Planning balanced meals for a busy week | Learn Korean in English

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Use Planning balanced meals for a busy week to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

다음 주는 바빠 보이니까, 미리 음식을 좀 준비해 두면 도움이 될 거예요.

DAH-um JOO-nun BAH-ppa BOH-ee-nee-kka, MEE-ree UHM-shi-geul jom JOON-bee-heh DOO-myun DOH-oo-mee DWEL kkuh-YEH-yo. Next week looks busy, so preparing some meals in advance would help.

식사 준비가 도움이 되겠지만, 매일 같은 음식만 먹지는 마세요.

SHIK-ssa JOON-bee-ga DOH-oo-mee DWEH-get-jjee-mahn, MEH-il GA-teun UHM-shing-mahn MEOK-jjee-neun mah-SEH-yo. Meal prep will help, but avoid eating the same thing every day.

채소 카레를 많이 만들어 두려고 했어요.

CHEH-soh kah-REH-rul MAH-nee MAN-deuh-ruh DOO-ryuh-goh HEH-suh-yo. I was thinking of making a big batch of vegetable curry.

양을 제대로 나누고 안전하게 보관하면 괜찮겠어요.

YAHNG-uhl JEH-deh-roh nah-NOO-goh an-JUHN-ha-geh boh-GWAN-ha-myun GWAEN-CHAN-keh-SUH-yo. That works if you portion it properly and store it safely.

일부는 얼리고 나머지는 냉장고에 보관할까요?

EEL-boo-nun UHL-lee-goh nah-MUH-jee-nun NYANG-jahng-goh-eh boh-GWAN-hal-kka-yo? Should I freeze some and keep the rest in the fridge?

몇 인분은 얼려 두세요.

MYUHT IN-boon-un UHL-lyuh DOO-seh-yo. Freeze a few portions.

고르기 쉽도록 각 용기에 표시를 붙이세요.

GOH-ruh-gee SHWEEP-ttoh-rohk gak YONG-gee-eh PYO-shi-rul boo-CHEE-seh-yo. Label each container so it is easy to choose.

저는 점심에 밥만 먹는 게 아니라 균형 잡힌 식사가 필요해요.

JUH-nun JUM-shim-eh BAM-man MEONG-neun geh ah-NEE-rah GYOON-hyung JAH-pin SHIK-ssa-ga PEEL-lyoh-heh-yo. I also need something balanced for lunch, not just rice.

먹고 싶은 것에 따라 달걀이나 콩 또는 닭고기를 추가하세요.

MEOK-koh SHI-peun GUH-seh TTAH-rah DAHL-gyah-lee-nah KOHNG ttoh-neun DAHK-koh-gee-rul CHOO-gah-ha-seh-yo. Add eggs, beans, or chicken, depending on what you feel like eating.

남은 음식이 지루하게 느껴지면 저는 곁들임 요리를 바꿀 수 있어요.

NAH-meun UHM-shi-gee jee-ROO-ha-geh neu-KKYUH-jee-myun JUH-nun GYUT-tteu-rim yoh-ree-rul BAH-kkul soo ee-SSUH-yo. If the leftovers feel boring, I can change the side dish.

작은 변화를 주면 미리 준비한 음식을 더 즐겁게 먹을 수 있어요.

JAH-geun BYUN-hwah-rul JOO-myun MEE-ree JOON-bee-han UHM-shi-geul duh JEUL-guhp-kkeh MUH-geul soo ee-SSUH-yo. Small changes make prepared meals more enjoyable.

Word by Word

다음 “다음” means next in “다음 주는,” referring to the week that follows the current one. It commonly comes before a time expression when discussing a future schedule or plan.

주는 In “다음 주는,” “주는” means as for the week, with the topic marking attached to “주.” Use this form when setting the week as the topic of a statement about plans or expectations.

바빠 “바빠” means busy in “바빠 보이니까.” It describes the week before “보이다,” so the speaker says that the week appears busy.

