Help with a hotel room heating problem | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: From a hotel room, a guest calls the front desk about broken heating and asks about repair or another room..

EN → KO / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Help with a hotel room heating problem to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

제 방에서 전화드리는데, 난방이 작동하지 않아요.

jeh BAHNG-eh-suh jun-HWAH-deu-ree-neun-deh, nahn-BAHNG-ee jak-TTOHNG-hah-jee ah-NAH-yoh. I am calling from my room because the heating is not working.
B

불편을 드려 죄송합니다. 도착하신 후부터 방이 추웠나요?

bool-PYUN-uhl deu-RYUH jweh-SONG-ham-nee-dah. doh-CHAHK-ha-shin hoo-boo-TUH BAHNG-ee CHOO-wuhn-nah-yoh? I am sorry about that. Has the room been cold since you arrived?
A

오늘 오후에 체크인한 후부터 추웠어요.

OH-neul OH-hoo-eh CHEK-een-han hoo-boo-TUH choo-WUHSS-uh-yoh. It has been cold since I checked in this afternoon.
B

지금 바로 관리 직원을 보내서 점검해 보겠습니다.

jee-GEUM bah-roh GWAHL-lee jik-WUH-nuhl boh-NEH-suh jum-GUHM-heh bo-get-SSUM-nee-dah. I can send maintenance to inspect it right away.
A

오늘 밤에 고칠 수 없다면, 다른 방을 이용할 수 있나요?

OH-neul BAHM-eh GOH-chil soo uhp-TTAH-myun, TAH-reun BAHNG-uhl ee-YONG-hal soo inn-NAH-yoh? If it cannot be fixed tonight, is another room available?
B

빈방을 확인해 보고, 있으면 비슷한 방을 잡아 두겠습니다.

been-BAHNG-uhl hwa-GIN-heh BOH-go, ee-SSUH-myun bee-SEU-tan BAHNG-uhl jah-BAH doo-get-SSUM-nee-dah. I will check availability and hold a similar room if we have one.
A

업그레이드는 필요 없고, 잠잘 수 있는 따뜻한 방이면 됩니다.

UHP-geu-RAY-deu-neun PHEEL-lyoh UHP-go, JAHM-jjal soo IN-neun TTAH-tuh-tan BAHNG-ee-myun DWEHM-nee-dah. I do not need an upgrade, just a warm room for sleeping.
B

먼저 수리를 시도하고, 필요하면 다른 방도 준비해 두겠습니다.

MUN-juh SOO-ree-reul shee-DOH-hah-go, PHEEL-lyoh-hah-myun TAH-reun BAHNG-doh joon-BEE-heh doo-get-SSUM-nee-dah. We will try the repair first and keep another room ready if needed.
A

관리 직원이 올라오기 전에 저에게 전화해 주세요.

GWAHL-lee jik-WUH-nee oh-llah-oh-gee juh-neh Juh-eh-geh jun-HWAH-heh JOO-seh-yoh. Please call before maintenance comes up.
B

관리 직원이 올라오기 전에 전화드리고, 새로운 소식이 있으면 다시 전화드리겠습니다.

GWAHL-lee jik-WUH-nee oh-llah-oh-gee juh-neh jun-HWAH-deu-ree-go, seh-ROH-oon soh-SHEE-gee ee-SSUH-myun DAH-shee jun-HWAH-deu-ree-get-SSUM-nee-dah. I will call you before they come up and again when I have an update.

