Politely explaining an overdue book and asking about a failed online renewal | Learn Kore…

About This Lesson

Use Politely explaining an overdue book and asking about a failed online renewal to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

방금 이 책이 연체되었다는 걸 깨달았어요.

pahng-GUM ee CHEH-gee yun-cheh-dweh-DAH-dah-neun geol kkeh-DAH-lah-ssoh-yoh. I just realized this book is overdue.

오늘 반납한 다음, 안내 데스크에 갱신 기록을 확인해 달라고 하세요.

OH-neul ban-NA-pan da-um, an-NAE DES-kuh-eh gaeng-SHIN gee-ro-geul hwah-GIN-hae DAL-la-go ha-SEH-yoh. Return it today, then ask the desk to review the renewal history.

온라인으로 갱신했다고 생각했는데, 제 계정에는 전혀 반영되지 않았어요.

on-LINE-eu-ro gaeng-SHIN-haet-ta-go saeng-GAK-haet-neun-deh, jeh gyeh-JUNG-eh-neun jeon-HYUH ban-YOUNG-dweh-jee a-NAH-ssoh-yoh. I thought I renewed it online, but my account never updated.

시스템이 그 기록을 저장하지 못했다면, 직원이 계정을 조정해 줄 수도 있어요.

SHEE-seu-teh-mee geu gee-RO-geul juh-JAHNG-ha-jee mot-haet-ta-myun, JIG-won-ee gyeh-JUNG-eul joh-JUNG-hae jool soo-do ee-SUH-yoh. If the system failed to record it, the staff may be able to adjust your account.

저는 따지고 싶지 않아요.

juh-NEUN tta-JEE-go SHEEP-jjee a-NAH-yoh. I do not want to argue.

하지만 무슨 일이 있었는지는 설명하고 싶어요.

ha-JEE-man moo-SEUN ee-ree ee-SUH-nun-jee-neun suhl-MYUNG-ha-go SHEEP-uh-yoh. But I would like to explain what happened.

갱신하려고 했다는 것을 보여 주는 스크린샷이나 이메일이 있으면 가져오세요.

gaeng-SHIN-ha-ryuh-go HAET-ta-neun guh-seul BOH-yuh joo-neun suh-kreen-SHYOT-ee-na ee-MEH-il-ee ee-sseu-myun ga-juh-oh-SEH-yoh. Bring any screenshot or email that shows you tried to renew it.

알림 이메일만 있고, 확인 이메일은 없어요.

al-LEEM ee-MEH-il-man ee-go, hwah-GIN ee-MEH-il-eun up-SUH-yoh. I only have the reminder email, not a confirmation.

그럼 그 사실을 분명하게 설명하세요.

geu-reom geu sa-SHEE-reul boon-MYUNG-ha-geh suhl-MYUNG-ha-SEH-yoh. Then explain that clearly.

다음에 같은 문제가 생기지 않게 하려면 어떻게 해야 하는지 물어보세요.

DAH-eum-eh ga-TEUN moon-JEH-ga saeng-GEE-jee an-keh ha-ryuh-myun uh-TTO-keh hae-YA ha-neun-jee moo-ruh-BOH-SEH-yoh. Ask how to avoid the same problem next time.

제 계정에 여전히 그 책이 연체 중이라고 표시되더라도, 저는 갱신 절차를 이해하고 싶어요.

jeh gyeh-JUNG-eh yuh-JUN-hee geu CHEH-gee yun-cheh joong-ee-ra-go pyoh-SHEE-dweh-duh-ra-do, juh-NEUN gaeng-SHIN jeol-CHAH-reul ee-HAE-ha-go SHEEP-uh-yoh. Even if my account still shows the book as overdue, I want to understand the renewal process.

그렇게 하면 문제를 해결하는 데 대화의 초점을 맞출 수 있어요.

geu-ROH-keh ha-myun moon-JEH-reul hae-GYUL-ha-neun deh dae-HWA-eh cho-JUM-eul matchool soo ee-SUH-yoh. That approach keeps the conversation focused on solving the problem.

