Letting Someone with a Baby Go First | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a public line, one person offers to let someone managing a baby and stroller go ahead..

EN → KO / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Letting Someone with a Baby Go First to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

실례합니다, 아기와 유모차를 데리고 이 줄에서 기다리기 힘드시겠어요.

shil-LYEH-ham-nee-DAH, ah-gee-wah yoo-moh-CHAH-rul deh-REE-goh ee JOO-reh-suh gee-dah-REE-gee him-deu-SHEE-get-suh-YOH. Excuse me, this line must be hard to manage with a baby and a stroller.
B

조금 힘들었어요.

joh-GOOM him-deu-ROSS-uh-YOH. It has been tricky.
B

저는 저희가 기다리는 동안 유모차를 가만히 두고 아기를 진정시키려고 하고 있어요.

juh-nun juh-HEE-gah gee-dah-REE-nun doh-AHN yoo-moh-CHAH-rul gah-MAN-hee doo-GOH ah-GEE-rul jin-jung-SHEE-kee-ryuh-goh hah-goh ee-SUH-YOH. I am trying to keep the stroller still and the baby calm while we wait.
A

저보다 먼저 가시겠어요?

juh-BOH-dah MUN-juh gah-SHEE-get-suh-YOH? Would you like to go before me?
B

정말 배려해 주시네요. 정말 괜찮으세요?

jung-MAHL beh-RYUH-heh joo-shee-NEH-yoh. jung-MAHL gwen-CHAH-nuh-SEH-yoh? That is very considerate. Are you sure?
A

네, 정말 괜찮아요.

neh, jung-MAHL gwen-CHAH-nah-YOH. I am sure.
A

저는 급하지 않아요.

juh-nun geu-PAH-jee ah-NAH-YOH. I am not in a hurry.
A

지금 많이 힘들어 보여요.

jee-GOOM MAH-nee him-DEU-ruh BOH-yuh-YOH. This looks hard to manage.
B

그러면 정말 큰 도움이 될 거예요.

guh-ruh-MYUN jung-MAHL keun DOH-oo-mee doel-GGUH-yeh-YOH. That would make a real difference.
A

저는 조금만 더 기다리면 돼요.

juh-nun joh-geum-MAN duh gee-dah-REE-myun DWEH-yoh. It will only add a short wait for me.
B

아기가 더 보채기 전에 저희가 먼저 가면 도움이 될 거예요.

ah-GEE-gah duh boh-CHEH-gee juh-NEH juh-HEE-gah MUN-juh gah-MYUN DOH-oo-mee doel-GGUH-yeh-YOH. Going ahead of you would help us before the baby gets more restless.
A

저도 누군가가 저에게 같은 도움을 주면 좋겠어요.

juh-DOH noo-GOON-gah-gah juh-EH-geh GAH-teun doh-OO-mul joo-MYUN joh-KEHSS-uh-YOH. I would hope someone would offer the same help to me.
B

정말 감사해요. 이렇게 하니 기다리는 동안 스트레스가 훨씬 덜해요.

jung-MAHL gam-SAH-heh-YOH. ee-ruh-KEH hah-nee gee-dah-REE-nun doh-AHN suh-teu-REH-suh-gah HWEOL-SSHIN deol-HEH-YOH. I appreciate it. This makes the wait much less stressful.

