Borrowing a Ladder Safely | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a shared building, one adult borrows a neighbor's ladder to change a ceiling light and agrees on safe use and return..

EN → KO / Level: B1

About This Lesson

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

Dialogue

A

천장 전등을 바꾸려고 사다리를 써도 될까요?

chuhn-JAHNG juhn-DUHNG-uhl bah-KOO-ryuh-goh sah-dah-REE-rul ssuh-doh dwel-KKAH-yoh? Can I use your ladder to change a ceiling light?
B

써도 되지만, 사용할 때는 근처에 누군가가 있어야 해요.

ssuh-doh dweh-JEE-mahn, sah-YOHNG-hahl tteh-nuhn guh-CHUH-eh noo-GOON-gah-gah ee-SSUH-yah heh-yoh. You can, but have someone stay nearby while you use it.
A

제 남동생이 밑부분을 잡아서 사다리를 안정적으로 세워 둘 수 있어요.

jeh nahm-dohng-SENG-ee meet-PPU-boo-nuhl jah-bah-suh sah-dah-REE-rul ahn-juhng-juh-guh-roh seh-wuh dool soo ee-SSUH-yoh. My brother can hold the bottom so it stays stable.
B

그러면 도움이 되겠네요.

guh-ruh-myuhn doh-oo-MEE dweh-GEHN-neh-yoh. That should help.
B

사다리는 튼튼하지만, 그래도 조심해야 해요.

sah-dah-REE-nuhn tuhn-TUHN-hah-jee-mahn, guh-REH-doh joh-SHIM-heh-yah heh-yoh. The ladder is sturdy, but you still need to be careful.
A

잠깐만 필요하고, 조심해서 쓸게요.

jahm-KKAN-mahn pee-ryoh-hah-goh, joh-SHIM-heh-suh ssuhl-GGEH-yoh. I only need it for a short time, and I'll be careful.
B

필요한 만큼 시간을 들이세요.

pee-RYOH-hahn mahn-KKUHM shee-GAHN-uhl duh-REE-seh-yoh. Take the time you need.
B

바닥이 젖어 있으면 밖에서 사용하지 마세요.

bah-dah-gee JUH-juh ee-SSU-myuhn bahk-KKEH-suh sah-YOHNG-hah-jee mah-SEH-yoh. Avoid using it outside if the ground is wet.
A

실내에서 사용하고, 다 끝나면 돌려드릴게요.

shil-LEH-eh-suh sah-YOHNG-hah-goh, dah kkeun-nah-myun dohl-LYUH-druh-REEL-ggeh-yoh. I will use it indoors and bring it back when I am finished.
B

제가 집에 없으면 문 옆에 두세요.

jeh-gah jee-beh uhp-SSU-myuhn moon-NYUH-beh doo-SEH-yoh. If I am not home, leave it beside my door.
A

네, 집에 안 계시면 문 옆에 둘게요.

neh, jee-beh ahn gyeh-SHI-myuhn moon-NYUH-beh dool-GGEH-yoh. Okay, I'll leave it beside your door if you're out.
B

시간이 더 걸리더라도 안전에 집중하세요.

shee-GAHM-ee duh guhl-lee-duh-RAH-doh ahn-JUH-neh jeep-JJOONG-hah-seh-yoh. Focus on safety, even if it takes longer.

