Coordinating dinner timing | Learn Korean in English

About This Lesson

Use Coordinating dinner timing to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

메인 요리가 아직 조리 중일 때 손님들이 도착할 수도 있어요.

meh-IN yoh-ree-GA ah-JIK joh-ree joong-IL tteh sohn-NEEM-deu-ree doh-chahk-HAL soo-DOH ee-ssuh-YOH. The guests may arrive while the main course is still cooking.

그럼 사람들이 자리를 잡을 수 있게 간단한 전채 요리를 내세요.

guh-RUHM sah-RAM-deu-ree jah-REE-reul jah-BEUL soo EET-keh gan-DAN-han JUN-cheh yoh-REE-reul neh-SEH-yoh. Then serve a simple starter so people can settle in.

손님들이 오기 전에 샐러드와 빵을 준비해 둘 수 있어요.

sohn-NEEM-deu-ree OH-gee JUN-eh SAHL-luh-deu-wah ppahng-eul joon-BEE-heh DOOL soo ee-ssuh-YOH. I can have salad and bread ready before they get here.

그러면 저녁 식사가 늦어 보이지 않으면서 메인 요리에 시간을 조금 더 줄 수 있어요.

guh-ruh-MYUN juh-NYUK shik-SAH-ga nuh-JUH boh-EE-jee ah-nuh-myuhn-suh meh-IN yoh-ree-eh SHEE-gah-neul joh-GEUM duh jool soo ee-ssuh-YOH. That gives the main course a little extra time without making dinner seem delayed.

모두 도착한 뒤에 채소를 요리할까요?

MOH-doo doh-CHAH-kan DWEE-eh CHEH-soh-reul yoh-ree-HAL-kka-yoh? Should I cook the vegetables once everyone has arrived?

채소는 갓 요리했을 때 더 맛있으니, 내기 직전까지 기다리세요.

CHEH-soh-neun gaht yoh-ree-HAESS-eul tteh duh mah-SHEE-sseu-nee, neh-GEE jik-JUN-kka-jee gee-dah-ree-SEH-yoh. They taste better freshly cooked, so wait until you are close to serving.

손님을 맞이하는 일은 스트레스가 있어요. 모든 일의 시간을 맞추는 게 요리보다 더 어려우니까요.

sohn-NEE-meul mah-JEE-hah-neun eel-eun suh-teu-REH-suh-ga ee-ssuh-YOH. MOH-deun eel-eui SHEE-gah-neul maht-CHOO-neun geh yoh-ree-BOH-dah duh uh-RYUH-oo-nee-kka-yoh. Hosting feels stressful because timing everything is harder than cooking.

간단한 음식 내는 계획을 세우세요. 음료, 전채 요리, 그다음 메인 요리 순서로요.

gan-DAN-han uhm-SHEEK neh-neun gyeh-HWEK-eul seh-oo-SEH-yoh. uhm-NYOH, JUN-cheh yoh-REE, guh-dah-eum meh-IN yoh-REE SOON-suh-roh-yoh. Make a simple serving plan: drinks, starter, then the main course.

그 체크리스트를 가스레인지 옆에 둘 수 있어요.

guh CHEK-uh-ree-suh-tuh-reul gah-suh-RAYN-jee yup-eh DOOL soo ee-ssuh-YOH. I can keep that checklist near the stove.

그 계획이 손님들이 도착하는 동안 계속 집중할 수 있게 도와줄 거예요.

guh gyeh-HWEK-ee sohn-NEEM-deu-ree doh-chah-KAH-neun dong-AHN gyeh-SOHK jee-JOONG-hal soo EET-keh doh-WAH-jool guh-YEH-yoh. It should help you stay focused while people arrive.

Word by Word

메인 메인 means “main” here and appears in 메인 요리 for the main course. It comes before the food noun it describes. Use 메인 요리 when discussing the principal dish of a meal.

요리가 요리가 refers to the dish as the subject in 메인 요리가 아직 조리 중일 때. The 가 marks the dish as what is still being cooked. This pattern can describe a food item that is currently in progress.

아직 아직 means “still” here, showing that the cooking has not finished yet. In 아직 조리 중일 때, it emphasizes that the main dish remains in progress. Use it with an ongoing or not-yet-finished situation.

