Use a Walk to Reset Your Thinking | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: During a work design decision, two adults use a short walk to reset their thinking and choose a direction afterward..

EN → KO / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Use a Walk to Reset Your Thinking to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

어떤 디자인 버전이 더 잘 맞는지 결정할 수가 없어요.

uh-DUHN dee-JAH-een BUH-juhn-ee duh jahl MAN-neun-jee kyuhl-JUHNG-hal soo-GAH uhp-SUH-yo I can't decide which version of the design works better.
B

몇 분만 밖에 나가서 그 문제를 차근차근 이야기해 봐요.

myuht ppoon-MAHN baht-KKEH nah-GAH-suh guh MOON-jeh-reul chah-GUHN-chah-GUHN ee-YAH-gee-heh BWAH-yo Let's step out for a few minutes and talk it through.
A

신선한 공기가 도움이 될 수도 있지만, 너무 많은 시간을 쓰고 싶지는 않아요.

sheen-SUHN-hahn GOHNG-ghee-gah doh-OOM-ee dwel SOO-doo it-JEE-mahn, nuh-MOO MAH-neun SHEE-gah-neul sseu-GOH sheep-JJEE-neun ah-NAH-yo Fresh air might help, but I don't want to lose too much time.
B

그냥 이 블록을 한 바퀴 돌면서 핵심 결정에 집중하면 돼요.

guh-NYAHNG ee buhl-LOHK-eul hahn BAH-kwee dohl-MYUN-suh HAEK-shim kyuhl-JUHNG-eh jee-JOONG-ha-myun dweh-yo We can just circle the block and focus on the main decision.
A

그러면 문제를 완전히 내려놓지 않으면서 잠깐 쉴 수 있겠어요.

guh-ruh-MYUN MOON-jeh-reul wahn-JUHN-hee nae-ryuh-NOHT-jee ah-neu-MYUN-suh jahm-KKAN shweel soo eet-GET-suh-yo That would give me a break without dropping the problem completely.
B

가끔은 몸을 움직이면 결정을 내리기가 더 쉬워지는 것 같아요.

gah-KKEUM-un mohm-eul oom-JING-ee-myun kyuhl-JUHNG-eul nae-REE-gee-gah duh shwee-WUH-jee-neun guht gah-TAH-yo Sometimes moving around makes the decision feel easier.
A

목업을 확인해야 할 수도 있으니 제 휴대전화를 가져갈게요.

MOHK-uhp-eul HWAH-geen-hae-ya hahl SOO-doo ee-sseu-nee jeh hyoo-dae-juhn-HWAH-reul gah-JYUH-gahl-ggeh-YO I'll bring my phone in case we need to check the mockup.
B

걸음 속도를 편하게 유지해서 이게 또 다른 일이 되지 않게 해요.

guh-reum SOHK-ttoh-reul pyun-HAH-geh yoo-JEE-hae-suh ee-GEH ttoh DAH-reun ee-REE-gah dweh-jee AHN-keh HAE-yo Keep the pace relaxed so it doesn't turn into another task.
A

잠깐 걷고 나면 돌아와서 한 방향을 선택할 수 있어요.

jahm-KKAN guht-KKOH nah-MYUN doh-rah-WAH-suh hahn bang-HYAHNG-eul suhn-TAEK-hal soo ee-SUH-yo After a short walk, we can come back and choose one direction.
B

잠깐 생각을 정리하면 한 시간 더 지나치게 고민하는 일을 피할 수 있을지도 몰라요.

jahm-KKAN saeng-GAH-geul juhng-REE-ha-myun hahn SHEE-gahn duh jee-NAH-chee-geh goh-MEEN-ha-neun ee-reul PEE-hal soo ee-SHEEL-jee-doh mohl-LAH-yo A short reset might save us from another hour of overthinking.

