement, but “것” alone does not mean the entire suggestion. You would reuse it in the pattern clause + 것 같아요 when expressing an impression or opinion.
같아요
“같아요” contributes the meaning seems or I think in “바꿔야 할 것 같아요.” With the preceding “것,” it makes the statement less direct and shows that it is the speaker’s impression. A common reuse pattern is a clause followed by 것 같아요 when giving a tentative opinion.
저는
“저는” means as for me or I as the topic of the sentence “저는 자기 바로 전에 휴대폰을 사용해요.” The marker 는 sets the speaker as the topic. You would use it when describing your own habit or experience.
자기
“자기” means sleeping or going to sleep in “자기 바로 전에.” It names the activity that happens after the stated time relationship. A reusable pattern is an activity followed by 전에 when saying that something happens before that activity.
바로
“바로” means right or immediately and emphasizes that the action happens directly before sleeping in “자기 바로 전에.” It strengthens the time expression rather than naming a separate activity. You would use 바로 전에 when describing something that happens immediately before another event.
전에
“전에” means before and follows “자기” in “자기 바로 전에.” It places the phone use earlier than the time of going to sleep. A common reuse pattern is an activity or event followed by 전에 to say before doing or experiencing it.
휴대폰을
“휴대폰을” means mobile phone as the object of “사용해요” in “휴대폰을 사용해요.” The marker 을 shows what is being used. You would use this form when saying that you use a phone for an activity.
사용해요
“사용해요” means use in “휴대폰을 사용해요.” It is the polite present form and takes an object such as “휴대폰을.” A common reuse pattern is a noun followed by 사용해요 when describing regular use of an item.
화면을
“화면을” means screen as the object of looking at in “화면을 보는 시간.” The marker 을 shows what is being viewed. You would use it when talking about time spent looking at a screen.
보는
“보는” means viewing or looking at in “화면을 보는 시간.” It describes the activity and modifies “시간,” meaning time spent viewing the screen. A reusable pattern is an activity in 는 form followed by 시간 when describing time spent doing it.
시간을
“시간을” means time as the object of reducing in “화면을 보는 시간을 줄이면.” It refers specifically to the time spent looking at a screen. You would use this form when saying that a certain amount of time should be reduced.
줄이면
“줄이면” means if you reduce in “화면을 보는 시간을 줄이면.” The ending 면 connects the reduction with the possible result that follows. A common reuse pattern is an object followed by 줄이면 when describing what may happen if an amount of time or activity is reduced.
편하게
“편하게” means comfortably or at ease in “편하게 쉴 수 있어요.” It describes the manner of resting. You would use 편하게 before an action when saying that the action can be done comfortably or without strain.
쉴
“쉴” means rest or relax in “편하게 쉴 수 있어요.” It appears before “수” to describe the possible action. A reusable pattern is a verb in this form followed by 수 있어요 when saying that someone can do the action.
수
“수” marks ability or possibility in “쉴 수 있어요.” With the preceding “쉴” and following “있어요,” the phrase means can rest. A common reuse pattern is verb + ㄹ or 을 수 있어요 for saying that an action is possible.
있어요
“있어요” means be possible or can in “쉴 수 있어요,” rather than indicating a location. It completes the possibility expression with “수.” You would use it after this construction when saying that someone is able to do something.
그
“그” means that in “그 대신,” referring to the earlier phone or screen activity. It points back to something already mentioned rather than introducing a new object. You would use it before a noun when referring to a known thing or option.
대신
“대신” means instead in “그 대신 책을 읽을까요?” It shows that reading a book is being considered as a replacement for the earlier activity. A common reuse pattern is 그 대신 when proposing one option in place of a previously mentioned option.
책을
“책을” means book as the object of reading in “책을 읽을까요?” The marker 을 shows what the speaker is considering reading. You would use this form when talking about reading a book or choosing it as an activity.
읽을까요
“읽을까요” means shall I read? in “책을 읽을까요?” It asks for a suggestion, agreement, or permission about the proposed action. A reusable pattern is an object followed by 읽을까요 when asking whether one should read it.
차분하고
“차분하고” means calm and, linking the description “차분하고 쉬운 것.” The ending 고 connects this adjective with the next description. You would use it when listing a calm quality together with another quality.
쉬운
“쉬운” means easy and modifies “것” in “차분하고 쉬운 것을.” It describes the kind of thing the listener should choose. A reusable pattern is 쉬운 + noun when identifying something that is not difficult.
것을
“것을” means something or thing as the object of “고르세요” in “차분하고 쉬운 것을 고르세요.” The marker 을 shows what should be chosen. You would use an adjective before 것을 when referring to something by its qualities rather than naming it.
고르세요
“고르세요” means choose and politely directs the listener to select something. In “차분하고 쉬운 것을 고르세요,” it takes the chosen item as its object. You would use it when giving a polite instruction about selecting an option.
그러면
“그러면” means then or in that case and connects the suggested choice with its expected result. In this dialogue, it introduces the result of choosing something calm and easy. A common reuse pattern is 그러면 followed by a statement about what will happen in that case.
머리가
“머리가” means the head or mind as the subject in “머리가 좀 쉴 수 있어요.” In this sleep-related context, it refers to the mind being able to rest. You would use this form when describing what the head or mind can do or experience.
