Managing Back Pain from Desk Posture | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: At home after a desk-heavy day, two adults discuss back pain, screen position, gentle stretching, and when to seek professional help..

EN → KO / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Managing Back Pain from Desk Posture to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

하루 종일 책상에 앉아 있었더니 허리 아래쪽이 아파.

hah-ROO jong-IL chaek-SSANG-eh ahn-JAH ee-SUT-tuh-nee huh-REE ah-RAY-jjoh-gee ah-PAH. My lower back hurts after sitting at my desk all day.
B

네 의자가 몸을 충분히 받쳐 주지 못하는 것 같아.

neh ee-JAH-gah MOH-mul choong-BOON-hee bat-CHYUH JOO-jee mo-TAH-neun gut KAH-tah. Your chair might not be giving you enough support.
A

모니터가 너무 멀리 있어서 나도 앞으로 몸을 숙이게 돼.

moh-nee-TUH-gah nuh-MOO MUHL-lee ee-SUH-suh nah-DOH ah-PEU-roh MOH-mul soo-GEE-geh DWAE. I also lean forward because my monitor is too far away.
B

화면을 더 가까이 옮기면 허리에 가해지는 부담을 조금 줄일 수 있을 거야.

HWAH-myuhn-ul duh GAH-kKAH-ee OHM-gee-myun huh-REE-eh gah-HAE-jee-neun boo-DAM-ul joh-GUHM jool-IL soo ee-SSEUL guh-YAH. Moving the screen closer could take some pressure off your back.
A

짧은 휴식 시간에 스트레칭을 할까 생각하고 있었어.

JJAL-beun HYOO-shik SHEE-gan-eh suh-tuh-REH-ching-ul HAL-kka saeng-GAK-ha-go ee-SUH-suh. I was thinking about stretching during short breaks.
B

가볍게 스트레칭하는 건 도움이 될 수도 있지만, 통증이 심해지면 멈춰.

gah-BYUP-kkeh suh-tuh-REH-ching-ha-neun gun doh-OO-mee dwael SSOO-doh it-JJEE-man tong-JEUNG-ee shim-HAE-jee-myun MUHM-chwuh. Gentle stretching may help, but stop if it increases the pain.
A

계속되면 전문가에게 진료를 받아 봐야 할 것 같아.

gyeh-SOHK-dweh-myun jun-moon-GAH-eh-geh JILL-lyoh-rul bah-DAH BWAH-yah hal KKUHT KAH-tah. If it continues, I should probably see a professional.
B

특히 통증이 퍼지거나 잠에 영향을 주기 시작하면 더 그래.

tuk-HEE tong-JEUNG-ee puh-JEE-guh-nah JAH-meh yung-HYANG-ul JOO-gee SHEE-jahk-ha-myun duh GUH-rae. Especially if the pain spreads or starts affecting your sleep.
A

이번 주에는 작은 조정을 해 보고, 도움이 되는지 기록해 볼 수 있어.

ee-BUN JOO-eh-neun JAH-geun joh-JEUNG-ul HAE boh-go doh-OO-mee dweh-neun-JEE gee-ROHK-hae bol SSOO ee-SUH. This week, I can make small adjustments and track whether they help.
B

꾸준히 바꿔 나가는 게 한 번에 크게 바꾸는 것보다 보통 판단하기 쉬워.

KKOO-joon-hee BAH-kkwoh nah-GAH-neun geh han BUHN-eh KEU-geh BAH-kkwoo-neun gut-BBOH-dah boh-TOONG pan-DAHN-ha-gee SHWEE-woh. Consistent changes are usually easier to judge than one big change.

