About This Lesson
Use A Fair Cleaning Routine to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
우리 청소 방식은 잘 안 되고 있고, 부엌은 계속 지저분해지고 있어.
oo-REE CHUNG-soh BAHNG-shik-eun jal an dweh-GOH it-GOH, boo-UH-geun gyay-SOHK ji-juh-boon-hae-JEE-goh iss-UH. Our cleaning routine is not working, and the kitchen keeps getting messy.
B
우리 둘 다 일부러 그러는 건 아닌 것 같아.
oo-REE dool dah il-BOO-ruh guh-ruh-neun gun ah-NIN gut gah-TAH. I do not think either of us is doing it on purpose.
A
특히 설거지와 가스레인지에 대해서는 더 분명한 기준이 필요할지도 몰라.
tuk-HEE SEOL-guh-JEE-wah GAH-suh-RAYN-jee-eh dae-HAE-suh-neun duh boon-MYUNG-han gee-JOON-ee pee-RYOH-hal-jee-doh MOL-lah. Maybe we need a clearer standard, especially for dishes and the stove.
B
매주 일을 번갈아 맡으면 같은 사람이 늘 바닥을 닦지 않아도 될 것 같아.
may-JOO ee-reul beon-gah-RAH ma-teu-MYUN gat-eun sah-RAHM-ee neul ba-DAH-geul dak-JJEE ah-NAH-doh dwel gut gah-TAH. We could rotate tasks weekly, so the same person does not always mop.
A
공평한 것 같아. 하지만 나는 화장실 청소보다 쓰레기 버리는 일을 하는 게 더 좋아.
gong-PYEONG-han gut gah-TAH. hah-JEE-man nah-neun hwah-jahng-SHEEL CHUNG-soh-boh-dah sseu-REH-gee BUH-ree-neun ee-reul HAH-neun geh duh JOH-ah. That sounds fair, although I prefer taking out the trash to cleaning the bathroom.
B
선호하는 일은 괜찮지만, 그래도 하기 싫은 일은 나눠서 해야 해.
sun-HOH-ha-neun ee-reun gwen-CHAN-j만, guh-RAE-doh ha-GEE SHEE-reun ee-reun na-NWOH-suh HAE-yah hae. Preferences are fine, but the unpleasant jobs still need to be shared.
A
적어 두면 나중에 서로에 대한 불만이 쌓이는 것을 막을 수 있어.
juh-GUH doo-MYUN nah-JOONG-eh suh-ROH-eh dae-HAN bool-ma-NEE ssah-EE-neun guh-seul ma-GEUL soo iss-UH. If we write it down, we can keep resentment from building up later.
B
간단한 표를 만들고 한동안 해 본 뒤에 다시 검토하자.
gan-DAN-han pyoh-reul man-DEUL-goh han-DONG-an hae bon DWEE-eh dah-SHEE guhm-TOH-ha-jah. Let's make a simple chart and review it after we try it for a while.
A
너무 엄격하게 느껴지면 다투는 대신 조정할 수 있어.
nuh-MOO uhm-GYUK-ha-geh neu-KYUH-jee-myun dah-TOO-neun dae-SHIN joh-JUNG-hal soo iss-UH. If it feels too strict, we can adjust it instead of arguing.
B
목표는 완벽한 체계가 아니라 더 깨끗한 집이야.
MOK-pyo-neun wan-BYEOK-han CHEH-gye-gah ah-NEE-rah duh KKAe-KKEUT-han JEE-bee-yah. The goal is a cleaner home, not a perfect system.Word by Word
우리
In this dialogue, '우리' means “our” before the cleaning routine, and it can refer to the shared group in '우리 둘 다'. It is useful when talking about something shared by the speaker and another person.
청소
'청소' means cleaning here and identifies the activity being discussed. It commonly comes before a noun to describe cleaning-related routines or tasks.
방식은
'방식은' means “the routine or method” and marks it as the topic of the sentence. Use this form when introducing the method or way in which something is done.
잘
'잘' means “well” and describes how the cleaning routine is functioning in '잘 안 되고'. It commonly comes before a verb or expression to describe successful or proper performance.
안
'안' negates the following expression, so '잘 안 되고' means that the routine is not working well. This short negation commonly comes directly before a verb or adjective.
되고
In '잘 안 되고 있고', '되고' describes the routine functioning or working and connects this state to the next part. The ending also links one clause or state to another.