Word by Word

천장 천장 means “ceiling” here and identifies where the light is located. It commonly comes before another noun, as in 천장 전등. Use it when describing the overhead part of a room.
전등을 전등을 means “the light” as the object being changed in this dialogue. 을 marks 전등 as the object of the action. A common pattern is 전등을 바꾸다 when talking about changing a light.
바꾸려고 바꾸려고 means “in order to change” here and gives the purpose for using the ladder. The ending -려고 connects an intended action with another action, as in 전등을 바꾸려고 사다리를 써도 될까요? Use this pattern when explaining why you plan to do something.
사다리를 사다리를 means “the ladder” as the object being used. 를 marks 사다리 as the object of the action. A common pattern is 사다리를 쓰다 when saying that you use a ladder.
써도 써도 presents “using it” inside the permission question 써도 될까요? The full expression, not 써도 alone, asks whether using the ladder is allowed. Reuse the pattern [action]-어도 될까요? to ask permission politely.
될까요 될까요 contributes the polite question “would it be okay?” in 써도 될까요? Together with 써도, it asks for permission to use the ladder. Reuse [action]-어도 될까요? when checking whether an action is acceptable.
되지만 되지만 means “but it is okay” in 써도 되지만, introducing a condition or caution after permission is given. The ending -지만 connects an earlier statement with a contrasting point. Use [statement]-지만 [contrasting statement] when saying “although” or “but.”
사용할 사용할 means “using” in 사용할 때는, where it describes the action connected with 때. It is the form of 사용하다 used before 때 to mean “when using.” Reuse the pattern [action]-ㄹ 때 when referring to the time of an action.
때는 때는 means “when” or “at the time,” with the topic marker 는 in 사용할 때는. The phrase means “when you use it,” and the rest of the sentence gives a safety requirement for that time. Reuse [action]-ㄹ 때는 when setting a condition for a particular situation.
근처에 근처에 means “nearby,” identifying the location where someone should stay. 에 marks the location connected with being there. A common pattern is 사람이나 물건이 근처에 있다 when saying that someone or something is nearby.
누군가가 누군가가 means “someone” as the subject who needs to stay nearby. 가 marks 누군가 as the subject of 있어야 해요. Use 누군가가 + action or state when the exact person is not specified.
있어야 있어야 means “must be or stay” here, as part of 누군가가 있어야 해요. The form 있어야 expresses a required condition, while 해요 completes the polite necessity expression. Reuse [person or thing]이/가 있어야 하다 when saying that someone or something needs to be present.
해요 해요 completes the polite expression 있어야 해요, meaning that someone must be present. In this sentence, it makes the requirement sound polite rather than giving the whole meaning by itself. Reuse polite expressions ending in 해요 in ordinary conversation.
제 제 means “my” here and identifies the speaker’s younger brother. It is the possessive form used before a noun. Reuse 제 + noun when politely referring to something belonging to the speaker.
남동생이 남동생이 means “younger brother” as the subject of holding the ladder. 이 marks 남동생 as the subject. A common pattern is [person]이/가 + action when identifying who does something.
밑부분을 밑부분을 means “the bottom part” as the object being held. In this dialogue, it refers to the bottom part of the ladder. 을 marks it as the object, as in 밑부분을 잡다.
잡아서 잡아서 means “by holding” or “hold and,” linking the brother’s holding action with the stable result. The ending -아서 connects a related action or reason to what follows. Reuse [action]-아서 [result or next action] when one action leads to another.
안정적으로 안정적으로 means “stably” and describes how the ladder can be kept upright. It tells how the action in 세워 둘 is carried out. Use this kind of manner expression when explaining that something is done in a stable or secure way.
세워 세워 means “set upright” in 세워 둘, describing the ladder’s upright position. It is linked to 둘, which adds the idea of keeping that position. Reuse [action]-어 두다 when an object is put into a state and left that way.
둘 둘 means “keep” or “leave in place” in 세워 둘, rather than “two.” Together, 세워 둘 means to keep the ladder standing upright. Reuse [action]-어 두다 when maintaining the result of an action.
수 수 expresses possibility or ability in 세워 둘 수 있어요. The full pattern [action]-ㄹ/을 수 있다 means that someone can do something. Use it when describing what is possible or what someone is able to do.
있어요 있어요 completes the possibility expression 세워 둘 수 있어요, meaning “can keep it standing.” Here it does not mean simple physical presence by itself. Reuse [action]-ㄹ/을 수 있어요 to say politely that an action is possible.
그러면 그러면 means “then” or “in that case,” referring to the brother holding the ladder. It introduces the speaker’s reaction to the condition just mentioned. Use it when responding to information and stating what follows from it.
도움이 도움이 means “help” as the subject of 도움이 되겠네요. 이 marks 도움 as the subject in the expression 도움이 되다, “to be helpful.” Reuse 도움이 되다 when saying that an action, idea, or thing will help.
되겠네요 되겠네요 means “should help” here, expressing a polite expectation or realization about the suggested support. In 도움이 되겠네요, it completes the idea that the brother’s help will be useful. Reuse [result]-겠네요 when reacting to a likely result or recognizing its significance.
사다리는 사다리는 means “as for the ladder,” setting it as the topic of the sentence. 는 marks 사다리 as the topic before the speaker adds a caution about it. Reuse noun + 는 when introducing or contrasting a topic.
튼튼하지만 튼튼하지만 means “sturdy, but,” describing the ladder before adding a warning. The ending -지만 links the positive description with the need for caution. Reuse [description]-지만 [contrasting point] when acknowledging one fact while adding another.
그래도 그래도 means “still” or “nevertheless,” showing that caution remains necessary despite the ladder being sturdy. It introduces a point that continues to apply after the previous statement. Use it when maintaining advice or a conclusion in spite of another fact.
조심해야 조심해야 means “must be careful” here, as part of 그래도 조심해야 해요. The form 조심해야 combines with 해요 to express necessity politely. Reuse [action]-아/어야 하다 when saying that someone needs to do something.
잠깐만 잠깐만 means “only briefly” in 잠깐만 필요하고, limiting how long the ladder is needed. 만 adds the meaning “only.” Use a duration followed by 만 when emphasizing that something is needed for a short or limited time.
필요하고 필요하고 means “need and,” linking the speaker’s short-time need with the promise to be careful. The ending -고 connects this statement to the following one. Reuse [statement]-고 [statement] to join two related facts or actions.
