Catching up after missed classes | Learn Korean in English

About This Lesson

Use Catching up after missed classes to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

최근에 수업을 몇 번 빠져서 뒤처진 느낌이 들어요.

chweh-GUH-neh soo-UH-mul myut ppun ppah-JYUH-suh dwee-CHUH-jin NUK-kkee-mee duh-ruh-YOH. I missed some classes recently and feel behind.

따라잡을 수 있어요.

ttah-rah-JAH-bul soo ee-SSUH-yoh. You can catch up.

하지만 한꺼번에 모든 것을 배우려고 하면 더 어려워질 거예요.

hah-JEE-man han-KKUH-buh-neh MOH-deun GUH-seul beh-OO-ryuh-goh hah-MYUN duh uh-ryuh-WOJ-il KKUH-yeh-yoh. But trying to learn everything at once will make it harder.

어떤 과제를 먼저 해야 하는지 말해 줄 수 있어요?

uh-TTUN gwah-jeh-rul MON-juh HAE-ya ha-neun-jee mal-hae JOOL soo ee-SSUH-yoh? Could you tell me which assignment I should handle first?

말하기 요약 과제는 곧 제출해야 하고, 워크시트는 나중에 해도 돼요.

mal-ha-GEE yoh-YAHK gwah-jeh-neun goht jjeh-CHOO-hae-ya hah-goh, WUHRK-shee-teu-neun nah-JOONG-eh hae-doh dwae-yoh. The speaking summary is due soon, and the worksheet can wait until later.

그럼 말하기 과제부터 시작해야겠어요.

guh-RUM mal-ha-GEE gwah-jeh-BOO-tuh shee-JAHK-hae-ya-geh-SSUH-yoh. Then I should start with the speaking task.

거기서 시작하고, 빠진 수업의 필기를 선생님께 부탁해 보세요.

guh-gee-SUH shee-JAHK-ha-goh, ppah-JIN soo-UH-bee pil-GEE-reul sun-SENG-nim-kkeh boo-TAK-hae boh-SEH-yoh. Start there, and ask the teacher for notes from the classes you missed.

다른 사람들이 함께 연습했기 때문에 자신감이 떨어졌어요.

DAH-reun sah-ram-deu-ree ham-KKAY yum-seup-haet-kkee ttae-MOON-eh jah-SHIN-ga-mee ttuh-ruh-JYUH-ssuh-yoh. I feel less confident because the others practiced together.

수업 후에 그 과제를 함께 연습해 볼 수 있어요.

soo-UH-p hoo-eh guh gwah-jeh-rul ham-KKAY yum-seup-hae bol soo ee-SSUH-yoh. We can run through the task after class.

그러면 어떻게 될지 알 수 있어요.

guh-ruh-MYUN uh-TTUK-keh dwel-jjee al soo ee-SSUH-yoh. So you know what to expect.

그렇게 하면 다음 단계가 더 수월하게 느껴질 거예요.

guh-ruh-KAY hah-myun DAH-um DAN-geh-gah duh soo-WUHL-ha-geh nuh-KYUH-jil KKUH-yeh-yoh. That would make the next step feel more manageable.

한 번 집중해서 연습하는 게 일을 피하는 것보다 나아요.

han ppun jip-JJOONG-hae-suh yuhn-seup-ha-neun geh ee-rul pee-ha-neun guht-BOH-dah nah-AH-yoh. One focused practice session is better than avoiding the work.

Word by Word

최근에 “최근에” means recently in “최근에 수업을 몇 번 빠져서.” It commonly comes before a verb to place an event in the recent past, especially when explaining a current situation.

수업을 “수업을” means classes and marks them as the object of “빠져서,” so the speaker missed classes. The object marker 을 follows a noun before an action involving that noun.

몇 “몇” means some or several in “몇 번,” indicating an unspecified small number. It is used before a counter or noun when the exact number is not given.

번 “번” counts occurrences or times in “몇 번 빠져서.” It follows a number word to describe how many times an action happened.

빠져서 “빠져서” means having missed or because of missing in “수업을 몇 번 빠져서.” It links the missed classes to the resulting feeling, and the pattern V-아서/어서 commonly gives a reason or connects events.

뒤처진 “뒤처진” means behind in “뒤처진 느낌,” describing the speaker’s sense of falling behind in class. It is related to the verb 뒤처지다 and is used before a noun to describe a state.