Word by Word

실례합니다 “실례합니다” means “Excuse me” here and politely gets the other person’s attention before speaking. Use it to begin a polite question or interruption with a stranger.
아기와 “아기와” means “with the baby” in this sentence, describing who is being brought along. The ending 와 connects 아기 to the following situation; use it after a noun ending in a vowel when listing or accompanying something.
유모차를 “유모차를” means “the stroller” as the object being kept still. The ending 를 marks 유모차 as the object of an action; use it after a noun ending in a vowel when that noun receives the action.
데리고 “데리고” means bringing or taking a person along, here in “아기와 유모차를 데리고.” It comes from 데리다 and connects this accompanying action to the next part; use it with people or animals, such as in a new example, 아이를 데리고 가요.
이 “이” means “this” and points to the particular line nearby. It comes directly before the noun it describes, as in “이 줄.”
줄에서 “줄에서” means “in the line” and marks the place where the waiting happens. The ending 에서 marks the location of an action; use it with places where an activity occurs.
기다리기 “기다리기” means “waiting” in “기다리기 힘드시겠어요,” presenting the action of waiting as something that can be difficult. It is the verb 기다리다 used in a nominalized form; use this pattern before expressions such as 힘들다 when describing an activity.
힘드시겠어요 “힘드시겠어요” means “it must be difficult for you” and politely expresses a considerate guess about the other person’s situation. The form includes respectful speech toward the listener; use it when acknowledging that someone may be having a hard time.
조금 “조금” means “a little” in “조금 힘들었어요,” softening the statement that it was difficult. Use it before an adjective or verb when describing a small degree or amount.
힘들었어요 “힘들었어요” means “was difficult” or “was hard” in response to the question about managing the line. It describes the difficulty experienced up to that point; use it to report that an activity or situation was hard.
저는 “저는” means “as for me” or “I” and sets the speaker as the topic in “저는 ... 하고 있어요.” The ending 는 marks the topic; use it when contrasting or introducing what you personally are doing.
저희가 “저희가” means “we” or “our group” as the subject of waiting and going ahead. The ending 가 marks the subject; 저희 is a humble way to refer to the speaker’s group in relation to others.
기다리는 “기다리는” means “waiting” in “기다리는 동안,” describing the waiting that is taking place. It is the form of 기다리다 used before a noun; use it before nouns such as 동안 to describe an ongoing activity.
동안 “동안” means “during” or “while” in “기다리는 동안,” indicating the time when the stroller is kept still and the baby is calmed. Use it after a noun or a verb form to mark a period of time.
가만히 “가만히” means “still” or “quietly” and describes keeping the stroller from moving. Use it before an action to show that something remains still or is done without movement.
두고 “두고” means “leaving or keeping” in “유모차를 가만히 두고,” connecting the act of keeping the stroller still to the next action. It is the form of 두다 used to connect actions; use it when one action is done while maintaining a condition.
아기를 “아기를” means “the baby” as the object being calmed. The ending 를 marks 아기 as the object of the action; use it after a noun ending in a vowel when that noun receives the action.
진정시키려고 “진정시키려고” means “trying to calm” the baby in this dialogue. It expresses the purpose or intention of the action and comes before “하고 있어요” in the ongoing expression; use it when explaining what you are trying to do.
하고 “하고” is part of “진정시키려고 하고 있어요,” meaning that the speaker is engaged in trying to calm the baby. It connects the intention expressed by 진정시키려고 to the ongoing form; use this construction for an action or effort currently in progress.
있어요 “있어요” completes “하고 있어요,” showing that the speaker is currently carrying out or maintaining the described effort. Use it after a verb ending in 고 to describe an ongoing action.
저보다 “저보다” means “before me” in the line-order context, as in “저보다 먼저 가시겠어요?” The ending 보다 marks the person used for comparison; use it with 먼저 when comparing who goes first.
먼저 “먼저” means “first” or “ahead” and indicates that the other person may go before the speaker. Use it for order or priority, such as in a new example, 먼저 하세요.
가시겠어요 “가시겠어요” politely asks whether the listener would like to go, with respectful wording for the listener. It is used here as an offer to let someone proceed first; use it for a courteous question about another person’s possible action.
정말 “정말” means “really” and emphasizes the speaker’s appreciation or question in the two lines where it appears. Use it before an adjective, verb, or expression when stressing sincerity or degree.
배려해 “배려해” means “showing consideration” in “배려해 주시네요,” referring to the helpful offer. It comes from 배려하다 and connects to 주시네요; use it when describing considerate treatment of another person.
주시네요 “주시네요” expresses appreciative recognition that someone kindly does something for the speaker. In “배려해 주시네요,” 주다 adds the sense of doing something as a favor, and 네요 shows the speaker’s observed reaction; use this polite pattern when acknowledging someone’s kindness.
괜찮으세요 “괜찮으세요” means “Are you okay?” or “Are you sure?” here, checking whether the offer is genuinely acceptable for the other person. The respectful form is appropriate when speaking politely to a stranger; use it to check someone’s condition or willingness.
네 “네” means “yes” and confirms that the offer is acceptable. Use it as a polite affirmative response before adding an explanation or reassurance.
괜찮아요 “괜찮아요” means “it is okay” in the reassurance “네, 정말 괜찮아요.” Use it to reassure someone that there is no problem or that an action is acceptable.
급하지 “급하지” contributes the meaning “being in a hurry” in the negative expression “급하지 않아요.” It is the form used before 않아요; use this pattern when saying that someone is not pressed for time.