좀
“좀” means a little or somewhat in “머리가 좀 쉴 수 있어요.” It indicates a small degree and also makes the statement sound softer. You would use 좀 before an action or description when expressing a modest amount or gentle request.
며칠
“며칠” means a few days in “며칠 밤,” where it describes the number of nights. It refers to an unspecified small number rather than an exact count. A common reuse pattern is 며칠 + time noun when talking about a few days or nights.
밤
“밤” means night in “며칠 밤,” referring to the nights during which the speaker will try the routine. Together with “며칠,” it gives a duration of a few nights. You would use it when describing an activity that happens during nighttime.
그렇게
“그렇게” means that way or like that and refers to the calm evening routine just discussed. In “그렇게 해 볼게요,” it tells the listener that the speaker will do it in that manner. A reusable pattern is 그렇게 + verb when referring back to a previously described way of doing something.
해
“해” means do in “그렇게 해 볼게요.” It names the action being tried and is followed by “볼게요,” which adds the meaning of trying it. You would use it after 그렇게 when agreeing to carry out the suggested method.
볼게요
“볼게요” contributes the meaning will try in “그렇게 해 볼게요,” rather than its separate meaning of seeing. Together with the preceding “해,” it expresses the speaker’s intention to try doing that. A reusable pattern is an action followed by 아 or 어 볼게요 when promising or deciding to try it.
규칙적인
“규칙적인” means regular or steady and modifies “습관” in “규칙적인 습관.” It describes a routine that follows a consistent pattern. You would use it before a noun when recommending a regular schedule or habit.
습관은
“습관은” means habit or routine as the topic of “규칙적인 습관은 ... 도움이 될 수 있어요.” The marker 은 presents the habit as what is being evaluated. You would use it when explaining the effect or value of a particular habit.
더
“더” means more or better in “잠을 더 잘 자는 데,” indicating an improvement in the quality of sleeping. It is placed before the expression it strengthens. A common reuse pattern is 더 + adverb or adjective when describing an increased degree.
자는
“자는” means sleeping in “잠을 더 잘 자는 데.” It describes the activity that the following “데” refers to. A reusable pattern is a verb in 는 form followed by 데 when discussing the activity as a purpose or situation.
데
“데” means in doing or for the purpose of doing in “잠을 더 잘 자는 데 도움이 될 수 있어요.” Here it does not refer to a physical place; it turns the sleeping activity into the context in which the habit is helpful. A common reuse pattern is an activity followed by 데 도움이 되다.
도움이
“도움이” means help or assistance as the subject in “도움이 될 수 있어요.” With the marker 이, it is the thing that may serve a helpful role. You would use it in 도움이 되다 when saying that something helps with an activity or goal.
될
“될” comes from 되다 and means become or serve as in “도움이 될 수 있어요.” Before “수,” it contributes the possibility that the routine may be helpful. A reusable pattern is 도움이 될 수 있어요 when saying that something can be helpful.
Grammar Points
-기 전에
자기 바로 전에 휴대폰을 사용해요.
JAH-gee pah-roh juh-neh hyoo-DEH-pon-ul sah-YONG-heh-yoh.I use my mobile phone right before going to bed.
Attach -기 전에 to a verb to mean “before doing something.”
-(으)면
화면을 보는 시간을 줄이면 편하게 쉴 수 있어요.
hwah-MYUN-ul BOH-nun SHEE-gah-nul joo-lee-myun pyun-HAH-geh shweel soo ee-SUH-yoh.If you reduce the time you spend looking at a screen, you can rest comfortably.
Attach -(으)면 to express a condition: “if” or “when.”
Korean Vocabulary
못
adv
MOT
not able to; cannot
요즘 잠을 잘 못 자요.
바꾸다
verb
pah-KKOO-dah
to change
바꿔야
아마 저녁 습관을 바꿔야 할 것 같아요.
보다
verb
POH-dah
to look at; to watch
보는
화면을 보는 시간을 줄이면 편하게 쉴 수 있어요.
사용하다
verb
sah-YONG-hah-dah
to use
사용해요
저는 자기 바로 전에 휴대폰을 사용해요.
습관
noun
sup-KKWAHN
habit; routine
아마 저녁 습관을 바꿔야 할 것 같아요.
시간
noun
SHEE-gahn
time
화면을 보는 시간을 줄이면 편하게 쉴 수 있어요.
요즘
adv
yoh-JUM
recently
요즘 잠을 잘 못 자요.
자기 전에
phrase
JAH-gee juh-neh
before going to bed
자기 바로 전에
저는 자기 바로 전에 휴대폰을 사용해요.
잠
noun
JAHM
sleep
요즘 잠을 잘 못 자요.
저녁
noun
juh-NYUK
evening
아마 저녁 습관을 바꿔야 할 것 같아요.
화면
noun
hwah-MYUN
screen
화면을 보는 시간을 줄이면 편하게 쉴 수 있어요.
휴대폰
noun
hyoo-DEH-pon
mobile phone
저는 자기 바로 전에 휴대폰을 사용해요.
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
I have not been sleeping well recently.
Show Answer
요즘 잠을 잘 못 자요.I use my phone right before bed.
Show Answer
저는 자기 바로 전에 휴대폰을 사용해요.Should I read a book instead?
Show Answer
그 대신 책을 읽을까요?Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to use
Show Answer
사용해요to change
Show Answer
바꿔야habit; routine
Show Answer
습관time