Word by Word

어떤 ‘어떤’ means which kind of or which one in this question about the design. It comes before a noun, as in ‘어떤 디자인 버전’, when asking someone to choose among possibilities.
디자인 ‘디자인’ means design, referring here to the work being compared. It is a loanword used as a noun and can come before another noun such as ‘버전’.
버전 ‘버전’ means version, one of the different forms of the design. It is used as a noun and can be followed by a subject marker when the version is being compared.
이 In ‘버전이’, ‘이’ marks ‘버전’ as the subject of ‘더 잘 맞는지’. It is attached after a noun ending in a consonant.
더 ‘더’ means more and makes the comparison stronger in ‘더 잘 맞는지’, meaning whether it works better. It usually comes before the adjective or adverb being compared.
잘 ‘잘’ means well in ‘더 잘 맞는지’, describing how well the version fits or works. It commonly comes before a verb to describe the quality of an action or result.
맞는지 ‘맞는지’ asks whether the design version fits or works in the intended way. This form presents an embedded question and commonly follows a phrase such as ‘어떤 ...’ when choosing between options.
결정할 ‘결정할’ expresses deciding in ‘결정할 수가 없어요’. Its form comes before ‘수’ to describe an action whose possibility or ability is being discussed.
수 In ‘결정할 수가 없어요’, ‘수’ refers to the possibility or ability to decide. The pattern ‘동사할 수 있다’ expresses being able to do something, while negation makes it impossible here.
가 In ‘수가’, ‘가’ marks ‘수’ as the subject of the following negative expression. It is part of the emphatic pattern ‘할 수가 없다’, meaning that something cannot be done.
없어요 ‘없어요’ means there is no possibility here, so the speaker cannot decide. With ‘할 수가’, it is a common polite way to express inability.
몇 ‘몇’ means a small unspecified number in ‘몇 분’, or asks how many in other contexts. It comes directly before a counting word such as ‘분’.
분 ‘분’ is the counter for minutes in ‘몇 분만’. It follows a number or question word when measuring a short amount of time.
만 ‘만’ means only or just, limiting the time to ‘몇 분’. It is attached after the noun or phrase that is being limited.
밖 ‘밖’ means outside, the place they will go to for a short walk. It is commonly followed by a location or destination marker such as ‘에’.
에 In ‘밖에’, ‘에’ marks ‘밖’ as the destination of going out. It commonly follows a place when expressing movement toward that place.
나가서 ‘나가서’ means going outside and then doing the next action. The form links going out with the following activity, ‘이야기해 봐요’.
그 ‘그’ means that or the previously mentioned one, referring here to the issue under discussion. It comes before a noun, as in ‘그 문제’.
문제 ‘문제’ means problem or issue, referring to the design decision. It is a general noun that can be followed by an object marker when it is discussed or solved.
를 In ‘문제를’, ‘를’ marks ‘문제’ as the object of talking through. It follows a noun ending in a vowel.
차근차근 ‘차근차근’ means step by step and describes discussing the issue in an orderly, unhurried way. It is an adverb placed before the action it describes.
이야기해 ‘이야기해’ means talk about or discuss in ‘이야기해 봐요’. It supplies the main action, while ‘봐요’ adds the idea of trying that action.
봐요 In ‘이야기해 봐요’, ‘봐요’ contributes the meaning of trying an action, not simply looking. The pattern verb plus ‘봐요’ is useful for making a gentle suggestion to try something.
신선한 ‘신선한’ means fresh and describes the air in ‘신선한 공기’. It comes before the noun it modifies.
공기 ‘공기’ means air, specifically the fresh air that may help their thinking here. It can be combined with descriptive words such as ‘신선한’ before discussing its effect.
도움 ‘도움’ means help or assistance in ‘도움이 될 수도’. It is a noun used with ‘이 되다’ when something may be helpful.
될 ‘될’ means may be or may become in ‘도움이 될 수도’, describing the possibility that fresh air will be helpful. It comes before ‘수도’ in a pattern for a possible result.
도 In ‘수도’, ‘도’ adds the meaning of even or also to the possibility expressed by ‘수’. Together, ‘수도 있다’ indicates that something may happen or may be true.
있지만 In ‘될 수도 있지만’, ‘있지만’ contributes the idea that the possibility exists, followed by a contrast with the speaker’s concern about time. This form commonly connects a possible situation to a contrasting statement.
너무 ‘너무’ means too or overly, showing that the amount of time would be more than the speaker wants. It usually comes before the adjective or quantity it intensifies.
많은 ‘많은’ means much or many and modifies ‘시간’ to describe a large amount of time. It comes before the noun it describes.
시간 ‘시간’ means time, specifically the time the speaker does not want to spend. It is often used with verbs meaning spend, use, save, or lose time.
을 In ‘시간을’, ‘을’ marks ‘시간’ as the object of spending. It follows a noun ending in a consonant.
쓰고 ‘쓰고’ means spend or use in relation to time, then connects to the following expression of wanting. It links one action or state to another.
싶지는 In ‘쓰고 싶지는 않아요’, ‘싶지는’ expresses that the speaker does not want to spend too much time, with a slight contrast or emphasis. It is used before negation when saying that someone does not particularly want to do something.
않아요 ‘않아요’ provides the polite negation in ‘싶지는 않아요’, meaning the speaker does not want that. It commonly follows a verb or desire expression to make the statement negative.
그냥 ‘그냥’ means just or simply, presenting the walk as an uncomplicated plan. It commonly comes before the action or description being softened or simplified.
블록 ‘블록’ means a city block, the area they plan to walk around. It is a loanword used as a noun and can be followed by a counting expression such as ‘한 바퀴’.
한 ‘한’ means one in ‘한 바퀴’, specifying a single round. It is the form used directly before the counting noun.
바퀴 ‘바퀴’ means a round or lap in ‘한 바퀴’, describing one complete circuit of the block. It is used after a number when counting rounds or turns.
돌면서 ‘돌면서’ means while going around, describing the walk around the block while they focus on the decision. The form links an ongoing action with another action happening at the same time.
핵심 ‘핵심’ means the main point or core, identifying what deserves their attention. It commonly comes before a noun such as ‘결정’ to specify the central part of an issue.
결정 ‘결정’ means decision, here referring to the main choice they need to make. It can be combined with words such as ‘핵심’ to describe the importance of the decision.
집중하면 ‘집중하면’ means if or when they focus, referring to focusing on the main decision. The form introduces a condition or situation before the result expressed by ‘돼요’.
돼요 In ‘집중하면 돼요’, ‘돼요’ means that it is enough or that this will work. The pattern ‘동사하면 돼요’ tells someone what is sufficient to do.
그러면 ‘그러면’ means then or in that case, connecting the proposed walk with its expected benefit. It is commonly used to introduce a result or response to what was just said.
완전히 ‘완전히’ means completely, emphasizing that the problem is not being set aside in a total way. It is an adverb placed before the action or state it modifies.