느낌이 “느낌이” means feeling and marks the feeling as the subject in “느낌이 들어요.” Together with “들어요,” it expresses having an impression or feeling; the pattern [noun]이/가 들다 can describe an impression.

들어요 “들어요” means feel or have an impression in “느낌이 들어요.” This is the polite form used with “느낌이,” and the pattern “느낌이 들어요” describes how something feels to the speaker.

따라잡을 “따라잡을” means catch up in “따라잡을 수 있어요.” It is the form of 따라잡다 used before “수” in a possibility or ability construction, as in V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다.

수 “수” expresses ability or possibility in “따라잡을 수 있어요.” It is used after a verb form such as “따라잡을” and before “있어요” to form V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다.

있어요 “있어요” completes “따라잡을 수 있어요,” giving the meaning can catch up. In this construction, it follows “수” to express that an action is possible or achievable.

하지만 “하지만” means but and introduces a point that contrasts with the previous encouragement. It is useful at the beginning of a sentence when adding a limitation or different consideration.

한꺼번에 “한꺼번에” means all at once in “한꺼번에 모든 것을 배우려고.” It describes doing several things together rather than handling them separately, and commonly comes before the verb it modifies.

모든 “모든” means all or every and modifies “것” in “모든 것을.” It comes directly before a noun when referring to the whole set of things represented by that noun.

것을 “것을” means thing or everything as the object in “모든 것을 배우려고.” “것” represents a thing or matter, and 을 marks the whole phrase as the object of “배우려고.”

배우려고 “배우려고” means trying or intending to learn in “모든 것을 배우려고 하면.” It expresses an intention or attempt before “하면,” and the pattern V-(으)려고 하다 is used for intending to do something.

하면 “하면” means if or when doing in “배우려고 하면,” creating the condition that trying to learn everything leads to a harder result. It is the conditional form of 하다, and V-(으)면 commonly introduces a condition.

더 “더” means more in “더 어려워질 거예요,” increasing the degree of difficulty. It is placed before an adjective or adverb when comparing a greater degree.

어려워질 “어려워질” means will become harder in “더 어려워질 거예요.” It comes from 어려워지다 and shows a change into a more difficult state before “거예요.”

거예요 “거예요” expresses an expected future result in “어려워질 거예요,” meaning it will become harder. The pattern V-(으)ㄹ 거예요 is commonly used for an expectation or prediction.

어떤 “어떤” means which or what kind of in “어떤 과제를.” It comes before a noun when selecting or asking about one option among possibilities.

과제를 “과제를” means assignment and marks it as the object in “어떤 과제를 먼저 해야 하는지.” The object marker 를 follows the noun before the action that should be done to it.

먼저 “먼저” means first and establishes the order in “먼저 해야 하는지.” It commonly comes before an action when deciding what to handle before something else.

해야 “해야” means should do or have to do in “먼저 해야 하는지.” It is part of V-아/어야 하다, a pattern for obligation or something that needs to be done.

하는지 “하는지” marks the embedded question in “어떤 과제를 먼저 해야 하는지 말해.” It allows the speaker to ask which action is appropriate inside a larger sentence, as in V-(으)ㄴ/는지 알다 or 묻다.

말해 “말해” means tell or say in “말해 줄 수 있어요.” It is followed by “줄” to express telling something for someone, and the pattern 말해 주다 is used when providing that help.

줄 “줄” contributes the meaning of doing something for someone in “말해 줄 수 있어요.” It comes from 주다 as an auxiliary, and V-아/어 주다 commonly expresses a helpful action done for another person.

말하기 “말하기” means speaking in “말하기 요약 과제.” It is the noun form related to 말하다 and can be placed before another noun to identify a speaking-related activity or assignment.

요약 “요약” means summary in “말하기 요약 과제.” It identifies the type or content of the assignment and can be used before “과제” to describe a summary assignment.

과제는 “과제는” means the assignment as the topic in “말하기 요약 과제는.” The topic marker 는 presents the assignment as the subject under discussion and can also set up a contrast with the worksheet.

곧 “곧” means soon in “곧 제출해야 하고.” It comes before an action to show that the action or deadline is approaching.

제출해야 “제출해야” means must submit in “곧 제출해야 하고.” It uses the obligation form V-아/어야 and commonly appears with an object marked by 을 or 를.

