About This Lesson
Use Joining a Photography Club as a Beginner to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
저는 사진 동호회에 가입할까 생각 중이지만, 아직 경험이 부족한 것 같아요.
juh-NUN sah-JIN dong-HWEH-eh ga-IP-hal-kka saeng-GAK joong-ee-JEE-man, ah-JIK gyung-huh-mee boo-JOK-han gut gah-TAH-yo. I am thinking about joining a photography club, but I feel inexperienced.
B
초보자를 환영하고 분명한 안내를 해 주는 곳을 찾아보세요.
cho-bo-ja-rul hwan-YONG-ha-go boon-MYUNG-han an-NEH-rul hae JOO-nun go-sul cha-ja-bo-SEH-yo. Look for one that welcomes beginners and gives clear guidance.
A
이 동호회에서는 함께 사진을 찍으러 나가고 피드백 시간도 가져요.
ee dong-HWEH-eh-suh ham-KKEH sah-JIN-ul JJIK-uh-ruh na-ga-go pee-deh-BAEK shee-GAN-do ga-JUH-yo. This club offers photo walks and feedback sessions.
B
실제로 연습하면서 촬영 기술을 배울 수 있어서 유용해요.
shee-RUH-juh-ro yuhn-SEUP-ha-myuhn-suh chwal-YUNG gee-SOOL-ul bae-UL soo ee-SSUH-suh yoo-YONG-hae-yo. That is useful because you can learn technique through real practice.
A
다른 사람들은 모두 고급 카메라를 가지고 있을까 봐 걱정돼요.
dah-run sah-ram-dul-un moh-DOO go-GEUP ka-meh-rah-rul ga-JEE-go ee-SSUL-kka bwa gok-JJUNG-dwae-yo. I worry that everyone else will have advanced cameras.
B
좋은 동호회는 장비만이 아니라 구도에도 집중해요.
jo-UN dong-HWEH-eh-nun jang-BEE-man-ee ah-NEE-rah goo-DO-eh-do jip-JJUNG-hae-yo. A good club focuses on composition, not just equipment.
A
사진을 공유하면 자신감이 생길지도 몰라요.
sah-JIN-ul gong-YOO-ha-myun jah-shin-GAM-ee saeng-GIL-jee-do moh-LAH-yo. Maybe sharing photos will build my confidence.
B
시간이 지나면 작은 포트폴리오를 만들어 가는 데도 도움이 될 수 있어요.
shee-ga-NEE jee-NAH-myun jah-GEUN po-teu-po-LEE-oh-rul man-DUH-ruh ga-NUN deh-do do-OO-mee dwael soo ee-SSUH-yo. It could also help you start a small portfolio over time.
A
가입할지 결정하기 전에 모임에 한번 가 봐야 할지도 몰라요.
ga-IP-hal-jjee gyul-JJUNG-ha-gee JUN-eh mo-IM-eh han-BUN ga BWAH-ya hal-jjee-do moh-LAH-yo. Maybe I should visit a meeting before deciding whether to join.
B
그러면 그 분위기가 나에게 맞는지 볼 수 있어요.
guh-RUH-myun guh boon-WEE-gee-ga nah-eh-GEH man-NUN-jee bol soo ee-SSUH-yo. That lets you see whether the atmosphere suits you.Word by Word
저
“저” means “I” or “me” here, referring politely to the speaker. It is used in the expression “저는” when talking about oneself. A new example is “저는 사진을 좋아해요” for “I like photography.”
는
“는” marks “저” as the topic of the sentence, so “저는” means “as for me” or simply “I.” It commonly follows the topic being discussed. A new example is “저는 초보자예요” for “I am a beginner.”
사진
“사진” means “photo” or “photography” here. In “사진 동호회,” it identifies the club as a photography club. A new example is “사진을 찍어요” for “I take photos.”
동호회
“동호회” means a club or hobby group organized around a shared interest. In “사진 동호회,” it refers to the photography club the speaker is considering joining. A new example is “독서 동호회” for “a reading club.”
