About This Lesson
Use Flexible Break Expectations at Work to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
이 팀이 휴식 시간을 어떻게 운영하는지 잘 모르겠어요.
ee tee-MEE hyoo-SHEEK shee-GAH-nuhl uh-TTOH-keh oo-NYUHNG-ha-nun-JEE jal mo-ruh-GET-suh-yoh I'm not sure how this team handles breaks.
B
규정은 유연하지만, 서비스 시간에는 자리를 지키는 사람이 있어야 해요.
gyoo-JUHNG-un yoo-YUN-ha-jee-MAN, SUH-bee-suh shee-GAH-neh-nun jah-REE-reul JEE-kee-nun sah-rah-MEE ee-SSUH-yah HEH-yoh The policy is flexible, but coverage still matters during service hours.
A
그럼 누군가 자리에 있기만 하면 필요할 때 잠시 자리를 비워도 되는 거네요.
guh-RUM NOO-goon-gah jah-REE-eh IT-gee-man HA-myun pee-RYOH-hal TTAE jahm-SHEE jah-REE-reul bee-WUH-doh DWEH-nun guh-NEH-yoh So I can step away when needed, as long as someone is available.
B
잠시 자리를 비울 거라면 사람들에게 알려 주세요.
jahm-SHEE jah-REE-reul bee-OOL guh-rah-myun sah-rahm-deul-eh-geh al-LYUH JOO-seh-yoh Just let people know if you'll be gone for a while.
A
그게 공평한 것 같아요. 제가 갑자기 사라진 것처럼 보일까 봐 걱정했어요.
guh-GEH gohng-PYUHNG-han gut ga-TAH-yoh. jeh-GAH gahp-JJAH-gee sah-rah-JIN gut-chuh-rum boh-EEL-kka BWAH guhk-JJUNG-heh-SSUH-yoh That seems fair. I was worried it might look like I was disappearing.
B
팀 채팅에 짧게 알려 주면 그런 오해를 막을 수 있을 거예요.
teem CHEH-ting-eh jjal-keh al-LYUH joo-myun guh-RUN oh-HEH-reul MAH-geul soo ee-SSUL guh-YEH-yoh A quick note in the team chat should prevent that.
A
바쁜 시간에는 공동 일정을 만들어 볼까요?
BAH-PPUN shee-GAH-neh-nun gohng-DONG il-JJUNG-eul man-deu-ruh bol-KKAH-yoh Should we create a shared schedule during busy periods?
B
여러 사람이 같은 시간에 점심을 먹고 싶을 때 도움이 될 수 있겠네요.
YUH-ruh sah-rah-MEE GAH-tun shee-GAH-neh juhm-SHEE-meul muk-GOH SHEE-peul TTAE doh-oo-MEE DWEL soo eet-GET-neh-yoh That could help when several people want lunch at the same time.
A
다음 팀 점검 시간에 제안해 볼게요.
TAH-um teem juhm-GUM shee-GAH-neh jeh-AN-heh bol-GEH-yoh I'll suggest it at the next team check-in.
B
그러면 모두가 무엇을 예상해야 하는지 알 수 있겠네요.
guh-RUH-myun moh-doo-GAH moo-UH-seul yeh-SAHNG-heh-yah ha-nun-JEE al soo eet-GET-neh-yoh Then everyone will know what to expect.Word by Word
이
이 means “this” and points to the team being discussed. Here it comes directly before 팀이, so it identifies the team as the one relevant to the conversation. Use it before a nearby singular noun when you want to specify “this.”
팀이
팀이 means “the team” as the subject of the embedded question. 이 is the subject marker attached to 팀, showing that the team is the one operating the breaks. This form is useful when describing what a particular team does.
휴식
휴식 means “rest” or “break” here and forms the expression 휴식 시간 with 시간. It identifies the pause from work being discussed. Use it with a time expression when referring to a work or activity break.
시간을
시간을 means “time” as the object of 운영하는지 in this sentence. 을 marks the time being managed or organized. Here it is part of 휴식 시간을, so the whole object is “break time.”
어떻게
어떻게 asks “how” and introduces the way the team manages its break time. In 어떻게 운영하는지, it asks about the method or policy rather than about a specific time. Use it before an action when asking how something is done.