Word by Word

제 “제” means “my” here in the polite expression “제 방에서”, referring respectfully to the speaker’s own room. It is the possessive form used before a noun, as in “제 방”. In this hotel call, use it when identifying something that belongs to you.
방에서 “방에서” means “in my room” here, the place from which the calling happens. “방” means room and “에서” marks the location of an action. The same location pattern can be used for actions such as calling, waiting, or resting in a room.
전화드리는데 “전화드리는데” politely sets the context as “I’m calling you” in “제 방에서 전화드리는데”. The form combines a polite expression for calling someone with a background-setting ending, so it naturally introduces the reason for the call. It is useful when beginning a service request politely.
난방이 “난방이” means “the heating” as the subject of the problem in “난방이 작동하지 않아요”. “이” marks “난방” as what is or is not working. This pattern is useful when reporting that a particular hotel facility is malfunctioning.
작동하지 “작동하지” contributes “working” in the negative expression “작동하지 않아요”, meaning that the heating does not operate. It is the form placed before the negative “않아요”. Use this sequence to report that a machine or facility is not functioning.
않아요 “않아요” supplies the polite negation in “작동하지 않아요”, so the meaning is “does not work”. It follows “작동하지” to negate the operation of the heating. This polite negative pattern is useful when describing a problem to hotel staff.
불편을 “불편을” means “inconvenience” as the object in the apology “불편을 드려 죄송합니다”. The object marker “을” shows what was caused to the guest. This expression is commonly used when apologizing for trouble or inconvenience caused to someone.
드려 “드려” contributes the polite meaning of causing or giving in “불편을 드려 죄송합니다”, literally apologizing for causing inconvenience. It is the connective form of 드리다, used before the apology. In customer service, this expression acknowledges that the listener has experienced trouble.
죄송합니다 “죄송합니다” means “I’m sorry” in a formal polite apology. In “불편을 드려 죄송합니다”, it completes the apology for causing inconvenience. Use it when speaking respectfully to a guest, customer, or other person who has been inconvenienced.
도착하신 “도착하신” means “you arrived” in the respectful modifier “도착하신 후부터”. The honorific form respectfully refers to the guest’s arrival and modifies “후”. A verb in this modifier position can describe an event before a following noun such as “후”.
후부터 “후부터” means “since after” or “from after that point” in “도착하신 후부터”. It marks the starting point from which the room has been cold. This form is useful for explaining when a continuing problem began.
방이 “방이” means “the room” as the subject of the state in “방이 추웠나요?”. The subject marker “이” identifies the room as what was cold. Use this structure when asking about the condition of a room or other place.
추웠나요 “추웠나요” asks politely whether it was cold, referring to the room’s condition since arrival. It is the past polite question form used in “방이 추웠나요?”. In a hotel conversation, it gently checks the guest’s experience rather than making an assumption.
오늘 “오늘” means “today” and identifies the day in “오늘 오후에”. It can specify when an event happened or will happen. Here it narrows the check-in time to today’s afternoon.
오후에 “오후에” means “in the afternoon” in “오늘 오후에 체크인한”. The time marker “에” marks when the check-in occurred. It is useful for giving a specific time context for an event.
체크인한 “체크인한” means “checked in” as an action modifying the following time expression in “체크인한 후부터”. It comes from the borrowed verb 체크인하다 and describes the guest’s completed check-in before “후부터”. This modifier pattern is useful for saying what happened before a later event or condition.
추웠어요 “추웠어요” means “was cold” as a polite statement about the room from check-in onward. It describes the past condition in “오늘 오후에 체크인한 후부터 추웠어요”. Use it to report a past experience politely.
지금 “지금” means “now” in “지금 바로”. It places the planned action in the present time. In this service context, it emphasizes that help can be arranged immediately.
바로 “바로” means “right away” in “지금 바로”. Together, the expression stresses immediate action. It is useful when promising that a request or response will be handled without delay.
관리 “관리” refers to maintenance or facility management in “관리 직원”. It identifies the department or type of work connected with repairing the room. In a hotel, it helps specify which staff member will inspect a facility problem.
직원을 “직원을” means “a staff member” as the object of “보내서” in “관리 직원을 보내서”. “을” marks the staff member as the person being sent. This object pattern is useful when arranging for someone to visit and handle a request.
보내서 “보내서” means “send and then” or “send so that” in “관리 직원을 보내서 점검해 보겠습니다”. It links sending the maintenance staff with the subsequent inspection. This form is useful when one action is arranged to enable the next action.
점검해 “점검해” means “inspect” or “check” in “점검해 보겠습니다”. It is the connective form used before “보겠습니다”, which adds the intention to try or carry out the inspection. Use it for checking equipment or a facility problem.
보겠습니다 “보겠습니다” expresses a polite intention to try or carry out the action in “점검해 보겠습니다”. Together with “점검해”, it means “we will check it” or “we will try inspecting it”. This is useful when a staff member promises a planned action politely.
밤에 “밤에” means “at night” or “tonight” in “오늘 밤에”. The marker “에” identifies the time when the repair may or may not be completed. It is useful when setting a deadline or time limit for an action.
고칠 “고칠” means “to fix” as the action under consideration in “고칠 수 없다면”. It modifies “수” in the possibility expression, describing whether fixing the problem is possible. This form is useful when discussing whether a repair can be completed.
수 “수” contributes the idea of possibility or ability in “고칠 수 없다면”. The whole expression asks about whether the heating can be fixed, while “수” marks the possibility slot. It is used after a verb form when discussing whether an action is possible.
없다면 “없다면” means “if there is no possibility” in “고칠 수 없다면”, which means “if it cannot be fixed”. It combines the negative idea of 없- with a conditional ending. This form is useful when presenting a backup plan if the first option is not possible.
다른 “다른” means “another” or “different” and modifies “방” in “다른 방을 이용할 수 있나요?”. It distinguishes the requested room from the current room. Use it before a noun when asking for an alternative.
방을 “방을” means “a room” as the object of “이용할” in “다른 방을 이용할 수 있나요?”. The object marker “을” shows which room the guest may use. This pattern is useful when asking to use or move to a particular option.
이용할 “이용할” means “use” or “make use of” in “다른 방을 이용할 수 있나요?”. It modifies “수” in the possibility question, asking whether using another room is possible. This polite service expression is useful for asking whether an available facility or option may be used.
있나요 “있나요” completes the polite possibility question “이용할 수 있나요?”, meaning “is it possible to use it?” here. With “수”, it asks about availability or possibility rather than simply asking whether something exists. Use the full expression when making a polite request.