에
“에” marks the destination or group that someone joins in “동호회에 가입하다,” meaning “to join a club.” It is used after the club or organization being joined. A new example is “학교에 가입하다” would not be the usual pattern for joining a school, so use “동호회에 가입하다” for a club.
가입
“가입” means joining or becoming a member, as in “동호회에 가입하다.” It is used with an organization or group that a person becomes part of. A new example is “회원 가입” for “membership registration.”
할까
“할까” expresses wondering whether to do something; in “가입할까,” the speaker is wondering whether to join. It is formed with the action before it and presents a question under consideration. A new example is “어디에 갈까?” for “Where should we go?”
생각
“생각” means thought or consideration, and “가입할까 생각 중” means “I am thinking about whether to join.” The noun combines with “중” to describe an ongoing consideration. A new example is “여행을 생각 중이에요” for “I am considering a trip.”
중
“중” means that something is currently in progress; in “생각 중,” it shows that the speaker is currently considering joining. It commonly follows a noun such as “생각” in an expression for an ongoing activity. A new example is “회의 중이에요” for “I am in a meeting.”
이지만
“이지만” means “but” or “although” after the preceding noun-based expression; here “생각 중이지만” means “I am considering it, but.” It connects the first situation with the speaker’s concern about lacking experience. A new example is “학생이지만 일해요” for “I am a student, but I work.”
아직
“아직” means “still” or “yet,” showing that the situation has not changed by this point. In “아직 경험이 부족하다,” it emphasizes that the speaker still feels inexperienced. A new example is “아직 몰라요” for “I still don’t know.”
경험
“경험” means experience, especially experience gained by doing something. In “경험이 부족하다,” it is the experience that the speaker feels is lacking. A new example is “경험이 많아요” for “I have a lot of experience.”
이
“이” is the subject marker after “경험” in “경험이 부족한 것 같아요.” It marks experience as what is lacking. It follows a noun ending in a consonant; a new example is “시간이 부족해요” for “There is not enough time.”
부족한
“부족한” means lacking or insufficient here, describing the speaker’s experience as not enough. In “부족한 것 같아요,” it modifies “것” before the speaker gives an impression. A new example is “시간이 부족한 사람” for “a person who lacks time.”
것
“것” means “thing” or “fact,” and in “부족한 것 같아요” it turns the preceding description into something that can be judged as an impression. The whole expression means “it seems that it is lacking,” not simply “thing.” A new example is “어려운 것 같아요” for “It seems difficult.”
같아요
“같아요” means “it seems” or “it feels like” here, showing that the speaker is expressing an impression rather than a firm statement. In “부족한 것 같아요,” it softens the claim about experience. A new example is “비가 올 것 같아요” for “It seems like it will rain.”
초보자
“초보자” means beginner, referring to someone with little experience in an activity. In “초보자를 환영하고,” it identifies the people the club welcomes. A new example is “저는 초보자예요” for “I am a beginner.”
를
“를” marks “초보자” as the object of “환영하고,” so “초보자를 환영하다” means “to welcome beginners.” It follows an object noun ending in a vowel. A new example is “친구를 만나요” for “I meet a friend.”
환영하고
“환영하고” means “welcomes and,” connecting welcoming beginners with giving clear guidance in “초보자를 환영하고 분명한 안내를 해 주는 곳.” The ending “-고” links this action to the next one. A new example is “친절하고 설명도 잘해요” for “They are kind and also explain things well.”
분명한
“분명한” means clear or definite here, describing guidance that is easy to understand. In “분명한 안내,” it comes before the noun it describes. A new example is “분명한 설명” for “a clear explanation.”
안내
“안내” means guidance or instructions, referring here to help provided to club members. In “안내를 해 주는 곳,” it is something the place provides for people. A new example is “안내를 받았어요” for “I received guidance.”
해
“해” means “do” or “provide” as part of “안내를 해 주는,” meaning “provide guidance.” The expression “안내를 하다” uses “하다” with the noun “안내.” A new example is “설명을 해요” for “I explain.”
