Improving a Home Office Setup | Learn Korean in English

About This Lesson

Use Improving a Home Office Setup to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

이 작은 테이블에서 하루 종일 일하고 나면 어깨가 아파요.

ee JAH-geun TAY-bul-eh-suh hah-ROO jong-EEL eel-hah-go NA-myun uh-KKAE-ga ah-PPYA-yo My shoulders hurt after working at this small table all day.

지금 작업 환경은 몸에 무리가 가요. 특히 모니터가 너무 낮아요.

jee-GEUM JAH-up hwang-GYUNG-un MO-meh moo-REE-ga ga-YO. TUK-hee moh-NEE-tuh-ga nuh-MOO na-JAH-yo Your setup is hard on your body, especially with the monitor so low.

제대로 된 받침대를 살 때까지 책으로 모니터를 높일 수 있어요.

jeh-DAE-ro DWEN BAT-chim-dae-reul sal ttae-KKAH-jee CHAE-geu-ro moh-NEE-tuh-reul no-PIL ssu ee-SUH-yo I could raise it with books until I buy a proper stand.

그러면 자세에 도움이 될 거예요.

guh-ruh-MYUN JAH-seh-eh DOH-oo-mee DWEL guh-YEH-yo That would help your posture.

창문에서 들어오는 빛 반사가 화면에 영향을 주는지도 확인해 보는 게 좋아요.

CHANG-moon-eh-suh duh-ruh-oh-neun bit PPAN-sa-ga hwa-MYUN-eh yuhng-HYANG-eul JOO-neun-jee-do hwa-geun-hae boh-neun geh joh-AH-yo You should also check whether glare from the window is affecting the screen.

오후 햇빛 때문에 화면을 읽기 어려워요.

oh-HOO HAET-ppit ttae-MOON-eh hwa-MYUN-eul eel-KKEE uh-RYUH-wo-yo The afternoon sunlight makes the screen difficult to read.

책상을 조금 옮겨 보거나 통화할 때 커튼을 사용해 보세요.

CHAEK-ssang-eul JOH-geum OHM-gyuh BOH-guh-na tong-HWA-hal ttae KUH-teun-eul sa-YONG-hae boh-SEH-yo Try moving the desk slightly, or use the curtain during calls.

더 편안해지면 일도 더 잘할 수 있을 것 같아요.

duh pyun-an-hae-JEE-myun eel-do duh jal-hal ssu ee-SSEUL gut ga-TAH-yo If I feel more comfortable, I should be able to work better too.

몇 시간 동안 같은 자세를 반복할 때는 작은 조정도 중요해요.

myut SHEE-gan dong-an GA-teun JAH-seh-reul ban-BO-kal ttae-neun JAH-geun JOH-jung-do jung-YO-hae-yo Small adjustments matter when you repeat the same position for hours.

무언가를 사기 전에 먼저 이 배치를 시도해 볼 수 있어요.

MOO-uhn-ga-reul sa-GEE jeon-eh MEON-juh ee BAE-chi-reul shee-DO-hae bool ssu ee-SUH-yo I can try this layout first before buying anything.

가장 저렴한 방법으로도 충분할 수 있으니까 그게 합리적이에요.

GAH-jang juh-RYUM-han BANG-buh-meu-ro-do choong-BOON-hal ssu ee-sseu-NEE-kka guh-GEH HAM-nee-juh-gee-eh-yo That makes sense, because the cheapest solution may be enough.

Word by Word

이 “이” means “this” and identifies the table being discussed. It is useful before a noun when pointing out a specific nearby thing, as in “이 작은 테이블”.

작은 “작은” means “small” and describes the table as having limited size. It comes directly before the noun it describes, as in “작은 테이블”.

테이블 “테이블” means “table,” the furniture where the speaker works. It can be used with a location expression such as “테이블에서” for working at a table.

에서 “에서” marks the place where the action happens; here, the speaker works at the table. A reusable pattern is “[place]에서 일하다,” meaning to work at a place.