Word by Word

방금 방금 means just now, referring to a very recent moment before speaking. It is used with an event such as 방금 깨달았어요 to say that the realization happened moments ago. You could use it when telling someone about something you have only just noticed.

이 이 means this and points to the nearby book in 이 책이. It comes before a noun to identify one specific thing close to the speaker or currently being discussed. Use it with a noun when you want to say this book, this problem, or this account.

책이 책이 means the book as the subject of the statement, with 이 marking 책 as what became overdue. Here it identifies the book whose status the speaker realized. Use 책이 when the book is the subject of a description or change.

연체되었다는 연체되었다는 introduces the fact that something became overdue, describing the book’s status in this sentence. It comes from 연체되다 and combines with 걸 to mean the fact that the book became overdue. This form is useful when reporting or referring to a fact someone has realized.

걸 걸 refers to the fact or thing that was realized and is a shortened form of 것을. In 이 책이 연체되었다는 걸, it turns the preceding statement into the object of 깨달았어요. Use this pattern when saying that you realized, knew, or remembered a fact.

깨달았어요 깨달았어요 means realized, describing the speaker’s new awareness of the overdue status. It is the polite past form of 깨닫다 and refers to a realization that has already happened. Use it when you suddenly understand or notice an important fact.

오늘 오늘 means today, the day on which the book should be returned. It specifies when the action in 오늘 반납한 다음 is to happen. Use 오늘 with an action when the action is planned for the current day.

반납한 반납한 means returned and describes the completed return before 다음. It comes from 반납하다 and modifies the following time expression in 오늘 반납한 다음. Use it when describing what happens after returning an item.

다음 다음 means after that or next in 오늘 반납한 다음. Here it marks the action that follows returning the book. Use 다음 with an action or time expression to organize steps in sequence.

안내 안내 means guidance or information and forms the compound 안내 데스크, the information desk. Its meaning here relates to the desk that provides library assistance. A new example is 안내 방송, meaning an information announcement.

데스크에 데스크에 means to the desk, with 에 marking the place or recipient the speaker should ask. In 안내 데스크에, the request is directed to the information desk. Use 에 after a place or person when directing an action toward it.

갱신 갱신 means renewal, specifically the renewal of the library borrowing period in this dialogue. It is used before 기록을 and later 절차 to discuss the renewal process. Use 갱신 with an account, subscription, or borrowing period when extending its validity.

기록을 기록을 means the record as the object of 확인해 달라고 하세요, with 을 marking what should be checked. Here it refers to the renewal history. Use 기록을 with verbs such as 확인하다 or 남기다 when checking or leaving a record.

확인해 확인해 means check or verify and is the connected form of 확인하다 before 달라고. It identifies the action the speaker wants the desk to perform. Use 확인해 before a following request or instruction when asking someone to check something.

달라고 달라고 marks a request for someone to do the preceding action, so 확인해 달라고 means asking someone to check it for the speaker. It is part of the construction 확인해 달라고 하세요, not a standalone request word. Use this pattern when asking another person to perform an action for you.

하세요 하세요 means please do it or do it, in a polite instruction. It comes from 하다 and completes the advice to ask the desk to review the record. Use 하세요 when giving a respectful suggestion or instruction.

온라인으로 온라인으로 means online or through an online system, with 으로 marking the means used for renewal. It explains how the speaker tried to renew the book. Use 으로 after a method or channel when saying that something was done through it.

갱신했다고 갱신했다고 means that I renewed it, reporting the speaker’s belief about the earlier renewal. It comes from 갱신하다 and uses the past reported form before 생각했는데. Use it when reporting that someone completed a renewal or similar action.

생각했는데 생각했는데 means thought, but or I thought, although, and introduces the contrast with the account not updating. It comes from 생각하다 and connects the speaker’s belief to an unexpected result. Use it when presenting an earlier assumption followed by different information.

제 제 means my in this polite context and refers to the speaker’s account. It is the possessive form used for the speaker’s self-reference in 제 계정에는. Use 제 before a noun when politely referring to something that belongs to you.