운영하는지
운영하는지 means “how it operates or manages” in the embedded question 이 팀이 휴식 시간을 어떻게 운영하는지. 운영하다 means to operate or manage, and -는지 turns the clause into something the speaker is unsure about. This pattern is useful after 모르겠어요 when you do not know how a system works.
잘
잘 means “well,” but in 잘 모르겠어요 it helps express “I am not sure” or “I do not really know.” It softens 모르겠어요 by showing that the speaker does not know the matter clearly. It commonly appears before 모르겠어요 when expressing uncertainty.
모르겠어요
모르겠어요 means “I do not know” or “I am not sure” in a polite form. Here it expresses uncertainty about how the team handles breaks, not a refusal to answer. Use it politely when you lack information or are unsure about something.
규정은
규정은 means “the policy” or “the rule” as the topic of the sentence. 은 marks 규정 as the topic before the contrasting statement 유연하지만. This form is useful when setting up a comment about a policy or rule.
유연하지만
유연하지만 means “is flexible, but” and introduces a contrast with the following requirement. 유연하다 describes the policy, while -지만 connects it to a condition that still matters. Use this ending when acknowledging one fact before presenting a contrasting fact.
서비스
서비스 means “service” in the workplace context. Here it specifies the period during which coverage is important in 서비스 시간에는. This loanword can be used as a noun before a time expression or another workplace-related noun.
시간에는
시간에는 means “during the hours” or “during the time,” with the topic or contrast marker 는 attached to 시간에. In 서비스 시간에는, it limits the statement to service hours. Use this kind of time phrase to identify when a rule or condition applies.
자리를
자리를 refers to “one’s place” or “position” as the object of 지키는. In 자리를 지키는 사람, it means the place that someone remains present to cover. This expression is useful when talking about staying at a work position or keeping a post covered.
지키는
지키는 means “staying at” or “keeping” and describes the person in 자리를 지키는 사람. It comes from 지키다 and modifies 사람, identifying what that person does. Use this form before a noun when describing someone who keeps a place, rule, or responsibility.
사람이
사람이 means “a person” as the subject of 있어야 해요. 이 marks 사람 as the person who must be present. Here it shows that someone, rather than a specific named coworker, needs to remain available.
있어야
있어야 means “must be present” or “needs to be there” in 사람이 있어야 해요. It expresses a necessary condition: coverage is possible only if someone is present. Use it before 해요 when stating that someone or something needs to exist or be available.
해요
해요 completes 있어야 해요 and makes the requirement polite: someone has to be there. In this sentence it does not mean “do” by itself; it completes the necessity expression. This polite ending is useful for explaining workplace requirements in a considerate way.
그럼
그럼 means “then” or “so” and shows that the speaker is drawing a conclusion from the previous explanation. It introduces the speaker’s understanding that a short absence is acceptable if coverage remains. Use it at the start of a response when checking or confirming an implication.
누군가
누군가 means “someone” without identifying the person. In 누군가 자리에 있기만 하면, it is the unspecified person whose presence satisfies the condition. Use it when any one person can fulfill a requirement.
자리에
자리에 means “at one’s place” or “in position,” with 에 marking the location. Here it describes where 누군가 must be in order to provide coverage. Use it with 있다 when referring to someone being present at a particular place.
있기만
있기만 means “just being present” or “only staying,” emphasizing that presence is the only requirement in this condition. It combines with 하면 in 있기가 아니라? Here the exact phrase is 있기만 하면, meaning that it is enough if someone is present. This pattern is useful for expressing a minimum condition.
하면
하면 means “if” or “when someone does or is,” and here it completes the condition 있기만 하면. Together, 있기만 하면 means “as long as someone is present.” Use 하면 after an action or state when describing the condition for something to be allowed or possible.
필요할
필요할 means “needed” in 필요할 때, meaning “when needed.” It is the form of 필요하다 used before 때 to describe the relevant situation. Use it before a time expression when an action should happen whenever it becomes necessary.
때
때 means “when” or “at the time” and turns 필요할 into the time condition 필요할 때. It identifies the moment when stepping away is necessary. Use it after a describing clause to say when an action takes place.
