Deciding whether to stay in line | Learn Korean in English

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Dialogue

제 차례가 오려면 아직 한참 남은 것 같아요.

jeh CHA-ryeh-gah oh-RYUH-myuhn ah-JIK HAN-cham NA-meun guht KKA-ta-yoh. My turn still seems a long way off.

곧 다른 곳에 가야 해요.

goht-TTAH-reun GOH-seh KAH-yah HEH-yoh. I need to be somewhere else soon.

계속 기다릴지 결정하기 전에 줄이 어떻게 움직이는지 설명해 드릴게요.

gyeh-SOHK kee-DAH-ril-JJEE juhn-eh JOO-ree uh-TTUH-keh oom-JIK-ee-neun-JEE suhL-myuhng-heh duh-RIL-geh-YOH. Let me explain how the queue is moving before you decide whether to stay.

일정한 속도로 줄어들고 있나요?

il-JJUHNG-han SOHK-doh-roh JOO-ruh-deul-goh in-NAH-yoh? Is it moving at a steady pace?

오늘은 속도가 일정하지 않아요. 몇몇 요청은 예상보다 오래 걸리고 있어요.

OH-neu-reun SOHK-doh-gah il-JJUHNG-ha-jee ah-NAH-yoh. MYUHN-myuhT yoh-CHUHNG-eun yeh-SAHNG-boh-dah oh-reh GUL-lee-goh ee-SSUH-yoh. The pace is uneven today. Some requests are taking longer than expected.

잠깐 자리를 비우면 같은 자리로 돌아올 수 있나요?

JAM-KKAN JAH-ree-reul bee-OO-myuhn GAH-teun JAH-ree-roh doh-RAH-ohl soo in-NAH-yoh? If I step away for a moment, can I come back to the same place?

줄 가까이에 있어야만 자리를 지킬 수 있어요.

JOOL KAH-kka-ee-eh ee-SSUH-yah-man JAH-ree-reul JEE-kil soo ee-SSUH-yoh. You can only keep your place if you stay close to the line.

그럼 이 일을 미뤄도 될지 결정해야겠어요.

GUH-ruhm ee EE-reul mee-RYUH-doh dwel-JJEE gyuhl-JJUHNG-hae-yah-geh-SSUH-yoh. Then I need to decide whether this can wait.

오늘 이 서비스가 중요하다면 가까이 있는 게 더 안전한 선택이에요.

OH-neul ee suh-BEE-seu-gah joong-YOH-ha-da-myun KAH-kka-ee in-neun geh duh an-JUHn-han sun-TAE-gee-eh-YOH. If this service is important today, staying close is the safer choice.

다른 사람에게 메시지를 보내서 지연에 대해 설명할 수 있어요.

DAH-reun SAH-rah-meh-geh MEH-shee-jeu-reul boh-NAE-suh JEE-yuhn-eh deh-HEH suhL-myung-hal soo ee-SSUH-yoh. I can message the other person and explain the delay.

그러면 그 사람이 내가 왜 늦고 있는지 이해하는 데 도움이 될 거예요.

GUH-ruh-myuhn guh SAH-rah-mee neh-gah weh neut-KKOH in-neun-JEE ee-HAE-ha-neun deh doh-oom-ee dwel guh-YEH-yoh. That should help them understand why you are running late.

Word by Word

제 “제” means “my” here and modifies “차례.” It is the possessive form of 저의, used before a noun such as a turn, name, or place. Use it when politely referring to something belonging to yourself.

차례 “차례” means “turn” here, specifically the speaker’s place in the queue. It is used with a possessive form and the subject marker in “제 차례가.” Use it when talking about whose turn it is in an ordered situation.

가 “가” marks “제 차례” as the subject of the clause. It does not mean “go” in this sentence. Use it after a noun when that noun is the subject, such as a turn coming or a service progressing.

오려면 “오려면” means “for it to come” in “제 차례가 오려면,” referring to the time until the speaker’s turn arrives. It comes from 오다 with a condition or time condition ending. Use this form when describing what must happen or be true for something to occur.

아직 “아직” means “still” or “yet” here, showing that the speaker’s turn has not arrived. It commonly appears with an unfinished situation or a continuing wait. Use it when something remains incomplete at the relevant time.

