Responding politely to noise in a silent area | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a library silent area, two adults decide how to politely respond when nearby people are talking..

EN → KO / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Responding politely to noise in a silent area to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

우리 뒤에 있는 사람들이 조용한 구역에서 이야기하고 있어요.

oo-REE DWEE-eh EEN-neun sah-rahm-DEU-ree joh-YONG-han goo-YUH-geh-SUH ee-YAH-gee-ha-goh ee-SSUH-yoh. The people behind us are talking in the silent area.
B

집중하기 어렵지만, 예의 있게 해결할 수 있어요.

jeep-JJOONG-ha-gee uh-RYUH-JJEE-man, yeh-EE EET-KKEH heh-GYUL-hal SSOO ee-SSUH-yoh. It's distracting, but we can handle it politely.
A

제가 그 사람들에게 말할까요, 아니면 사서에게 부탁할까요?

jeh-GAH guh sah-rahm-DEU-reh-geh mahl-HAHL-KKAH-yoh, ah-NEE-myun sah-SUH-eh-geh boo-TAK-hahl-KKAH-yoh? Should I speak to them or ask the librarian?
B

불편하지 않다면 먼저 조용히 알려 보세요.

bool-PYUN-ha-jee an-TAH-myun MUHN-juh joh-YONG-hee AHL-lyuh boh-SEH-yoh. Try a quiet reminder first, unless that feels uncomfortable.
A

그 사람들에게 밖에서 이야기해 달라고 부탁할 수도 있어요.

guh sah-rahm-DEU-reh-geh bahk-KKEH-suh ee-YAH-gee-heh dahl-LAH-goh boo-TAK-hahl SOO-doh ee-SSUH-yoh. I could ask them to take the conversation outside.
B

그러면 무례하게 들리지 않으면서도 뜻을 분명하게 전할 수 있어요.

guh-ruh-MYUN moo-RYE-ha-geh deul-lee-jee an-uh-MYUN-suh-doh DDUH-suhl boon-MYUNG-ha-geh juhn-hahl SSOO ee-SSUH-yoh. That keeps it clear without sounding rude.
A

그 사람들이 계속 이야기하면 사서에게 나서 달라고 부탁할 수 있어요.

guh sah-rahm-DEU-ree gyeh-SOH-gee ee-YAH-gee-ha-MYUN sah-SUH-eh-geh nah-SUH dahl-LAH-goh boo-TAK-hahl SSOO ee-SSUH-yoh. If they keep talking, we can ask the librarian to step in.
B

그러면 일이 큰 소동으로 번지지 않아요.

guh-ruh-MYUN eel-lee kuhn soh-DONG-uh-ro buhn-jee-jee ah-NAH-yoh. That way, it doesn't turn into a scene.
A

큰 소리로 불평하는 것보다 그렇게 하는 게 낫겠어요.

kuhn SOH-ree-ro bool-PYUNG-ha-neun guht-PPoh-dah guh-ruh-KEH ha-neun geh naht-KKESS-uh-yoh. I'd rather do that than complain loudly.
B

조용히 부탁하고 다시 공부해요.

joh-YONG-hee boo-TAK-ha-goh dah-SHEE gohng-boo-heh-yoh. Let's ask quietly, then get back to studying.

