Borrowing a Drill Safely | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a shared living space, one adult borrows a drill for a shelf and gets safety advice about the wall, wires, and returning the parts..

EN → KO / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing a Drill Safely to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

작은 선반을 달려고 하는데, 드릴을 빌려도 될까요?

JAH-guhn suhn-BAH-nuhl dahl-LYUH-goh hah-nuhn-deh, duh-RI-ruhl bil-LYUH-doh dwel-KKAH-yoh? Could I borrow your drill to put up a small shelf?
B

빌려도 돼요. 전에 드릴을 써 본 적 있어요?

bil-LYUH-doh DWEH-yoh. juh-NEH duh-RI-ruhl SSUH bohn juhk ISS-uh-yoh? You can. Have you used a drill before?
A

한 번만 써 봐서 기본적인 설명을 해 주시면 도움이 될 것 같아요.

HAHN-buhn-mahn SSUH BWAH-suh, kee-BOHN-juh-gin suhll-MYUHNG-nuhl heh JOO-shi-myun DOH-oo-mee dwel kkuht gah-TAH-yoh. Only once, so basic instructions would help.
B

먼저 벽이 어떤 종류인지 확인하고 보안경을 쓰세요.

MUHN-juh byuh-gee uh-TTUHN jong-NYOO-in-jee HWAH-gin-hah-goh boh-AHN-gyuhng-uhl SSUH-seh-yoh. Check what kind of wall it is first, and wear safety glasses.
A

전선을 건드릴까 봐 걱정도 돼요.

juhn-SUH-nuhl GUHN-duh-RIL-kkah BWAH GUHK-jjuhng-doh DWEH-yoh. I'm also worried about hitting electrical wires.
B

어디든 구멍을 뚫기 전에 이 탐지기를 사용하세요.

uh-DEE-duhn GOO-muhng-uhl TTOOL-kkee juh-NEH ee tahm-JEE-gee-ruhl sah-YOHNG-hah-seh-yoh. Use this detector before you drill anywhere.
A

구멍 위치를 표시하기 전에 그 자리를 스캔할게요.

GOO-muhng wee-CHEE-ruhl PYOH-shee-hah-gee juh-NEH, guh JAH-ree-ruhl suh-KEN-hahl-KKEH-yoh. I'll scan the spot before I mark the holes.
B

충전기와 드릴 비트를 함께 챙겨서 드릴을 돌려 주세요.

CHOONG-juhn-gee-wah duh-RIL bee-tuh-ruhl hahm-KKEH CHENG-gyuh-suh duh-RI-ruhl DOHL-lyuh joo-SEH-yoh. Please bring the drill back with the charger and bits together.
A

돌려드리기 전에 먼지를 닦아낼게요.

DOHL-lyuh-duh-ree-gee juh-NEH, MUHN-jee-ruhl DAH-kkah-NEHL-KKEH-yoh. I'll clean off the dust before I return it.
B

서두르지 말고 하세요. 속도보다 안전이 더 중요해요.

suh-DOO-ruh-jee MAHL-goh hah-SEH-yoh. SOHK-ttoh-boh-dah AHN-juh-nee duh joong-YOH-heh-yoh. Take your time with it; safety matters more than speed.