빈방을 “빈방을” means “an empty or available room” as the object of “확인해” in “빈방을 확인해 보고”. “빈방” identifies a room that is not occupied, and “을” marks it as what will be checked. This is useful when asking hotel staff to check room availability.
확인해 “확인해” means “check” or “confirm” in “확인해 보고”. It introduces the action of verifying whether a room is available. This form is useful when checking reservations, availability, or other concrete information.
보고 “보고” links the checking action to the next step in “확인해 보고”, meaning “check and then see” or “check first”. It shows that the speaker will verify availability before deciding what to do. This pattern is useful when one action must happen before a follow-up action.
있으면 “있으면” means “if there is one” or “if one is available” in “있으면 비슷한 방을 잡아 두겠습니다”. The omitted subject is understood from “빈방”, so it refers to an available room. Use this conditional form when an action depends on something being available.
비슷한 “비슷한” means “similar” and modifies “방” in “비슷한 방을 잡아 두겠습니다”. It requests a room comparable to the current one rather than specifically an upgraded room. This modifier can describe an alternative that has similar characteristics.
잡아 “잡아” contributes “hold” or “reserve” in “잡아 두겠습니다”. It is the connective form before “두겠습니다”, showing the action of securing the room. In this context, it means keeping the similar room available for the guest.
두겠습니다 “두겠습니다” adds the polite intention to keep something arranged or set aside in “잡아 두겠습니다”. Together, “잡아 두겠습니다” means “we will hold it” or “we will reserve it”. This is useful when promising to keep an option ready for later use.
업그레이드는 “업그레이드는” means “as for an upgrade” in the contrastive statement “업그레이드는 필요 없고”. The topic marker “는” contrasts the upgrade with the basic need for a warm room. Use this form when politely clarifying that an extra benefit is not required.
필요 “필요” means “need” in “업그레이드는 필요 없고”. It is used with “없고” to say that an upgrade is not necessary. This noun-based expression is useful for stating what is or is not needed.
없고 “없고” means “is not needed, and” in “업그레이드는 필요 없고”. It links the statement that an upgrade is unnecessary with the following preference for a warm room. This connective form is useful when declining one option and stating the actual requirement.
잠잘 “잠잘” means “sleep” as the action in “잠잘 수 있는 따뜻한 방”. It modifies the possibility expression and describes the purpose of the room. This form is useful when identifying a place suitable for a particular activity.
있는 “있는” contributes “can be” in “잠잘 수 있는 따뜻한 방”, making the phrase mean “a warm room where one can sleep”. It follows “수” to form a possibility-based modifier before “방”. This pattern is useful for describing a place in terms of what can be done there.
따뜻한 “따뜻한” means “warm” and modifies “방” in “따뜻한 방이면 됩니다”. It expresses the guest’s practical condition for accepting another room. Use it before a noun when describing the desired temperature or comfortable quality.
방이면 “방이면” means “if it is a room” or, in context, “as long as it is a room” in “따뜻한 방이면 됩니다”. The conditional form sets the room as the condition for what will be sufficient. Here the full phrase emphasizes that a warm, sleepable room is enough.
됩니다 “됩니다” means “is enough” or “will do” in “따뜻한 방이면 됩니다”. It politely states that the condition just mentioned satisfies the speaker’s needs. This expression is useful when accepting an option or explaining the minimum required condition.
먼저 “먼저” means “first” in “먼저 수리를 시도하고”. It establishes the order in which the hotel will handle the problem. Use it when explaining that one solution will be attempted before a backup option.
수리를 “수리를” means “the repair” as the object of “시도하고” in “수리를 시도하고”. The object marker “를” identifies the repair as the action being attempted. This pattern is useful when discussing an attempt to repair equipment or a facility.
시도하고 “시도하고” means “try and” in “수리를 시도하고”. It links the first repair attempt to the later preparation of another room. This form is useful when describing two planned actions in sequence.
필요하면 “필요하면” means “if needed” in “필요하면 다른 방도 준비해 두겠습니다”. It introduces the condition under which the backup room will be prepared. Use this concise conditional expression when an action depends on a need arising.
방도 “방도” means “the room too” or “another room as well” in “다른 방도 준비해”. The particle “도” adds the room as an additional measure alongside the repair. Use it when saying that one option will also be handled.
준비해 “준비해” means “prepare” in “준비해 두겠습니다”. It is the connective form before “두겠습니다”, linking preparation with the intention to keep the room ready. This is useful when arranging something in advance for possible use.
직원이 “직원이” means “the staff member” as the subject in “관리 직원이 올라오기 전에”. The subject marker “이” identifies who will come up to the room. This pattern is useful for referring to the person whose arrival or action determines the timing.
올라오기 “올라오기” means “coming up” in “관리 직원이 올라오기 전에”. It turns the action of coming up into a noun-like expression that can be followed by “전에”. In this context, it refers to maintenance staff coming up to the guest’s room.
전에 “전에” means “before” in “올라오기 전에”. It places the requested phone call earlier than the staff member’s arrival. This pattern is useful for setting a required action before another event.
저에게 “저에게” means “to me” in “저에게 전화해 주세요”. “저” is the polite first-person form and “에게” marks the recipient. Use it when politely specifying who should receive a call or other action.
전화해 “전화해” means “call” in the request “전화해 주세요”. It is the action being requested from the listener. The full expression is useful when asking someone to contact you by phone.
주세요 “주세요” makes “전화해” into a polite request in “전화해 주세요”, meaning “please call”. It softens the instruction and addresses the hotel staff respectfully. This pattern is useful for requesting an action from another person.
전화드리고 “전화드리고” means “call you and” in “전화드리고, 새로운 소식이 있으면 다시 전화드리겠습니다”. It uses the humble polite expression for calling and links the first call to the later update call. This is useful when promising multiple respectful contacts.
새로운 “새로운” means “new” and modifies “소식” in “새로운 소식이 있으면”. It refers to information that has become available after the current conversation. Use it before a noun when discussing a new update or development.
소식이 “소식이” means “news” or “an update” as the subject in “새로운 소식이 있으면”. The subject marker “이” introduces the condition that new information becomes available. This pattern is useful when promising to contact someone once there is an update.
다시 “다시” means “again” in “다시 전화드리겠습니다”. It shows that the speaker will make another call after the earlier one. Use it when repeating an action or making follow-up contact.
전화드리겠습니다 “전화드리겠습니다” means “I will call you” in a formal, polite, and humble way. The ending expresses a respectful intention, and the expression is appropriate when hotel staff promise a follow-up call. Here it refers to calling again once there is a new update.