한참 “한참” means “a long while” here, emphasizing that a considerable amount of time remains. In “한참 남은,” it describes a long remaining period rather than a physical object. Use it to stress that something is still far away in time or extent.

남은 “남은” means “remaining” or “left” here and describes the time still left before the turn. It comes from 남다 and modifies the following noun-like expression. Use it before a noun when describing what is still left.

것 “것” refers to the situation expressed by “제 차례가 오려면 아직 한참 남은,” allowing it to be followed by “같아요.” It helps turn the preceding description into something that seems true. Use this kind of noun-like form when giving an impression about a situation.

같아요 “같아요” means “seems” or “appears” here, so the speaker presents the long wait as an impression rather than a certain fact. It comes from 같다 and completes “것 같아요.” Use it when politely expressing an inference or impression.

곧 “곧” means “soon” here and places the need to go in the near future. It usually comes before the action or state it describes. Use it when explaining that something will happen shortly.

다른 “다른” means “another” or “different” here and modifies “곳.” It identifies a place other than the current location. Use it before a noun when referring to a different person, place, or thing.

곳 “곳” means “place” here, specifically the other place the speaker needs to go to. It can be followed by a destination marker such as “에.” Use it when referring to a location in a somewhat general way.

에 “에” marks “다른 곳” as the destination of going. In this sentence it means “to,” not “at” or “in.” Use it after a destination noun before a verb of movement such as “가야 해요.”

가야 “가야” contributes “must go” in the complete expression “가야 해요.” It comes from 가다 and combines with “해요” to express necessity. Use this construction when explaining an obligation to go somewhere.

해요 “해요” completes “가야 해요,” the polite expression meaning “need to go” or “must go.” It is the polite form of 하다, but here its meaning comes from the whole necessity construction. Use it after “가야” when politely stating that going is necessary.

계속 “계속” means “continuously” or “continue” here, describing waiting without stopping. It comes before the action it modifies, as in “계속 기다릴지.” Use it when an action or state continues over time.

기다릴지 “기다릴지” means “whether to wait” here as one option being considered. It comes from 기다리다 with a form used for an embedded choice or question. Use it before “결정하다” when deciding whether to do something.

결정하기 “결정하기” means “deciding” here and turns 결정하다 into a noun-like action before “전에.” The whole phrase “결정하기 전에” means “before deciding.” Use this form before “전에” when placing one action before another.

전에 “전에” means “before” here and follows the noun-like action “결정하기.” It marks the time before a decision is made. Use it after an action noun or another time expression when describing what happens earlier.

줄 “줄” means “line” or “queue” here. It is the subject of the embedded description about how the queue is moving. Use it when talking about waiting positions or an ordered line of people.

이 “이” marks “줄” as the subject of “움직이는지.” It shows that the queue itself is the thing whose movement is being explained. Use it after a noun ending in a consonant when that noun is the subject.

어떻게 “어떻게” means “how” here and asks about the manner or pattern of the queue’s movement. It appears before the embedded verb phrase “움직이는지.” Use it when asking for an explanation of how something happens.

움직이는지 “움직이는지” means “how it is moving” here, referring to the queue’s movement. It comes from 움직이다 with an embedded-question ending and combines with “어떻게.” Use “어떻게” with this kind of form when explaining or asking about a process.

설명해 “설명해” means “explain” as part of “설명해 드릴게요.” Here it connects the act of explaining to the helping expression that follows; it is not a command. Use it when linking 설명하다 to another polite service-oriented expression.

드릴게요 “드릴게요” means “I will do it for you” here and, with “설명해,” means “I’ll explain it to you.” “드리다” adds respectful consideration for the listener, while “-ㄹ게요” presents the speaker’s intention or promise. Use it when politely offering to do something for someone.

일정한 “일정한” means “steady” or “consistent” here and modifies “속도.” It describes a pace that does not vary. Use it before a noun when describing a regular rate, amount, or pattern.

속도 “속도” means “speed” or “pace” here, specifically the rate at which the queue is progressing. It combines with “일정한” and “로” in “일정한 속도로.” Use it when discussing how quickly an activity proceeds.

로 “로” marks “일정한 속도” as the manner or rate of movement, meaning “at a steady pace.” It follows the noun phrase describing the way an action occurs. Use it after a manner, method, or rate expression.