계정에는 계정에는 means in or on my account, with 에 marking the account and 는 making it the topic or contrasting location. It identifies where the renewal result should have appeared. Use this form when discussing what is or is not shown in an account.

전혀 전혀 means at all and strengthens the following negative statement 반영되지 않았어요. Here it emphasizes that the renewal was not reflected in any way. Use 전혀 with a negative expression when emphasizing complete absence or lack.

반영되지 반영되지 means not reflected or not applied, and it describes the renewal result failing to appear in the account. It comes from 반영되다 and connects to 않았어요 to complete the negative statement. Use it when information or a change has not appeared in a record or system.

않았어요 않았어요 completes the polite past negative meaning did not or was not. In 반영되지 않았어요, it says that the renewal was not reflected. Use it after a preceding negative form to politely describe something that did not happen.

시스템이 시스템이 means the system as the subject of the possible failure, with 이 marking 시스템 as what did not record the renewal. It identifies the system as responsible for the missing record. Use 시스템이 when describing what an electronic system did or failed to do.

그 그 means that or the already mentioned item and refers here to the renewal record. It appears in 그 기록, pointing back to information known from the conversation. Use 그 before a noun when referring to something already identified.

저장하지 저장하지 contributes the meaning not save or record before 못했다면. It comes from 저장하다 and forms part of 저장하지 못했다면, meaning if the system failed to save it. Use it before 못하다 when explaining that someone was unable to save information.

못했다면 못했다면 means if it failed to do it or if it could not do it. In 저장하지 못했다면, it presents the system’s failure to save the record as a condition. Use this conditional form when discussing what may happen if an action was unsuccessful.

직원이 직원이 means the staff member as the subject of the possible adjustment, with 이 marking 직원 as the person who may act. Here it refers to library staff handling the account. Use 직원이 when describing what a staff member can or may do.

계정을 계정을 means the account as the object of 조정해 줄 수도 있어요, with 을 marking what may be adjusted. It refers to the borrower’s library account. Use 계정을 with actions that change, check, or manage an account.

조정해 조정해 means adjust and connects to 줄 in 조정해 줄 수도 있어요. It describes changing the account so that the failed renewal can be handled. Use 조정해 before a following helping construction when someone makes an adjustment for another person.

줄 줄 contributes the meaning of doing the adjustment for someone in 조정해 줄 수도 있어요. Together with 조정해, it shows that staff may adjust the account on the speaker’s behalf. Use this pattern after an action when someone performs that action as a favor or service.

수도 수도 expresses possibility in 조정해 줄 수도 있어요, giving the meaning may be able to adjust it. It presents the staff’s action as possible rather than certain. Use 수도 with a verb and 있어요 when saying that something may happen or may be possible.

있어요 있어요 completes the possibility expression 조정해 줄 수도 있어요 and gives the polite meaning may be able to. Here it does not simply mean that something exists; it supports the preceding 수 construction. Use 수 있어요 to say that someone can do something or that an action is possible.

저는 저는 means as for me or I, with 는 marking the speaker as the topic. It sets up the speaker’s intention not to argue. Use 저는 when introducing your position, preference, or intention in contrast with another point.

따지고 따지고 means argue or challenge someone about the details, and it connects to 싶지 않아요. It conveys that the speaker does not want to press the issue confrontationally. Use it when discussing whether to challenge a decision or demand an explanation.

싶지 싶지 contributes do not want to in 따지고 싶지 않아요, but the full negative meaning is completed by 않아요. It comes from 싶다 and combines with a verb to express an unwanted action. Use this pattern when politely saying that you do not want to do something.

않아요 않아요 completes the polite negative expression 따지고 싶지 않아요, meaning do not want to argue. It comes from 않다 and follows the preceding 싶지. Use it to make a present statement negative in a polite way.

하지만 하지만 means but and introduces a contrast with the previous statement. Here it contrasts not wanting to argue with wanting to explain what happened. Use 하지만 at the start of a sentence when adding an opposing or balancing point.

