Choosing whether to keep waiting | Learn Korean in English

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Dialogue

실례합니다. 이 줄이 계속 천천히 줄어들고 있네요.

ik-SKYOOZ mee, ee joo-ree gyeh-SOK chun-CHUN-hee joo-ruh-deul-go in-neh-yo. Excuse me, this line has been moving slowly.

계속 기다릴 만한지 결정하려고 하시는 건가요?

gyeh-SOK gee-DAH-reel man-HAN-jee gyeol-JJUNG-ha-ryuh-go ha-SHEE-neun GUN-ga-yo? Are you trying to decide whether it is worth staying?

네, 맞아요. 서비스 데스크 업무가 밀리고 있는지 아세요?

neh, ma-JA-yo. suh-BEE-suh DEH-seu-ku UHM-moo-ga MEEL-lee-go in-neun-jee ah-SEH-yo? I am. Do you know if the service desk is running behind?

더 신경 써서 처리해야 하는 요청이 몇 건 있어서 줄이 천천히 줄어들고 있어요.

duh shin-GYUNG SSOH-suh chuh-REE-hae-ya hah-neun yo-CHEONG-ee myut-KKUN ee-SUH-suh joo-ree chun-CHUN-hee joo-ruh-deul-go ee-SUH-yo. Several requests need extra attention, so the line is moving slowly.

저는 여기서 더 오래 기다릴 수 없어요.

juh-neun yuh-GEE-suh duh OH-reh gee-DAH-reel soo up-SSUH-yo. I cannot stay here much longer.

계속 기다리셔도 되고, 데스크에 요청을 남기셔도 돼요.

gyeh-SOK gee-dah-ree-SHYUH-do DWEH-go, DEH-seu-keh yo-CHEONG-eul nam-gee-SHYUH-do DWEH-yo. You can keep waiting, or leave your request at the desk.

나중에 누군가 검토해 줄 수 있다면 요청을 남기는 게 도움이 되겠네요.

nah-JOONG-eh noo-GOON-gah gum-TOH-hae jool soo it-tta-myun yo-CHEONG-eul nam-gee-neun geh do-oo-MEE dweh-GEN-neh-yo. Leaving the request would help if someone can review it later.

데스크에서 새로운 소식이 있으면 연락해 드릴 수 있어요.

DEH-seu-keh-suh SAE-roh-oon SOH-shik-ee ee-SSEU-myun yuhl-LAK-hae deu-REEL soo ee-SUH-yo. The desk can contact you when they have an update.

이제 선택이 분명해졌어요.

ee-JEH sun-TAE-gee boon-MYUNG-hae-JYUH-suh-yo. That gives me a clear choice.

그렇다면 다음 일정이 기다려 주지 않는다면 요청을 남기는 게 더 좋을 수도 있겠네요.

guh-ruh-TAH-myun DAE-um eel-JUNG-ee gee-dah-RYUH joo-JEE AHN-neun-dah-myun yo-CHEONG-eul nam-gee-neun geh duh JOH-eul soo-do ee-KKEN-neh-yo. Then leaving it may be better if your next commitment cannot wait.

Word by Word

실례합니다 “실례합니다” means “excuse me” and politely gets someone’s attention before asking a question. Use it when approaching a stranger or service worker.

이 In “이 줄이”, “이” means “this” and identifies the line near the speaker. It is used directly before a noun to point out a nearby person or thing.

줄이 In “이 줄이”, “줄이” means “the line” and marks the line as the subject of the sentence. Use “줄이” when describing what a queue is doing.

계속 “계속” means “continuously” or “still” here, showing that the line keeps getting shorter. It commonly comes before a verb to describe an action that continues.

천천히 “천천히” means “slowly” and describes the speed at which the line is getting shorter. Use it before an action when something happens at a slow pace.

줄어들고 In “줄어들고 있어요”, “줄어들고” means “getting shorter” and links that change to the following form. It is useful for describing a quantity, distance, or line that is becoming smaller.

있네요 In “줄어들고 있네요”, “있네요” completes the expression for an ongoing situation and shows that the speaker notices it. Use this kind of ending when recognizing or commenting on something happening now.