하루 “하루” means “a day” in the expression “하루 종일,” referring to the whole day. This expression is useful for describing an activity that continues throughout one day.

종일 “종일” means “all day” and combines with “하루” in “하루 종일.” It is used after a time expression to show that something continues for the entire period.

일하고 “일하고” refers to working before the next event in “일하고 나면.” The ending connects working with what happens afterward, so the pattern “[action]하고 나면” means after doing something.

나면 “나면” contributes the meaning “after finishing” in “일하고 나면,” so the shoulder pain occurs after working all day. This form is useful in the pattern “[action]하고 나면,” followed by a result or later situation.

어깨 “어깨” means “shoulder,” the body part that hurts in the dialogue. It can be used with a body-related subject expression such as “어깨가 아파요,” meaning the shoulders hurt.

가 “가” marks “어깨” as the subject of “아파요,” showing which body part is painful. It is used after a noun ending in a vowel, as in “어깨가 아파요.”

아파요 “아파요” means “hurts” or “is painful” here, describing the speaker’s shoulders. It can be used after a body part, as in “어깨가 아파요.”

지금 “지금” means “now” and points to the current work setup. It can also describe something current when placed before a noun, as in “지금 작업 환경.”

작업 “작업” means “work” or “task” and helps specify the kind of environment being discussed. It commonly combines with a following noun in expressions about work, such as “작업 환경.”

환경 “환경” means “environment” and here refers to the person’s work setup. A reusable pattern is “[activity] 환경,” describing the surroundings or arrangement for an activity.

은 “은” marks “지금 작업 환경” as the topic of the sentence. It is used after a noun ending in a consonant to introduce what the sentence is about.

몸 “몸” means “body,” which receives strain from the current setup. It can be used with “에 무리가 가요” to say that something puts strain on the body.

에 “에” marks the body as the thing affected in “몸에 무리가 가요.” In this pattern, it identifies the person or body part that experiences the burden.

무리 “무리” means “strain” or “burden” in “몸에 무리가 가요.” The expression “몸에 무리가 가다” is a reusable way to say that something is hard on the body.

가요 “가요” means “goes” in the expression “무리가 가요,” where the strain is placed on the body. Together with “무리,” it describes a physical burden rather than ordinary movement.

특히 “특히” means “especially” and highlights the low monitor as a particularly important problem. It is useful before the part or situation that deserves special attention.

모니터 “모니터” means “monitor,” the screen that is positioned too low. It can be described by a position or condition, as in “모니터가 너무 낮아요.”

너무 “너무” means “too” here and shows that the monitor is lower than is suitable. It commonly comes before an adjective such as “너무 낮아요.”

낮아요 “낮아요” means “is low” and describes the monitor’s height. It can be used after an object or location whose height is being evaluated, as in “모니터가 낮아요.”

제대로 “제대로” means “properly” or “correctly” and describes the stand as suitable for the purpose in “제대로 된 받침대.” It can be placed before a description or action to emphasize that it is done in a proper way.

된 “된” contributes the meaning “proper” or “suitable” in “제대로 된 받침대.” It appears before the noun it describes, so “제대로 된 받침대” means a properly made or suitable stand.

받침대 “받침대” means “stand” or “support,” the item the speaker plans to buy for the monitor. It can be used with “사다,” as in “받침대를 사다,” to talk about buying a stand.

를 “를” marks “받침대” as the object of buying in “받침대를 살 때까지.” It is used after a noun ending in a vowel to show what the action is directed toward.

살 “살” means “buy” in “받침대를 살 때까지,” referring to the future purchase of a stand. The pattern “[object]를 살 때까지” means until buying the object.

때 “때” means “time” or “when” in “살 때까지,” referring to the time when the speaker buys the stand. It is useful in patterns such as “[action]할 때,” meaning when doing something.

까지 “까지” means “until” in “살 때까지,” marking the endpoint of the period. It can follow a time or event to show that something continues up to that point.

책 “책” means “book,” and the books are used as a temporary support for raising the monitor. It can be combined with “으로” to show that books are the means used for an action.