무슨 무슨 means what kind of or what and modifies 일 in 무슨 일이 있었는지는. It asks which event or matter occurred without naming it. Use 무슨 before a noun when asking about an unspecified matter or event.

일이 일이 means the matter or event as the subject of 있었는지는, with 이 marking 일 as what occurred. In 무슨 일이 있었는지는, it refers to what happened. Use 일이 with 있다 when asking or talking about an event that occurred.

있었는지는 있었는지는 means as for what happened or as for whether something happened. It turns 무슨 일이 있었는지 into the topic of the explanation, with 는 adding that topic focus. Use this form when setting an event or uncertain fact as the subject to be explained or discussed.

설명하고 설명하고 means explain and connects the action of explaining to 싶어요. It describes the action the speaker wants to take regarding what happened. Use it before another verb or expression when linking explanation with a following intention or action.

싶어요 싶어요 means want to and expresses the speaker’s polite desire to explain. It comes from 싶다 and follows 설명하고 in the expression 설명하고 싶어요. Use it after a verb form ending in 고 when saying that you want to do that action.

갱신하려고 갱신하려고 means intending or trying to renew, describing the purpose behind the attempted action. It comes from 갱신하다 and combines with 했다 in 갱신하려고 했다, which conveys that the speaker tried or intended to renew it. Use it before 하다 when describing an intended or attempted action.

했다는 했다는 introduces the reported fact that someone did or attempted something. In 갱신하려고 했다는 것을, it refers to the fact that the speaker tried to renew the book. It comes from 하다 and is useful when presenting an action as information to be shown or explained.

것을 것을 means the fact or thing as the object of 보여 주는, with 을 marking what the screenshot or email shows. Here it refers to the fact that the speaker tried to renew the book. Use 것을 after a clause when treating that fact as something another person can see, know, or explain.

보여 보여 means show and connects to 주는 in 보여 주는. Together they describe a screenshot or email that shows the attempted renewal. Use 보여 before 주다 when emphasizing that information is shown to another person.

주는 주는 contributes the idea of showing or providing something for someone in 보여 주는. It comes from 주다 and turns the expression into a modifier for the screenshot or email. Use 보여 주는 before a noun when describing evidence that shows something to another person.

스크린샷이나 스크린샷이나 means a screenshot or, with 이나 presenting an alternative. It is one of the possible kinds of evidence the speaker can bring. Use 이나 after a noun when listing one possible option among alternatives.

이메일 이메일 means email and is the second possible piece of evidence in this sentence. It appears alongside 스크린샷이나 as something that could show the attempted renewal. Use 이메일 when referring to an electronic message as evidence or information.

있으면 있으면 means if there is one or if you have one, referring to a screenshot or email. It sets the condition for the instruction 가져오세요. Use it after a noun when saying if you have or if there is that item.

가져오세요 가져오세요 means please bring it and gives a polite instruction to bring the evidence. It comes from 가져오다 and refers to bringing something to the library desk. Use it when respectfully telling someone to bring an item to the current place.

알림 알림 means reminder or notification and modifies 이메일 in 알림 이메일. It identifies the message as a reminder rather than a confirmation. Use 알림 before a noun when referring to a notification or reminder message.

이메일만 이메일만 means only the email, with 만 limiting what the speaker has to the reminder email. It contrasts with the confirmation email mentioned next. Use 만 after a noun when emphasizing that there is no other relevant item.

있고 있고 means have or there is, and connects the reminder email with the absence of a confirmation. Here it says that the speaker has only the reminder email. Use it to link one existing item or situation to another statement.

확인 확인 means confirmation in 확인 이메일. It identifies the email as one that confirms the renewal. Use 확인 before a noun when referring to confirmation or verification related to that noun.

이메일은 이메일은 means as for the email or the email, with 는 marking it as the contrasting topic. In 확인 이메일은 없어요, it contrasts the missing confirmation with the reminder email the speaker does have. Use it when shifting attention to a particular email or contrasting its status.

없어요 없어요 means do not have or there is not, and completes the statement that no confirmation email exists. It is the polite form of 없다. Use it when saying that an item is absent or unavailable.