Word by Word

작은 작은 means “small” here and describes the shelf. It is the noun-modifying form used before 선반. A new example is 작은 가방, “a small bag.”
선반을 선반을 means “the shelf” as the object being mounted, and 을 marks it as the object of 달다. Use a noun plus 을/를 when it is the thing you hang, move, or make.
달려고 달려고 expresses the intention to hang or mount something. In 작은 선반을 달려고 하는데, it introduces what the speaker is trying or planning to do. A common pattern is V-려고 하다, such as 여행하려고 해요, “I am planning to travel.”
하는데 하는데 sets the situation as “I’m trying to do it” and leads into the request that follows. It comes from 하다 with -는데, which can connect background information to a question or comment. Use V-는데 when giving context before asking for help.
드릴을 드릴을 means “the drill” as the object being borrowed, and 을 marks the object of 빌리다. Use a noun plus 을/를 for the item you borrow, use, or return.
빌려도 빌려도 means “even if I borrow” in the permission pattern 빌려도 될까요?, “Would it be okay if I borrowed it?” It combines 빌리다 with -어도 to ask whether an action is allowed. A new example is 여기 앉아도 될까요?, “May I sit here?”
될까요 될까요 asks whether something would be acceptable or possible. In 빌려도 될까요?, it politely asks for permission to borrow the drill. A common reusable pattern is V-아/어도 될까요?, “May I V?”
돼요 돼요 means “it is okay” or “you can” in 빌려도 돼요, giving permission to borrow the drill. It is the polite form used in the pattern V-아/어도 돼요. A new example is 지금 시작해도 돼요, “You can start now.”
전에 전에 means “before” or “previously,” referring to an earlier time in 전에 드릴을 써 본 적 있어요? Use it after a time expression or before an action to talk about an earlier point. A new example is 전에 가 본 적 있어요, “I have been there before.”
써 써 means “use” here and is the connective form of 쓰다 in 써 본 적 있어요. It links the act of using the drill to the experience expression 본 적 있다. A common pattern is 써 보다, “try using it.”
본 본 contributes the meaning of having tried or experienced an action in 써 본 적. It is the form of 보다 used after another verb to express trying something. Use V-아/어 본 적 있다 to say that you have experience doing something.
적 적 means an occasion or experience in 써 본 적 있어요, so the phrase asks whether the speaker has ever used a drill. It commonly appears after a verb in V-ㄴ/은 적 있다, “have experience doing V.”
있어요 있어요 means “have” in 써 본 적 있어요, indicating that such an experience exists. Here it does not describe a physical location. Use it after 적 to ask or state whether someone has done something before.
한 한 means “one” in 한 번만, specifying one occasion. It comes directly before the counting noun 번. Use 한 번 for one time or one occasion.
번만 번만 means “only once”: 번 counts occasions, and 만 limits the number to one. It tells the listener that the speaker has used the drill just one time. A new example is 한 번만 물어볼게요, “I’ll ask just once.”
봐서 봐서 means “because I have tried it” in 써 봐서, linking the limited experience to the request for basic instructions. It combines the trying expression 써 보다 with the reason connector -아서. Use V-아/어서 when giving a reason or sequence.
기본적인 기본적인 means “basic” and describes the explanation being requested. It is a noun-modifying form placed before 설명. A new example is 기본적인 사용법, “basic instructions for use.”
설명을 설명을 means “an explanation” as the object of 해 주시면. 설명 is the information someone gives to clarify how to use the drill, and 을 marks it as the object. Use 설명을 하다 for giving an explanation.
해 해 means “do” in 설명을 해 주시면, where it forms the expression “give an explanation.” It is the connective form of 하다 before 주다. A common pattern is V-아/어 주다, meaning to do something for someone.
주시면 주시면 means “if you do it for me” in 설명을 해 주시면. It adds the idea that the other person provides the explanation as a helpful action and uses a polite conditional form. A new example is 도와주시면 감사하겠습니다, “I would appreciate it if you helped me.”
도움이 도움이 means “help” as the subject of 도움이 되다, “be helpful.” The subject marker 이 shows what will be useful to the speaker. Use 도움이 되다 after information, advice, or an action that helps.
될 될 means “will be” or “become” in 도움이 될 것 같아요, describing the explanation as likely to be helpful. It is the form of 되다 placed before 것. A common pattern is 도움이 되다, “to be helpful.”
것 것 means “thing” or “fact” in 될 것 같아요, where it turns the preceding idea into something that can be assessed as seeming likely. In this sentence, it helps express “I think it will be helpful.” Use V-(으)ㄹ 것 같다 for a softened expectation or opinion.
같아요 같아요 means “seems” or “I think” in 도움이 될 것 같아요, softening the speaker’s statement about the explanation being helpful. Use it after 것 to present an expectation or opinion less directly. A new example is 비가 올 것 같아요, “I think it will rain.”
먼저 먼저 means “first” or “before anything else.” It tells the listener to check the wall before taking the other safety step. Use 먼저 before the action that should happen first.
벽이 벽이 means “the wall” as the subject of the embedded question 어떤 종류인지. The subject marker 이 identifies the wall whose type is being checked. Use a noun plus 이/가 when describing or identifying what something is.
어떤 어떤 means “what kind of” and modifies 종류, asking about the wall’s type. It comes directly before the noun it describes. A new example is 어떤 책을 좋아해요?, “What kind of books do you like?”
종류인지 종류인지 means “what type it is” in 벽이 어떤 종류인지 확인하고. It forms an embedded question with 종류 and -인지, which is used before verbs such as 확인하다 when checking an identity or type. A common pattern is 어떤 종류인지 확인하다, “check what kind it is.”
확인하고 확인하고 means “check and then” in 확인하고 보안경을 쓰세요. It connects the wall check with the following safety action. Use V-고 to link actions in sequence or as related instructions.
보안경을 보안경을 means “safety glasses” as the object that should be worn, and 을 marks the object of 쓰다. Use 보안경을 쓰다 for putting on or wearing safety glasses.
쓰세요 쓰세요 means “wear” or “put on” as a polite instruction in 보안경을 쓰세요. With 보안경, 쓰다 refers to wearing the glasses rather than writing. Use the polite request form V-(으)세요 when giving a practical instruction.