기다릴 In “기다릴 만한지”, “기다릴” is the form of “기다리다” used before the expression asking whether waiting is worthwhile. Use this form before “만하다” to evaluate an action.

만한지 In “기다릴 만한지”, “만한지” asks whether the preceding action is worth doing. This pattern is useful when deciding whether an activity is worthwhile.

결정하려고 In “결정하려고 하시는 건가요”, “결정하려고” means “trying or intending to decide” and connects that purpose to what follows. Use “-려고” after an action when explaining an intention.

하시는 In “결정하려고 하시는 건가요”, “하시는” respectfully refers to the listener’s doing or trying to do something. It is used in polite questions about another person’s action or intention.

건가요 In “결정하려고 하시는 건가요”, “건가요” turns the preceding description into a polite confirmation question. Use it when checking whether your understanding of someone’s situation is correct.

네 “네” means “yes” and confirms the other person’s question. Use it as a polite affirmative response in conversation.

맞아요 “맞아요” means “that is right” and confirms that the other person’s understanding is correct. Use it after a question or statement when agreeing with it.

서비스 In “서비스 데스크”, “서비스” means “service” and describes the function of the desk. It is commonly placed before another noun to specify the type of service or facility.

데스크 In “서비스 데스크”, “데스크” means “desk” or “service counter”. Use it when referring to a counter where people ask for help or information.

업무가 In “업무가 밀리고 있는지”, “업무가” means “the work” or “the service work” and marks it as the subject that may be behind schedule. Use it when describing the status of work or operations.

밀리고 In “업무가 밀리고 있는지”, “밀리고” means “falling behind” or “being delayed” and links to the ongoing form. Use it for work, requests, or tasks that are accumulating because they are not being handled on time.

있는지 In “밀리고 있는지”, “있는지” completes an indirect question about whether the situation is occurring. Use “-는지” when asking or reporting whether something is true.

아세요 “아세요” politely asks “do you know?” about information relevant to the situation. A common reuse pattern is asking someone whether they know if a situation is happening.

더 In “더 오래”, “더” means “more” or “any further” and increases the duration. Use it before a time expression when something continues beyond the current amount.

신경 In “신경 써서”, “신경” contributes the meaning of attention or care given to handling the requests. The common pattern “신경 쓰다” is used when taking care or paying attention to something.

써서 In “신경 써서 처리해야 하는”, “써서” links putting in attention to the handling that follows. Use this connected form when one action leads into or accompanies another action.

처리해야 In “처리해야 하는 요청”, “처리해야” means “need to handle or process” and expresses necessity before the noun it describes. Use it before a noun when that noun requires an action to be done.

하는 In “처리해야 하는 요청”, “하는” completes the description of requests that require handling. It is used after an action phrase to modify a following noun.

요청이 In “요청이 몇 건 있어서”, “요청이” means “requests” and marks them as the subject of the clause. Use it when stating that requests exist or are causing a situation.

몇 In “몇 건”, “몇” means “several” or “an unspecified number of”. Use it before a counting word when the exact number is not given.

건 In “몇 건”, “건” counts individual cases or requests. Use it with work items, cases, or requests when referring to them as separate matters.

있어서 In “요청이 몇 건 있어서”, “있어서” means “because there are” and gives the reason for the line moving slowly. Use this connected form after stating an existing cause or circumstance.

있어요 In “줄어들고 있어요”, “있어요” completes the polite expression for an action that is currently continuing. Use it after an action form when describing something in progress.

저는 “저는” means “I” or “as for me” and sets the speaker as the topic of the statement. Use it when contrasting or explaining your own situation or limitation.

여기서 In “여기서 더 오래”, “여기서” means “here” and locates the speaker’s waiting at the current place. Use it before an action to identify where that action takes place.

오래 In “더 오래 기다릴 수 없어요”, “오래” means “for a long time” and describes the duration of waiting. Use it with an action when talking about how long something continues.

수 In “기다릴 수 없어요”, “수” is the possibility or ability slot in the expression for being unable to wait. Use the pattern “동사-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다” to express whether an action is possible.

없어요 In “기다릴 수 없어요”, “없어요” says that the possibility of waiting is not available, so the speaker cannot wait. Use it after “수” to express inability or impossibility.