조리 조리 means cooking or food preparation here, in 조리 중일 때. It identifies the activity that is currently in progress. 조리 중 is useful when talking about food being prepared.

중일 중일 shows that something is in progress before 때 in 조리 중일 때. Together with 조리 중, it describes the main dish as still being cooked. This form is useful before a time expression such as 때.

때 때 means “when” or “at the time” in 조리 중일 때. It connects the ongoing cooking situation with the possible arrival of the guests. Use it after a clause to describe when something happens.

손님들이 손님들이 means “the guests” as the subject of the possible arrival. The 들 marks the guests as a group, and 이 marks them as the subject. Use 손님들이 when referring to several guests doing something.

도착할 도착할 means “arrive” in the form used before 수도 있어요 in 손님들이 도착할 수도 있어요. It presents the guests’ arrival as a possible event. Use it in a pattern such as 손님들이 도착할 때 for “when the guests arrive.”

수도 수도 contributes the idea of possibility in 도착할 수도 있어요. The complete expression 도착할 수도 있어요 means “may arrive,” rather than describing a definite arrival. Use this pattern to present one possible outcome.

있어요 있어요 completes the possibility expression 도착할 수도 있어요, which means that the arrival may happen. It gives the sentence a polite ending. Use 수도 있어요 after a verb form when saying that something may happen.

그럼 그럼 means “then” here and introduces a suggestion based on the possible timing problem. It links the previous situation to the next action. Use it when responding with a practical next step.

사람들이 사람들이 means “people” as the subject of settling in in 사람들이 자리를 잡을 수 있게. The 이 marks the people as the ones who can settle in. Use it when referring to people as a group in an action or situation.

자리를 자리를 means “a place” or “a seat” as the object in 자리를 잡다. In this dialogue, 자리를 잡다 means that people settle in after arriving. Use 자리를 잡다 when describing getting settled in a place.

잡을 잡을 contributes “take” or “settle into” in 자리를 잡을 수 있게. The whole expression 자리를 잡다 means “settle in,” so 잡을 should be understood together with 자리를. This pattern is useful for describing people getting comfortable in a place.

수 수 expresses ability or possibility in 자리를 잡을 수 있게. The complete pattern 잡을 수 있게 means “so that they can settle in.” Use 수 있다 after a verb form to describe what someone can do.

있게 있게 helps form the purpose expression 자리를 잡을 수 있게, meaning “so that people can settle in.” It connects the starter being served with the result it is intended to support. Use 수 있게 after an ability expression when describing a purpose.

간단한 간단한 means “simple” here and describes the starter in 간단한 전채 요리. It presents the food as uncomplicated and suitable for helping guests settle in. Use it before a noun when describing something simple.

전채 전채 means “starter” or “appetizer” in 전채 요리를 내세요. It refers to food served before the main course. Use 전채 요리 when planning the first food served at a meal.

요리를 요리를 means “the dish” or “food” as the object of 내세요 in 전채 요리를 내세요. In this phrase, it refers specifically to the starter. The 를 marks the food being served.

내세요 내세요 is a polite request to serve or put out the food in 전채 요리를 내세요. The requested action is understood from the object 전채 요리를. Use 음식이나 음료를 내세요 when politely telling someone to serve food or drinks.

오기 오기 means “coming” in 손님들이 오기 전에. It turns 오다 into the event of coming before 전에. Use 오기 전에 to say that something happens before someone comes.

전에 전에 means “before” in 손님들이 오기 전에. It places preparing the salad and bread earlier than the guests’ arrival. Use it after an action or event when describing what happens before it.

샐러드와 샐러드와 means “salad and,” linking the salad to the bread in 샐러드와 빵을 준비해 둘 수 있어요. 와 adds another item to the list. Use it to connect two nouns in a list.

빵을 빵을 means “bread” as one of the foods to prepare in advance. The 를 marks the bread as part of the object phrase 샐러드와 빵을 준비해 둘 수 있어요. Use 빵을 with verbs describing preparing, serving, or eating bread.

준비해 준비해 means “prepare” as the first part of 준비해 둘 수 있어요. Together with 둘, 준비해 두다 means to prepare something and keep it ready in advance. Use 준비해 두다 when an item should be ready for later use.