하고 “하고” connects “제출해야” with the following statement in “제출해야 하고.” Here it links two related clauses, and V-고 is commonly used to list or connect actions and facts.

워크시트는 “워크시트는” means the worksheet as the topic in “워크시트는 나중에 해도 돼요.” The topic marker 는 shifts attention to the second assignment and presents its different timing.

나중에 “나중에” means later in “나중에 해도 돼요.” It is placed before an action to indicate that the action can happen at a later time.

해도 “해도” means even if doing it or it is okay to do it in “나중에 해도 돼요.” Together with “돼요,” it forms V-아/어도 돼요, which gives permission.

돼요 “돼요” completes “나중에 해도 돼요,” meaning it is okay or permitted to do it later. In this construction, it follows V-아/어도 to express permission.

그럼 “그럼” means then and introduces the speaker’s conclusion in “그럼 말하기 과제부터.” It is commonly used when responding to information and stating the next decision.

과제부터 “과제부터” means starting with the assignment in “과제부터 시작해야겠어요.” The particle 부터 marks the first point in an order, so it identifies the assignment as the starting priority.

시작해야겠어요 “시작해야겠어요” means I should start in “과제부터 시작해야겠어요.” The form V-아/어야겠어요 expresses the speaker’s conclusion or decision that something needs to be done.

거기서 “거기서” means there or from there in “거기서 시작하고.” It refers to the previously identified starting point, and a place followed by 에서 can indicate where an action happens or begins.

시작하고 “시작하고” means start and in “거기서 시작하고, 빠진 수업의 필기를.” It connects the first instruction to the next one, using V-고 to link actions.

빠진 “빠진” means missed in “빠진 수업의 필기,” describing the classes the speaker did not attend. It is related to 빠지다 and is placed before a noun to describe the missed item.

수업의 “수업의” means of the classes in “수업의 필기,” linking the classes to the notes associated with them. The particle 의 commonly connects two nouns to show possession or association.

필기를 “필기를” means notes as the object in “필기를 선생님께 부탁해 보세요.” The object marker 를 identifies the notes as what the speaker asks the teacher for.

선생님께 “선생님께” means to the teacher in “선생님께 부탁해 보세요.” The honorific recipient marker 께 is used when addressing or requesting something from a teacher or another respected person.

부탁해 “부탁해” means ask or request in “부탁해 보세요.” It is followed by “보세요” to soften the instruction into a suggestion to try asking.

보세요 “보세요” contributes the meaning try doing in “부탁해 보세요.” As an auxiliary after an action form, it creates V-아/어 보세요, a polite suggestion to try the action.

다른 “다른” means other in “다른 사람들이.” It modifies “사람들” to distinguish those people from the speaker, and it commonly comes directly before a noun.

사람들이 “사람들이” means people or the others as the subject in “다른 사람들이 함께 연습했기 때문에.” The subject marker 이 identifies these people as the ones who practiced.

함께 “함께” means together in “함께 연습했기 때문에.” It describes people doing an action jointly and is placed before the verb it modifies.

연습했기 “연습했기” means having practiced in “연습했기 때문에.” It presents the completed practice as the reason for the speaker’s lower confidence, using the pattern V-았/었기 때문에.

때문에 “때문에” means because in “연습했기 때문에.” With the preceding verb-based form, it gives the reason for the main statement; the pattern V-기 때문에 expresses a cause.

자신감이 “자신감이” means confidence and marks confidence as the subject in “자신감이 떨어졌어요.” In this sentence, it is the thing whose level became lower.

떨어졌어요 “떨어졌어요” means fell or became lower in “자신감이 떨어졌어요,” so the speaker’s confidence decreased. It is the polite past form used to describe a change that has already happened.

수업 “수업” means class in “수업 후에.” It is the noun that identifies the event after which the practice will happen.

후에 “후에” means after in “수업 후에.” It follows a noun to mark the time after that event, giving the reusable pattern N 후에.

그 “그” means the or that in “그 과제를.” It points back to the task already being discussed and comes directly before the noun it specifies.

연습해 “연습해” means practice in “연습해 볼 수 있어요.” It is the action form placed before “볼” to create the try-doing construction V-아/어 보다.

볼 “볼” contributes the meaning of trying in “연습해 볼 수 있어요,” rather than seeing. It is the form of auxiliary 보다 used after an action form in V-아/어 보다.

그러면 “그러면” means then or in that case in “그러면 어떻게 될지.” It introduces the expected result of the suggested practice and commonly connects a condition or action to its consequence.