않아요 “않아요” makes the preceding expression negative, so “급하지 않아요” means “I am not in a hurry.” Use it after a verb or adjective expression when politely saying that the action or quality does not apply.
지금 “지금” means “now” and points to the current situation in “지금 많이 힘들어 보여요.” Use it to specify that something is happening or appears true at the present time.
많이 “많이” means “a lot” or “very” and intensifies how difficult the situation appears. Use it before a verb or adjective when indicating a large degree or amount.
힘들어 “힘들어” means “difficult” or “hard” in the description of the current situation. It is the form used before 보여요 in “힘들어 보여요”; use this pattern to say that something appears difficult.
보여요 “보여요” means “looks” or “seems” and indicates how the situation appears to the speaker. Use it after an adjective or descriptive expression to comment on someone’s apparent condition, as in “힘들어 보여요.”
그러면 “그러면” means “then” or “in that case,” referring to the proposed arrangement of going ahead. Use it at the beginning of a response when drawing a consequence from what was just said.
큰 “큰” means “big” or “great” in “큰 도움이,” emphasizing that the help would matter a lot. It is the form of 크다 used before a noun; use it before nouns when describing something as large or significant.
도움이 “도움이” means “help” as the subject of “도움이 될 거예요,” saying that the offer will be helpful. The ending 이 marks 도움 as the subject; use the pattern 도움이 되다 for something that provides help.
될 “될” means “will be” or “will become” in “도움이 될 거예요,” describing the expected result of the offer. It is the form of 되다 used before 거예요; use it when saying that something is expected to become or serve as something.
거예요 “거예요” expresses an expected or future result in “도움이 될 거예요.” Together with the preceding form, it gives the meaning “will be helpful”; use it after a verb form when making a polite prediction or statement about what is expected.
조금만 “조금만” means “just a little” in “조금만 더 기다리면 돼요,” limiting the amount of additional waiting. The ending 만 means “only” or “just”; use it after an amount when emphasizing that the amount is small or limited.
더 “더” means “more” and refers to additional waiting in “조금만 더 기다리면 돼요.” Use it before an action or amount when indicating an increase or continuation beyond what has already happened.
기다리면 “기다리면” means “if or when [I] wait,” and in this sentence introduces the condition that only a little more waiting is necessary. It is 기다리다 with the conditional ending 면; use it before a result expressed with 돼요 or another consequence.
돼요 “돼요” means “is enough” or “is all that is needed” in “기다리면 돼요.” This construction tells someone what is sufficient to do; use it after an action to say that doing that action is enough.
아기가 “아기가” means “the baby” as the subject that may become more fussy. The ending 가 marks 아기 as the subject; use it after a noun ending in a vowel when that noun performs or undergoes the described change.
보채기 “보채기” refers to the baby becoming fussy or restless in “더 보채기 전에.” It is the verb 보채다 used before 전에; use it when describing a child’s fussing, especially as a point in time to avoid or anticipate.
전에 “전에” means “before” and sets the time limit “before the baby gets more fussy.” Use it after a verb form or noun to identify an earlier time or action.
가면 “가면” means “if [we] go” in the condition “먼저 가면 도움이 될 거예요.” It is 가다 with the conditional ending 면; use it before a result when explaining what will happen if someone goes or does something.
저도 “저도” means “I also” or “me too” and connects the speaker’s hope to the help being offered to the other person. The ending 도 means “also”; use it after a person or pronoun when adding that person to the same situation.
누군가가 “누군가가” means “someone” as the person who might offer help. The ending 가 marks someone as the subject; use it when referring to an unspecified person performing an action.
저에게 “저에게” means “to me” and identifies the recipient of the help. The ending 에게 marks a person who receives something or is affected by an action; use it with verbs such as 주다 when naming the recipient.
같은 “같은” means “the same” in “같은 도움,” referring to help of the same kind as the offer in this conversation. It is used before a noun; use it when comparing the identity or kind of one thing with another.
도움을 “도움을” means “help” as the object someone may give to the speaker. The ending 을 marks 도움 as the object; use the expression 도움을 주다 when saying that someone gives help.
주면 “주면” means “if someone gives” in “도움을 주면 좋겠어요.” It is 주다 with the conditional ending 면 and introduces the hoped-for condition; use it after an action when expressing what would be good if it happened.
좋겠어요 “좋겠어요” means “it would be good” and expresses the speaker’s hope that someone would offer the same help. Use it after a condition such as “도움을 주면” to politely state a wish or desirable outcome.
감사해요 “감사해요” means “Thank you” or “I appreciate it,” directly acknowledging the other person’s offer. Use it as a polite expression of gratitude after receiving help or consideration.
이렇게 “이렇게” means “like this” or “this way” and refers to handling the wait by allowing the speaker to go ahead. Use it before an action or result when pointing to the manner in which something is done.
하니 “하니” means “doing so” or “when doing this” in “이렇게 하니,” linking the action to its result: the wait becomes less stressful. It is used here to introduce an observed consequence; use it after an action when explaining what happens as a result.
스트레스가 “스트레스가” means “stress” as the subject of “덜해요,” describing the amount of stress that has decreased. The ending 가 marks 스트레스 as the subject; use it when stating how stress changes.
훨씬 “훨씬” means “much” or “far” and emphasizes the large degree of reduction in stress. Use it before a comparative or change expression when marking a noticeable difference.
덜해요 “덜해요” means “is less” in “스트레스가 훨씬 덜해요,” saying that the waiting now causes less stress. Use it after a noun or subject to describe a reduced amount or degree.