Word by Word

하루 “하루” means one day in this dialogue. It sets the time span for sitting at the desk, as in “하루 종일”. Use it with a duration or activity when talking about one day.
종일 “종일” means all day and emphasizes that the sitting continued throughout the day. Together with “하루”, it gives the meaning “the whole day”. This is useful for describing an activity that lasts from earlier in the day until now.
책상에 “책상에” means at or by the desk here, identifying the place where the person was sitting. The ending marks the desk as the location connected with sitting. Use a place followed by this form with verbs such as sitting or working.
앉아 “앉아” means sitting or having sat, and here it is part of “앉아 있었더니”, describing being seated. It connects the sitting action to the result that the lower back hurts. Use it before a form that describes continuing to be seated.
있었더니 “있었더니” connects a past state with a result noticed afterward: after having been in that state, something happened. In “앉아 있었더니”, the result is that the lower back hurts after sitting all day. This pattern is useful when a previous action or state leads to a later discovery or consequence.
허리 “허리” refers to the waist or back area, and here it is the body area that hurts. With “아래쪽”, it identifies the lower part of the back more specifically. Use it when describing discomfort or support around the waist and back.
아래쪽이 “아래쪽이” means the lower part, with the location marked as the subject of “아파”. In “허리 아래쪽이”, it identifies the lower part of the waist or back as the painful area. Use a body-part description followed by this form when specifying which part is affected.
아파 “아파” means hurts or is painful in this dialogue. It describes the speaker’s current physical discomfort in “허리 아래쪽이 아파”. Use it after the body part or area that is experiencing pain.
네 “네” means your and refers informally to the listener’s chair. It shows that the chair belongs to or is associated with the person being addressed. Use it before a noun when speaking casually to someone you address directly.
의자가 “의자가” means the chair, marked as the subject of the statement about giving support. Here the chair is the thing that may not support the body enough. Use a noun in this form when it is the subject of a description or possibility.
몸을 “몸을” means the body as the object being supported. In “몸을 충분히 받쳐 주지 못하는”, it specifies what the chair should support. Use it before an action that supports, moves, or affects the body.
충분히 “충분히” means sufficiently or enough and modifies the support provided by the chair. It shows that the amount of support may be inadequate. Use it before an action or description when judging whether something meets the needed level.
받쳐 “받쳐” means supporting or holding something up in this dialogue. Together with “주지 못하는”, it describes the chair failing to provide enough support for the body. Use it with a body or object that is being physically supported.
주지 “주지” contributes the idea of providing the supporting action for someone in “받쳐 주지 못하는”. It presents the chair’s support as something done for the person, while the following form shows that it is not successfully provided. Use this component in a verb-plus-support construction when an action benefits another person.
못하는 “못하는” means being unable to do or failing to do the action described before it. In “받쳐 주지 못하는”, it says the chair does not manage to provide enough support. The form modifies “것” and is useful when describing an inability or failure as a thing.
것 “것” turns the preceding description into a thing or situation that can be judged. In “받쳐 주지 못하는 것 같아”, the whole situation seems to be true rather than being stated with complete certainty. Use it before an expression of impression or judgment.
같아 “같아” means seems or appears in this dialogue. With “것”, “것 같아” softens the statement into an impression that the chair may not provide enough support. Use it when giving a personal impression without presenting it as certain fact.
모니터가 “모니터가” means the monitor, marked as the subject of being too far away. Its position is given as the reason the speaker leans forward. Use it when making the monitor the subject of a location or condition.
너무 “너무” means too or excessively here, showing that the monitor is farther away than is comfortable. It modifies “멀리” in the description of the monitor’s position. Use it before an adjective or adverb when the degree is excessive.
멀리 “멀리” means far away and describes the monitor’s distance. With “너무”, it explains that the distance is excessive and causes the speaker to lean forward. Use it to describe something located at a distance.
있어서 “있어서” means because it is located or is in that condition. Here it gives the reason the monitor being far away leads to leaning forward. Use this form after a state or location when explaining a reason.
나도 “나도” means I also or I too. The speaker adds their own experience to the discussion about posture and back pain. Use it when adding yourself to a person or group already connected with the statement.
앞으로 “앞으로” means forward and indicates the direction in which the body bends. In “앞으로 몸을 숙이게 돼”, it describes leaning toward the front because the monitor is far away. Use it with movement or posture changes toward the front.
숙이게 “숙이게” contributes the action of bending or leaning the body forward. In “숙이게 돼”, it is part of the expression for ending up or coming to lean forward. Use this form before “돼” when an action becomes an unintended or resulting habit.
돼 “돼” completes “숙이게 돼”, meaning that the speaker ends up leaning forward. It presents the posture as a result of the monitor being too far away. Use it after an action form ending in “-게” to describe what one comes to do or what happens as a result.
화면을 “화면을” means the screen as the object being moved. In this dialogue, moving the screen closer is suggested as a way to reduce pressure on the back. Use it before an action that changes or positions a screen.
더 “더” means more or further and shows that the screen should be moved closer than it is now. It modifies “가까이”. Use it when comparing a current degree or position with a greater degree or a nearer position.
가까이 “가까이” means closer or near, describing the desired position of the screen. With “더”, it means moving the screen nearer to the person. Use it with movement or placement toward a person or reference point.
옮기면 “옮기면” means if one moves or relocates something. Here it introduces the condition that moving the screen closer could reduce pressure on the back. Use it after an action when presenting a possible result or condition.
허리에 “허리에” means on or around the back or waist, marking the area receiving the pressure. In “허리에 가해지는 부담”, it identifies where the burden is applied. Use it with a body area when describing an effect, pressure, or physical load.