내려놓지 ‘내려놓지’ contributes the idea of not putting down or letting go of the problem completely. In this context, it is followed by negation and a connective form to express continuing to keep the problem in mind.
않으면서 ‘않으면서’ means while not doing something or without doing it, linking the continued attention to the problem with taking a break. It commonly follows a negated action and introduces a simultaneous condition.
잠깐 ‘잠깐’ means briefly or for a moment, limiting the length of the break. It commonly comes before an action when the speaker wants to indicate a short duration.
쉴 ‘쉴’ means to rest in ‘쉴 수 있겠어요’, describing the possible break. Its form comes before ‘수’ in an expression about being able to rest.
있겠어요 In ‘쉴 수 있겠어요’, ‘있겠어요’ expresses that the speaker might be able to do something. Together with the action and ‘수’, it presents a tentative possibility rather than a firm promise.
가끔 ‘가끔’ means sometimes, indicating that the effect does not happen every time. It is an adverb that can come before the action or situation being described.
은 In ‘가끔은’, ‘은’ marks ‘가끔’ as the topic and adds a slight contrast, meaning sometimes at least or on some occasions. It is attached after the word being highlighted.
몸 ‘몸’ means body, referring here to physical movement rather than mental effort alone. It commonly combines with verbs related to moving or using the body.
움직이면 ‘움직이면’ means if or when the body moves, introducing the condition for the decision to feel easier. This form commonly links a condition to a possible result.
내리기 In ‘결정을 내리기’, ‘내리기’ contributes the action of making or reaching a decision. It is the action form used with ‘결정’ in the common expression for making a decision.
쉬워지는 ‘쉬워지는’ means becoming easier, describing a change in how the decision feels. It comes before ‘것’ to turn that change into the subject of the following impression.
것 In ‘쉬워지는 것 같아요’, ‘것’ nominalizes the preceding situation, roughly making it ‘the fact that it becomes easier’. It commonly appears before ‘같아요’ when expressing an impression.
같아요 ‘같아요’ means it seems or I think, showing that the speaker is giving an impression rather than stating an absolute fact. It commonly follows a clause ending in ‘것’.
목업 ‘목업’ means mockup, the design sample they may need to inspect. It is a noun used as the object of an action such as checking.
확인해야 ‘확인해야’ means need to check in ‘확인해야 할 수도’, introducing an obligation that may apply. It commonly comes before ‘하다’ or a related possibility expression when saying that an action may be necessary.
할 In ‘확인해야 할 수도’, ‘할’ contributes the action of doing or having to do something. It follows another obligation expression here and helps form the idea that checking may be necessary.
있으니 In ‘할 수도 있으니’, ‘있으니’ means since that possibility exists or because it may be needed. It connects the possible need to check the mockup with the decision to bring the phone.
제 ‘제’ means my in the polite expression ‘제 휴대전화’. It is used before a noun to identify something belonging to the speaker.
휴대전화 ‘휴대전화’ means mobile phone, the item the speaker will bring. It is a noun that can follow a possessive word such as ‘제’.
가져갈게요 ‘가져갈게요’ means I will bring or take it, presenting the speaker’s immediate intention. This polite form is useful when volunteering to do something or making a commitment about one’s own action.
걸음 ‘걸음’ means a step or walking pace in ‘걸음 속도’. It combines with ‘속도’ to specify the pace of walking.
속도 ‘속도’ means speed or pace, here referring to how fast they walk. It can be used with a noun such as ‘걸음’ to describe a particular kind of speed.
편하게 ‘편하게’ means comfortably or without strain, describing how the pace should be maintained. It is an adverb that modifies the way an action is carried out.
유지해서 ‘유지해서’ means maintaining something and thereby creating the intended result. Here it links keeping the pace relaxed with preventing the walk from becoming another task.
또 ‘또’ means another or again, showing that the walk should not become an additional task after the existing work. It commonly comes before the noun or action that is being repeated or added.
다른 ‘다른’ means another or different in ‘다른 일’. It comes before a noun to distinguish it from the work already being discussed.
일 ‘일’ means work or task here, referring to something that would create another obligation. It is a broad noun used for work, duties, or tasks depending on context.
되지 In ‘되지 않게’, ‘되지’ contributes the meaning of becoming or turning into something. Together with ‘않게’, it describes preventing the walk from becoming another task.
않게 ‘않게’ means so that it does not happen, linking prevention to the following request. It commonly follows an action and expresses the result that should be avoided.
해요 In ‘되지 않게 해요’, ‘해요’ means make it so or let’s do it, completing a polite request to prevent the unwanted result. It commonly follows a phrase describing the state someone wants to maintain.
걷고 ‘걷고’ means walk and then, linking the short walk to returning and choosing a direction. It connects one action with the next action in sequence.
나면 In ‘걷고 나면’, ‘나면’ means after the preceding action is finished or once it has happened. This form commonly marks the point after which the next action can take place.
돌아와서 ‘돌아와서’ means come back and then, linking the return to choosing a direction. It indicates that the speaker returns to the original place before doing the next action.
방향 ‘방향’ means direction, referring here to the course they will choose for the design. It can describe either a physical direction or a chosen approach to a problem.
선택할 ‘선택할’ means to choose in ‘선택할 수 있어요’. Its form comes before ‘수’ to describe the possibility of choosing one direction.
있어요 In ‘선택할 수 있어요’, ‘있어요’ expresses that choosing is possible. Together with ‘수’, it forms a polite statement of ability or available possibility.
생각 ‘생각’ means thought or thinking, referring to the mental activity they want to organize. It is a noun often used with words describing organizing, changing, or sharing thoughts.
정리하면 ‘정리하면’ means if or when one organizes something, here referring to organizing one’s thoughts. This form introduces the condition that may help avoid excessive overthinking.
지나치게 ‘지나치게’ means excessively or too much, showing that the amount of thinking has gone beyond what is useful. It is an adverb placed before the action or description it intensifies.
고민하는 ‘고민하는’ means thinking over or worrying about something, here describing prolonged mental effort about the decision. It comes before ‘일’ to turn that activity into a task or situation being avoided.
피할 ‘피할’ means to avoid in ‘피할 수 있을지도 몰라요’. Its form comes before ‘수’ to describe the possibility of avoiding another hour of excessive thinking.
있을지도 In ‘있을지도 몰라요’, ‘있을지도’ contributes the idea that something might be possible. It is part of a pattern used to express uncertainty about whether a result will occur.
몰라요 In ‘있을지도 몰라요’, ‘몰라요’ literally means do not know, but the whole expression politely means might or perhaps. It is commonly used after a possibility expression when the speaker does not want to sound certain.