그럼 그럼 means then or in that case and responds to the information just given. Here it introduces the advice to explain the facts clearly despite lacking confirmation. Use it when drawing a practical next step from the previous situation.

사실을 사실을 means the fact as the object of 설명하세요, with 을 marking what should be explained. It refers to having the reminder email but no confirmation. Use 사실을 when telling someone to explain a specific fact or circumstance.

분명하게 분명하게 means clearly and describes how the fact should be explained. It asks the speaker to present the situation in an understandable, direct way. Use it with verbs such as 설명하세요 when clarity is important.

설명하세요 설명하세요 means please explain or explain it, as a polite instruction. It comes from 설명하다 and takes 사실을 as its object here. Use it when respectfully asking someone to describe a fact, process, or problem.

다음에 다음에 means next time in the question about preventing the same problem. It points to a future occasion after the current problem has been handled. Use it when discussing what should happen on a later occasion.

같은 같은 means same and modifies 문제 in 같은 문제. It identifies a future problem as one similar to or identical with the current problem. Use 같은 before a noun when referring back to something previously mentioned.

문제가 문제가 means the problem as the subject of 생기지 않게, with 가 marking what should not arise. It refers to another occurrence of the current renewal problem. Use 문제가 when describing a problem that may happen or be prevented.

생기지 생기지 contributes the meaning not arise or not occur before 않게. It comes from 생기다 and forms part of 생기지 않게, so the complete expression means so that the problem does not happen. Use it before 않게 when describing prevention of a problem.

않게 않게 means so that it does not and completes the prevention expression 생기지 않게. It shows the desired result of keeping the same problem from occurring. Use it after a negative verb form when describing how to prevent an action or situation.

하려면 하려면 means if you want or need to do it, and here forms 생기지 않게 하려면, meaning if you want to prevent it from happening. It comes from 하다 and introduces the condition behind the question 어떻게 해야 하는지. Use it when asking what must be done to achieve a particular result.

어떻게 어떻게 means how and asks about the method for preventing the same problem. It modifies the following action in 어떻게 해야 하는지. Use it when asking for a procedure, method, or way to handle something.

해야 해야 means must or should do and contributes the action required in 어떻게 해야 하는지. It comes from 하다 and combines with 하는지 to form an embedded question about what one should do. Use it when asking what action is necessary.

하는지 하는지 marks the embedded question how to do it or what one should do in 어떻게 해야 하는지. It turns the question into the content of 물어보세요. Use this pattern when asking someone about a procedure or the correct action.

물어보세요 물어보세요 means please ask and gives a polite instruction to ask about the prevention method. It comes from 물어보다 and takes the embedded question 어떻게 해야 하는지 as its content. Use it when telling someone to ask another person for information or advice.

계정에 계정에 means in or on the account, with 에 marking where the book’s status is displayed. Here it identifies the account as the location of the overdue information. Use 에 with an account when describing information shown or recorded there.

여전히 여전히 means still and shows that the overdue display continues despite the attempted renewal. It emphasizes that the status has not changed by the time being discussed. Use it when an action or condition remains unchanged.

연체 연체 means overdue status and is used in 연체 중이라고 to describe the book’s current borrowing state. It is part of the expression for being in an overdue state. Use 연체 with a book or loan when discussing a late return.

중이라고 중이라고 means that it is in the state of or that it is currently undergoing the condition described before 중. In 연체 중이라고, it reports that the book is in an overdue state. Use this form when reporting an ongoing status such as being under review or in progress.

표시되더라도 표시되더라도 means even if it is displayed and introduces a condition that does not change the speaker’s intention. It comes from 표시되다 and expresses that the overdue status may continue to appear in the account. Use it when saying that an action or decision remains the same despite a possible condition.

절차를 절차를 means the process as the object of 이해하고 싶어요, with 를 marking what the speaker wants to understand. It refers specifically to the renewal procedure. Use 절차를 with verbs such as 이해하다 or 따르다 when discussing a process.