전선을 전선을 means “electrical wires” as the object that might be touched or hit. 전선 refers to a wire carrying electricity, and 을 marks it as the object of 건드리다. Use a noun plus 을/를 for the thing affected by an action.
건드릴까 건드릴까 expresses the possibility “might touch or hit” in 전선을 건드릴까 봐. It combines 건드리다 with -(으)ㄹ까 to present a feared possibility, not a direct question here. A common pattern is 실수할까 봐 걱정하다, “worry about making a mistake.”
봐 봐 completes the concern pattern 건드릴까 봐, meaning “because I am worried that it might happen.” In this construction, 까 봐 introduces a feared or concerning possibility. Use V-(으)ㄹ까 봐 걱정하다 to say that you worry something may happen.
걱정도 걱정도 means “worry too” in 걱정도 돼요. 걱정 means concern, and 도 adds the meaning “also” or “too,” alongside the speaker’s other concern. Use 걱정이 되다 or 걱정도 되다 when saying that something worries you.
어디든 어디든 means “anywhere” in 어디든 구멍을 뚫기 전에. The ending 든 makes the place unrestricted. Use it after a place word when the exact place does not matter.
구멍을 구멍을 means “a hole” as the object made by drilling, and 을 marks it as the object of 뚫다. Use 구멍을 뚫다 for making a hole.
뚫기 뚫기 means “drilling” or “making a hole” in 구멍을 뚫기 전에. It is the noun-like form of 뚫다 used before 전에 to mean “before drilling.” A common pattern is V-기 전에, “before doing V.”
이 이 means “this” in 이 탐지기를 사용하세요 and points to the detector near the speaker. It is placed directly before the noun it describes. Use 이 before a nearby object when identifying it.
탐지기를 탐지기를 means “the detector” as the object to use, and 를 marks it as the object of 사용하다. Here it refers to the device used to detect something in the wall before drilling. Use a noun plus 을/를 for the item being used.
사용하세요 사용하세요 means “use” as a polite instruction in 이 탐지기를 사용하세요. It is appropriate for telling someone to operate the detector. Use V-(으)세요 for a polite practical instruction.
위치를 위치를 means “the location” as the object of 표시하기. Here it is the position of the holes that will be marked, and 를 marks it as the object. Use 위치를 표시하다 for marking a location.
표시하기 표시하기 means “marking” in 구멍 위치를 표시하기 전에. It is the noun-like form of 표시하다 used before 전에, so the phrase means “before marking the hole locations.” Use V-기 전에 to place one action before another.
그 그 means “that” or “the” in 그 자리를, referring back to the spot already mentioned. It is a determiner placed before 자리. Use 그 before a noun when referring to a specific previously identified thing.
자리를 자리를 means “the spot” as the object to scan, and 를 marks it as the object of 스캔하다. Here it refers to the location where the holes will be made. Use 자리를 확인하다 or 자리를 스캔하다 for checking a spot.
스캔할게요 스캔할게요 means “I’ll scan it” and expresses the speaker’s intention to scan the spot. The ending -ㄹ게요 is commonly used for a promise or decision made toward the listener. A new example is 제가 확인할게요, “I’ll check it.”
충전기와 충전기와 means “the charger and” and links the charger with the drill bits in the return request. 와 connects nouns in a list. Use noun와 noun when listing two things together.
드릴 드릴 means “drill” in 드릴 비트, where it describes the type of bit. It is a noun used directly before another noun to form the equipment name “drill bit.” A new example is 드릴 사용법, “how to use a drill.”
비트를 비트를 means “the drill bits” as an item to bring back, and 를 marks it as part of the requested set. It refers to the detachable bits used with the drill. Use 비트를 챙기다 when taking the bits along.
함께 함께 means “together” in 충전기와 드릴 비트를 함께 챙겨서, showing that the charger and bits should be brought along with the drill. Use 함께 with an action when items or people should be included together.
챙겨서 챙겨서 means “taking along and then” in 충전기와 드릴 비트를 함께 챙겨서 드릴을 돌려 주세요. It comes from 챙기다 with -어서 and connects bringing all the parts with returning the drill. A common pattern is 필요한 것을 챙겨서 가다, “take the necessary things and go.”
돌려 돌려 means “return” in 드릴을 돌려 주세요, as part of the expression 돌려주다, “give back.” It is the connective form used before 주세요 to make a polite request. A new example is 책을 돌려 주세요, “Please return the book.”
주세요 주세요 makes the preceding action a polite request in 돌려 주세요, meaning “please return it.” It follows a verb’s -아/어 form in the pattern V-아/어 주세요. Use it when asking someone to do something for you.
돌려드리기 돌려드리기 means “returning it politely” in 돌려드리기 전에. It combines the return expression 돌려드리다 with -기 so the action can follow 전에. Use V-기 전에 to say “before doing V.”
먼지를 먼지를 means “the dust” as the object to wipe off, and 를 marks it as the object of 닦아내다. Here it refers to dust left on the drill after use. Use 먼지를 닦다 or 먼지를 닦아내다 when cleaning dust away.
닦아낼게요 닦아낼게요 means “I’ll wipe it off” and expresses the speaker’s intention to remove the dust before returning the drill. 닦아내다 emphasizes wiping something away, and -ㄹ게요 presents it as a promise to the listener. A new example is 책상을 닦아낼게요, “I’ll wipe off the desk.”
서두르지 서두르지 means “hurry” in the negative instruction 서두르지 말고 하세요. The ending 지 is used before 말다 to say not to do the action. A common pattern is V-지 말다, “do not V.”
말고 말고 means “instead of doing that” in 서두르지 말고 하세요, so the listener is told to do the task without hurrying. It forms the pattern V-지 말고, “do not V and instead do the following action.” A new example is 걱정하지 말고 물어보세요, “Don’t worry; just ask.”
하세요 하세요 means “do it” as a polite instruction in 서두르지 말고 하세요. It tells the listener to carry out the task in the manner just described. Use V-(으)세요 for a polite command or recommendation.
속도보다 속도보다 means “than speed,” with 보다 marking the standard of comparison. In 속도보다 안전이 더 중요해요, it sets speed as the thing safety is compared with. Use A보다 B가 더 ... to say that B is more ... than A.
안전이 안전이 means “safety” as the subject of 중요해요. The subject marker 이 identifies safety as the thing being evaluated. Use 안전이 중요하다 when stating that safety is important.
더 더 means “more” and strengthens the comparison 안전이 더 중요해요. It shows that safety has greater importance than speed in this sentence. Use 더 before an adjective when comparing degree.
중요해요 중요해요 means “is important” in 안전이 더 중요해요. It gives the polite conclusion that safety matters more than speed. A common comparison pattern is A보다 B가 더 중요해요, “B is more important than A.”

