Burnout, workload boundaries, and real breaks | Learn Korean in English

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Use Burnout, workload boundaries, and real breaks to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

이 업무량 때문에 제가 번아웃되는 것 같아요.

ee UHM-moo-ryahng ttae-MOO-neh jeh-GAH buh-NAH-oot-dweh-neun gut gah-TAH-yoh. I think I am getting burned out from this workload.

제대로 쉬고 있나요, 아니면 그냥 업무만 바꿔 가며 하고 있나요?

jeh-DAE-roh SHWEE-goh IN-na-yoh, ah-NEE-myuhn guh-NYAHNG UHM-moo-man BAH-kkwo gah-MYUHN-suh hah-GOH IN-na-yoh? Have you been taking real breaks, or just switching between tasks?

대부분 업무를 바꾸면서 하고 있는데, 그게 정말 쉬는 것 같지는 않아요.

DAE-boo-boon UHM-moo-reul BAH-kkwoo-myuhn-suh hah-GOH IN-neun-deh, guh-GEH jeong-MAHL SHWEE-neun gut-JJI-neun ah-NAH-yoh. Mostly switching tasks, which does not really feel like rest.

그렇다면 왜 압박감이 계속 커지는지 설명이 되겠네요.

guh-ruh-tah-myuhn WAE ahp-PPACK-kahm-ee gyeh-SOK kuh-JEE-neun-jee seol-MYUNG-ee dweh-GEHN-neh-yoh. That would explain why the pressure keeps building.

마감이 가까워지면 일을 멈추는 게 죄책감이 들어요.

MAH-gahm-ee gah-kka-wo-JEE-myuhn EE-reul meom-CHOO-neun geh jweh-CHAek-kahm-ee deu-ruh-yoh. I feel guilty stopping when the deadline is close.

회복하는 데 도움이 된다면, 경계를 정하는 건 게으른 게 아니에요.

hweh-BOCK-ha-neun deh doh-oom-ee dwenn-DAH-myun, gyeong-GYE-reul jeong-ha-neun geon geh-EU-reun geh ah-nee-EH-yoh. A boundary is not laziness if it helps you recover.

마감 전에 현실적으로 가능한 일이 무엇인지 관리자에게 말해야 할지도 몰라요.

MAH-gahm jeon-eh hyeon-SHEEL-juh-geu-ro gah-NEUNG-han ee-ree mwo-UH-shin-jee gwan-lee-JAH-eh-geh mal-hae-YAH hal-JEE-doh mol-LAH-yoh. Maybe I should tell my manager what is realistic before the deadline.

그때까지 끝낼 수 있는 일과 시간이 더 필요한 일을 분명히 말하세요.

geu-TTAE-kkah-jee kkeun-NAEL soo IN-neun il-gwah, shee-GAHN-ee duh PHI-ryo-han ee-reul boon-MYUNG-hee mal-ha-SEH-yoh. Be clear about what you can finish by then, and what needs more time.

오늘은 책상에서 벗어나 점심을 먹을 거예요.

OH-neu-reun chaek-SAHN-eh-suh buh-SUH-nah juhm-SHEE-meul muh-geul GEH-yeh-yoh. I will take lunch away from my desk today.

에너지를 되찾는 데 도움이 되는 작지만 유용한 한 걸음이에요.

EH-neh-jee-reul dweh-CHAN-neun deh doh-oom-ee dweh-neun JAHK-jjih-MAHN yoo-YONG-han hahN guh-REU-mee-EH-yoh. That is a small but useful step toward getting your energy back.

Word by Word

이 “이” means “this” and directly identifies “업무량” as the workload being discussed. Use it before a noun when pointing to a specific nearby thing or situation.

업무량 “업무량” means the amount of work or workload in this sentence. It combines with “때문에” to name the cause of the speaker’s burnout, and is useful when discussing how much work someone has.

때문에 “때문에” means “because of” and follows “업무량” to give the reason for the speaker’s condition. Use it after a noun when explaining a cause.

제가 “제가” means “I” as the subject of the situation, marking the speaker as the person becoming burned out. Use it when clearly identifying who performs an action or experiences a state.

번아웃되는 “번아웃되는” means “becoming burned out” and describes the speaker’s developing condition. It appears before “것” in “번아웃되는 것 같아요,” so the situation can be presented as an impression.

것 “것” turns the preceding situation “번아웃되는” into something that can be discussed as an idea or circumstance. In “번아웃되는 것 같아요,” it helps form the meaning “it seems that I am becoming burned out.”

같아요 “같아요” makes the statement tentative, meaning “it seems” or “I think” here. It follows “번아웃되는 것” to present a personal impression rather than a definite assertion.