이해하고 이해하고 means understand and connects the desired understanding of the process to 싶어요. It describes the speaker’s goal of learning how the renewal works. Use it before 싶어요 when saying that you want to understand something.

그렇게 그렇게 means that way or in that manner and refers to the calm, fact-focused approach just described. It links that approach to its result in 그렇게 하면. Use it when referring back to a manner of acting or a previously suggested method.

하면 하면 means if you do that or by doing that and comes from 하다. In 그렇게 하면, it introduces the result of taking the suggested approach. Use it to connect an action with its likely result or consequence.

문제 문제 means problem and is part of the expression 문제를 해결하는 데. It refers to the overdue-book and renewal-record issue under discussion. Use 문제 with 해결하다 when talking about addressing or fixing an issue.

해결하는 해결하는 means solving and describes the purpose or activity connected with 데. It comes from 해결하다 and modifies the following expression in 문제를 해결하는 데. Use it before a noun or 데 when describing the act of solving something.

데 데 means in doing or for the purpose of doing in 문제를 해결하는 데. It turns the preceding action into the context or purpose connected with 맞출 수 있어요. Use 하는 데 when describing something useful or necessary for carrying out an action.

대화의 대화의 means of the conversation, with 의 showing the relationship between 대화 and 초점. It identifies whose focus is being discussed. Use 의 after a noun when expressing possession or a relationship such as the focus of a conversation.

초점을 초점을 means the focus as the object of 맞출 수 있어요, with 을 marking what can be focused. Here it refers to directing the conversation toward solving the problem. Use 초점을 맞추다 when talking about directing attention or discussion toward a subject.

맞출 맞출 means to focus or align and is the form used before 수 in 맞출 수 있어요. In 초점을 맞출 수 있어요, it describes directing the conversation’s focus toward the problem. Use it with 초점을 when expressing that attention can be directed to something.

수 수 expresses ability or possibility in 맞출 수 있어요. Together with the preceding verb form and 있어요, it means can focus or are able to focus. Use 수 있어요 after a verb when saying that an action is possible or someone can do it.

Grammar Points

V-다는 걸 깨닫다

방금 연체되었다는 걸 깨달았어요.

pahng-GUM yun-cheh-dweh-DAH-dah-neun geol kkeh-DAH-lah-ssoh-yoh.

I just realized that it was overdue.

Use -다는 걸 before 깨닫다 to express realizing that something is the case.

V-지 못했다면

저장하지 못했다면 계정을 조정해 줄 수도 있어요.

juh-JAHNG-ha-jee mot-HAET-ta-myun gyeh-JUNG-eul joh-JUNG-hae jool soo-do ee-SUH-yoh.

If it failed to save, we may be able to adjust the account.

Use -다면 after a verb phrase to describe a conditional situation.

Korean Vocabulary

갱신 기록 phrase

gaeng-SHIN gee-rok renewal history

갱신했다고 phrase

gaeng-SHIN-haet-ta-go that I renewed it

깨달았어요 verb

kkeh-DAH-lah-ssoh-yoh realized

반납한 다음 phrase

ban-NA-pan da-um after returning it

반영되지 않았어요 verb

ban-YOUNG-dweh-jee a-NAH-ssoh-yoh was not reflected or updated

방금 adv

pahng-GUM just now

시스템 noun

SHEE-seu-tehm system

안내 데스크 phrase

an-NAE DES-kuh information desk

연체되었다는 걸 phrase

yun-cheh-dweh-DAH-dah-neun geol that it is overdue

온라인으로 adv

on-LINE-eu-ro online

전혀 adv

jeon-HYUH at all

제 계정 phrase

jeh gyeh-JUNG my account

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I just realized this book is overdue.

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방금 이 책이 연체되었다는 걸 깨달았어요.

I do not want to argue.

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저는 따지고 싶지 않아요.

But I would like to explain what happened.

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하지만 무슨 일이 있었는지는 설명하고 싶어요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

that I renewed it

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갱신했다고

realized

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깨달았어요

online

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온라인으로

just now

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방금