About This Lesson
Use Deciding Whether to Continue a Hobby to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
그림 수업을 계속하고 싶은지 잘 모르겠어.
guh-RIM soo-UH-beul gyeh-SOH-kah-goh SHEE-peun-jee jahl moh-ruh-GUHSS-uh. I am not sure whether I want to continue the painting class.
B
흥미를 잃고 있는 거야, 아니면 정해진 약속이 너무 부담스러운 거야?
HEUNG-mee-reul eel-KKOH IN-neun guh-YAH, ah-nee-MYUN juhng-HEH-jin yahk-SOH-gee nuh-MOO boo-dahm-SUH-ruh-woon guh-YAH? Are you losing interest, or is the fixed commitment too much?
A
둘 다 조금씩 그런 것 같아. 그림 그리는 건 좋아하지만 수업이 스트레스로 느껴져.
dool dah joh-GEUM-ssik guh-ruhn guht GAH-tah. guh-RIM guh-REE-neun gun joh-AH-hah-jee-MAHN soo-UH-bee suh-tuh-RESS-roh nuh-KYUH-juh. A bit of both. I like painting, but the class feels stressful.
B
그 취미가 편안한 활동에서 또 하나의 의무로 바뀐 것 같아.
guh CHWEE-mee-gah pyuhn-AHN-hahn hwahl-TONG-eh-suh ttoh hah-NAH-eh ee-MOO-roh bah-KKWEEN guht GAH-tah. Maybe the hobby changed from relaxing to another obligation.
A
응, 재미라기보다는 또 하나의 할 일처럼 느껴져.
UHNG, jeh-MEE-rah-gee-boh-DAH-neun ttoh hah-NAH-eh hahl-LEEL-chuh-ruhm nuh-KYUH-juh. Yes, it feels less like fun and more like another task.
B
대신 집에서 편하게 연습하는 걸로 바꿔도 돼.
deh-SHEEN JEE-beh-suh pyuhn-HAH-geh yuhn-SEUP-hah-neun guh-LOH bah-KKWOH-doh dweh. You could switch to casual practice at home instead.
A
그러면 정해진 일정 없이도 좋은 점은 유지할 수 있겠네.
guh-ruh-MYUN juhng-HEH-jin eel-JJUNG uhp-SSEE-doh joh-EUN juhm-eun yoo-JEE-hahl SSOO it-KKEN-neh. Then I can keep the benefit without the fixed schedule.
B
취미는 네가 되고 싶은 이상적인 모습보다 네 삶에 맞아야 해.
CHWEE-mee-neun neh-GAH dweh-goh SHEE-peun ee-SAHNG-juh-gin moh-seup-BBOH-dah neh SAHL-meh mah-JAH-yah heh. Hobbies should fit your life, not just your ideal self.
A
수업을 잠시 쉬면 내가 그리워하는지 알 수 있을지도 모르겠어.
soo-UH-beul jahm-SHEE SHWEE-myun neh-GAH guh-ree-WUH-hah-neun-jee ahl SSOO eet-SSEUL-jee-doh moh-ruh-GUHSS-uh. Maybe pausing the class would show whether I miss it.
B
갑자기 그만두거나 억지로 계속하는 것보다 그게 낫겠다.
gahp-JJAH-gee guh-mahn-DOO-guh-nah uhk-JJEE-roh gyeh-SOH-kah-neun guht-BBOH-dah guh-GEH naht-KKET-ttah. That is better than quitting suddenly or forcing yourself.Word by Word
그림
In this dialogue, 그림 means a painting or drawing, as in 그림 수업, “painting class.” It commonly appears before a noun to specify an activity or subject, such as 그림 그리기.
수업
Here, 수업 means a class or lesson, specifically the painting class being considered. It can be used with a subject before it, as in 그림 수업, or with a place or schedule.
을
In 그림 수업을, 을 marks 수업 as the object of 계속하다, so the speaker is talking about continuing the class. It is used after a noun ending in a consonant when that noun is the object of an action.