제대로 “제대로” means “properly” or “adequately” and modifies “쉬고,” asking whether the listener is taking a genuinely effective break. Use it before an action when questioning whether that action is being done sufficiently.

쉬고 “쉬고” means “resting” and connects with “있나요” to ask whether the listener is currently resting. The “-고” connection is useful in the ongoing pattern “쉬고 있다.”

있나요 “있나요” asks whether the described activity is currently happening in “쉬고 있나요.” It is the polite question ending for checking an ongoing situation.

아니면 “아니면” means “or instead” and introduces the alternative to taking real breaks. Use it to offer another possibility after a question or statement.

그냥 “그냥” means “just” or “simply,” showing that the speaker is merely changing tasks rather than taking a real break. Use it before an action when presenting it as limited or nothing more than that.

업무만 “업무만” means “only work tasks,” with “만” restricting the meaning to work and nothing else. Attach “만” to a noun when emphasizing that only that item is involved.

바꿔 “바꿔” means “switching” or “changing” and connects with “가며” in “바꿔 가며,” describing movement between tasks. It is used here as a connective action form rather than as a completed statement.

가며 “가며” contributes the meaning “while doing” or “as one goes” in “바꿔 가며,” describing repeated switching between tasks. Use it after an action when that action continues as part of an ongoing pattern.

하고 “하고” means “doing” in the phrase “업무만 바꿔 가며 하고 있나요,” connecting the task-switching description with the ongoing action. It appears before “있나요” in the ongoing pattern “하고 있다.”

대부분 “대부분” means “mostly” or “for the most part,” reporting that task switching accounts for most of the speaker’s activity. Use it to describe the greater part of a time period or situation.

업무를 “업무를” means “work tasks” as the object being changed in “업무를 바꾸면서.” The object marker “를” shows what the action affects, and this pattern is useful for describing tasks being handled or changed.

바꾸면서 “바꾸면서” means “while switching” and describes task switching as the background activity in the sentence. The “-면서” form is useful for showing an action taking place while another situation or assessment is presented.

있는데 “있는데” links the current situation to the speaker’s following comment: the speaker is in the situation of switching tasks, and then observes that it does not feel like rest. It is useful for setting up or contrasting a continuing situation.

그게 “그게” means “that” or “that situation” as the subject of the next statement, referring back to switching tasks. Use it to point back to an immediately mentioned action or circumstance.

정말 “정말” means “really” and intensifies the speaker’s assessment of whether the activity feels like rest. Use it before an adjective or descriptive expression when emphasizing the degree of an impression.

쉬는 “쉬는” means “resting” in “쉬는 것,” where it describes the activity being considered. Use a verb form before “것” when talking about an activity as a thing or idea.

같지는 “같지는” means “does not seem like” in the softened negative expression “같지는 않아요.” It presents the activity as not really seeming to be rest, and is useful when making a qualified negative assessment.

않아요 “않아요” supplies the polite negative meaning “does not” or “is not” in “같지는 않아요.” It completes the negative assessment and is used to politely negate the preceding description.

그렇다면 “그렇다면” means “if so” or “then,” drawing a conclusion from the previous statement about task switching. Use it at the start of a response when inferring something from information just given.

왜 “왜” means “why” and introduces the reason being explained in “왜 압박감이 계속 커지는지.” Use it before a clause when asking or embedding a question about cause.

압박감이 “압박감이” means “pressure” or “a feeling of pressure” as the subject of “커지는지.” The subject marker “이” identifies what keeps growing, and the word is useful for describing mounting pressure.

계속 “계속” means “continuously” or “keeps,” showing that the pressure does not stop growing. Use it before a verb or descriptive form to express continuation.

커지는지 “커지는지” means “why it is growing” in the embedded question “왜 압박감이 계속 커지는지.” The form is useful after a question word when incorporating an indirect question into a longer statement.

설명이 “설명이” means “an explanation” as the subject of “되겠네요.” In the expression “설명이 되다,” it contributes the idea that something explains the situation or makes it understandable.

되겠네요 “되겠네요” means “that would explain it” or “I see that it makes sense” here. It expresses a polite conclusion or realization based on the situation just described.

마감이 “마감이” means “the deadline” as the subject of “가까워지면.” The subject marker “이” identifies the deadline as the thing approaching, and the form is useful when discussing a deadline’s timing.

가까워지면 “가까워지면” means “when it gets close” or “when it approaches,” referring to the deadline. The “-면” ending sets a condition or time for the action in the main clause.