있고
In '되고 있고', '있고' shows that the state is continuing and connects it to the next clause. This form is useful when describing an ongoing situation together with another related fact.
부엌은
'부엌은' means “the kitchen” as the topic of the second part of the sentence. The topic-marked form is useful when shifting attention to a particular room or area.
계속
'계속' means “continuously” or “ 계속” and shows that the kitchen keeps changing in the same direction. It commonly comes before an action or change that continues over time.
지저분해지고
'지저분해지고' means “becoming messy” and connects that change to the continuing state in '있어'. Use it when describing something gradually changing into a messy condition.
있어
In '지저분해지고 있어', '있어' helps express that the change is currently in progress. This informal ending is common in conversation when describing an ongoing situation.
둘
'둘' means “two” and refers to the two people in the shared household. It is commonly used before '다' when emphasizing both members of a pair.
다
After '둘', '다' means “both,” so '둘 다' refers to both people. This combination is useful when saying that the same statement applies to every member of a group of two.
일부러
'일부러' means “intentionally” and says that the behavior was done on purpose. Use it when explaining or denying deliberate behavior.
그러는
'그러는' refers back to the behavior being discussed and means “doing that” in the phrase about doing it intentionally. It is useful when pointing to an action or behavior already understood from the conversation.
건
'건' packages the preceding behavior as “the thing or fact” being discussed. This conversational form is useful when making an opinion about whether an action is or is not the case.
아닌
'아닌' means “not being” and describes the behavior as not intentional. It commonly comes before a noun or noun-like expression that is being identified as something it is not.
것
'것' means “thing” or “fact” and turns the preceding description into something that can be judged or discussed. It is commonly used after a clause when referring to an action or situation as a fact.
같아
'같아' means “it seems” or “I think” and softens the speaker's conclusion about the situation. This informal form is useful when giving an opinion without presenting it as absolute certainty.
특히
'특히' means “especially” and highlights dishes and the stove as the areas needing particular attention. Use it before the part of a statement that deserves extra focus.
설거지와
'설거지와' refers to dishes or dishwashing and links that item with the stove. The ending links two nouns when listing related areas or tasks.
가스레인지에
'가스레인지에' means “the stove” as the first part of the expression about the stove. It is used here before the following expression that says what the discussion concerns.
대해서는
'대해서는' means “as for” or “concerning” and focuses the discussion on the stove. The pattern is useful when setting a particular subject or area for a standard, opinion, or discussion.
더
'더' means “more” and shows that the desired standard should be clearer than the current one. It commonly comes before an adjective or description being increased.
분명한
'분명한' means “clear” and describes the standard the speakers may need. It commonly comes directly before the noun that should be clear or definite.
기준이
'기준이' means “a standard” and marks the standard as what may be needed. Use it when discussing a rule or level used to judge how something should be done.
필요할지도
'필요할지도' means “might be needed” and presents the need for a clearer standard as a possibility. It commonly appears before '몰라' to make a cautious suggestion.
몰라
Although '몰라' literally means “I do not know,” in '필요할지도 몰라' it softens the statement to “maybe.” This informal expression is useful when suggesting a possibility without complete certainty.
매주
'매주' means “every week” and sets the regular time for rotating the tasks. It commonly comes before an action to describe a weekly routine.
일을
'일을' means “the tasks” or “the work” and marks those tasks as what will be rotated. It is useful for referring generally to work that people take responsibility for.
번갈아
'번갈아' means “alternately” and shows that the housemates will take turns with the tasks. Use it when responsibilities or actions pass from one person to another in sequence.
맡으면
'맡으면' means “if [someone] takes responsibility for” the work and introduces the condition for the proposed benefit. It commonly follows a task and connects to a result or expectation.
같은
'같은' means “the same” and describes the person who should not always do the mopping. It commonly comes before a noun to identify something as identical or unchanged.
사람이
'사람이' means “person” and marks the person who might otherwise always mop as the subject. It is useful when describing who performs an action.
늘
'늘' means “always” and emphasizes that the same person should not repeatedly do the task. It commonly comes before an action that happens regularly or continuously.
바닥을
'바닥을' means “the floor” and marks it as the object being wiped or mopped. Use it when describing cleaning or other actions done to a floor.
닦지
In '닦지 않아도', '닦지' means “wipe or mop” with the action marked for negation. It is useful when saying that someone does not need to perform a particular cleaning action.