계속하고
In 계속하고 싶은지, 계속하고 contributes the meaning “continue” before 싶다, forming the idea of wanting to continue. This form commonly links an action to a following expression, as in 계속하고 싶다.
싶은지
In 계속하고 싶은지, 싶은지 asks whether someone wants to do the preceding action, so the phrase means “whether I want to continue.” It is useful for embedding an uncertain question inside a sentence, as in 무엇을 하고 싶은지 모르겠어.
잘
Here, 잘 softens 모르겠어 into “do not know clearly” or “am not sure,” rather than simply stating lack of knowledge. It commonly appears before verbs to describe how well or clearly something is done or known.
모르겠어
In this dialogue, 모르겠어 means “I am not sure” about whether the speaker wants to continue the class. It is a casual form used when expressing uncertainty, often after a clause ending in -는지 or -ㄴ지.
흥미
Here, 흥미 means interest in the painting hobby. It commonly appears with 잃다 in the expression 흥미를 잃다, “to lose interest.”
를
In 흥미를 잃고, 를 marks 흥미 as the object of 잃다, so the phrase means “lose interest.” It is used after a noun ending in a vowel when that noun is the object of an action.
잃고
In 잃고 있는, 잃고 means “losing” and connects 잃다 to the following ongoing-state expression. It commonly links one action or state to another expression, as in 관심을 잃고 있다.
있는
In 잃고 있는 거야, 있는 shows that the loss of interest is continuing or currently in progress. It follows an action form such as 잃고 to describe an ongoing state.
거야
Here, 거야 asks whether the situation just described is really the case: “Is that what is happening?” It is a casual conversational ending often used to seek confirmation or explain a situation.
아니면
In 흥미를 잃고 있는 거야, 아니면..., 아니면 introduces the alternative possibility “or.” It commonly connects two possible explanations or choices.
정해진
Here, 정해진 describes the 약속 as fixed or already set, referring to the class commitment. It commonly comes before a noun to describe something whose time or terms have been decided.
약속
In this dialogue, 약속 means a fixed commitment or arrangement connected with attending the class. It can also refer to an appointment or promise, depending on the surrounding context.
이
In 정해진 약속이, 이 marks 약속 as the subject of the description 부담스러운. It is used after a noun ending in a consonant when that noun is the subject.
너무
Here, 너무 means “too” or “excessively,” showing that the fixed commitment feels burdensome. It commonly comes before an adjective or descriptive expression to mark an excessive degree.
부담스러운
In 너무 부담스러운, 부담스러운 describes the fixed commitment as burdensome or stressful. It commonly appears before 거야 or a noun to describe something that feels difficult to carry or manage.
둘
Here, 둘 refers to the two possible reasons just mentioned: losing interest and feeling burdened by the commitment. It commonly combines with 다 to mean “both.”
다
In 둘 다, 다 adds the meaning “both,” so the speaker says that both reasons apply somewhat. It commonly follows a number or paired expression to include all of the items mentioned.
조금씩
Here, 조금씩 means “a little of each,” indicating that both reasons apply to some extent. It is used when an amount or degree is distributed gradually or among several things.
그런
In 그런 것 같아, 그런 means “like that” and points back to the two explanations just discussed. It comes before 것 or another noun to describe a previously mentioned kind or situation.
것
Here, 것 refers to the situation being described, making 그런 것 같아 mean “it seems that way.” It commonly turns an action or description into a noun-like expression before 같아.
같아
In 그런 것 같아, 같아 means “seems” or “feels like,” so the speaker gives an impression rather than a firm statement. It commonly follows 것 to express that something appears to be a certain way.
그리는
In 그림을 그리는 건, 그리는 describes the activity of drawing or painting. It comes before 건 to turn the activity into the topic of the next statement.
건
In 그리는 건 좋아하지만, 건 presents the preceding activity as the topic: “as for drawing or painting.” It is a conversational shortened form used in the pattern action + 건, followed by a comment about that activity.