보이니까 “보이니까” means since it looks or seems that way in “바빠 보이니까.” The ending gives the reason for the suggestion that follows, so it is useful when explaining why something appears to require action.

미리 “미리” means in advance in “미리 음식을 좀 준비해 두면.” It shows that the preparation happens before the busy week, and it is useful for planning or completing something ahead of time.

음식을 “음식을” means food as the object of preparation in “음식을 좀 준비해 두면.” The object-marked form identifies what is being prepared, and the same pattern is used when naming something that an action is done to.

좀 “좀” means some or a little in “음식을 좀 준비해.” Here it softens the suggestion and indicates an unspecified amount of food. It is commonly placed before a verb when requesting or suggesting a modest amount of something.

준비해 “준비해” means prepare in “준비해 두면.” It connects preparation with “두면,” showing that the food is prepared and then kept ready for later use.

두면 “두면” means if one leaves or keeps something in that prepared state in “준비해 두면.” The conditional ending makes the phrase mean that keeping the food prepared would help, a useful pattern for discussing the result of preparing something beforehand.

도움이 “도움이” means help or assistance as the subject of “도움이 될 거예요.” It identifies the meal preparation as something that will provide assistance, and this form is used when saying that something will be helpful.

될 “될” means will be or become in “도움이 될 거예요.” It links the subject to its expected result, so “도움이 될” describes something expected to be helpful.

거예요 “거예요” expresses an expected or likely result in “도움이 될 거예요.” Together with the preceding phrase, it gives a polite prediction about the usefulness of preparing meals.

식사 “식사” means meal in “식사 준비가.” It refers to the meal-related activity as a general topic, and it commonly combines with a noun meaning preparation when discussing meal planning.

준비가 “준비가” means preparation as the subject in “식사 준비가 도움이 되겠지만.” It presents meal preparation as the thing that may be helpful, and the subject-marked form is used when describing its effect.

되겠지만 “되겠지만” means will probably be or should be, but in “도움이 되겠지만.” It presents a tentative positive assessment before adding the contrasting advice not to eat the same food every day.

매일 “매일” means every day in “매일 같은 음식만.” It sets the repeated time period for eating, and it is useful when describing a daily routine or repeated habit.

같은 “같은” means the same in “같은 음식만.” It modifies “음식,” identifying food that does not change from day to day, and it commonly comes directly before the noun it describes.

음식만 “음식만” means only the food in “같은 음식만 먹지는 마세요.” The ending restricts the choice to that food, while the full expression advises against eating only the same food.

먹지는 “먹지는” is the form used in “먹지는 마세요” to emphasize the action being discouraged. With “마세요,” it makes the advice specifically concern eating the same food every day rather than attributing the whole prohibition to this word alone.

마세요 “마세요” means please do not in “먹지는 마세요.” It gives polite negative advice, and it follows an action when telling someone not to carry it out.

채소 “채소” means vegetable in “채소 카레를.” It identifies the main type of curry being prepared, and it can be placed before a food name to specify its ingredient or style.

카레를 “카레를” means curry as the object in “채소 카레를 많이 만들어.” The object marking shows what the speaker plans to make, and the same form is used when naming a dish that is prepared or eaten.

많이 “많이” means a lot in “많이 만들어 두려고 했어요.” It indicates that the speaker intends to make a large amount, and it commonly comes before an action to describe a large quantity or degree.

만들어 “만들어” means make in “만들어 두려고 했어요.” Together with “두려고,” it describes making the curry and keeping it prepared for later.

두려고 “두려고” expresses the intention to leave something prepared in “만들어 두려고 했어요.” The construction combines making the curry with keeping it ready, and it is useful when describing preparation for future use.

했어요 “했어요” completes the earlier intention in “두려고 했어요,” meaning the speaker was intending or planning to do it. This polite form is useful when describing a plan that the speaker had in mind.