가해지는 “가해지는” means being applied or exerted in this dialogue. It describes pressure that is placed on the back, modifying “부담”. Use it before a noun when describing a force or effect imposed on something.
부담을 “부담을” means the burden or pressure as the object that can be reduced. Here it refers to the physical load placed on the back. Use it before verbs meaning reduce, increase, or feel when discussing a burden.
조금 “조금” means a little or somewhat. It limits the amount by which the pressure might be reduced, so the suggestion is modest rather than absolute. Use it before an action or description when referring to a small amount or degree.
줄일 “줄일” means reduce in the expression about reducing pressure on the back. It appears before “수 있을 거야”, which presents the reduction as a possible result. Use it before an ability or possibility expression when saying that something can be reduced.
수 “수” represents a way or possibility in “줄일 수 있을 거야”. Together with the surrounding forms, it expresses that the pressure may be reducible. Use it in the pattern for being able to or being possible to do something.
있을 “있을” contributes the idea that the possibility may exist in “줄일 수 있을 거야”. With “수”, it forms the possibility structure, and with “거야” it gives an expected result. Use it after “수” when expressing that something will or may be possible.
거야 “거야” is a casual ending that presents the preceding possibility as an expected explanation or result. In “줄일 수 있을 거야”, it means that moving the screen will probably be able to reduce some pressure. Use it in informal conversation when making a prediction or reassuring suggestion.
짧은 “짧은” means short and modifies the breaks in the dialogue. It indicates that the available rest periods do not last long. Use it before a noun when describing a limited length of time or distance.
휴식 “휴식” means rest or a break from activity. Here it refers to short breaks during which the speaker is considering stretching. Use it when talking about pausing work or another activity to rest.
시간에 “시간에” means during the time or at the time, and here it identifies when the stretching would happen. Together with “휴식”, it means during a break. Use it after a time expression to mark when an activity takes place.
스트레칭 “스트레칭” means stretching, the physical activity being considered and later discussed as possibly helpful. It functions as the activity connected to the following forms. Use it when discussing gentle physical movement to loosen the body.
할까 “할까” means whether to do it or perhaps I should do it, showing that the speaker is considering stretching. In “스트레칭을 할까 생각하고 있었어”, it expresses the idea under consideration, not a firm decision. Use it when wondering aloud about whether to do an action.
생각하고 “생각하고” means thinking and connects the thought to “있었어”. In the full expression, it describes an ongoing state of considering whether to stretch. Use it before a form of “있다” when describing an ongoing thought or activity.
있었어 “있었어” shows that the state of thinking was ongoing in the past. With “생각하고”, it means the speaker had been considering stretching during short breaks. Use it after an activity form when saying that someone was in the middle of doing or thinking about something.
가볍게 “가볍게” means gently or lightly and describes how the stretching should be done. It limits the intensity of the activity in the advice about pain. Use it before an action when recommending a light, non-forceful manner.
스트레칭하는 “스트레칭하는” means doing stretching and describes the activity as a topic. In “스트레칭하는 건”, the activity itself is evaluated as something that may help. Use it before a noun-like topic expression when discussing an activity.
건 “건” presents “스트레칭하는” as the topic being discussed. It is the conversational contracted form used in “스트레칭하는 건 도움이 될 수도 있지만”. Use it when setting an activity or situation apart as the topic of a comment.
도움이 “도움이” means help or a helpful effect, marked as the subject of “될 수도”. Here gentle stretching may have a helpful effect. Use it when describing something as beneficial, often with a verb meaning become or be help.
될 “될” means become or be in “도움이 될 수도”. It says that the stretching may turn out to be helpful. Use it before a possibility expression when describing a possible result or effect.
도 “도” adds the meaning also or even inside “될 수도”. With the possibility structure, it helps express that stretching may be helpful, while leaving room for uncertainty. Use it when adding inclusion or emphasis to a noun or possibility.
있지만 “있지만” means there may be or although there is, and here it contrasts a possible benefit with the instruction to stop if pain increases. The contrast applies to the whole idea that stretching may help. Use it to connect a concession with a following caution or contrasting statement.
통증이 “통증이” means the pain, marked as the subject of becoming worse. It refers to the back pain discussed throughout the dialogue. Use it when naming pain as the thing that changes or has an effect.
심해지면 “심해지면” means if it becomes worse or more severe. Here it gives the condition for stopping the stretching. Use it after a change in condition when giving an instruction based on that condition.
멈춰 “멈춰” means stop and is a casual instruction to stop stretching. It is used when the pain becomes worse. Use it in informal conversation when telling someone to stop an action.
계속되면 “계속되면” means if it continues. Here the continuing condition refers to the pain and introduces the speaker’s plan to seek professional medical care. Use it when a condition or situation remains over time.
전문가에게 “전문가에게” means to a professional, marking the person from whom care or advice would be received. In this dialogue, the professional is consulted if the pain continues. Use it with verbs of asking, speaking, or receiving care from someone.
진료를 “진료를” means medical care or a medical consultation as the object of receiving. Here it refers to getting professional attention for continuing pain. Use it when talking about receiving an examination or consultation from a medical professional.
받아 “받아” means receive or get, and here it is part of “진료를 받아 봐야”. It describes receiving medical care and connects to the idea of trying it. Use it after a service or care expression when saying that someone receives that service.
봐 “봐” contributes the idea of trying or seeing how something goes in “받아 봐야”. Together with the following obligation expression, it suggests trying professional care. Use it after an action when recommending that someone try doing it.