기다리셔도 In “기다리셔도 되고”, “기다리셔도” respectfully refers to the listener waiting and presents it as an allowed option. The pattern “동사-아/어도 되다” is used to give permission.

되고 In “기다리셔도 되고”, “되고” connects the first permitted option to another option that follows. Use it to link alternatives when both actions are acceptable.

데스크에 In “데스크에 요청을 남기셔도 돼요”, “데스크에” means “at or to the desk” and marks where the request is left. Use “장소에” with an action that directs something to or places something at a location.

요청을 In “요청을 남기셔도 돼요”, “요청을” means “the request” and marks it as the object being left. Use it when identifying the request, message, or matter that someone submits.

남기셔도 In “요청을 남기셔도 돼요”, “남기셔도” respectfully describes the listener leaving the request and presents that action as permitted. Use this form in a polite permission option with “돼요”.

돼요 In “남기셔도 돼요”, “돼요” means “it is okay” or “you may” and gives permission for the preceding action. The pattern “동사-아/어도 돼요” is commonly used to say that an action is allowed.

나중에 “나중에” means “later” and places the review at a later time. Use it before an action when the action will happen after the current situation.

누군가 “누군가” means “someone” without identifying the person. Use it when an unspecified person may perform an action.

검토해 In “검토해 줄 수 있다면”, “검토해” means “review” and links the review to the following expression. Use it when referring to someone examining a request, document, or issue.

줄 In “검토해 줄 수 있다면”, “줄” shows that the review will be done for someone’s benefit. The pattern “동사-아/어 주다” is used when an action is performed as a favor or service for another person.

있다면 In “검토해 줄 수 있다면”, “있다면” sets the condition that the review is possible. Use the pattern “동사-(으)ㄹ 수 있다면” when saying “if someone can do something”.

남기는 In “요청을 남기는 게”, “남기는” turns the action of leaving the request into a description of the action being discussed. Use this form before a noun-like expression when referring to an action as an idea or choice.

게 In “남기는 게 도움이 되겠네요”, “게” makes the act of leaving the request function as the subject of the following statement. Use it after an action phrase when saying that doing that action is helpful, necessary, or useful.

도움이 In “도움이 되겠네요”, “도움이” means “help” and identifies the result that the action may provide. The common pattern “도움이 되다” means that something is helpful.

되겠네요 In “도움이 되겠네요”, “되겠네요” expresses the speaker’s conclusion that something would be helpful. Use this kind of ending when making a tentative but positive assessment based on the situation.

데스크에서 In “데스크에서 새로운 소식이 있으면”, “데스크에서” presents the desk as the place or service source from which an update may come. Use “장소나 기관에서” when describing where information or an action comes from.

새로운 In “새로운 소식”, “새로운” means “new” and describes an update that was not previously available. Use it directly before a noun when identifying something newly received or changed.

소식이 In “새로운 소식이 있으면”, “소식이” means “news” or “an update” and marks it as something that may exist or arrive. Use it when referring to information about a request or situation.

있으면 In “소식이 있으면”, “있으면” means “when or if there is” and sets the condition for contacting the listener. Use “명사이/가 있으면” when an action should happen if something becomes available.

연락해 In “연락해 드릴 수 있어요”, “연락해” means “contact” and links the contact action to the service expression that follows. Use it when saying that someone will get in touch with another person.

드릴 In “연락해 드릴 수 있어요”, “드릴” presents contacting as a service done for the listener. Use the pattern “동사-아/어 드리다” when politely describing an action performed for someone.

이제 “이제” means “now” or “at this point” and marks a change from uncertainty to a clear decision. Use it when a situation or understanding has changed by the present moment.

선택이 In “선택이 분명해졌어요”, “선택이” means “the choice” and marks it as the subject that became clear. Use it when describing which option is available or being chosen.

분명해졌어요 In “선택이 분명해졌어요”, “분명해졌어요” means “became clear” and reports a change in the speaker’s understanding. Use it when an answer, choice, or situation has become easier to understand.

그렇다면 “그렇다면” means “then” or “if that is the case” and draws a conclusion from what was just said. Use it before a recommendation or result that follows from the previous information.