주는
“주는” means “giving” or “providing for someone” in “안내를 해 주는 곳.” Together, “해 주다” shows that the action is done as a service or benefit for someone. A new example is “도와주는 사람” for “a person who helps.”
곳
“곳” means a place, and in “안내를 해 주는 곳” it refers to a club or organization as a place to look for. It can describe a physical place or an organization in context. A new example is “조용한 곳” for “a quiet place.”
을
“을” marks “곳” as the object of “찾아보세요,” so “곳을 찾아보세요” means “look for a place.” It follows an object noun ending in a consonant. A new example is “좋은 카페를 찾아보세요” for “Look for a good café.”
찾아보세요
“찾아보세요” is a polite suggestion to look for or try to find something. Here it asks the listener to look for a club that welcomes beginners and gives guidance. A new example is “인터넷에서 찾아보세요” for “Please look for it on the internet.”
에서
“에서” marks “이 동호회” as the place where the activity happens in “이 동호회에서는 함께 사진을 찍으러 나가고.” It is used after a place or group where an action takes place. A new example is “학교에서 공부해요” for “I study at school.”
함께
“함께” means together, showing that the people go out to take photos with one another. It commonly appears before the action being done together. A new example is “함께 연습해요” for “We practice together.”
찍으러
“찍으러” means “in order to take photos” in “사진을 찍으러 나가고.” The ending “-으러” expresses purpose before a movement verb such as “나가다,” or “go out.” A new example is “친구를 만나러 가요” for “I go to meet a friend.”
나가고
“나가고” means “go out and,” describing going outside for the photo activity and linking it to the feedback-session information. The ending “-고” connects this action with the next one. A new example is “밖에 나가고 사진을 찍어요” for “We go outside and take photos.”
피드백
“피드백” means feedback, referring to comments or responses about the photos. In “피드백 시간,” it identifies the subject of the session. A new example is “피드백을 받아요” for “I receive feedback.”
시간
“시간” means time, and in “피드백 시간” it refers to a scheduled feedback session rather than just a measurement of time. It commonly follows the activity that takes place during the session. A new example is “질문 시간” for “question time.”
도
“도” means “also” or “too,” adding the feedback session to the photo walks in “피드백 시간도 가져요.” It marks an additional item after the noun phrase. A new example is “사진도 봐요” for “We also look at photos.”
가져요
“가져요” means “have” or “hold” here, as in holding or conducting a feedback session. In “피드백 시간을 가져요,” it describes setting aside time for that activity. A new example is “회의 시간을 가져요” for “We hold a meeting session.”
실제로
“실제로” means “in reality” or “actually,” emphasizing practice that happens in real situations. In “실제로 연습하면서,” it contrasts practical activity with learning only in theory. A new example is “실제로 사용해 봤어요” for “I actually tried using it.”
연습하면서
“연습하면서” means “while practicing,” showing that learning the technique happens at the same time as practice. The form commonly links an ongoing activity with the main action. A new example is “음악을 들으면서 공부해요” for “I study while listening to music.”
촬영
“촬영” means photography or shooting, referring specifically to the act of taking photos. In “촬영 기술,” it identifies the kind of technique being learned. A new example is “촬영을 시작해요” for “We start shooting.”
기술
“기술” means technique or skill, and “촬영 기술” means photography technique. It is used after the activity to identify the skill connected with it. A new example is “기술을 배우다” for “learn a skill.”
배울
“배울” means “learn” in the expression “배울 수 있어서,” which means “because one can learn.” It is the form used before “수” in the ability construction “-을 수 있다.” A new example is “한국어를 배울 수 있어요” for “I can learn Korean.”
수
“수” expresses ability or possibility in “배울 수 있어서,” meaning “because one can learn.” It appears between the action form and “있다” in the reusable pattern “동사-을 수 있어요.” A new example is “갈 수 있어요” for “I can go.”
있어서
“있어서” means “because one can” in “배울 수 있어서,” giving the reason that the club is useful. Here it completes the pattern “-을 수 있어서,” meaning “because it is possible to do.” A new example is “도와줄 수 있어서 기뻐요” for “I am glad because I can help.”