으로 “으로” means “with” or “by means of” in “책으로,” showing that books are used to raise the monitor. It is useful after a tool or material in a pattern such as “[tool]으로 하다.”

높일 “높일” means “raise” or “elevate” in “모니터를 높일 수 있어요.” It is used before “수 있어요” in the reusable pattern “[object]를 높일 수 있어요,” meaning can raise the object.

수 “수” represents possibility or ability in “높일 수 있어요,” so the speaker can raise the monitor. The pattern “[verb]을/를 수 있어요” expresses that an action is possible.

있어요 “있어요” completes “높일 수 있어요” and makes the meaning “can raise” or “it is possible to raise.” It is used after “수” in the pattern “[verb]을/를 수 있어요.”

그러면 “그러면” means “then” or “in that case” and introduces the expected result of raising the monitor. It is useful when responding to a proposed action and explaining what will follow.

자세 “자세” means “posture” or “position,” referring here to the way the body is held while working. It can be used with “도움이 되다” to describe something that helps posture.

도움 “도움” means “help” in “자세에 도움이 될 거예요.” The pattern “[person or thing]에 도움이 되다” means to be helpful for someone or something.

될 “될” contributes the meaning “will be” in “도움이 될 거예요,” predicting that the action will be helpful. It appears before “거예요” when describing an expected future result.

거예요 “거예요” expresses an expected or predicted result in “도움이 될 거예요,” meaning it will probably help. It commonly follows a verb or adjective form when giving a forecast or expectation.

창문 “창문” means “window,” the source of the reflected light affecting the screen. It can be used in a phrase such as “창문에서 들어오는 빛,” describing light coming from a window.

들어오는 “들어오는” means “coming in” and describes the light entering through the window. It comes before “빛” in “들어오는 빛,” a reusable pattern for describing something that enters.

빛 “빛” means “light,” specifically the light whose reflection may affect the screen. It can combine with “반사” in “빛 반사” to describe reflected light.

반사 “반사” means “reflection” and refers to the reflected light from the window. It is used with a source such as “빛” when describing light being reflected.

화면 “화면” means “screen,” the part that may be affected by the window glare. It can be used as the object of “영향을 주다,” as in “화면에 영향을 주다.”

영향 “영향” means “effect” or “influence” in “화면에 영향을 주다.” The reusable pattern “[thing]에 영향을 주다” means to affect something.

을 “을” marks “영향” as the object of “주다” in “영향을 주는지.” It is used after a noun ending in a consonant to show what is given or caused.

주는지 “주는지” means “whether it affects” in “화면에 영향을 주는지.” It introduces the point being checked, and a reusable pattern is “[thing]에 영향을 주는지 확인하다,” meaning to check whether something affects it.

도 “도” means “also” or “even” and adds this glare-related check to the other advice. It can follow a noun or phrase to include one more item in the same consideration.

확인해 “확인해” means “check” or “confirm” in “확인해 보는 게 좋아요.” It is used before “보다” when suggesting that someone try checking something.

보는 “보는” contributes the idea of trying an action in “확인해 보는 게 좋아요,” rather than simply looking. The pattern “[action]해 보다” is useful for suggesting or describing trying an action.

게 “게” turns “확인해 보는” into the thing being evaluated in “확인해 보는 게 좋아요.” The whole pattern “[action]하는 게 좋아요” means that doing the action is advisable.

좋아요 “좋아요” means “is good” and, in “확인해 보는 게 좋아요,” gives gentle advice that checking would be advisable. It can follow a nominalized action to recommend it.

오후 “오후” means “afternoon” and identifies when the sunlight causes the problem. It commonly comes before a time-related noun or event, as in “오후 햇빛.”

햇빛 “햇빛” means “sunlight,” which makes the screen difficult to read in the afternoon. It can be used as the cause of a difficulty with “때문에,” as in “햇빛 때문에.”

때문 “때문” contributes the meaning “because of” in “햇빛 때문에,” identifying sunlight as the cause. The pattern “[cause] 때문에” is used to explain why something happens.