다음 In “다음 일정”, “다음” means “next” and identifies the schedule that comes after the current activity. Use it before a noun to refer to the next event, plan, or appointment.

일정이 In “다음 일정이 기다려 주지 않는다면”, “일정이” means “the schedule” and marks the next schedule as the subject of the condition. Use it when discussing whether a planned event allows enough time.

기다려 In “일정이 기다려 주지 않는다면”, “기다려” is the waiting action linked to “주다”; the schedule is described as not waiting for the speaker. The pattern “기다려 주다” is used when someone waits as a favor for another person.

주지 In “기다려 주지 않는다면”, “주지” shows that the waiting would be done for the speaker, while the following negative form says it does not happen. Use “동사-아/어 주다” when an action benefits someone.

않는다면 In “기다려 주지 않는다면”, “않는다면” means “if it does not” and creates a negative condition. Use “동사-지 않는다면” when describing what should happen if an action or situation does not occur.

좋을 In “좋을 수도 있겠네요”, “좋을” means “be better” and describes the possible assessment that follows. Use this form before a possibility expression when evaluating one option.

수도 In “좋을 수도 있겠네요”, “수도” marks the possibility that leaving the request may be better. Use the pattern “동사-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다” to say that something may happen or may be the case.

있겠네요 In “좋을 수도 있겠네요”, “있겠네요” completes a tentative conclusion about what may be possible. Use it with a possibility expression when making a cautious judgment from the situation.

Grammar Points

V-셔도 되고, V-셔도 돼요

기다리셔도 되고, 남기셔도 돼요.

gee-dah-ree-SHYUH-do DWEH-go, nam-gee-SHYUH-do DWEH-yo.

You can keep waiting, or you may leave.

This honorific pattern gives polite permission and presents two possible choices.

V-지 않는다면

기다려 주지 않는다면

gee-dah-RYUH joo-JEE AHN-neun-dah-myun

If it cannot wait

This conditional form means “if something does not happen” and introduces a possible condition.

Korean Vocabulary

결정하려고 verb

gyeol-JJUNG-ha-ryuh-go trying to decide

계속 기다릴 만한지 결정하려고 하시는 건가요?

계속 adv

gyeh-SOK continuously; keep

이 줄이 계속 천천히 줄어들고 있네요.

기다릴 만한지 phrase

gee-DAH-reel man-HAN-jee whether it is worth waiting

계속 기다릴 만한지 결정하려고 하시는 건가요?

밀리고 verb

MEEL-lee-go falling behind; being delayed

서비스 데스크 업무가 밀리고 있는지 아세요?

서비스 데스크 noun

suh-BEE-suh DEH-seu-ku service desk

서비스 데스크 업무가 밀리고 있는지 아세요?

신경 써서 phrase

shin-GYUNG SSOH-suh with extra attention; by taking care

더 신경 써서 처리해야 하는 요청이 몇 건 있어서 줄이 천천히 줄어들고 있어요.

실례합니다 intj

shil-lyeh-HAM-nee-dah excuse me

실례합니다. 이 줄이 계속 천천히 줄어들고 있네요.

업무 noun

UHM-moo work; operations

서비스 데스크 업무가 밀리고 있는지 아세요?

요청 noun

yo-CHEONG request

더 신경 써서 처리해야 하는 요청이 몇 건 있어서 줄이 천천히 줄어들고 있어요.

줄 noun

jool line; queue

이 줄이 계속 천천히 줄어들고 있네요.

처리해야 verb

chuh-REE-hae-ya need to handle; must process

더 신경 써서 처리해야 하는 요청이 몇 건 있어서 줄이 천천히 줄어들고 있어요.

천천히 adv

chun-CHUN-hee slowly

이 줄이 계속 천천히 줄어들고 있네요.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Are you trying to decide whether it is worth staying?

Show Answer

계속 기다릴 만한지 결정하려고 하시는 건가요?

That gives me a clear choice.

Show Answer

이제 선택이 분명해졌어요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

trying to decide

Show Answer

결정하려고

excuse me

Show Answer

실례합니다

need to handle; must process

Show Answer

처리해야

work; operations

Show Answer

업무