조심해서 조심해서 means “carefully” in 조심해서 쓸게요 and describes the manner of using the ladder. The ending -해서 connects being careful with the following action. Use [action]-아서/어서 before another action when explaining how it is done.
쓸게요 쓸게요 means “I will use it” here and conveys the speaker’s commitment to use the ladder carefully. The ending -ㄹ게요 is used when the speaker undertakes or promises an action. Reuse [action]-ㄹ게요 when assuring another person that you will do something.
필요한 필요한 means “needed” or “necessary” and modifies 만큼 in 필요한 만큼. It describes the amount of time that is required. Reuse 필요한 만큼 when referring to as much time or another amount as is needed.
만큼 만큼 means “as much as” or “to the extent” in 필요한 만큼. It sets the amount according to what is needed. Reuse [modifier] + 만큼 when matching an amount or degree to a stated standard.
시간을 시간을 means “time” as the object of 들이세요. 을 marks 시간 as the object in the expression 시간을 들이다, “to spend time.” Reuse 시간을 들이다 when encouraging someone to spend enough time on an activity.
들이세요 들이세요 means “spend” or “take” in 시간을 들이세요, a polite encouragement to take the needed amount of time. It is used here with 시간 rather than referring to physically putting something somewhere. Reuse 시간을 들이세요 when telling someone not to rush.
바닥이 바닥이 means “the ground” or “the floor” as the subject of the wet condition. 이 marks 바닥 as the subject in 바닥이 젖어 있으면. Use it when describing the surface on which something is placed or walked on.
젖어 젖어 means “wet” in 젖어 있으면, describing the ground’s condition. It combines with 있어요 or 있으면 to describe a state that remains. Reuse [state]-어 있다 when describing an ongoing resulting condition.
있으면 있으면 means “if it is or remains” in 젖어 있으면. Together with 젖어, it creates the condition “if the ground is wet.” Reuse [condition]-으면/면 when introducing an if-condition or a situation that triggers advice.
밖에서 밖에서 means “outside” as the place where the ladder might be used. 에서 marks the location of the action 사용하다. Reuse 장소에서 + action when saying where an activity takes place.
사용하지 사용하지 means “not use” in 사용하지 마세요. The full expression 사용하지 마세요 gives the prohibition, while 사용하지 supplies the negative action form before 마세요. Reuse [action]-지 마세요 to tell someone politely not to do something.
마세요 마세요 completes 사용하지 마세요, meaning “please do not use it.” It is the polite ending used for a prohibition in this sentence. Reuse [action]-지 마세요 when giving a polite warning or instruction not to do something.
실내에서 실내에서 means “indoors” as the place where the ladder will be used. 에서 marks the location of 사용하고. Reuse 장소에서 사용하다 when specifying where an item is used.
사용하고 사용하고 means “use and,” linking indoor use with returning the ladder. The ending -고 joins the two actions in sequence or as related actions. Reuse [action]-고 [action] when connecting actions performed by the same speaker.
다 다 means “completely” in 다 끝나면, emphasizing that the task has finished. It modifies 끝나면 to mean “when it is all finished.” Use 다 before an action when stressing that nothing remains.
끝나면 끝나면 means “when it is finished” in 다 끝나면. The ending -면 makes the completion of the task the condition for returning the ladder. Reuse [action]-면 when saying what happens when or if an action is completed.
돌려드릴게요 돌려드릴게요 means “I will return it to you” here, referring to the borrowed ladder. 돌려드리다 expresses returning something respectfully to the person who lent it, and -ㄹ게요 adds the speaker’s commitment. Reuse [object]을/를 돌려드릴게요 when promising to return a borrowed item politely.
제가 제가 means “I” as the subject who may not be at home. It identifies the speaker as the person in the condition 제가 집에 없으면. Reuse 제가 + action when making clear who will perform an action.
집에 집에 means “at home” in 제가 집에 없으면. 에 marks the place connected with being present or absent. A common pattern is 집에 있다 or 집에 없다 when saying whether someone is home.
없으면 없으면 means “if [someone] is not present” or “if [someone] is away” in 제가 집에 없으면. The ending -면 makes absence from home the condition for leaving the ladder by the door. Reuse place or person + 없으면 when giving instructions for an absence.
문 문 means “door” in 문 옆에, identifying the place beside which the ladder should be left. It combines with 옆에 to specify a nearby location. Use it when giving directions involving a doorway.
옆에 옆에 means “beside” or “next to,” specifying where the ladder should be left. 에 marks the location in 문 옆에 두세요. Reuse [place] 옆에 두다 or 있다 when describing something positioned next to a place or object.
두세요 두세요 means “please put” or “please leave” in 문 옆에 두세요. It is the polite request form of 두다, used here for leaving the ladder in a specified location. Reuse [object]을/를 [place]에 두세요 when giving a polite instruction about where to put something.
네 네 means “yes” or “okay” as an acknowledgement of the neighbor’s instruction. It accepts the arrangement before the speaker states what they will do. Use 네 at the beginning of a reply when confirming that you understand or agree.
안 안 means “not” in 안 계시면, negating the idea that the listener is present. It comes directly before the verb form 계시면. Reuse 안 + verb when making a simple negative statement.
계시면 계시면 means “if you are present” in 안 계시면. 계시다 is the respectful form used for another person’s presence, and -면 adds the if-condition. Reuse the honorific form 계시면 when politely referring to whether a respected person is present.
둘게요 둘게요 means “I will put it” or “I will leave it” here, referring to leaving the ladder beside the door. The ending -ㄹ게요 conveys the speaker’s commitment to carry out the arrangement. Reuse [object]을/를 [place]에 둘게요 when promising where you will leave something.
시간이 시간이 means “time” as the subject of 시간이 더 걸리더라도. 이 marks 시간 as what takes longer. Reuse 시간이 걸리다 when talking about the amount of time an activity requires.
더 더 means “more” or “longer” in 시간이 더 걸리더라도. It increases the amount of time expressed by 걸리다. Use 더 before an action or description when comparing it with a smaller amount or degree.
걸리더라도 걸리더라도 means “even if it takes” in 시간이 더 걸리더라도. It allows the possibility that the task will require more time while keeping the advice about safety unchanged. Reuse 시간이 걸리다 + -더라도 when saying that an action should continue despite taking extra time.
안전에 안전에 means “on safety” or “toward safety” as the focus of attention. 에 marks the target of 집중하다 in 안전에 집중하세요. Reuse [topic]에 집중하다 when directing attention toward a particular subject.
집중하세요 집중하세요 means “please focus” as a polite instruction. In 안전에 집중하세요, it tells the listener to make safety the main concern. Reuse [topic]에 집중하세요 when asking someone to concentrate on a specific matter.