읽기 “읽기” means “reading” in “화면을 읽기 어려워요,” describing the activity that is difficult. It is useful before “어렵다” in the pattern “[action]하기 어렵다,” meaning an action is difficult.

어려워요 “어려워요” means “is difficult” here, referring to reading the screen. It can follow an action expression such as “화면을 읽기” to say that the action is difficult.

책상 “책상” means “desk,” the object that may be moved to reduce glare. It can be used with a movement verb, as in “책상을 옮기다,” to describe moving the desk.

조금 “조금” means “a little” or “slightly” and limits how far the desk should be moved. It can be placed before an action or description to make the amount small.

옮겨 “옮겨” means “move” in “책상을 조금 옮겨 보거나.” It is followed by “보다” to suggest trying the movement, giving the pattern “[object]를 옮겨 보다.”

보거나 “보거나” means “or try doing” in “옮겨 보거나,” linking the option of trying to move the desk with the option of using the curtain. It is useful for connecting alternative actions in the pattern “[action]거나 [action].”

통화할 “통화할” refers to making or taking calls in “통화할 때,” meaning when talking on the phone. The pattern “[action]할 때” is used to specify when another action should happen.

커튼 “커튼” means “curtain,” which can be used during calls to manage the sunlight. It can be the object of “사용하다,” as in “커튼을 사용하다.”

사용해 “사용해” means “use” in “사용해 보세요,” suggesting that the listener try using the curtain. The pattern “[object]을/를 사용해 보세요” is a polite way to suggest trying an object.

보세요 “보세요” makes “사용해 보세요” a polite suggestion to try using the curtain. It commonly follows an action form to invite someone to try that action.

더 “더” means “more” and modifies “편안해지면” and “잘할,” expressing an increase in comfort and work ability. It is placed before the word or phrase whose degree is increasing.

편안해지면 “편안해지면” means “if or when becoming more comfortable” in the condition for working better. The pattern “[state]해지면” describes what happens if or when a state changes.

일 “일” means “work” in “일도 더 잘할 수 있을 것 같아요.” The particle “도” adds work as another thing that may improve.

잘할 “잘할” means “do well” or “work well” in “일을 더 잘할 수 있을 것 같아요.” It is used before “수 있을 것 같아요” to express the belief that someone will be able to do something well.

있을 “있을” contributes the possibility or ability meaning in “잘할 수 있을 것 같아요.” Together with “수” and “있을 것 같아요,” it supports the meaning that the speaker thinks they will be able to work better.

것 “것” means “thing” or “fact,” but in “있을 것 같아요” it helps turn the preceding possibility into something the speaker thinks is likely. The pattern “[verb]을/ㄹ 것 같아요” is used to say that something seems likely or that the speaker thinks it will happen.

같아요 “같아요” means “seems” or “I think” in “잘할 수 있을 것 같아요,” making the statement a cautious belief rather than a firm claim. It is useful after “것” when expressing an impression or expectation.

몇 “몇” means “several” in “몇 시간,” giving an unspecified number of hours. It is placed directly before a counting word such as “시간” when the exact number is not stated.

시간 “시간” means “hour” in “몇 시간 동안,” measuring how long the same position is repeated. It can follow a number or quantity word and combine with “동안” for a duration.

동안 “동안” means “for” or “during” and marks the period of several hours. The pattern “[period] 동안” describes how long an activity or condition continues.

같은 “같은” means “same” and describes the position as unchanged. It comes before the noun it modifies, as in “같은 자세.”

반복할 “반복할” means “repeat” in “자세를 반복할 때는,” describing repeating the same position. The pattern “[action]할 때” means when doing that action.

는 “는” marks “반복할 때” as the topic or condition being emphasized in “반복할 때는.” It is attached after “때” to highlight what applies when the same position is repeated.

조정 “조정” means “adjustment” and refers to small changes to the work setup. It can be described by “작은” in “작은 조정,” meaning a minor adjustment.