야 “야” is part of the obligation pattern in “받아 봐야 할 것 같아”. It adds the meaning that the action is necessary or should be done. Use it with an action before a form expressing that someone must or should do it.
할 “할” means to do in “할 것 같아”, referring back to receiving professional care. Together with “것 같아”, it expresses that the speaker thinks they should do it. Use it before “것 같아” when giving a softened judgment about what one should do.
특히 “특히” means especially and highlights the conditions that make professional care more important. It introduces the cases where the pain spreads or affects sleep. Use it before the condition or detail that deserves particular emphasis.
퍼지거나 “퍼지거나” means spreads or spreads in another direction, with “-거나” linking it to another possible condition. Here it describes pain spreading beyond its original area. Use it when listing one of multiple possible conditions or events.
잠에 “잠에” means in or during sleep, marking sleep as the area affected by the pain. In “잠에 영향을 주기”, the pain has an effect on the person’s sleep. Use it with an expression describing an effect on sleep.
영향 “영향” means influence or effect. In this dialogue, it is part of the expression for affecting sleep. Use it when describing how one situation changes or influences another, together with a verb meaning give or cause.
주기 “주기” contributes the action of giving an effect in “영향을 주기 시작하면”. With “영향”, it means affecting something, and with “시작하면” it describes the start of that effect. Use it in the pattern for something beginning to influence a person or situation.
시작하면 “시작하면” means if it starts or when it begins. Here it introduces the condition that the pain begins affecting sleep. Use it after an action or state when describing what happens once that action or state begins.
그래 “그래” means that is so or in that case, and “더 그래” refers back to the need to see a professional. It makes the preceding conditions an especially strong reason for that advice. Use it when responding to or referring back to a situation already understood in the conversation.
이번 “이번” means this or this particular time. In “이번 주에는”, it points to the current week as the period for making and tracking small adjustments. Use it before a time noun when referring to the current instance or period.
주에는 “주에는” means during this week, with the topic and time marked together. It sets the period in which the speaker plans to make small adjustments and track their effects. Use it after a week expression when specifying the time frame for an action.
작은 “작은” means small and modifies the adjustments the speaker plans to make. It suggests limited changes rather than one large change. Use it before a noun when describing a modest size, amount, or degree.
조정을 “조정을” means adjustments as the object of making. Here it refers to small changes to the person’s desk or posture setup. Use it when talking about modifying an arrangement, setting, or method.
해 “해” means do or make and is the action used with “조정을”. In “조정을 해 보고”, it introduces trying an adjustment and observing the result. Use it after an action noun when saying that someone carries out that action.
보고 “보고” means try doing and see, connecting the adjustment with checking its effect. In “해 보고”, it suggests carrying out the change before evaluating it. Use it after an action when describing a trial followed by observation or judgment.
되는지 “되는지” means whether it works or whether it has the intended effect. Here it asks whether the adjustments help. Use it when checking the result of an action or whether a plan is effective.
기록해 “기록해” means record or write down, referring to keeping track of whether the adjustments help. It is followed by “볼 수 있어”, which presents recording as something the speaker can try. Use it when documenting results, changes, or observations.
볼 “볼” contributes the idea of trying in “기록해 볼 수 있어”. It presents recording the results as an action the speaker can try doing. Use it after an action form when suggesting or describing an attempt.
있어 “있어” completes “볼 수 있어”, expressing that the speaker can or is able to try recording the results. It gives the statement an informal conversational tone. Use it after “수” to say that an action is possible or within someone’s ability.
꾸준히 “꾸준히” means consistently or steadily over time. It describes making changes repeatedly rather than making one isolated change. Use it before an action when emphasizing regular continuation.
바꿔 “바꿔” means change or modify and is part of “바꿔 나가는”. It describes gradually making changes to the current arrangement or habits. Use it before “나가다” when an action continues progressively.
나가는 “나가는” contributes the meaning of continuing forward with the changes. In “바꿔 나가는 게”, it describes making changes steadily over time. Use it after an action when emphasizing ongoing progress or continuation.
게 “게” presents the ongoing activity “꾸준히 바꿔 나가는” as the subject of the comparison. It means that consistently making changes is the thing being judged as easier. Use it after a verb description when treating the activity as a topic or subject.
한 “한” means one or a single and modifies “번에”. Together they describe doing something in one occurrence. Use it before a counting expression when emphasizing a single time or instance.
번에 “번에” means at one time or in one go here. In “한 번에 크게 바꾸는”, it contrasts a single large change with steady smaller changes. Use it when describing an action completed in one occasion.
크게 “크게” means greatly or on a large scale and modifies the change being made. It shows that the alternative is one significant change rather than small adjustments. Use it before an action when describing a large degree or scale.
바꾸는 “바꾸는” means changing or modifying and describes the alternative of making one large change. In “바꾸는 것보다”, the activity is used as the basis of a comparison. Use it before “것보다” when comparing one action with another.
것보다 “것보다” marks the activity before it as the comparison point, meaning than doing that. In “한 번에 크게 바꾸는 것보다”, it means compared with making one big change at once. Use it after a verb description when comparing actions or situations.
보통 “보통” means usually or generally. It presents the comparison as a general practical observation, not an absolute rule. Use it when making a typical or usual statement.
판단하기 “판단하기” means assessing or judging, and here it refers to deciding whether the changes help. The “-기” form turns the action into something that can be described as easy or difficult. Use it before an adjective when evaluating how easy an action is.
쉬워 “쉬워” means is easy in this dialogue. It says that the effect of consistent changes is easier to assess than the effect of one large change. Use it after an action description when commenting on the ease of doing that action.