Grammar Points

V-(으)면서

한 바퀴 돌면서 생각을 정리해요.

hahn BAH-kwee DOHL-myuhn-suh saeng-GAH-geul juhng-REE-hae-yo

I organize my thoughts while going around once.

Attach -(으)면서 to show that two actions happen at the same time.

V-(으)면

집중하면 문제가 쉬워져요.

jee-JOONG-ha-myun MOON-jeh-gah shwee-WUH-juh-yo

If you focus, the problem becomes easier.

Attach -(으)면 to express a condition or situation that leads to a result.

Korean Vocabulary

결정하다 verb
kyuhl-JUHNG-hah-dah to decide 결정할
공기 noun
GOHNG-ghee air
나가다 verb
nah-GAH-dah to go outside; to step out 나가서
도움이 되다 phrase
doh-OOM-ee dweh-dah to be helpful 도움이 될 수도
디자인 noun
dee-JAH-een design
버전 noun
BUH-juhn version
블록 noun
buhl-LOHK block
시간 noun
SHEE-gahn time
신선하다 adj
sheen-SUHN-hah-dah to be fresh 신선한
잘 맞다 phrase
jahl MAHT-ttah to work well; to fit well 더 잘 맞는지
차근차근 adv
chah-GUHN-chah-GUHN step by step; carefully
한 바퀴 돌다 phrase
hahn BAH-kwee DOHL-dah to go around once 한 바퀴 돌면서

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

step by step; carefully

Show Answer차근차근

to go outside; to step out

Show Answer나가서

design

Show Answer디자인

to decide

Show Answer결정할