둘 둘 contributes the idea of keeping something ready in 준비해 둘 수 있어요. Together, 준비해 둘 means “prepare and have ready,” before the possibility expression 수 있어요. This pattern is useful for advance preparation.

그러면 그러면 means “then” or “that way” here and introduces the result of preparing the starter foods. It connects that action with giving the main dish more time. Use it when explaining a consequence or practical result.

저녁 저녁 means “dinner” in 저녁 식사가 늦어 보이지 않으면서. It identifies the meal being coordinated in the dialogue. Use 저녁 식사 when referring to the evening meal.

식사가 식사가 means “the meal” as the subject of 늦어 보이지 않으면서. It is the dinner that should not seem delayed. The 가 marks the meal as the thing that appears a certain way.

늦어 늦어 contributes “late” or “delayed” in 늦어 보이지 않으면서. Together with 보이지 않다, it describes dinner as not appearing delayed. Use 늦어 보이다 when something seems late.

보이지 보이지 means “seem” or “look” in 늦어 보이지 않으면서. With 않으면서, the phrase says that dinner does not appear delayed. Use 보이다 after a description when something appears a certain way.

않으면서 않으면서 means “without” or “while not” in 늦어 보이지 않으면서. The complete phrase means that dinner does not seem delayed while the main dish gets more time. Use it to connect an action with something that does not happen.

요리에 요리에 means “to the dish” or “for the dish” in 메인 요리에 시간을 조금 더 줄 수 있어요. The 에 marks the main dish as the recipient of the extra time. Use this pattern when describing giving time or attention to something.

시간을 시간을 means “time” as the thing being given in 시간을 조금 더 줄 수 있어요. The 를 marks time as the object of 주다. Use 시간을 주다 when allowing something extra time.

조금 조금 means “a little” in 시간을 조금 더 줄 수 있어요. It limits the amount of extra time being given to the main dish. Use it before a quantity or degree when the amount is small.

더 더 means “more” in 조금 더, showing that the main dish receives additional time. It works with 조금 to mean “a little more.” Use it before an amount or description when adding to what already exists.

줄 줄 is the form of 주다 used in 시간을 조금 더 줄 수 있어요, meaning “give” in the ability expression. The complete phrase means that the meal plan can give the main dish a little more time. A reusable pattern is A에 B를 줄 수 있어요.

모두 모두 means “everyone” or “all” in 모두 도착한 뒤에. It refers to all the guests arriving, not just some of them. Use it before an action when referring to everyone in a group.

도착한 도착한 means “having arrived” in 모두 도착한 뒤에. It describes the completed arrival that comes before cooking the vegetables. Use it before 뒤에 to describe what happens after an event is complete.

뒤에 뒤에 means “after” in 모두 도착한 뒤에. It places cooking the vegetables after everyone has arrived. Use it after a completed action when describing the next time or stage.

채소를 채소를 means “the vegetables” as the object of 요리할까요 in 채소를 요리할까요. The 를 marks the vegetables as the food to be cooked. Use it when discussing cooking or serving vegetables.

요리할까요 요리할까요 is a polite question meaning “shall I cook?” in 채소를 요리할까요? It proposes cooking the vegetables and asks for the other person’s view. Use this ending when suggesting that you do an action.

채소는 채소는 means “the vegetables” as the topic in 채소는 갓 요리했을 때 더 맛있으니. It introduces the vegetables as the food whose taste is being discussed. The 는 marks the topic of the explanation.

갓 갓 means “freshly” or “just” in 갓 요리했을 때. It emphasizes that the cooking has happened very recently. Use it before an action when highlighting freshness immediately after that action.

요리했을 요리했을 means “cooked” in 갓 요리했을 때, referring to the vegetables having just been cooked. It appears before 때 to describe the time when they have been freshly cooked. Use this pattern to talk about a condition after cooking.

맛있으니 맛있으니 gives the reason “because they taste good” in 갓 요리했을 때 더 맛있으니. It explains why the vegetables should be cooked close to serving. Use this form to give a reason for the following suggestion or instruction.

내기 내기 means “serving” or “putting out” in 내기 직전까지. It refers to the event of serving the vegetables. Use 내기 전에 or 내기 직전에 when planning something in relation to serving.

직전까지 직전까지 means “until just before” in 내기 직전까지 기다리세요. It tells the listener to wait up to the moment immediately before serving. Use it when an action should continue until very close to a specific event.