Grammar Points

-았/었더니

하루 종일 책상에 앉아 있었더니 허리 아래쪽이 아파.

hah-ROO jong-IL chaek-SSANG-eh ahn-JAH ee-SUT-tuh-nee huh-REE ah-RAY-jjoh-gee ah-PAH.

After sitting at my desk all day, my lower back hurts.

-았/었더니 connects a completed action with a result noticed afterward.

-(으)면

통증이 심해지면 멈춰.

tong-JEUNG-ee shim-HAE-jee-myun MUHM-chwuh

If the pain gets worse, stop.

-(으)면 expresses a condition: when or if something happens, the following action applies.

Korean Vocabulary

멀리 adv
MUHL-lee far away
모니터 noun
moh-nee-TUH monitor
몸 noun
MOHM body
몸을 숙이다 phrase
MOH-mul soo-GEE-dah to lean forward; to bend one's body 몸을 숙이게 돼
받쳐 주다 verb
bat-CHYUH JOO-dah to support 받쳐 주지 못하는
아프다 verb
ah-PEU-dah to hurt; to be painful 아파
앉다 verb
ahn-TTAH to sit 앉아 있었더니
의자 noun
ee-JAH chair
책상 noun
chaek-SSANG desk
충분히 adv
choong-BOON-hee enough; sufficiently
하루 종일 adv
hah-ROO jong-IL all day
허리 아래쪽 noun
huh-REE ah-RAY-jjok lower back

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

chair

Show Answer의자

far away

Show Answer멀리

to hurt; to be painful

Show Answer아파

desk

Show Answer책상