좋아하지만
Here, 좋아하지만 means “like, but,” contrasting the speaker’s enjoyment of painting with the stress caused by the class. It commonly connects a positive statement to a contrasting one.
스트레스
In 스트레스로 느껴져, 스트레스 means stress, describing how the class is perceived. It commonly combines with 로 when something is experienced or perceived as a particular state.
로
In 스트레스로 느껴져, 로 marks the way the class is perceived: “as stress” or “as stressful.” It can follow a noun when that noun describes a resulting state or characterization.
느껴져
Here, 느껴져 means “feels” or “is perceived,” describing the speaker’s experience of the class as stressful. It is commonly used with a noun plus 로 or with an adjective-like description.
그
In 그 취미, 그 means “that” or “the,” referring to the hobby already being discussed. It comes directly before a noun to point to a known person, thing, or activity.
취미
Here, 취미 means hobby, specifically the painting activity and class under discussion. It commonly appears with 하다 or with a subject marker when describing a hobby’s role or condition.
가
In 그 취미가, 가 marks 취미 as the subject of 바뀐, so the hobby is what changed. It is used after a noun ending in a vowel when that noun is the subject.
편안한
Here, 편안한 describes the hobby as relaxing or comfortable before 활동. It commonly comes before a noun to describe an activity or situation that feels at ease.
활동
In 편안한 활동, 활동 means an activity, referring to the hobby as something relaxing to do. It can be modified by an adjective such as 편안한 or used for a planned activity.
에서
In 활동에서 또 하나의 의무로, 에서 marks the starting state from which the hobby changed. In change expressions, it commonly pairs with 로 to show a change from one condition to another.
또
Here, 또 means “another” or “in addition,” showing that the hobby has become one more obligation. It commonly comes before a noun or noun phrase to add something to an existing set.
하나
In 또 하나의 의무, 하나 means “one,” identifying the obligation as one additional obligation. It commonly appears after 또 and before 의 to form a phrase meaning “another one of...”.
의
In 하나의 의무, 의 connects 하나 with 의무, giving the relationship “one obligation” or “an obligation.” It commonly links two nouns when the first describes or specifies the second.
의무
Here, 의무 means an obligation, contrasting with the hobby’s earlier relaxing role. It can be used with another noun before it to identify a particular responsibility or duty.
바뀐
In 취미가 ... 의무로 바뀐 것 같아, 바뀐 means “changed into” or “became changed,” describing the hobby’s new character. It comes before 것 to describe the change being judged.
응
Here, 응 is a casual “yes,” acknowledging the other speaker’s explanation. It is commonly used between close or familiar speakers in informal conversation.
재미
In 재미라기보다는, 재미 means fun or enjoyment, the quality being contrasted with another task. It commonly appears in expressions describing whether an activity is enjoyable.
라기보다는
In 재미라기보다는, this form says “rather than being fun,” setting up a comparison with another task. It is used after a noun when the speaker rejects or softens that description in favor of a different one.
할
In 할 일, 할 describes something to do or something that needs to be done. It comes before 일 in a common expression for a task or thing to do.
일
Here, 일 means a task or thing to do, contrasting with 재미 in the description of the hobby. It commonly follows 할 in the expression 할 일, “something to do” or “a task.”
처럼
In 또 하나의 할 일처럼, 처럼 means “like” or “as,” comparing the hobby to another task. It commonly follows a noun to show that something resembles or feels like that noun.
대신
Here, 대신 means “instead,” introducing the alternative of practicing casually at home. It commonly appears before a location or action that replaces the original option.
집
In 집에서, 집 means home or house, the place where the speaker could practice. It commonly combines with 에서 to mark the place where an action happens.
편하게
Here, 편하게 means comfortably or casually, describing practice without the pressure of a fixed class. It is commonly used before an action to describe the manner in which it is done.
연습하는
In 연습하는 걸로, 연습하는 means “practicing” and describes the activity chosen as the alternative. It comes before 걸로 to refer to practicing as the selected arrangement.