Grammar Points

동사-아/어 두다

빈방을 잡아 두겠습니다.

been-BAHNG-uhl jah-BAH doo-get-SSUM-nee-dah.

I will reserve an available room.

‘-아/어 두다’ indicates completing an action in advance and keeping the result ready.

Korean Vocabulary

고치다 verb
goh-CHEE-dah to fix; to repair 고칠
관리 직원 phrase
GWAHL-lee JIK-wuhn maintenance staff
난방 noun
NAHN-bahng heating
도착하다 verb
doh-CHAHK-hah-dah to arrive 도착하신
불편 noun
bool-PYUN inconvenience; discomfort
빈방 noun
been-bahng available room; vacant room
이용하다 verb
ee-YONG-hah-dah to use; to make use of 이용할
작동하다 verb
jahk-TTOHNG-hah-dah to work; to operate 작동하지
점검하다 verb
jum-GUHM-hah-dah to inspect; to check 점검해
죄송하다 adj
jweh-SONG-hah-dah to be sorry 죄송합니다
지금 바로 adv
jee-GEUM BAH-roh right away
체크인하다 verb
CHEK-een-hah-dah to check in 체크인한

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I am calling from my room because the heating is not working.

Show Answer제 방에서 전화드리는데, 난방이 작동하지 않아요.

It has been cold since I checked in this afternoon.

Show Answer오늘 오후에 체크인한 후부터 추웠어요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to be sorry

Show Answer죄송합니다

to arrive

Show Answer도착하신

to work; to operate

Show Answer작동하지

to check in

Show Answer체크인한