유용해요
“유용해요” means “is useful,” describing the club as helpful because members can learn through real practice. It is used to evaluate a thing, activity, or opportunity. A new example is “이 정보가 유용해요” for “This information is useful.”
다른
“다른” means “other” or “different,” distinguishing the other people from the speaker in “다른 사람들은.” It comes directly before the noun it describes. A new example is “다른 방법” for “a different method.”
사람
“사람” means person or people, and in “다른 사람들은” it refers to the other club members. It can be followed by “들” when the plural group is being emphasized. A new example is “좋은 사람” for “a good person.”
들
“들” marks “사람” as plural in “사람들,” meaning people. It is used when referring to multiple people as a group. A new example is “친구들” for “friends.”
은
“은” marks “다른 사람들” as the topic in “다른 사람들은 모두,” setting the other people apart as the group being discussed. It follows a noun phrase ending in a consonant. A new example is “학생들은 공부해요” for “The students study.”
모두
“모두” means all or everyone, indicating that the speaker is concerned about the whole group of other people. It commonly appears near the group it quantifies. A new example is “모두 왔어요” for “Everyone came.”
고급
“고급” means advanced or high-end, describing cameras with higher-level features in “고급 카메라.” It commonly comes before a noun to describe its level or quality. A new example is “고급 장비” for “high-end equipment.”
카메라
“카메라” means camera, the equipment the speaker worries that the other members may have. It is used with “가지고 있다” to express possession. A new example is “카메라를 샀어요” for “I bought a camera.”
가지고
“가지고” means “having” in “카메라를 가지고 있다,” the expression used for possessing or having a camera. It is followed by “있다” when describing an ongoing state of possession. A new example is “책을 가지고 있어요” for “I have a book.”
있을까
“있을까” expresses wondering whether something exists or is possessed; in “카메라를 가지고 있을까,” the speaker wonders whether the other people have cameras. It presents an uncertain question inside the concern expression that follows. A new example is “시간이 있을까?” for “I wonder if there is time.”
봐
“봐” is part of the fixed concern expression “-을까 봐,” meaning “because I am worried that.” In “가지고 있을까 봐 걱정돼요,” it does not mean simply “see.” A new example is “늦을까 봐 걱정돼요” for “I am worried that I might be late.”
걱정돼요
“걱정돼요” means “I feel worried” or “I am concerned.” Here it describes the speaker’s concern that the other members may have advanced cameras. A new example is “시험이 걱정돼요” for “I am worried about the exam.”
좋은
“좋은” means good, describing a club that values composition rather than only equipment. It is the form used directly before the noun “동호회.” A new example is “좋은 방법” for “a good method.”
장비
“장비” means equipment or gear, referring here to photography equipment such as cameras. In “장비만이 아니라,” it is the thing that the club does not focus on exclusively. A new example is “장비를 준비해요” for “I prepare the equipment.”
만
“만” means “only” or “just,” and in “장비만이 아니라” it marks equipment as the limited focus being rejected. The full contrast is “not just equipment, but composition as well.” A new example is “사진만 봐요” for “I look only at photos.”
아니라
“아니라” means “not” or “rather than” in the contrast “장비만이 아니라 구도에도,” meaning “not just equipment, but also composition.” It is used to connect the first rejected item with the additional focus. A new example is “커피가 아니라 차예요” for “It is tea, not coffee.”
구도
“구도” means composition, referring to how subjects and elements are arranged within a photograph. In this dialogue, it is presented as something the club focuses on along with more than just equipment. A new example is “구도를 생각해요” for “I think about composition.”
집중해요
“집중해요” means “focuses” or “concentrates on.” In “구도에도 집중해요,” it says that a good club also pays attention to composition. A new example is “공부에 집중해요” for “I focus on studying.”
공유하면
“공유하면” means “if one shares” or “when one shares,” referring here to sharing photos. The ending “-면” introduces the condition that may lead to gaining confidence. A new example is “사진을 공유하면 친구들이 볼 수 있어요” for “If you share photos, friends can see them.”