줄어들고 “줄어들고” means “decreasing” here, describing the queue becoming shorter as people are served. It comes from 줄어들다 and connects to “있나요” in the ongoing expression. Use it when describing a quantity or line gradually becoming smaller.

있나요 “있나요” completes “줄어들고 있나요,” a polite question asking whether the decrease is currently continuing. It expresses an ongoing state here, not ability or simple location. Use this type of question when checking whether an action is in progress.

오늘 “오늘” means “today” here and sets the time frame for the queue’s uneven pace. It is followed by the topic marker “은.” Use it when specifying the day or current time period being discussed.

은 “은” marks “오늘” as the topic, making today the period being contrasted or discussed. It does not itself mean “today.” Use it after a time expression when setting the topic of a statement.

일정하지 “일정하지” contributes “not consistent” in “일정하지 않아요.” It comes from 일정하다 and connects to the negative form “않아요.” Use it when describing a rate or pattern that does not stay regular.

않아요 “않아요” makes “일정하지” negative, so “일정하지 않아요” means “is not consistent.” It comes from 않다 and follows the form being negated. Use it in polite speech to deny or negate a state or action.

몇몇 “몇몇” means “some” or “several” here and limits the requests being discussed. It comes directly before “요청.” Use it when referring to more than one but not all members of a group.

요청 “요청” means “request” here, referring to the individual matters being handled in the queue. It is the subject of the statement about taking longer. Use it for a request made to a service, person, or organization.

예상 “예상” means “expectation” here in the comparison “예상보다 오래.” It names the expected amount of time against which the actual time is measured. Use it before “보다” when comparing an actual result with what was expected.

보다 “보다” means “than” or “compared with” here, following “예상.” It introduces the standard of comparison in “예상보다 오래 걸리고 있어요.” Use it after the thing used as the comparison point.

오래 “오래” means “for a long time” here and combines with “걸리다” to say that the requests take a long time. It describes duration rather than the age of an object. Use it with time-taking expressions when an activity lasts longer.

걸리고 “걸리고” means “taking time and” here in “오래 걸리고 있어요.” It comes from 걸리다 and connects the time-taking action to the ongoing form “있어요.” Use it when describing how long a task or process is taking.

있어요 “있어요” completes “걸리고 있어요,” showing that the requests are currently taking time. In this sentence it marks an ongoing process rather than location or ability. Use it after an action form when describing something in progress.

잠깐 “잠깐” means “briefly” or “for a moment” here and limits how long the speaker plans to leave. It commonly comes before an action. Use it when describing a short interruption or temporary absence.

자리 “자리” means “place” or “spot” here, specifically the speaker’s place in the queue. It is marked as the object of “비우면.” Use it when talking about occupying, leaving, or returning to a place.

를 “를” marks “자리” as the object of “비우면.” It shows what is being left vacant. Use it after a noun ending in a vowel when that noun receives the action.

비우면 “비우면” means “if I leave it vacant” here, referring to temporarily leaving the queue position. It comes from 비우다 with a conditional ending. Use it when stating what happens if a place, room, or position is left empty.

같은 “같은” means “the same” here and modifies “자리.” It indicates that the speaker wants to return to the original queue position. Use it before a noun when identifying something as unchanged or identical.

돌아올 “돌아올” means “come back” here and appears before “수” in “돌아올 수 있나요.” It comes from 돌아오다 in the form used for possibility or ability. Use it when asking whether someone can return to a place.

수 “수” expresses ability or possibility in the construction “돌아올 수 있나요,” meaning “can I come back?” It is a bound noun that follows an action form. Use it with “있다” or a question form when asking whether an action is possible.

가까이 “가까이” means “close” or “nearby” here and describes where the person must remain relative to the line. It functions as an adverb with “있어야만.” Use it when telling someone to stay near a person, place, or object.

있어야 “있어야” means “must stay” or “must be” in “가까이 있어야만.” It comes from 있다 with a form expressing a necessary condition. Use it when being or remaining in a certain state is required.

만 “만” means “only” here and emphasizes that staying close is the necessary condition for keeping the place. It attaches to “있어야” in “있어야만.” Use it to limit the condition under which something is possible.