어떻게 “어떻게” means how in “어떻게 될지.” It asks about the manner or outcome of what will happen and comes before the verb it modifies.

될지 “될지” means how it will turn out or what will happen in “어떻게 될지 알 수 있어요.” It forms an embedded question with 어떻게, and 어떻게 될지 알다 describes knowing the expected outcome.

알 “알” means know in “알 수 있어요.” It is the form of 알다 used before “수” in V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다, expressing that the learner can know the outcome.

그렇게 “그렇게” means that way in “그렇게 하면.” It refers to carrying out the suggested practice in that manner and commonly comes before a verb describing the resulting action.

다음 “다음” means next in “다음 단계가.” It modifies “단계” to identify the step that follows the current one and commonly appears before a noun.

단계가 “단계가” means step and marks the next step as the subject in “다음 단계가 수월하게 느껴질 거예요.” It identifies what will feel more manageable.

수월하게 “수월하게” means manageably or easily in “수월하게 느껴질.” It describes how the next step will feel, using the adverbial form of 수월하다 before a verb.

느껴질 “느껴질” means will feel or will seem in “느껴질 거예요.” It describes the expected impression of the next step, and the pattern N이/가 느껴지다 expresses how something feels.

한 “한” means one in “한 번,” identifying a single occasion. It comes before a counter such as 번 when counting an action or event.

집중해서 “집중해서” means with focus in “집중해서 연습하는 게.” It describes the manner of practicing and connects 집중하다 to the following action.

연습하는 “연습하는” means practicing in “연습하는 게.” It turns the action of practicing into a noun-modifying form before “게,” allowing the whole activity to function as the subject of the comparison.

게 “게” is a conversational contraction of 것이 here and turns “연습하는” into the subject phrase “연습하는 게.” The phrase “연습하는 게” means the act of practicing, and V-는 게 can present an activity for evaluation or comparison.

일을 “일을” means work or the task as the object in “일을 피하는 것보다.” The object marker 을 shows what is being avoided, and the pattern N을/를 피하다 describes avoiding something.

피하는 “피하는” means avoiding in “일을 피하는 것보다.” It describes the action of avoiding work before “것보다,” and N을/를 피하다 is a common pattern for avoiding an object.

것보다 “것보다” means than doing or compared with in “일을 피하는 것보다.” “것” nominalizes the preceding action, while 보다 marks the comparison baseline; the pattern V-는 것보다 A가 낫다 compares two choices.

나아요 “나아요” means is better in “연습하는 게 일을 피하는 것보다 나아요.” It completes the comparison and is used in the pattern B가 A보다 나아요 to say that B is the better option.

Grammar Points

동사 + -(으)려고

모든 것을 배우려고 해요.

MOH-deun GUH-seul beh-OO-ryuh-goh HAE-yoh.

I intend to learn everything.

-(으)려고 expresses intention or purpose: “to intend to” or “in order to.”

동사 + -아/어야겠어요

곧 시작해야겠어요.

goht shee-JAHK-hae-ya-geh-SSUH-yoh.

I guess I should start soon.

-아/어야겠어요 shows a decision, resolve, or recognition that something needs to be done.

Korean Vocabulary

과제 noun

gwah-JEH assignment; task 과제를

느낌 noun

nuh-KKEEM feeling; sense

뒤처지다 verb

dwee-chuh-JEE-dah to fall behind 뒤처진

따라잡다 verb

ttah-rah-JAHP-dah to catch up 따라잡을

말하기 noun

mal-ha-GEE speaking

먼저 adv

MUHN-juh first; before anything else

모든 det

MOH-deun all; every

배우다 verb

beh-OO-dah to learn 배우려고

빠지다 verb

ppah-JEE-dah to miss; to be absent from 빠져서

수업 noun

soo-UHP class; lesson

최근에 adv

chweh-GUH-neh recently

한꺼번에 adv

han-KKUH-buh-neh all at once

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

You can catch up.

Show Answer

따라잡을 수 있어요.

Then I should start with the speaking task.

Show Answer

그럼 말하기 과제부터 시작해야겠어요.

So you know what to expect.

Show Answer

그러면 어떻게 될지 알 수 있어요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

all at once

Show Answer

한꺼번에

to learn

Show Answer

배우려고

to catch up

Show Answer

따라잡을

all; every

Show Answer

모든