자신감
“자신감” means confidence, especially confidence in one’s own ability. In “자신감이 생기다,” it is something that may develop through sharing photos. A new example is “자신감이 필요해요” for “I need confidence.”
생길지도
“생길지도” means “might develop” or “might arise” in “자신감이 생길지도 몰라요.” It presents gaining confidence as a possibility rather than a certainty. A new example is “좋은 기회가 생길지도 몰라요” for “A good opportunity might arise.”
몰라요
“몰라요” literally means “do not know,” but in “생길지도 몰라요” it completes an expression for uncertainty, meaning “might.” It is used after “-을지도” when the speaker does not claim certainty. A new example is “내일 비가 올지도 몰라요” for “It might rain tomorrow.”
지나면
“지나면” means “as time passes” or “after time passes” in “시간이 지나면.” The ending “-면” presents the passing of time as the condition for gradually building a portfolio. A new example is “시간이 지나면 익숙해져요” for “You become familiar with it as time passes.”
작은
“작은” means small, describing the portfolio the speaker may gradually begin. It comes directly before the noun “포트폴리오.” A new example is “작은 변화” for “a small change.”
포트폴리오
“포트폴리오” means portfolio, referring here to a collection of the learner’s photography work. It is used as the object of gradually creating in “포트폴리오를 만들어 가다.” A new example is “포트폴리오를 보여줘요” for “I show a portfolio.”
만들어
“만들어” means “make” or “create” in “포트폴리오를 만들어 가는 데,” referring to creating a portfolio. It connects with “가다” to show that the creation continues gradually. A new example is “계획을 만들어 봐요” for “Let’s make a plan.”
가는
“가는” means “going” in “만들어 가는,” where it shows that the portfolio is gradually being built over time. Together, “만들어 가다” describes continuing to create something step by step. A new example is “조금씩 배워 가요” for “I gradually learn little by little.”
데
“데” means “in” or “for doing something” in “포트폴리오를 만들어 가는 데 도움이 되다.” This expression means that something helps with the activity of gradually creating a portfolio. A new example is “공부하는 데 필요해요” for “It is needed for studying.”
도움
“도움” means help, and in “도움이 될 수 있어요” it refers to something that may be helpful for creating a portfolio. It commonly appears with “이 되다,” meaning “become help” or “be helpful.” A new example is “큰 도움이 됐어요” for “It was a great help.”
될
“될” means “become” or “be” in “도움이 될 수 있어요,” meaning “can be helpful.” It is the form used before “수” in the possibility pattern. A new example is “좋은 경험이 될 수 있어요” for “It can be a good experience.”
있어요
“있어요” expresses possibility in “도움이 될 수 있어요,” meaning “can be helpful” or “may be helpful.” It completes the pattern “-을 수 있어요,” which states that something is possible. A new example is “도와줄 수 있어요” for “I can help.”
할지
“할지” means “whether to do,” and in “가입할지 결정하기” it refers to deciding whether to join. It introduces the uncertain choice being decided. A new example is “무엇을 할지 생각해요” for “I think about what to do.”
결정하기
“결정하기” means deciding, referring to the act of making the choice about joining the club. The form ends in “-기” so the action can be used as a noun in “결정하기 전에,” meaning “before deciding.” A new example is “출발하기 전에 확인해요” for “I check before departing.”
전에
“전에” means before, marking the time that comes earlier than deciding whether to join. It follows an action noun or time expression in patterns such as “결정하기 전에.” A new example is “자기 전에 책을 읽어요” for “I read a book before sleeping.”
모임
“모임” means meeting or gathering, referring here to a club meeting that the speaker might attend before deciding. It can describe an organized gathering of people with a shared purpose. A new example is “친구 모임” for “a friends’ gathering.”
한번
“한번” means once or one time, and in “모임에 한번 가 봐야” it suggests trying to attend the meeting at least once. It often makes a suggestion sound like “give it a try.” A new example is “한번 해 보세요” for “Please try it once.”
가
“가” means “go” here, as part of “가 봐야,” meaning “should go and see or try.” It is the verb form of “가다” used before “보다.” A new example is “집에 가요” for “I go home.”