잠시
잠시 means “briefly” or “for a moment” and limits how long the speaker will leave the position. It makes clear that the absence is short, not an extended departure. Use it when describing a short wait, pause, or absence.
비워도
비워도 means “even if I leave or vacate it” in 잠시 비워도 되는 거네요. It comes from 비우다 and adds -어도, allowing the action under the stated condition. Here the place being left is understood from 자리를, so the full idea is a brief absence from one’s position.
되는
되는 means “being okay” or “being allowed” in 비워도 되는 거네요. It describes whether the preceding action is acceptable, rather than simply meaning that something exists. This form is useful in the construction [action]도 되는 when asking or explaining whether an action is permitted.
거네요
거네요 expresses realization or confirmation, so 비워도 되는 거네요 means “I see, it is okay to leave briefly.” It shows that the speaker has understood a rule from what the other person said. Use it when a new conclusion becomes clear during a conversation.
비울
비울 means “will leave or vacate” in 비울 거라면. It comes from 비우다 and appears before 거라면 to describe a planned or expected action. Here it refers to leaving one’s position for a while.
거라면
거라면 means “if someone is going to” or “if that is going to be the case” in 비울 거라면. It introduces the condition for the request 알려 주세요. Use this construction when discussing an expected future action and what should happen if it occurs.
사람들에게
사람들에게 means “to the people” or “to the people involved.” 들 marks the plural idea and 에게 marks the recipients of the information. Here it identifies who should receive the notice about the absence.
알려
알려 means “let know” or “tell” in 알려 주세요. It is the connective form of 알리다 and links the act of informing to the polite request 주세요. Use it when passing information to another person or group.
주세요
주세요 makes 알려 주세요 a polite request: “please let people know.” It follows the action form 알려 and asks the listener to carry out that action. Use it after an action when making a courteous request.
그게
그게 means “that” as the subject of the statement 그게 공평한 것 같아요. It refers back to the arrangement just described. Use it when evaluating or commenting on a previously mentioned idea or situation.
공평한
공평한 means “fair” and modifies 것 in 공평한 것 같아요. It evaluates the arrangement as balanced or reasonable for the people involved. Use it before a noun when describing a fair rule, decision, or treatment.
것
것 means “thing” or “fact,” and in 공평한 것 같아요 it nominalizes the idea of something being fair. The expression 공평한 것 같아요 therefore means “it seems fair.” Use 것 after a describing clause when referring to that idea as a thing or fact.
같아요
같아요 means “seems” or “I think,” expressing a soft judgment rather than an absolute statement. Here it makes the speaker’s evaluation polite and less forceful. Use it after a description when giving an impression or opinion cautiously.
제가
제가 means “I” as the subject of the worry, with 가 marking the subject. In 제가 갑자기 사라진 것처럼, it identifies the speaker as the person who seems to have disappeared. Use it when clearly marking yourself as the subject of an action or state.
갑자기
갑자기 means “suddenly” and emphasizes that the disappearance might seem unexpected. It modifies 사라진 in the imagined situation. Use it when an action or change happens without warning.
사라진
사라진 means “disappeared” and describes 제가 in 사라진 것처럼. It is the past describing form of 사라지다, showing an action viewed as already completed in the comparison. Use it before 것처럼 when saying that something appears as if it happened.
것처럼
것처럼 means “as if” or “like,” and in 사라진 것처럼 it compares the appearance to the idea that the speaker disappeared. The whole expression, not this component alone, conveys the comparison. Use it after a described situation when explaining how something looks or seems.
보일까
보일까 means “might look” or “might seem” in 보일까 봐. The ending -ㄹ까 presents a possibility that worries the speaker. Use it when wondering how an action or situation may appear to other people.
봐
봐 completes 보일까 봐, a construction meaning “because I was worried that it might look that way.” Here it introduces the feared possibility behind 걱정했어요. Use it after a possibility ending in -ㄹ까 when explaining worry about a possible result.
걱정했어요
걱정했어요 means “I was worried” in a polite past form. It describes the speaker’s earlier concern about appearing to disappear without explanation. Use it when politely describing a worry that existed before the current conversation.
팀
팀 means “team” and identifies the group chat in 팀 채팅에. It is a workplace noun used to specify the group involved. Use it before another noun when referring to something belonging to or organized for a team.