Word by Word

우리 “우리” means “our” or “us” here, referring to the speakers in “우리 뒤에 있는 사람들이”. It commonly comes before a noun to show belonging; a new example is “우리 집” for “our house”.
뒤에 “뒤에” means “behind” in “우리 뒤에 있는 사람들이”, identifying the location relative to the speakers. The pattern noun + “뒤에” is used for something located behind that noun.
있는 “있는” means “being” or “located” and describes the people who are behind the speakers in “우리 뒤에 있는 사람들이”. It is used before a noun to describe something that exists or is located somewhere.
사람들이 “사람들이” means “the people” and is the subject of the sentence “사람들이 조용한 구역에서 이야기하고 있어요”. “들” marks more than one person, and “이” marks them as the subject.
조용한 “조용한” means “quiet” or “silent” and describes the area in “조용한 구역”. It is used before a noun; a new example is “조용한 방” for “a quiet room”.
구역에서 “구역에서” means “in the area” and marks the place where the talking happens in “조용한 구역에서 이야기하고 있어요”. “에서” commonly marks the place where an action occurs.
이야기하고 “이야기하고” contributes “talking” in the ongoing expression “이야기하고 있어요”. The ending “-고” connects “이야기하다” to “있어요” to describe an action in progress.
있어요 In “이야기하고 있어요”, “있어요” shows that the talking is currently continuing. The reusable pattern “-고 있어요” describes an action that is in progress now.
집중하기 “집중하기” means “concentrating” as an activity in “집중하기 어렵지만”. The ending “-기” turns the action into an activity that can be described as difficult, easy, or necessary.
어렵지만 “어렵지만” means “it is difficult, but” in “집중하기 어렵지만”. The ending “-지만” connects this difficulty with the contrasting idea that the speakers can handle the situation politely.
예의 “예의” means “politeness” or “courtesy” in “예의 있게 해결할 수 있어요”. It refers to respectful behavior, and it commonly appears with “있게” to describe acting politely.
있게 “있게” contributes the meaning “with courtesy” in “예의 있게 해결할 수 있어요”, so the problem can be handled politely. The expression “예의 있게” is used before an action to describe a courteous manner.
해결할 “해결할” means “to resolve” or “to handle” in “해결할 수 있어요”. Its form before “수” is part of the ability or possibility pattern “-할 수 있다”; a new example is “문제를 해결할 수 있어요” for “can solve the problem”.
수 In “해결할 수 있어요”, “수” expresses a possibility or ability, meaning that the speakers can handle the situation. The reusable pattern is “동사 + 을/ㄹ 수 있어요” for “can do something”.
제가 “제가” means “I” as the person who may speak to the nearby people in “제가 그 사람들에게 말할까요”. It is the form of “저” used when “I” is the subject; a new example is “제가 할게요” for “I’ll do it”.
그 “그” means “those” or “that” in “그 사람들에게”, referring to the people already mentioned. It is placed before a noun to identify a specific person or thing.
사람들에게 “사람들에게” means “to those people” in “그 사람들에게 말할까요”. “에게” marks the people receiving the speech or request, and “들” shows that there is more than one person.
말할까요 “말할까요” means “shall I speak?” in “제가 그 사람들에게 말할까요”. The ending “-ㄹ까요” is used to ask whether the speaker should do something; a new example is “제가 먼저 말할까요?” for “Shall I speak first?”.
아니면 “아니면” means “or” here and introduces the alternative in “말할까요, 아니면 사서에게 부탁할까요”. It commonly connects two choices or possible actions.
사서에게 “사서에게” means “to the librarian” in “사서에게 부탁할까요”. “에게” marks the person being asked to do something, and the same pattern can be used with other people.
부탁할까요 “부탁할까요” means “shall I ask?” or “shall I request?” in “사서에게 부탁할까요”. It combines “부탁하다” with “-ㄹ까요” to ask whether the speaker should make a request.
불편하지 “불편하지” contributes “uncomfortable” in the condition “불편하지 않다면”. It is followed by “않다면” to express the condition that something does not feel uncomfortable.
않다면 “않다면” means “if not” or “unless” in “불편하지 않다면”. Together with “불편하지”, the construction means “unless that feels uncomfortable”; “-다면” marks a condition after the negation.
먼저 “먼저” means “first” in “먼저 조용히 알려 보세요”. It shows that the quiet reminder should be tried before asking the librarian.
조용히 “조용히” means “quietly” and describes how the reminder should be given in “조용히 알려 보세요”. It is a manner word used before an action.
알려 “알려” means “let someone know” in “알려 보세요”. Together with “보세요”, “알려 보세요” means “please try letting them know”, and it is used when giving information or a reminder.
보세요 In “알려 보세요”, “보세요” adds the meaning “please try doing it”. The pattern “동사 + 아/어 보세요” gives a polite suggestion to try an action.
밖에서 “밖에서” means “outside” and marks where the people are asked to talk in “밖에서 이야기해 달라고”. “에서” marks the place where the action takes place.
이야기해 “이야기해” means “talk” or “speak” in “이야기해 달라고”. It is the action being requested, and a new example is “이야기해 주세요” for “please speak”.
달라고 In “이야기해 달라고 부탁할 수도 있어요”, “달라고” marks a request for someone to do the action “이야기해”. The whole pattern “동사 + 아/어 달라고 부탁하다” means to ask someone to do something.
도 “도” adds the meaning “also” in “부탁할 수도 있어요”, showing that making this request is another possible action. It commonly follows a noun or expression to add “also” or “too”.
그러면 “그러면” means “then” or “in that case” in “그러면 무례하게 들리지 않으면서도”. It connects the proposed action with the result expected from it.
무례하게 “무례하게” means “rudely” and describes how the request might sound in “무례하게 들리지 않으면서도”. It is an adverb placed before an action or perception word to describe the manner.
들리지 “들리지” contributes “sound” or “be heard” in “무례하게 들리지 않으면서도”. It appears with “않으면서도” to express that the request does not sound rude while still communicating the meaning clearly.
않으면서도 “않으면서도” means “without being” or “while not being” in “무례하게 들리지 않으면서도”. It connects the negative condition of not sounding rude with the additional result of communicating clearly.
뜻을 “뜻을” means “the meaning” or “the intention” as the object in “뜻을 분명하게 전할 수 있어요”. It refers to the message the speakers want the nearby people to understand.
분명하게 “분명하게” means “clearly” and describes how the intention is conveyed in “뜻을 분명하게 전할 수 있어요”. It is used before an action to show that the action is done in a clear way.
전할 “전할” means “to convey” or “to communicate” in “전할 수 있어요”. It appears before “수” in the ability pattern “전할 수 있어요”; a new example is “뜻을 전할 수 있어요” for “can convey the meaning”.
계속 “계속” means “continuously” or “keep on” in “계속 이야기하면”. It shows that the talking continues instead of stopping, and it commonly comes before an action verb.
이야기하면 “이야기하면” means “if they talk” in “계속 이야기하면”. The ending “-면” marks the condition, while “계속” supplies the meaning that the talking keeps continuing.
나서 “나서” means “step in” or “take action” in “나서 달라고 부탁할 수 있어요”. It names the intervention requested from the librarian; a new example is “필요하면 제가 나설게요” for “If necessary, I’ll step in”.
일이 “일이” means “the matter” or “the situation” in “일이 큰 소동으로 번지지 않아요”. It is the subject that could escalate into a disturbance.
큰 “큰” means “big” or “major” and describes the disturbance in “큰 소동으로”. It is placed before a noun to show considerable size or seriousness; a new example is “큰 문제” for “a major problem”.
소동으로 “소동으로” means “into a disturbance” in “큰 소동으로 번지지 않아요”. “으로” marks the result or form that the situation could develop into.
번지지 “번지지” contributes “spread” or “escalate” in “소동으로 번지지 않아요”. It is followed by “않아요” to say that the situation does not develop into a disturbance.
않아요 In “번지지 않아요”, “않아요” makes the statement negative, meaning that the situation does not escalate. It is the polite form used here to negate the action “번지다”.
소리로 “소리로” means “in a voice” in “큰 소리로 불평하는”. Together with “큰”, it describes complaining loudly, and “로” marks the manner or means.
불평하는 “불평하는” means “complaining” and describes the action in “불평하는 것보다”. Its form before “것” turns the action into something that can be compared with another choice.
것보다 “것보다” means “rather than doing” or “compared with doing” in “불평하는 것보다”. “것” turns the preceding action into a noun-like idea, and “보다” marks the comparison.
그렇게 “그렇게” means “like that” or “in that way” in “그렇게 하는 게 낫겠어요”. It refers back to the suggested polite response rather than naming the action again.
하는 “하는” means “doing” in “그렇게 하는 게 낫겠어요”. It describes the action “그렇게 하다” before “게”, forming the idea of doing it that way.
게 “게” is the shortened form of “것이” in “그렇게 하는 게 낫겠어요”, making “doing that way” the subject of the comparison. The pattern “-는 게 좋다” or “-는 게 낫다” evaluates an action.
낫겠어요 “낫겠어요” means “would be better” in “그렇게 하는 게 낫겠어요”. It expresses the speaker’s judgment that the proposed action is preferable to complaining loudly.
부탁하고 “부탁하고” means “ask and then” in “조용히 부탁하고 다시 공부해요”. The ending “-고” connects the request with the next action, returning to study.
다시 “다시” means “again” or “back” in “다시 공부해요”. Here it shows returning to studying after dealing with the noise.
공부해요 “공부해요” means “study” and functions as a polite suggestion in “다시 공부해요”. With “다시”, it means “let’s get back to studying”; a new example is “매일 공부해요” for “I study every day”.