양을 “양을” means the amount as the object in “양을 제대로 나누고.” It identifies what is divided into portions, and this object-marked form is used when discussing the amount of food being handled.

제대로 “제대로” means properly in “제대로 나누고.” It shows that the portions should be divided in an appropriate or organized way, and it commonly modifies an action that needs to be done correctly.

나누고 “나누고” means divide and in “나누고 안전하게 보관하면.” It connects dividing the food with storing it safely, so it is useful for linking two related preparation actions.

안전하게 “안전하게” means safely in “안전하게 보관하면.” It describes how the food should be stored, and it commonly comes before the action whose manner needs to be specified.

보관하면 “보관하면” means if one stores it in “안전하게 보관하면 괜찮겠어요.” The conditional form makes safe storage the condition for the plan being acceptable, and it is useful when stating a requirement for keeping food or objects.

괜찮겠어요 “괜찮겠어요” means should be okay or would probably be fine in this situation. In “보관하면 괜찮겠어요,” it gives a tentative assessment of the plan after the condition has been stated.

일부는 “일부는” means as for some of it or some portions in “일부는 얼리고.” The topic marking sets these portions apart from “나머지는,” and the contrastive pattern is useful when dividing one amount into different treatments.

얼리고 “얼리고” means freeze and in “일부는 얼리고 나머지는 냉장고에 보관할까요?” It connects freezing some portions with storing the remaining portions elsewhere, and it is useful for listing parallel actions.

나머지는 “나머지는” means as for the rest in the contrast between “일부는” and “나머지는.” It introduces what remains after some portions have been selected, a useful form when assigning different actions to different parts of one group.

냉장고에 “냉장고에” means in or into the refrigerator in “냉장고에 보관할까요?” The location marking identifies where the remaining food would be stored, and the same form is used when naming a storage place.

보관할까요 “보관할까요” means shall I store it? in “냉장고에 보관할까요?” It politely asks for agreement or instructions about storing the food, and it is useful when proposing an action for another person to confirm.

몇 “몇” means a few or several in “몇 인분은.” It asks for or indicates an unspecified small number before the serving counter, and it is used with a counter when counting portions.

인분은 “인분은” means servings or portions as the topic in “몇 인분은 얼려 두세요.” It specifies food portions intended for one person, and it is useful when deciding how many servings to store or prepare.

얼려 “얼려” means freeze in “얼려 두세요.” With “두세요,” it means to freeze the portions and keep them frozen for later, a useful construction for preserving prepared food.

두세요 “두세요” means please leave or keep it that way in “얼려 두세요.” Together with “얼려,” it makes a polite request to freeze the portions and retain that state.

고르기 “고르기” means choosing in “고르기 쉽도록.” It turns the action of choosing into the activity whose difficulty is being described, and this form is useful when discussing whether an action is easy or difficult.

쉽도록 “쉽도록” means so that it is easy in “고르기 쉽도록.” It expresses the purpose of labeling the containers, and it is useful when describing an action done to make another action easier.

각 “각” means each in “각 용기에.” It indicates that the instruction applies separately to every container, and it commonly comes directly before the noun being distributed individually.

용기에 “용기에” means on or in each container in “각 용기에 표시를 붙이세요.” The location marking identifies where the label should be attached, and it is useful when specifying the destination of an attachment or placement.

표시를 “표시를” means a label or marking as the object in “표시를 붙이세요.” It identifies what should be attached to the containers, and this object-marked form is used when naming something that is put onto another item.

붙이세요 “붙이세요” means please attach or put on in “표시를 붙이세요.” It gives a polite instruction to attach the label to each container, and it is useful for requests involving labels, notes, or other attached items.

저는 “저는” means as for me or I as the topic in “저는 점심에.” It marks the speaker as the person whose lunch need is being discussed, and it is useful when contrasting one person’s situation with another’s.