일을 “일을” means “work” as the object of “멈추는,” giving the action “stop work.” The object marker “을” shows what is stopped, and this form is useful with actions that affect work.

멈추는 “멈추는” means “stopping” and appears before “게” to turn the action into the subject of the sentence. Use it before a nominalizing form when discussing stopping as an activity.

게 “게” presents “멈추는” as the act of stopping, which is the subject of the following statement. It is useful after a verb clause when treating that action as the thing being evaluated or experienced.

죄책감이 “죄책감이” means “guilt” as the subject of the expression “죄책감이 들어요.” Use it with “들어요” to describe guilt or a guilty feeling arising.

들어요 “들어요” means “feel” or “experience” in “죄책감이 들어요,” literally describing guilt as something that arises. This expression is useful for talking about an emotion or feeling that comes over someone.

회복하는 “회복하는” means “recovering” and appears before “데” in the purpose expression “회복하는 데 도움이 되다.” Use it before “데” when describing the activity or goal that something helps with.

데 “데” means “for” or “in” here, turning “회복하는” into “for recovering.” In “-는 데 도움이 되다,” it identifies the activity or purpose that receives help.

도움이 “도움이” means “help” as the subject of “된다면.” In “도움이 되다,” it contributes the meaning “to be helpful,” and the subject marker “이” marks help as what is provided.

된다면 “된다면” means “if it helps” in the expression “도움이 된다면.” It adds a conditional meaning, stating that the following evaluation applies if the boundary helps recovery.

경계를 “경계를” means “a boundary” as the object of “정하는.” The object marker “를” shows what is being established, and this form is useful when discussing setting a boundary.

정하는 “정하는” means “setting” or “establishing” and appears before “건” to discuss the act of setting a boundary. Use it before a nominalizing form when evaluating that action.

건 “건” presents “정하는” as the topic, meaning “as for setting” or “the act of setting.” It is the conversational form used here for discussing that action as a topic.

게으른 “게으른” means “lazy” and describes the characterization that the next phrase rejects. It appears before “아니에요” to say that setting a boundary is not lazy.

아니에요 “아니에요” means “is not” in the polite statement “게으른 게 아니에요.” Use it after a noun or nominalized description to politely reject that identification or characterization.

마감 “마감” means “deadline” and appears before “전에” to establish the time before the deadline. Use it as a noun when referring to the point by which work is due.

전에 “전에” means “before” and follows “마감” to mean “before the deadline.” Use it after a noun to set an earlier time or point.

현실적으로 “현실적으로” means “realistically,” framing the assessment of what can be completed. Use it before a description when focusing on practical rather than ideal possibilities.

가능한 “가능한” means “possible” or “feasible” and modifies “일이,” referring to work that can realistically be done. Use it before a noun to describe what can be carried out.

일이 “일이” means “work” or “a task” as the subject inside “가능한 일이 무엇인지.” The subject marker “이” identifies the work being evaluated as possible.

무엇인지 “무엇인지” means “what it is” and embeds the question about which work is realistically possible. Use it after a clause when identifying unknown content indirectly.

관리자에게 “관리자에게” means “to the manager,” marking the person who should receive the information. The marker “에게” is useful with speaking or reporting verbs when indicating the person addressed.

말해야 “말해야” means “must or should tell” as part of “말해야 할지도 몰라요.” Here it contributes the required action, while the full expression makes that requirement uncertain.

할지도 “할지도” contributes the meaning “might do” or “might have to” in “말해야 할지도 몰라요.” Use “-할지도 몰라요” to express uncertainty about whether an action will be necessary or occur.

몰라요 “몰라요” literally means “do not know,” but in “말해야 할지도 몰라요” it completes the polite expression “might have to tell.” Use it there to soften the statement into uncertainty.

그때까지 “그때까지” means “by then” or “until then,” referring to the previously understood deadline or point in time. Use it to set the endpoint by which an action should be completed.

끝낼 “끝낼” means “finish” in the possibility expression “끝낼 수 있는 일.” It appears before “수” to describe work that can be finished by the stated time.

수 “수” expresses ability or possibility in “끝낼 수 있는.” It follows a verb form and works with “있다” to say that an action can be done.

있는 “있는” means “able to” in “끝낼 수 있는 일,” because it completes the possibility pattern after “끝낼 수.” It modifies “일” to describe work that can be finished.

일과 “일과” means “the work and,” linking the work that can be finished with the work that needs more time. The “-과” form connects noun phrases in a list or comparison.

시간이 “시간이” means “time” as the subject of “필요한.” The subject marker “이” identifies time as what is needed for the work.

더 “더” means “more” or “additional” and modifies “필요한,” indicating that additional time is required. Use it before a descriptive word when increasing the amount or degree.