Grammar Points

V-아/어도 돼요?

드릴을 빌려도 돼요?

duh-RI-ruhl bil-LYUH-doh DWEH-yoh?

Is it okay if I borrow the drill?

Verb + -아/어도 돼요? asks for permission. 돼요 comes from 되다 and means “is it okay.”

V-(으)ㄹ까 봐

전선을 건드릴까 봐 걱정도 돼요.

juhn-SUH-nuhl GUHN-duh-RIL-kkah BWAH GUHK-jjuhng-doh DWEH-yoh.

I'm also worried that I might touch the electrical wire.

-(으)ㄹ까 봐 expresses worry about a possible event or result.

Korean Vocabulary

기본적이다 adj
kee-BOHN-juh-gee-dah to be basic 기본적인
달다 verb
DAHL-dah to put up; to attach 달려고
도움 noun
DOH-oom help
되다 verb
DWEH-dah to be okay; to be allowed 돼요
드릴 noun
duh-RIL drill
먼저 adv
MUHN-juh first
빌리다 verb
bil-LEE-dah to borrow 빌려도
선반 noun
SUHN-bahn shelf
설명 noun
suhll-MYUHNG explanation; instructions
쓰다 verb
SSUH-dah to use; to wear 쓰세요

드릴을 써 본 적; 보안경을 쓰세요

작다 adj
JAHK-ttah to be small 작은

작은 선반

한 번 num
HAHN buhn once

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I'm also worried about hitting electrical wires.

Show Answer전선을 건드릴까 봐 걱정도 돼요.

I'll clean off the dust before I return it.

Show Answer돌려드리기 전에 먼지를 닦아낼게요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to be basic

Show Answer기본적인

help

Show Answer도움

drill

Show Answer드릴

first

Show Answer먼저