지킬 “지킬” means “keep” or “maintain” here, specifically keeping one’s place in the queue. It comes from 지키다 and appears before “수” in the possibility construction. Use it when referring to preserving a place, rule, promise, or condition.

그럼 “그럼” means “then” or “in that case” here and introduces the speaker’s conclusion from the previous information. It connects a condition or explanation to the next decision. Use it when responding to information and drawing a practical consequence.

일 “일” means “matter” or “task” here, referring to the service-related matter that may be postponed. It is marked as the object of “미뤄도.” Use it for a matter, task, or piece of business under discussion.

을 “을” marks “일” as the object of “미뤄도.” It shows what may be postponed. Use it after a noun ending in a consonant when that noun receives the action.

미뤄도 “미뤄도” means “even if it is postponed” here, within “미뤄도 될지,” asking whether postponing the matter would be acceptable. It comes from 미루다 with a concessive form. Use it when considering whether delaying an action is acceptable.

될지 “될지” means “whether it will be okay” here and completes the question about postponing the matter. It comes from 되다 with an embedded-choice ending. Use it in a pattern such as deciding whether an action will be acceptable.

결정해야겠어요 “결정해야겠어요” means “I need to decide” here, expressing the speaker’s conclusion that a decision is necessary. It combines 결정하다 with a form showing necessity and the speaker’s realization. Use it when stating that you have concluded that a decision or action must be made.

서비스 “서비스” means “service” here, referring to the service the speaker is waiting to receive. It is the topic of the condition about importance. Use it when discussing a service offered by a business or organization.

중요하다면 “중요하다면” means “if it is important” here and introduces the condition for choosing to stay nearby. It comes from 중요하다 with a conditional form. Use it after a noun when explaining what to do if that thing matters.

있는 “있는” means “being” or “staying” here in “가까이 있는 게,” referring to remaining nearby. It comes from 있다 and modifies the noun-like expression that follows. Use it when describing a person or thing that is in a particular place or state.

게 “게” turns “가까이 있는” into the option or fact being evaluated in “가까이 있는 게 더 안전한 선택이에요.” It is the conversational form of 것이 in this construction. Use it when presenting an action or state as a choice or subject of evaluation.

더 “더” means “more” here and makes the choice comparatively safer than another option. It comes before “안전한.” Use it when comparing the degree of a quality or describing an increased amount.

안전한 “안전한” means “safe” or, with “더,” “safer” here and modifies “선택.” It comes from 안전하다 and describes the recommended option. Use it before a noun when evaluating an option as involving less risk.

선택 “선택” means “choice” here, referring to the decision to stay close. It is the noun described as safer. Use it when comparing or discussing possible actions.

이에요 “이에요” is the polite form of “is” after “선택,” so the phrase means that staying close is the safer choice. It connects the subject-like option to the noun “선택.” Use it after a noun ending in a consonant in a polite identification or evaluation.

사람 “사람” means “person” here and refers to the other person waiting for an explanation. It appears in “다른 사람에게.” Use it when referring to an individual without specifying a name or role.

에게 “에게” means “to” here and marks the person who receives the message. It follows “다른 사람” in “다른 사람에게 메시지를 보내서.” Use it after a person or animate recipient when indicating who receives an action.

메시지 “메시지” means “message” here, the communication the speaker can send to the other person. It is marked as the object of 보내다. Use it when referring to a written or electronic message.

보내서 “보내서” means “by sending” or “sending and then” here, connecting sending a message with explaining the delay. It comes from 보내다 with a connecting form. Use it when one action leads into or accompanies the next action.

지연 “지연” means “delay” here, referring to the speaker’s lateness caused by waiting. It appears in the topic phrase “지연에 대해.” Use it when explaining that an expected action or arrival is later than planned.

대해 “대해” means “about” or “concerning” here as part of “지연에 대해,” meaning “about the delay.” It is used after “에” to introduce the topic of an explanation. Use the pattern “noun에 대해 설명하다” when explaining a subject.

설명할 “설명할” means “explain” in the ability construction “설명할 수 있어요.” It comes from 설명하다 in the form used before “수.” Use it when saying that someone can or is able to explain something.

그러면 “그러면” means “then” or “in that case” here and introduces the expected result of sending the message. It links the proposed action to what it should accomplish. Use it when drawing a consequence from a preceding condition or action.