Grammar Points

V-더라도

시간이 더 걸리더라도 안전에 집중하세요.

shee-GAHM-ee duh guhl-lee-duh-RAH-doh ahn-JUH-neh jeep-JJOONG-hah-seh-yoh.

Even if it takes longer, focus on safety.

-더라도 expresses concession: an action or situation remains true despite a possible condition.

V-아/어도 될까요?

사다리를 써도 될까요?

sah-dah-REE-rul ssuh-doh dwel-KKAH-yoh?

May I use the ladder?

-아/어도 될까요? is a polite way to ask for permission to do something.

Korean Vocabulary

근처 noun
guhn-CHUH nearby; vicinity
누군가 pron
noo-GOON-gah someone
밑부분 noun
meet-PPU-boon bottom part
바꾸려고 phrase
bah-KOO-ryuh-goh in order to change
사다리 noun
sah-dah-REE ladder
사용할 때 phrase
sah-YOHNG-hahl tteh when using it
세워 두다 verb
seh-wuh DOO-dah to keep standing upright
써도 될까요? phrase
ssuh-doh dwel-KKAH-yoh may I use it?
안정적으로 adv
ahn-juhng-juh-GUH-roh stably; securely
잡아서 verb
jah-BAH-suh by holding
전등 noun
juhn-DUHNG light; lamp
천장 noun
chuhn-JAHNG ceiling

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Can I use your ladder to change a ceiling light?

Show Answer천장 전등을 바꾸려고 사다리를 써도 될까요?

That should help.

Show Answer그러면 도움이 되겠네요.

The ladder is sturdy, but you still need to be careful.

Show Answer사다리는 튼튼하지만, 그래도 조심해야 해요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

in order to change

Show Answer바꾸려고

stably; securely

Show Answer안정적으로

someone

Show Answer누군가

bottom part

Show Answer밑부분