않아도
In '닦지 않아도 될 것 같아', '않아도' means “even if [someone] does not” or “does not have to.” This pattern is useful for saying that omitting an action is acceptable or permitted.
될
In '않아도 될 것 같아', '될' expresses that something will be acceptable or possible. It commonly follows a condition such as not doing an action when explaining what is allowed.
공평한
'공평한' means “fair” and describes the proposed arrangement. It commonly comes before a noun or appears in a short evaluation of a plan.
하지만
'하지만' means “but” or “however” and introduces a qualification to the positive evaluation. Use it to connect an opposing preference or consideration.
나는
'나는' means “I” with the speaker marked as the topic. It is useful when contrasting the speaker's own preference with another person's or with a general arrangement.
화장실
'화장실' means “bathroom” and identifies the room whose cleaning is being compared with taking out the trash. It commonly comes before a noun referring to an activity done there.
청소보다
'청소보다' means “than cleaning” and marks the option used for comparison. The pattern is useful when saying that one activity is preferred to another.
쓰레기
'쓰레기' means “trash” and identifies what is taken out. It commonly comes before an action describing how the trash is handled.
버리는
'버리는' means “throwing away” and describes the action applied to the trash. It commonly comes before a noun when an action is treated as a task or activity.
하는
In '하는 게 좋아', '하는' means “doing” and describes the action that the speaker prefers. It is useful when turning an action into the activity being evaluated or chosen.
게
In '하는 게 좋아', '게' refers to the act of doing the action and makes it the thing the speaker prefers. This conversational form is common when saying that doing something is good or preferable.
좋아
'좋아' means “is good” or “I prefer it” in this statement about taking out the trash. This informal form is useful for expressing a personal preference in conversation.
선호하는
'선호하는' means “preferred” and describes the tasks that someone likes more. It commonly comes before a noun when classifying a choice or activity by preference.
일은
'일은' means “the tasks” or “the work” and marks preferred tasks as the topic. It is useful when contrasting one category of work with another.
괜찮지만
'괜찮지만' means “is fine, but” and accepts the existence of preferences before introducing a limitation. Use it to acknowledge one point while moving to a different requirement.
그래도
'그래도' means “still” or “nevertheless” and emphasizes that the unpleasant tasks must be shared despite personal preferences. It is useful when maintaining a conclusion after acknowledging an opposing point.
하기
In '하기 싫은 일', '하기' means “doing” and forms part of the expression for work that someone dislikes doing. It is useful when describing an action as something a person wants or does not want to do.
싫은
'싫은' means “disliked” or “unpleasant” and describes the jobs that people do not want to do. It commonly comes before a noun referring to an unwanted activity or thing.
나눠서
'나눠서' means “by sharing or dividing” and describes how the unpleasant jobs should be handled. It commonly connects one way of doing something to the required or resulting action.
해야
In '나눠서 해야 해', '해야' expresses that the sharing is necessary or must be done. This form is useful when stating an obligation or requirement.
해
In '해야 해', '해' completes the informal expression for “must do” or “have to do.” It is commonly used in conversation to state that an action is necessary.
적어
'적어' means “write down” and introduces the action of putting the arrangement in writing. It is useful when suggesting that information or an agreement should be recorded.
두면
In '적어 두면', '두면' means “if [we] leave or keep it” after writing it down. This pattern is useful when an action is done in advance so its result remains available later.
나중에
'나중에' means “later” and refers to a future point when resentment might otherwise accumulate. It commonly comes before an action or event that will happen after the present situation.
서로에
'서로에' means “toward each other” and identifies the mutual relationship involved in the dissatisfaction. It is used here before the expression that describes what the dissatisfaction is about.
대한
In '서로에 대한', '대한' means “about” or “toward” and links the dissatisfaction to the other housemate. This pattern is useful when describing a feeling, opinion, or relationship concerning someone or something.
불만이
'불만이' means “dissatisfaction” or “resentment” and marks it as the thing that may build up. It is useful when discussing an unresolved complaint or negative feeling.
쌓이는
'쌓이는' means “building up” and describes dissatisfaction accumulating over time. It commonly comes before a noun-like expression when a feeling or problem gradually increases.
것을
In '불만이 쌓이는 것을', '것을' refers to the fact or process of dissatisfaction building up and marks it as the object of prevention. This form is useful when treating a whole action or situation as something affected by another action.