채팅에
채팅에 means “in the chat,” with 에 marking the place or channel where the note is posted. In 팀 채팅에, it identifies the team chat as the location for the message. Use 에 with a digital or physical place when saying where information is put or sent.
짧게
짧게 means “briefly” or “in a short way,” describing the note or the act of informing in 짧게 알려 주면. It keeps the suggested message small and practical. Use this adverb when an action should be concise rather than detailed.
주면
주면 means “if someone gives or does something for someone,” and in 알려 주면 it helps express “if you let people know.” Here 주다 supports the action of informing another person. Use it after an action when emphasizing that the action is done for or toward someone.
그런
그런 means “such” or “that kind of” and modifies 오해 in 그런 오해를. It refers back to the misunderstanding that the speaker has disappeared. Use it before a noun when pointing to a previously mentioned type of situation.
오해를
오해를 means “misunderstanding” as the object of 막을. 를 marks the misunderstanding that the note should prevent. Use it when describing an incorrect interpretation that communication can avoid.
막을
막을 means “will prevent” or “will stop” in 막을 수 있을 거예요. It comes from 막다 and modifies 수, forming the possibility expression “will be able to prevent.” Use it before 수 when discussing whether a problem can be stopped.
수
수 means “ability” or “possibility” in 막을 수 있을 거예요. With an action before it and 있다 after it, it forms the construction for being able to do something. Here the complete expression says that the note can prevent the misunderstanding.
있을
있을 means “will be possible” in 막을 수 있을 거예요. It is the form of 있다 used before 거예요 to describe an expected possibility. Here it helps express that preventing the misunderstanding is likely to be possible.
거예요
거예요 gives the sentence an expected or predicted meaning, so 막을 수 있을 거예요 means “it should be able to prevent that.” It presents the result as a reasonable expectation rather than a guaranteed fact. Use it when making a polite prediction about a future result.
바쁜
바쁜 means “busy” and modifies periods in 바쁜 시간. It identifies the times when several people may need breaks at once. Use it before a time or situation noun when describing a period with a lot of activity.
공동
공동 means “shared” or “common” and describes 일정을 in 공동 일정. It shows that the schedule is intended for several people together. Use it before a noun when something is jointly used or organized.
일정을
일정을 means “schedule” as the object of 만들어 볼까요. 를 marks the schedule that the speakers are considering creating. Use it when discussing making, changing, or following a planned timetable.
만들어
만들어 means “make” or “create” and connects the action to 볼까요 in 만들어 볼까요. It describes creating the shared schedule under discussion. Use this connective form before another action when presenting the first action as part of a suggestion or attempt.
볼까요
볼까요 means “shall we try” or “shall we,” and in 만들어 볼까요 it turns the proposal into a polite joint suggestion. Together with 만들어, it suggests trying to create the schedule. Use it when inviting another person to consider doing something together.
여러
여러 means “several” or “multiple” and modifies 사람 in 여러 사람이. It indicates more than one person without giving an exact number. Use it before a plural-type noun when referring to a number of people or things together.
같은
같은 means “same” and modifies 시간 in 같은 시간에. It shows that the people want lunch at one matching time. Use it before a noun when comparing two or more things as identical in the relevant way.
시간에
시간에 means “at the same time” in 같은 시간에. 에 marks the time when the action takes place, while 같은 specifies that the time matches. Use this time phrase to state when people do an activity simultaneously.
점심을
점심을 means “lunch” as the object of 먹고 싶을. 를 marks the meal that several people want to eat. Use it when describing having lunch as an action or plan.
먹고
먹고 means “eat and” or “eat, then,” linking 먹다 to 싶을 in 먹고 싶을 때. It forms the familiar expression for wanting to eat something. Use it before 싶다 when expressing a desire to eat a particular food or meal.
싶을
싶을 means “want to” in 먹고 싶을 때, meaning “when people want to eat lunch.” It is the form of 싶다 used before 때 to describe the situation in which the desire exists. Use it after an action form when describing when someone wants to do that action.
도움이
도움이 means “help” as the subject of 도움이 될 수 있겠네요. 이 marks help as what the schedule may become or provide. Use this form when saying that something may be useful in a particular situation.