필요한 “필요한” means “needed” and modifies “일을” in the phrase about work requiring more time. Use it before a noun to describe what is necessary or required.

분명히 “분명히” means “clearly” and modifies “말하세요,” emphasizing explicit communication. Use it when asking someone to state information without leaving the situation unclear.

말하세요 “말하세요” means “please say” or “tell” as a polite directive. It follows the content to be communicated and is useful for giving advice or making a respectful request.

오늘은 “오늘은” means “today” as the topic, framing the speaker’s plan for this day. The topic marker “은” highlights today’s action within the conversation.

책상에서 “책상에서” means “from the desk” or “away from the desk” with “벗어나.” The marker “에서” marks the place being left, and this pattern is useful with verbs of moving away or leaving.

벗어나 “벗어나” means “getting away from” or “leaving” and connects the departure from the desk with eating lunch. It is a connective action form used to link the movement away with the next action.

점심을 “점심을” means “lunch” as the object of “먹을.” The object marker “을” identifies what will be eaten, and this form is used with the action of eating lunch.

먹을 “먹을” means “will eat” or “to eat” in “먹을 거예요.” It appears before “거예요” in a common pattern for stating a future plan or intention.

거예요 “거예요” expresses “will” or “is going to” here, completing “먹을 거예요.” Use it after a verb form ending in “-(으)ㄹ” to state an expected or intended action.

에너지를 “에너지를” means “energy” as the object of “되찾는.” The object marker “를” identifies what is being regained, and the form is useful when discussing recovering one’s energy.

되찾는 “되찾는” means “getting back” or “regaining” and appears in “에너지를 되찾는 데,” describing the action whose benefit is being discussed. Use it before “데” to connect an action with what helps it.

되는 “되는” means “being helpful” in “도움이 되는,” where the full expression describes something that provides help. It modifies “한 걸음” to say that the step contributes useful support.

작지만 “작지만” means “small but,” contrasting the size of the step with its usefulness. The “-지만” ending is useful for connecting a concession or contrast.

유용한 “유용한” means “useful” and modifies “한 걸음,” describing the practical value of the step. Use it before a noun when emphasizing that something provides help or benefit.

한 “한” means “one” or “a single” and modifies “걸음.” Use it before a countable noun when presenting one unit or one step.

걸음이에요 “걸음이에요” means “is a step,” identifying the action as one step toward regaining energy. The ending “이에요” politely states what a noun is, here after “걸음.”

Grammar Points

-지만

작지만 유용해요.

JAHK-jjih-MAHN yoo-YONG-hae-yoh.

It is small, but useful.

Attach -지만 to an adjective or verb to contrast two ideas: “but” or “although.”

-(으)면

마감이 가까워지면 압박감이 커져요.

MAH-gahm-ee gah-kka-wo-JEE-myuhn ahp-PPACK-kkahm-ee kuh-JUH-yoh.

When the deadline gets closer, the pressure increases.

Attach -(으)면 to express a condition or time: “if” or “when.”

Korean Vocabulary

가깝다 adj

GAH-kkahp-dah to be near; to be close 가까워지면

마감이 가까워지면

계속 adv

gyeh-SOK continuously; 계속

압박감이 계속 커지는지

대부분 adv

DAE-boo-boon mostly; for the most part

대부분 업무를 바꾸면서

마감 noun

MAH-gahm deadline

마감이 가까워지면

바꾸다 verb

BAH-kkwoo-dah to change; to switch 바꿔

업무만 바꿔 가며

번아웃되다 verb

buh-NAH-oot-dweh-dah to become burned out 번아웃되는

제가 번아웃되는 것 같아요

설명되다 verb

suhl-myung-dweh-dah to be explained; to make sense 설명이 되겠네요

설명이 되겠네요

쉬다 verb

SHWEE-dah to rest; to take a break 쉬고

제대로 쉬고 있나요

압박감 noun

ahp-PPACK-kkahm pressure

왜 압박감이 계속 커지는지

업무량 noun

UHM-moo-ryahng workload

이 업무량 때문에

제대로 adv

jeh-DAE-roh properly; really

제대로 쉬고 있나요

커지다 verb

kuh-JEE-dah to grow; to increase 커지는지

압박감이 계속 커지는지

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I will take lunch away from my desk today.

Show Answer

오늘은 책상에서 벗어나 점심을 먹을 거예요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to grow; to increase

Show Answer

커지는지

to become burned out

Show Answer

번아웃되는

to be near; to be close

Show Answer

가까워지면

to change; to switch

Show Answer

바꿔