기다리세요 기다리세요 is a polite request meaning “please wait” in 내기 직전까지 기다리세요. The phrase specifies how long to wait: until just before serving. Use it when giving a polite instruction to wait.

손님을 손님을 means “the guests” as the object of 맞이하는 in 손님을 맞이하는 일. It identifies the people being welcomed or hosted. The 를 marks the guests as the object of that action.

맞이하는 맞이하는 means “welcoming” or “hosting” in 손님을 맞이하는 일. It describes the activity of receiving the guests at home. Use it before 일 when referring to the task of welcoming someone.

일은 일은 means “the task” or “the work” as the topic in 손님을 맞이하는 일은 스트레스가 있어요. It turns welcoming guests into the topic being evaluated. Use 일은 when discussing a task or activity as a topic.

스트레스가 스트레스가 means “stress” as the subject in 스트레스가 있어요. In this dialogue, it says that hosting involves stress. Use 스트레스가 있다 when describing a stressful task or situation.

모든 모든 means “all” or “every” in 모든 일의 시간을 맞추는 게. It describes every task involved in hosting. Use it directly before a noun when referring to the whole set of something.

일의 일의 means “of the tasks” in 모든 일의 시간을 맞추는 게. It links the tasks to their timing, producing the idea of coordinating the time of all the tasks. Use 의 to connect one noun with another in this kind of relationship.

맞추는 맞추는 means “coordinating” or “adjusting” in 모든 일의 시간을 맞추는 게. Together with 시간을, 시간을 맞추다 means to coordinate timing. Use this pattern when arranging the timing of tasks or events.

게 게 nominalizes 모든 일의 시간을 맞추는, making the activity the subject of 어려우니까요. The phrase means that coordinating all the timing is difficult. Use this form when treating an action as a thing being evaluated.

요리보다 요리보다 means “than cooking” in 요리보다 어려우니까요. 보다 marks cooking as the comparison point. Use it after the thing used for comparison when saying that something is harder or easier than it.

어려우니까요 어려우니까요 means “because it is harder” and gives the reason hosting feels stressful. The comparison with 요리 shows that coordinating timing is harder than cooking. Use this polite ending to explain the reason for a preceding statement.

음식 음식 means “food” in 음식 내는 계획을 세우세요. It refers generally to the food that will be served during the meal. Use 음식 when discussing food without naming a specific dish.

내는 내는 means “serving” or “putting out” in 음식 내는 계획. Together with 음식, 음식 내다 means to serve food. Use it before 계획 when describing a plan for serving food.

계획을 계획을 means “the plan” as the object of 세우세요 in 계획을 세우세요. It refers to the serving plan that organizes drinks, the starter, and the main course. Use 계획을 세우다 for making a plan.

세우세요 세우세요 is a polite instruction meaning “make” or “set up” in 계획을 세우세요. Here it asks the listener to create a simple serving plan. Use it with 계획을 when politely telling someone to make a plan.

음료 음료 means “drinks” in the serving order 음료, 전채 요리, 그다음 메인 요리. It identifies the first item to serve. Use 음료 when referring to beverages in a meal or hosting plan.

그다음 그다음 means “then” or “next” in 그다음 메인 요리. It marks the main dish as the item that follows the starter. Use it to show the next step or item in an order.

요리 요리 means “dish” or “course” in 메인 요리. Here it refers to the main dish in the serving sequence. Use 요리 after a modifier such as 메인 to name a course or dish.

순서로요 순서로요 means “in that order” in 음료, 전채 요리, 그다음 메인 요리 순서로요. It summarizes the order in which the items should be served. Use 순서로요 after listing steps or items in sequence.

그 그 means “that” in 그 체크리스트를. It points back to the serving plan or checklist already mentioned. Use it before a noun when referring to something previously identified.

체크리스트를 체크리스트를 means “the checklist” as the object of keep in 그 체크리스트를 가스레인지 옆에 둘 수 있어요. It refers to the written serving sequence. The 를 marks the checklist as the item being kept nearby.

가스레인지 가스레인지 means “stove” in 가스레인지 옆에. It identifies the place beside which the checklist can be kept. Use it when referring to a gas stove in a kitchen.