걸로
In 연습하는 걸로 바꿔도 돼, 걸로 treats “practicing” as the option or arrangement to switch to. This conversational form commonly appears with 바꾸다 when changing from one choice or method to another.
바꿔도
Here, 바꿔도 means “even if you switch” or “you may switch,” referring to changing to casual home practice. It combines with 돼 in the pattern 바꿔도 돼, which gives permission or says that the change is acceptable.
돼
In 바꿔도 돼, 돼 means “it is okay” or “it is allowed,” so the speaker permits the change. It commonly follows an action plus 도 to express permission.
그러면
Here, 그러면 means “then” or “in that case,” connecting the proposed change with its expected benefit. It commonly introduces a result or conclusion based on what was just said.
일정
In 고정된 일정 없이도, 일정 means a schedule, specifically the fixed schedule of the class. It commonly combines with 정해진 or 고정된 when talking about scheduled times.
없이도
Here, 없이도 means “even without,” saying that the benefit can be kept without a fixed schedule. It combines 없다 with 도 and commonly marks something that is absent but not necessary.
좋은
In 좋은 점, 좋은 means good or beneficial and describes the positive aspect the speaker wants to keep. It commonly comes before 점 to form the expression “good point” or “benefit.”
점
Here, 점 means a point or benefit, referring to the positive value of the hobby. In 좋은 점, it means the good aspect of something rather than a physical point.
은
In 좋은 점은, 은 marks 좋은 점 as the topic of the following statement. It is used after a noun ending in a consonant to contrast or focus that topic.
유지할
In 유지할 수 있겠네, 유지할 means “to maintain” or “to keep,” referring to keeping the hobby’s benefit. It comes before 수 in the common possibility pattern 유지할 수 있다.
수
In 유지할 수 있겠네, 수 is part of the pattern -할 수 있다, which expresses ability or possibility. It follows an action form and is normally completed by 있다 or a related form.
있겠네
Here, 있겠네 expresses the speaker’s realization that keeping the benefit seems possible. It commonly follows 수 to react to or infer a possible result, as in 할 수 있겠네.
는
In 취미는, 는 marks 취미 as the topic and sets up a general statement about hobbies. It is used after a noun ending in a vowel to introduce or contrast that topic.
네
In 네 삶, 네 means “your” and identifies whose life is being discussed. It is used directly before a noun to show possession in informal speech.
되고
In 되고 싶은, 되고 means “become” and connects the idea of becoming with 싶다, forming “want to become.” It commonly appears before 싶다 when expressing a wish to reach a state or identity.
싶은
In 되고 싶은 이상적인 모습, 싶은 describes the ideal self that someone wants to become. It comes before a noun to modify the desired person, state, or thing.
이상적인
Here, 이상적인 means ideal, describing the version of oneself that the person hopes to become. It commonly comes before a noun such as 모습 to specify an ideal form or image.
모습
In 이상적인 모습, 모습 means an appearance, image, or version of oneself, here referring to the ideal self. It commonly follows a describing phrase and can refer to how someone is or wants to be.
보다
In 이상적인 모습보다 네 삶에, 보다 means “than” or “compared with,” setting up a comparison between an ideal self and real life. It follows the thing used as the point of comparison.
삶
Here, 삶 means life, specifically the learner’s actual daily life that the hobby should fit. It commonly combines with 에 맞다 to describe something fitting a person’s life.
에
In 삶에 맞아야 해, 에 marks 삶 as the context or target that the hobby should fit. It commonly follows a person, place, or situation with 맞다 when describing suitability.
맞아야
In 삶에 맞아야 해, 맞아야 means “must fit” or “should suit,” describing the requirement that a hobby fit one’s life. It comes before 해 in the pattern -아야 해, which expresses necessity or obligation.
해
Here, 해 completes 맞아야 해 and gives the meaning “should” or “has to fit.” This casual form is commonly used after -아야 to state something necessary.