될
될 means “will be” or “will become” in 도움이 될 수 있겠네요. It comes from 되다 and modifies 수, expressing the possibility of becoming helpful. Use it after a noun such as 도움이 when evaluating whether something may be useful.
다음
다음 means “next” and modifies 점검 in 다음 팀 점검. It identifies the upcoming check-in rather than the current or previous one. Use it before an event or time expression to refer to the one that follows.
점검
점검 means “check” or “check-in” and refers here to a team meeting for reviewing or discussing work. In 다음 팀 점검 시간에, it identifies when the suggestion will be made. Use it for a planned review or status-check meeting.
제안해
제안해 means “suggest” or “propose” and connects to 볼게요 in 제안해 볼게요. It describes offering the shared schedule as an idea at the next team check-in. Use this form before 볼게요 when saying that you will try to make a suggestion.
볼게요
볼게요 means “I will try” or “I will do it” and expresses the speaker’s intention to take responsibility for the action. In 제안해 볼게요, it means “I’ll try suggesting it.” Use it when voluntarily promising or offering to do something.
그러면
그러면 means “then” or “in that case” and introduces the expected result of creating a shared schedule. It connects the proposal with what everyone will know afterward. Use it when stating the consequence of a condition or decision.
모두가
모두가 means “everyone” as the subject of 알 수 있겠네요. 가 marks the whole group as the people who will know. Use it when referring to all members of a group without naming them individually.
무엇을
무엇을 means “what” as the object of 예상해야 하는지. 를 marks the thing that everyone should expect. Use it when asking or describing what a person needs to know, choose, or do.
예상해야
예상해야 means “must expect” or “needs to anticipate” in 무엇을 예상해야 하는지. It expresses the required expectation before the embedded-question ending 하는지. Use it when discussing what people should be prepared for.
하는지
하는지 closes the embedded question in 무엇을 예상해야 하는지, meaning “what one should expect.” It turns the preceding clause into the information that everyone will know. Use this ending when placing a question-like clause inside a larger sentence about knowing or explaining information.
알
알 means “know” in 알 수 있겠네요. It is the form of 알다 used before 수 to express the possibility of knowing. Use it in this construction when saying that someone can know or find out information.
있겠네요
있겠네요 expresses an expected possibility together with a realization, so 알 수 있겠네요 means “everyone will be able to know.” 겠 presents the expected result and 네요 shows that the speaker recognizes it. Use it when concluding that a situation will probably make something possible.
Grammar Points
-지만
유연하지만
yoo-YUN-ha-jee-MANalthough flexible; but flexible
-지만 connects contrasting ideas and means “although” or “but.”
-는지
운영하는지
oo-NYUHNG-ha-nun-JEEwhether someone operates or handles it
-는지 marks an indirect question or uncertainty about an action: 운영하다 becomes 운영하는지.
Korean Vocabulary
공평하다
adj
gohng-PYUHNG-ha-dah
to be fair
공평한
규정
noun
gyoo-JUHNG
policy; regulation
서비스 시간
phrase
SUH-bee-suh shee-GAHN
service hours
알리다
verb
al-LYEE-dah
to inform; to let someone know
알려
운영하다
verb
oo-NYUHNG-ha-dah
to operate; to handle
운영하는지
유연하다
adj
yoo-YUN-ha-dah
to be flexible
유연하지만
자리
noun
JAH-ree
seat; place
자리를 비우다
phrase
jah-REE-reul bee-OO-dah
to step away; to be away from one's place
자리를 비워도
잠시
adv
jahm-SHEE
briefly; for a moment
팀
noun
teem
team
필요하다
adj
pee-RYOH-ha-dah
to be needed; to be necessary
필요할
휴식 시간
phrase
hyoo-SHEEK shee-GAHN
break time
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
Should we create a shared schedule during busy periods?
Show Answer
바쁜 시간에는 공동 일정을 만들어 볼까요?I'll suggest it at the next team check-in.
Show Answer
다음 팀 점검 시간에 제안해 볼게요.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to be flexible
Show Answer
유연하지만to operate; to handle
Show Answer
운영하는지seat; place
Show Answer
자리to inform; to let someone know