점심에 “점심에” means for lunch or at lunchtime in “점심에 밥만 먹는 게 아니라.” The time or occasion marking connects the eating to lunch, and it is useful when specifying which meal an action belongs to.

밥만 “밥만” means only rice in “밥만 먹는 게 아니라.” The ending restricts the food to rice, and the full phrase uses this restriction as the first part of a contrast with needing a balanced meal.

먹는 “먹는” means eating in “먹는 게 아니라.” It modifies the following noun-like expression and describes the action under discussion, and this form is useful when talking about an ongoing or habitual activity.

게 “게” makes the preceding action “먹는” into the thing being discussed in “먹는 게 아니라.” The expression means that it is not simply the act of eating only rice, and it is useful for comparing one action with another.

아니라 “아니라” means not but rather in “밥만 먹는 게 아니라.” It introduces the contrasting point that a balanced meal is needed, and it is useful after a noun-like phrase when correcting or expanding a statement.

균형 “균형” means balance in “균형 잡힌 식사.” It supplies the idea of nutritional balance before “잡힌,” and the phrase is useful when describing a meal that contains a suitable mix rather than only one food.

잡힌 “잡힌” means balanced or arranged in “균형 잡힌 식사.” Together with “균형,” it describes the meal as having balance, and the complete phrase can be used when recommending a well-composed meal.

식사가 “식사가” means meal as the subject in “균형 잡힌 식사가 필요해요.” It identifies the balanced meal as what is needed, and the subject-marked form is useful when stating that something is necessary.

필요해요 “필요해요” means is needed or is necessary in “식사가 필요해요.” It states the speaker’s need for a balanced lunch, and it is useful when explaining that a person or situation requires something.

먹고 “먹고” means eat in “먹고 싶은 것.” Here it combines with “싶은” to express wanting to eat something, rather than simply linking two completed actions.

싶은 “싶은” expresses wanting to in “먹고 싶은 것.” Together with “먹고,” it describes the food the speaker wants to eat, and this construction is useful when choices depend on a person’s current preference.

것에 “것에” means what or the thing in “먹고 싶은 것에 따라.” It refers to the food that someone wants to eat, with the location or basis marking before “따라,” so the full expression means depending on that choice.

따라 “따라” means depending on or according to in “먹고 싶은 것에 따라.” It makes the choice of added food depend on what the person feels like eating, and it is useful for describing options that change according to a condition or preference.

달걀이나 “달걀이나” means eggs or in “달걀이나 콩 또는 닭고기를.” The ending presents eggs as one possible choice among the listed foods, and it is useful when offering alternatives.

콩 “콩” means beans in the list “달걀이나 콩 또는 닭고기를.” It names one possible addition to the lunch, and it can be used as a food item in a list of choices.

또는 “또는” means or in “콩 또는 닭고기를.” It connects alternative food choices in a clear, somewhat formal way, and it is useful when presenting one option instead of another.

닭고기를 “닭고기를” means chicken as the object in “닭고기를 추가하세요.” It identifies another food that can be added to lunch, and the object-marked form is used when naming what should be added.

추가하세요 “추가하세요” means please add in “닭고기를 추가하세요.” It gives a polite instruction to add one of the suggested foods, and it is useful when telling someone to include an additional ingredient or item.

남은 “남은” means remaining or leftover in “남은 음식이.” It describes food left from an earlier meal, and it commonly comes before the noun naming what remains.

음식이 “음식이” means food as the subject in “음식이 지루하게 느껴지면.” It identifies the leftover food as what may feel boring, and the subject-marked form is useful when describing someone’s perception of it.

지루하게 “지루하게” means in a boring or repetitive way in “지루하게 느껴지면.” Together with “느껴지면,” it describes the impression the leftover food may give, and it is useful when talking about food or routines becoming uninteresting.