Grammar Points

동사-(으)려고

진정시키려고

jin-jung-SHEE-kee-ryuh-goh

trying to calm

This ending expresses an intention or purpose: “trying to…” or “in order to…”.

동사-기 전에

보채기 전에

boh-CHEH-gee juh-NEH

before becoming more restless

Attach -기 전에 to a verb to mean “before doing something.”

Korean Vocabulary

가만히 adv
gah-MAN-hee still; without moving
기다리기 verb
gee-dah-REE-gee waiting
데리고 verb
deh-REE-goh taking along with
동안 noun
doh-AHN while; during
먼저 adv
MUN-juh first; ahead
배려해 주시네요 phrase
beh-RYUH-heh joo-shee-NEH-yoh you are being considerate
실례합니다 intj
shil-LYEH-ham-nee-DAH excuse me
아기 noun
ah-GEE baby
유모차 noun
yoo-moh-CHAH stroller
진정시키려고 verb
jin-jung-SHEE-kee-ryuh-goh trying to calm
힘드시겠어요 phrase
him-deu-SHEE-get-suh-YOH must be difficult
힘들었어요 phrase
him-deu-ROSS-uh-YOH was difficult

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

It has been tricky.

Show Answer조금 힘들었어요.

Would you like to go before me?

Show Answer저보다 먼저 가시겠어요?

That is very considerate. Are you sure?

Show Answer정말 배려해 주시네요. 정말 괜찮으세요?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

was difficult

Show Answer힘들었어요

waiting

Show Answer기다리기

must be difficult

Show Answer힘드시겠어요

excuse me

Show Answer실례합니다