봐야
“봐야” means “should see” or “should try” in “가 봐야,” where “보다” adds the idea of trying an action and “-야” expresses necessity. The whole expression “한번 가 봐야” means “should go and try attending once.” A new example is “먹어 봐야 알아요” for “You have to try eating it to know.”
할지도
“할지도” means “might do” or “may need to do” in “가 봐야 할지도 몰라요.” Here it presents going to a meeting as a possible necessary action, not a definite plan. A new example is “기다려야 할지도 몰라요” for “We might have to wait.”
그러면
“그러면” means “then” or “in that case,” linking the proposed visit to its possible result. Here it introduces what the speaker will be able to learn by attending. A new example is “그러면 같이 가요” for “Then let’s go together.”
그
“그” means “that” or “the,” pointing to the particular atmosphere associated with the club. In “그 분위기,” it comes directly before the noun it identifies. A new example is “그 사람” for “that person.”
분위기
“분위기” means atmosphere or mood, referring here to the social feeling of the club meeting. It is something the speaker can judge to see whether the club feels suitable. A new example is “편안한 분위기” for “a comfortable atmosphere.”
나
“나” means “I” or “me” in the expression “나에게 맞는지,” referring to the speaker as the person affected by the atmosphere. It is the less formal first-person form compared with “저.” A new example is “나도 가고 싶어요” for “I want to go too.”
에게
“에게” marks “나” as the person to whom something is suited in “나에게 맞는지.” It can be used after a person when expressing a relationship or effect directed toward that person. A new example is “친구에게 물어봐요” for “I ask a friend.”
맞는지
“맞는지” means “whether it suits” or “whether it fits” in “그 분위기가 나에게 맞는지.” It presents the question of suitability as the thing the listener can find out. A new example is “이 시간이 맞는지 확인해요” for “I check whether this time is suitable.”
볼
“볼” means “see” or “look” in “볼 수 있어요,” which means “can see” or “can find out.” It is the form used before “수” in the possibility pattern “-을 수 있다.” A new example is “확인해 볼 수 있어요” for “You can try checking.”
Grammar Points
V-(으)ㄹ까?
동호회에 가입할까?
dong-HWEH-eh ga-IP-hal-kka?Should I join a club?
Used to wonder aloud or suggest doing something together. After a consonant, use -을까; after a vowel, use -ㄹ까.
V-는지
이 모임이 나에게 맞는지 찾아보세요.
ee mo-IM-ee nah-eh-GEH man-NUN-jee cha-ja-bo-SEH-yo.Please find out whether this group suits me.
Expresses whether or not something is true. It attaches to a verb stem with -는지.
Korean Vocabulary
가입하다
verb
ga-IP-ha-da
to join; to enroll
가입할까
경험이 부족하다
phrase
gyung-HUH-mee boo-JOK-ha-da
to lack experience; to be inexperienced
경험이 부족한
동호회
noun
dong-HWEH
club; hobby group
분명하다
adj
boon-MYUNG-ha-da
to be clear
분명한
사진
noun
sah-JIN
photo; photography
사진을 찍다
phrase
sah-JIN-ul JJIK-da
to take photos
사진을 찍으러
생각 중이다
phrase
saeng-GAK joong-EE-da
to be thinking about; to be considering
안내
noun
an-NEH
guidance; information
찾아보다
verb
cha-ja-BO-da
to look for; to search for
찾아보세요
초보자
noun
cho-BO-ja
beginner
초보자를
피드백
noun
pee-deh-BAEK
feedback
환영하다
verb
hwan-YONG-ha-da
to welcome
환영하고
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
A good club focuses on composition, not just equipment.
Show Answer
좋은 동호회는 장비만이 아니라 구도에도 집중해요.Maybe sharing photos will build my confidence.
Show Answer
사진을 공유하면 자신감이 생길지도 몰라요.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to welcome
Show Answer
환영하고to join; to enroll
Show Answer
가입할까beginner
Show Answer
초보자를to look for; to search for