중요해요 “중요해요” means “is important” and states that even small adjustments matter in this situation. It can follow a noun marked as the topic, as in “조정은 중요해요.”

무언가 “무언가” means “something” and refers to any item the speaker might buy. It can be used before an action such as “사다” when the specific object is not identified.

사기 “사기” means “buying” in “무언가를 사기 전에,” naming the action that comes before trying the layout. The pattern “[action]기 전에” means before doing something.

전 “전” means “before” in “사기 전에,” marking the earlier point before buying anything. It commonly follows an action form in the pattern “[action]기 전.”

먼저 “먼저” means “first” and says that the speaker will try the current layout before buying anything. It is useful for showing the order of actions.

배치 “배치” means “layout” or “arrangement,” referring to the current placement of the desk and equipment. It can be used with “시도해 보다” to describe trying an arrangement.

시도해 “시도해” means “try” or “attempt” in “시도해 볼 수 있어요.” It is followed by “보다” to express trying the proposed layout.

볼 “볼” contributes the meaning of trying in “시도해 볼 수 있어요.” The pattern “[action]해 보다” expresses trying an action, and “수 있어요” adds that it is possible.

가장 “가장” means “the most” and identifies the solution with the lowest cost in “가장 저렴한 방법.” It comes before the description being ranked highest or lowest in degree.

저렴한 “저렴한” means “inexpensive” and describes the method as low in cost. Together with “가장,” it describes the cheapest method in “가장 저렴한 방법.”

방법 “방법” means “method” or “way,” referring to a possible solution for improving the setup. It can follow a description such as “가장 저렴한” to identify a particular way of solving a problem.

충분할 “충분할” means “will be enough” or “may be sufficient” in “충분할 수 있으니까.” It is used before “수 있으니까” to express that something may be sufficient and give that as a reason.

있으니까 “있으니까” contributes the meaning “because it may be” in “충분할 수 있으니까,” giving the reason for saying the solution is reasonable. The pattern “[possibility]으니까” can introduce a reason for the following statement.

그게 “그게” means “that” or “that one” and refers to the cheapest solution just mentioned. It functions as the subject of “합리적이에요,” identifying which option makes sense.

합리적이에요 “합리적이에요” means “is reasonable” or “makes sense” and evaluates trying the cheapest solution first as a sensible choice. It can be used after an option or decision when giving a positive evaluation.

Grammar Points

V-고 나면

일하고 나면 어깨가 아파요.

eel-hah-go NA-myun uh-KKAE-ga ah-PPYA-yo

After working, my shoulder hurts.

Attach -고 나면 to a verb to describe what happens after completing an action.

V-(으)ㄹ 수 있어요

받침대로 화면을 높일 수 있어요.

BAT-chim-dae-ro hwa-MYUN-eul no-PIL ssu ee-SUH-yo

You can raise the screen with a stand.

Use -(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 to express ability or possibility.

Korean Vocabulary

너무 낮아요 phrase

nuh-MOO na-JAH-yo is too low

높일 수 있어요 phrase

no-PIL ssu ee-SUH-yo can raise

몸에 무리가 가요 phrase

MO-meh moo-REE-ga ga-YO is hard on the body

받침대 noun

BAT-chim-dae stand

아파요 verb

ah-PPYA-yo hurts

어깨 noun

uh-KKAE shoulder

일하고 나면 phrase

eel-hah-go NA-myun after working

자세 noun

JAH-seh posture

작업 환경 phrase

JAH-up hwang-GYUNG work setup; work environment

제대로 된 adj

jeh-DAE-ro DWEN proper

특히 adv

TUK-hee especially

하루 종일 adv

hah-ROO jong-EEL all day

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

That would help your posture.

Show Answer

그러면 자세에 도움이 될 거예요.

The afternoon sunlight makes the screen difficult to read.

Show Answer

오후 햇빛 때문에 화면을 읽기 어려워요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

shoulder

Show Answer

어깨

especially

Show Answer

특히

stand

Show Answer

받침대

hurts

Show Answer

아파요