막을
'막을' means “prevent” in the expression about preventing resentment from building up. It commonly appears before '수' when describing an action that can be prevented.
수
In '막을 수 있어', '수' expresses possibility or ability, so the phrase means that the buildup can be prevented. This pattern is useful for saying that someone can or cannot do something.
간단한
'간단한' means “simple” and describes the chart the speakers plan to make. It commonly comes before a noun when emphasizing that something is uncomplicated.
표를
'표를' means “a chart” and marks it as the object they will make. It is useful for referring to a written table that organizes tasks or information.
만들고
'만들고' means “make, and” and links making the chart with reviewing it later. This ending is useful for connecting two actions performed as part of the same plan.
한동안
'한동안' means “for a while” and describes the period during which the chart will be tried. It commonly indicates an unspecified but limited stretch of time.
본
In '해 본 뒤에', '본' means “having tried” and refers to experiencing the plan before reviewing it. It is useful when describing a review that happens after trying something.
뒤에
'뒤에' means “after” and places the review after the period of trying the chart. It commonly follows an action or event and introduces what happens afterward.
다시
'다시' means “again” and shows that the chart will be reviewed after its initial use. It is useful when repeating an action or returning to something previously considered.
검토하자
'검토하자' means “let's review” and makes an informal proposal to examine the chart together. This form is useful when suggesting a shared action.
너무
'너무' means “too” or “overly” and indicates that the arrangement may have an excessive degree of strictness. It commonly comes before a description of an unwanted level or quality.
엄격하게
'엄격하게' means “strictly” and describes how the chart might feel or operate. It commonly modifies an action, manner, or perceived quality.
느껴지면
'느껴지면' means “if it feels” and introduces the condition that the chart seems too strict. It is useful when discussing how an arrangement or situation is experienced.
다투는
In '다투는 대신', '다투는' means “arguing” and identifies the action that should be avoided. It commonly comes before '대신' when contrasting an unwanted action with a better alternative.
대신
In '다투는 대신', '대신' means “instead of” and introduces adjustment as the alternative to arguing. This pattern is useful when proposing one action in place of another.
조정할
In '조정할 수 있어', '조정할' means “adjust” and describes the action that is possible if the chart feels too strict. It commonly comes before '수' when expressing that an action can be done.
목표는
'목표는' means “the goal” and marks the main purpose as the topic of the final sentence. It is useful when explaining the intended result of a plan or system.
완벽한
'완벽한' means “perfect” and describes the system that is not the main goal. It commonly comes before a noun to describe something without any defects or shortcomings.
체계가
'체계가' means “system” and is the thing contrasted with a cleaner home in the final statement. It is useful when discussing an organized method or structure.
아니라
In '체계가 아니라', '아니라' introduces what the goal is not and leads to the contrasting goal. This form is useful in the pattern “not A, but B.”
깨끗한
'깨끗한' means “clean” and describes the home the speakers want to achieve. It commonly comes before a noun describing a clean place or condition.
집이야
'집이야' means “is a home” and completes the informal statement that the goal is a cleaner home. This conversational ending is useful when identifying or defining something in a casual setting.
Grammar Points
A-(으)ㄴ + 명사
공평한 기준
gong-PYEONG-han gee-JOONa fair standard
Adjectives change to -(으)ㄴ before a noun: 공평하다 becomes 공평한.
V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다
조정할 수 있어
joh-JUNG-hal soo iss-UHcan adjust it
Use -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 after a verb to express ability or possibility.
Korean Vocabulary
가스레인지
noun
GAH-suh-RAYN-jee
stove
기준
noun
gee-JOON
standard
맡다
verb
maht-DAH
to take responsibility for
맡으면
매주
adv
may-JOO
every week
바닥을 닦다
phrase
ba-DAHG-eul DAHK-ttah
to mop the floor
바닥을 닦지
번갈아
adv
beon-gah-RAH
alternately
부엌
noun
boo-UHK
kitchen
분명하다
adj
boon-MYUNG-ha-dah
to be clear
분명한
설거지
noun
seol-GUH-jee
dishwashing
일부러
adv
il-BOO-ruh
on purpose
지저분해지다
verb
ji-juh-boon-hae-JEE-dah
to become messy
지저분해지고 있어
청소 방식
phrase
CHUNG-soh BAHNG-shik
cleaning routine
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
stove
Show Answer
가스레인지standard
Show Answer
기준on purpose
Show Answer
일부러kitchen