Grammar Points

-고 있어요

구역에서 이야기하고 있어요.

goo-YUH-geh-SUH ee-YAH-gee-ha-goh ee-SSUH-yoh.

I am talking in the area.

Attach -고 있어요 to a verb stem to describe an action that is currently in progress.

-지 않다면

불편하지 않다면, 먼저 알려 보세요.

bool-PYUN-ha-jee an-TAH-myun, MUHN-juh AHL-lyuh boh-SEH-yoh.

If it is not uncomfortable, please let me know first.

-지 않다면 means “if it is not...” and introduces a condition.

Korean Vocabulary

구역 noun
goo-YUHK area; zone
말하다 verb
mahl-HA-da to speak; to tell 말할까요
먼저 adv
MUHN-juh first
부탁하다 verb
boo-TAH-ka-da to ask; to request 부탁할까요
불편하다 adj
bool-PYUN-ha-da to be uncomfortable 불편하지 않다면
사서 noun
sah-SUH librarian
알리다 verb
AHL-lee-da to let someone know; to remind 알려 보세요
예의 있게 adv
yeh-EE EET-KKEH politely
이야기하다 verb
ee-YAH-gee-ha-da to talk 이야기하고 있어요
조용하다 adj
joh-YONG-ha-da to be quiet 조용한
집중하다 verb
jeep-JOONG-ha-da to concentrate; to focus 집중하기
해결하다 verb
heh-GYUL-ha-da to handle; to resolve 해결할 수 있어요

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Try a quiet reminder first, unless that feels uncomfortable.

Show Answer불편하지 않다면 먼저 조용히 알려 보세요.

That way, it doesn't turn into a scene.

Show Answer그러면 일이 큰 소동으로 번지지 않아요.

Let's ask quietly, then get back to studying.

Show Answer조용히 부탁하고 다시 공부해요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to concentrate; to focus

Show Answer집중하기

to speak; to tell

Show Answer말할까요

to ask; to request

Show Answer부탁할까요

area; zone

Show Answer구역