잠시
Here, 잠시 means “for a while,” limiting the pause to a short period rather than ending the class permanently. It commonly comes before verbs involving waiting, resting, or pausing.
쉬면
In 수업을 잠시 쉬면, 쉬면 means “if or when one takes a break,” presenting a condition for finding out whether the class is missed. It commonly connects a condition with a possible result.
내가
In 내가 그리워하는지, 내가 explicitly marks “I” as the person who may miss the class. It is used when identifying the subject of an embedded or focused clause.
그리워하는지
Here, 그리워하는지 asks whether the speaker misses the class after pausing it. The form commonly introduces an uncertain question about whether someone feels longing for a person, place, or activity.
알
In 알 수 있을지도, 알 means “know” or “find out,” referring to discovering the speaker’s reaction after a pause. It comes before 수 in the pattern 알 수 있다, “can know” or “can find out.”
있을지도
Here, 있을지도 marks the possibility that the result may be knowable, while the full phrase 있을지도 모르겠어 expresses uncertainty. It commonly appears before 모르다 to say that something might be the case.
갑자기
Here, 갑자기 means “suddenly,” describing quitting without a gradual decision. It commonly comes before an action to show that it happens unexpectedly or without preparation.
그만두거나
In 그만두거나 ... 계속하는 것보다, 그만두거나 means “quitting or stopping,” presenting one of the alternatives being compared. The ending -거나 commonly links alternatives or possible actions.
억지로
Here, 억지로 means “by force” or “against one’s will,” describing continuing despite feeling pressured. It commonly comes before an action to show that the action is not done willingly.
계속하는
In 억지로 계속하는 것보다, 계속하는 means “continuing” and describes the action being compared with pausing. It comes before 것 to turn the activity into a noun-like option.
것보다
Here, 것보다 means “rather than that action,” comparing pausing with quitting suddenly or forcing oneself to continue. It commonly follows an action plus 것 when comparing one action with another.
그게
In 그게 낫겠다, 그게 refers to the option just discussed, namely pausing the class for a while. It is a conversational shortened form of 그것이 and commonly introduces the subject of a judgment.
낫겠다
Here, 낫겠다 means “would be better,” giving a tentative judgment that pausing is preferable to the other choices. It commonly follows a comparison or situation when the speaker evaluates which option is better.
Grammar Points
V-는지 모르겠어
계속하고 싶은지 모르겠어.
gyeh-SOH-kah-goh SHEE-peun-jee moh-ruh-GUHSS-uh.I don't know if I want to continue.
-는지 모르겠어 expresses uncertainty about whether something is true or desired.
V-아/어도
일정을 바꿔도 좋은 점이 있어.
eel-JJUNG-eul bah-KKWOH-doh joh-EUN juhm-ee ISS-uh.There are benefits even if you change the schedule.
-아/어도 means “even if” or “although,” showing that the result remains possible.
Korean Vocabulary
계속하다
verb
gyeh-SOHK-hah-dah
to continue
계속하고
그림
noun
guh-RIM
painting; drawing
그림 수업
둘 다
phrase
dool dah
both
둘 다 조금씩
모르다
verb
moh-REU-dah
to not know
모르겠어
부담스럽다
adj
boo-dahm-SUH-ruhp-ttah
to feel burdensome
부담스러운
수업
noun
soo-UHP
class; lesson
그림 수업을 계속하고
싶다
adj
SHEEP-ttah
to want to
싶은지
약속
noun
yahk-SOHK
appointment; commitment
잃다
verb
eel-ttah
to lose
잃고
정해진
adj
juhng-HEH-jin
fixed; set
정해진 약속
조금씩
adv
joh-GEUM-ssik
little by little; somewhat
흥미
noun
HEUNG-mee
interest
흥미를 잃고
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
I am not sure whether I want to continue the painting class.
Show Answer
그림 수업을 계속하고 싶은지 잘 모르겠어.Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to not know
Show Answer
모르겠어to continue
Show Answer
계속하고to feel burdensome
Show Answer
부담스러운to lose