느껴지면 “느껴지면” means if it feels or seems in “지루하게 느껴지면.” The conditional ending introduces the situation in which the leftovers feel boring, and it is useful when making a suggestion based on someone’s impression.

곁들임 “곁들임” means an accompaniment or side in “곁들임 요리.” It identifies a dish served alongside the main food, and the phrase is useful when discussing a side dish that can vary from meal to meal.

요리를 “요리를” means dish as the object in “곁들임 요리를 바꿀 수 있어요.” It identifies the side dish that can be changed, and the object-marked form is used when naming the dish affected by the change.

바꿀 “바꿀” means change in “바꿀 수 있어요.” It is the form used before “수” in the expression for ability or possibility, so the full phrase means being able to change the side dish.

수 “수” expresses ability or possibility in “바꿀 수 있어요.” It forms the construction that says the speaker can change the side dish, and it is used after an action form when discussing whether that action is possible.

있어요 “있어요” means can in “바꿀 수 있어요.” Together with “바꿀 수,” it states that changing the side dish is possible, and this polite construction is useful for saying what someone is able to do.

작은 “작은” means small in “작은 변화를.” It modifies “변화를,” indicating that even a minor adjustment can have an effect, and it commonly comes before the noun it describes.

변화를 “변화를” means changes as the object in “작은 변화를 주면.” The expression refers to making small adjustments to prepared meals, and the object-marked form identifies what is being introduced.

주면 “주면” means if one gives or makes in “변화를 주면.” With “변화를,” it means if one makes changes, and the conditional form introduces the condition for eating the prepared meals more enjoyably.

준비한 “준비한” means prepared in “미리 준비한 음식.” It modifies the food that was made ahead of time, and this form is useful when identifying something that has already been prepared for later use.

더 “더” means more in “더 즐겁게 먹을 수 있어요.” It increases the degree of enjoyment, showing that small changes can make the prepared meals more enjoyable than before.

즐겁게 “즐겁게” means enjoyably in “더 즐겁게 먹을 수 있어요.” It describes the manner of eating the prepared meals, and it is useful when explaining how an action can become more pleasant.

먹을 “먹을” means eat in “먹을 수 있어요.” It is the action form used before “수 있어요” to express the possibility of eating, so the full phrase says that the speaker can eat the prepared meals more enjoyably.

Grammar Points

V-아/어 두면

미리 준비해 두면

MEE-ree JOON-bee-heh DOO-myun

If you prepare it in advance

-아/어 두다 shows an action completed in preparation for later; -면 adds the meaning “if” or “when.”

V-고

양을 나누고 안전하게 보관하면

YAHNG-uhl nah-NOO-goh an-JUHN-ha-geh boh-GWAN-ha-myun

If you divide the portions and store them safely

-고 connects actions in sequence, meaning “and” or “and then.”

Korean Vocabulary

같다 adj

GAT-ttah to be the same 같은

나누다 verb

nah-NOO-dah to divide; to portion 나누고

매일 adv

MEH-il every day

미리 adv

MEE-ree in advance

보관하다 verb

boh-GWAN-hah-dah to store 보관하면

식사 준비 phrase

SHIK-ssa JOON-bee meal preparation

안전하게 adv

an-JUHN-ha-geh safely

양 noun

YAHNG amount; portion

제대로 adv

JEH-deh-roh properly

준비하다 verb

JOON-bee-hah-dah to prepare 준비해 두면

채소 noun

CHEH-soh vegetable

카레 noun

KAH-reh curry

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I was thinking of making a big batch of vegetable curry.

Show Answer

채소 카레를 많이 만들어 두려고 했어요.

That works if you portion it properly and store it safely.

Show Answer

양을 제대로 나누고 안전하게 보관하면 괜찮겠어요.

Should I freeze some and keep the rest in the fridge?

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일부는 얼리고 나머지는 냉장고에 보관할까요?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

safely

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안전하게

to store

Show Answer

보관하면

in advance

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미리

to be the same

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같은