그 “그” means “that” or “the” here and modifies “사람,” referring back to the other person already mentioned. It identifies a particular person from the context. Use it before a noun when the listener can identify the person or thing being referred to.

내가 “내가” means “I” as the subject of the embedded clause “내가 왜 늦고 있는지.” It is the subject-marked form of 나. Use it when identifying yourself as the person performing or experiencing the action inside a clause.

왜 “왜” means “why” here and asks for the reason for the speaker’s current lateness. It appears before the embedded clause about being late. Use it when asking or explaining the reason for an action or situation.

늦고 “늦고” means “being late and” here and connects the state of being late to “있는지.” It comes from 늦다 with a connecting form, creating the ongoing expression “늦고 있는지.” Use it when linking a state to another part of an embedded clause.

있는지 “있는지” helps form the embedded question about whether or how the speaker is currently being late in “왜 늦고 있는지.” It comes from 있다 with an embedded-question ending and works with the preceding action or state. Use it when embedding a question about an ongoing situation in a verb such as 이해하다.

이해하는 “이해하는” means “understanding” here and modifies “데” in the expression about helping someone understand the reason. It comes from 이해하다 in a form that describes an ongoing or general action. Use it before “데 도움이 되다” when describing what something helps with.

데 “데” makes “이해하는 데” mean “in understanding” or “for understanding” here. The whole expression “이해하는 데 도움이 되다” means “help with understanding,” so this meaning belongs to the construction rather than to “데” alone. Use it after an action description when explaining what an action helps with.

도움 “도움” means “help” here in “도움이 될 거예요,” meaning that the message will be helpful. It is followed by the subject marker and 되다. Use the pattern “도움이 되다” when saying that something helps.

될 “될” means “will be” here as part of “도움이 될 거예요,” meaning “will be helpful.” It comes from 되다 in the future form before “거예요.” Use it when describing what something is expected to become or be in the future.

거예요 “거예요” completes the future-expectation expression “될 거예요,” meaning “will be” or “is expected to be.” It presents the helpful result as a prediction or expectation. Use it after a future-form verb when politely stating what is likely to happen.

Grammar Points

V-는지

줄이 어떻게 움직이는지 설명해 드릴게요.

JOO-ree uh-TTUH-keh oom-JIK-ee-neun-JEE suhL-myuhng-heh duh-RIL-geh-YOH.

I’ll explain how the line is moving.

-는지 marks an indirect question, meaning “whether” or “how.” It connects a question clause to another verb.

V-기 전에

계속 기다릴지 결정하기 전에 확인해 보세요.

GYEH-sohk kee-DAH-ril-JJEE gyuhl-JJUHNG-ha-gee juhn-eh HWA-geen-heh boh-SEH-yoh.

Check before deciding whether to keep waiting.

-기 전에 means “before doing something.” The verb before 전에 is changed to its nominal form with -기.

Korean Vocabulary

결정하기 전에 phrase

gyuhl-JJUHNG-ha-gee juhn-eh before deciding

계속 기다릴지 phrase

GYEH-sohk kee-DAH-ril-JJEE whether to keep waiting

곧 adv

GOHT soon

다른 곳 phrase

DAH-reun GOHT somewhere else

몇몇 요청 phrase

MYUHN-myuhT yoh-CHUHNG some requests

설명해 드릴게요 phrase

suhL-myuhng-heh duh-RIL-geh-YOH I will explain it to you

움직이는지 phrase

oom-JIK-ee-neun-JEE how it is moving; whether it is moving

일정하지 않아요 phrase

il-JJUHNG-ha-jee ah-NAH-yoh is not steady; is uneven

일정한 속도 phrase

il-JJUHNG-han SOHK-doh steady pace

줄 noun

JOOL line; queue

차례 noun

CHA-ryeh turn

한참 adv

HAN-cham a long while; quite a way

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I need to be somewhere else soon.

Show Answer

곧 다른 곳에 가야 해요.

Is it moving at a steady pace?

Show Answer

일정한 속도로 줄어들고 있나요?

Then I need to decide whether this can wait.

Show Answer

그럼 이 일을 미뤄도 될지 결정해야겠어요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

how it is moving; whether it is moving

Show Answer

움직이는지

turn

Show Answer

차례

a long while; quite a way

Show Answer

한참