옆에 옆에 means “beside” or “next to” in 가스레인지 옆에. It specifies the checklist’s location beside the stove. Use it after a noun to describe something positioned next to it.

계획이 계획이 means “the plan” as the subject of 도와줄 거예요 in 계획이 ... 도와줄 거예요. It refers to the serving plan that will help the host stay focused. The 이 marks the plan as the thing providing help.

도착하는 도착하는 means “arriving” in 손님들이 도착하는 동안. It describes the guests’ arrival as an ongoing period. Use it before 동안 when an action continues during another event.

동안 동안 means “while” or “during” in 손님들이 도착하는 동안. It sets the period during which the plan helps the host stay focused. Use it after a noun or clause to describe a duration.

계속 계속 means “continuously” or “keep” in 계속 집중할 수 있게. It emphasizes maintaining focus during the guests’ arrival. Use it before an action when that action continues without stopping.

집중할 집중할 means “focus” in 계속 집중할 수 있게. Together with 수 있게, it means “so that you can keep focused.” Use 집중하다 when describing attention directed toward a task.

도와줄 도와줄 means “help” in 도와줄 거예요. It describes the plan as something that will help the host stay focused. Use 도와주다 with a person and an action when saying that something helps someone do something.

거예요 거예요 completes 도와줄 거예요, a polite expression meaning “will help” or “is expected to help.” It presents the help as a likely result of keeping the plan nearby. Use it after a verb form when making a polite future statement.

Grammar Points

-(으)ㄹ 수도 있어요

손님들이 도착할 수도 있어요.

sohn-NEEM-deu-ree doh-chahk-HAL soo-DOH ee-ssuh-YOH.

The guests may arrive.

This ending expresses possibility. Attach 을 수도 있어요 after a consonant and ㄹ 수도 있어요 after a vowel.

-게

자리를 잡을 수 있게 간단한 전채 요리를 내세요.

jah-REE-reul jah-BEUL soo EET-keh gan-DAN-han JUN-cheh yoh-REE-reul neh-SEH-yoh.

Serve a simple appetizer so that they can settle in.

-게 can express purpose: “so that.” It follows a verb or adjective stem.

Korean Vocabulary

간단한 adj

gan-DAN-han simple

그럼 사람들이 자리를 잡을 수 있게 간단한 전채 요리를 내세요.

내세요 verb

neh-SEH-yoh serve

그럼 사람들이 자리를 잡을 수 있게 간단한 전채 요리를 내세요.

도착할 수도 있어요 phrase

doh-chahk-HAL soo-DOH ee-ssuh-YOH may arrive

메인 요리가 아직 조리 중일 때 손님들이 도착할 수도 있어요.

메인 요리 noun

meh-IN yoh-REE main course

메인 요리가 아직 조리 중일 때 손님들이 도착할 수도 있어요.

빵 noun

ppahng bread

손님들이 오기 전에 샐러드와 빵을 준비해 둘 수 있어요.

샐러드 noun

SAHL-luh-deu salad

손님들이 오기 전에 샐러드와 빵을 준비해 둘 수 있어요.

손님들이 noun

sohn-NEEM-deu-ree the guests

메인 요리가 아직 조리 중일 때 손님들이 도착할 수도 있어요.

아직 adv

ah-JIK still; yet

메인 요리가 아직 조리 중일 때 손님들이 도착할 수도 있어요.

자리를 잡을 수 있게 phrase

jah-REE-reul jah-BEUL soo EET-keh so that they can settle in

그럼 사람들이 자리를 잡을 수 있게 간단한 전채 요리를 내세요.

전채 요리 noun

JUN-cheh yoh-REE starter; appetizer

그럼 사람들이 자리를 잡을 수 있게 간단한 전채 요리를 내세요.

조리 중 phrase

joh-REE joong in the process of cooking

메인 요리가 아직 조리 중일 때 손님들이 도착할 수도 있어요.

준비해 둘 수 있어요 phrase

joon-BEE-heh DOOL soo ee-ssuh-YOH can have ready

손님들이 오기 전에 샐러드와 빵을 준비해 둘 수 있어요.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Should I cook the vegetables once everyone has arrived?

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모두 도착한 뒤에 채소를 요리할까요?

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the guests

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손님들이

simple

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간단한

salad

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샐러드

serve

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내세요