Clarifying a table reservation politely | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a shared workspace, one person explains a table reservation and another agrees to move to a better place for a call..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Clarifying a table reservation politely to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

더 조용한 구석이 필요해서 이 테이블을 예약했어요.

duh JOH-yong-han goo-SUH-gee pee-RYOH-hae-suh ee TAY-buhl-uhl yeh-YAHK-hae-SSUH-yoh I reserved this table because I need a quieter corner.
B

여기서는 테이블마다 예약할 수 있는 줄 몰랐어요.

yuh-GEE-suh-nun TAY-buhl-mah-dah yeh-YAH-khal soo IN-nun jool moll-LAH-ssuh-yoh I hadn't realized reservations applied to individual tables here.
A

여러 사람이 붐빈다고 불평한 뒤에 이 시스템을 시작했어요.

yuh-ruh sah-rah-mee boom-BEEN-dah-goh bool-PYUNG-han dwee-eh ee shee-seu-TEH-muhl shee-jah-kae-SSUH-yoh They started the system after several people complained about crowding.
B

그렇다면 당신이 자리를 잡기 전에 제가 옮겨야겠어요.

guh-RUH-tah-myun dang-SHEE-nee jah-ree-rul jahp-KKEE juh-neh jay-gah ohm-GYUH-yah-GET-ssuh-yoh In that case, I should move before you settle in.
A

통화를 짧게 하고 조용히 말할 수 있다면 여기 있어도 돼요.

tong-HWA-rul JJAL-kkeh hah-goh JOH-yong-hee mahl-hal soo it-TTAH-myun yuh-GEE ee-SSUH-doh DWAE-yoh You could stay if you can keep your call brief and speak quietly.
B

예상보다 오래 걸릴 수도 있어서 옮기는 게 더 공평할 것 같아요.

yeh-SAHNG-boh-dah oh-RAE guhl-leel soo-doh ee-SSUH-suh ohm-GEE-nun geh duh gong-PYUNG-hal guht-KKAH-tah-yoh It might run longer than expected, so moving seems fairer.
A

발표를 녹음해야 해서 그렇게 해 주시면 감사하겠어요.

pahl-PYOH-rul noh-GEUM-hae-yah-hae-suh guh-RUH-keh hae JOO-shee-myun gam-SAH-hae-GET-ssuh-yoh I appreciate that, because I need to record a presentation.
B

말을 해도 다른 사람들에게 방해가 덜 되는 라운지 공간을 선택할게요.

MAH-ruhl hae-doh DAH-run sah-rahm-deu-reh-geh bahng-HAE-gah duhl DWEH-nun rah-oon-jee gong-gan-uhl sun-TAE-khal-geh-yoh I'll choose the lounge area, where speaking is less disruptive.

Word by Word

더 더 means more and gives a comparative meaning here: 더 조용한 means quieter. It is commonly placed before an adjective or adverb when comparing degrees.
조용한 조용한 means quiet, and with 더 it describes a quieter corner in 더 조용한 구석이. This form is used before a noun to describe it.
구석이 구석이 means the corner as the place that is needed, with 이 marking it as the subject in 더 조용한 구석이 필요해서. A common pattern is to use a place or object with 이/가 before 필요하다.
필요해서 필요해서 means because it is needed in 더 조용한 구석이 필요해서. The ending 해서 connects the reason to the action that follows, and the same pattern can give a reason for reserving, moving, or choosing something.
이 이 means this and points to the nearby table in 이 테이블을 예약했어요. It is placed directly before the noun it identifies.
테이블을 테이블을 means table as the object of the reservation, with 을 marking the object in 이 테이블을 예약했어요. The same object pattern is used when reserving or choosing a specific table.
예약했어요 예약했어요 means reserved in this polite past-tense statement about the table. It is used with the reserved object, as in 이 테이블을 예약했어요.
여기서는 여기서는 means here or as for this place, setting the shared workspace as the topic in 여기서는 테이블마다 예약할 수 있는 줄 몰랐어요. This form is useful when explaining a rule that applies in one particular place.
테이블마다 테이블마다 means each table or every table in 테이블마다 예약할 수 있는 줄. 마다 marks the repeated unit, so the same pattern can describe rules applying to each room, day, or person.
예약할 예약할 is the form of 예약하다 used before 수 in 예약할 수 있는, expressing the possibility of reserving. The pattern V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 is used to say that an action is possible.
수 수 is the bound noun used with a verb form to express possibility or ability in 예약할 수 있는 줄. The reusable pattern V-(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 means that someone can do something or that it is possible.
있는 있는 means being possible or available in 예약할 수 있는 줄, where it describes the fact that reservations can be made. It is a noun-modifying form used before 줄 in this construction.
줄 줄 means the fact or expectation that in 예약할 수 있는 줄 몰랐어요. The pattern V-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다 or 모르다 is used when someone knows or does not know that something is the case.
몰랐어요 몰랐어요 means did not know or did not realize in 예약할 수 있는 줄 몰랐어요. It politely describes a past lack of knowledge, especially about a fact introduced with 줄.
여러 여러 means several or various in 여러 사람이 불평한 뒤에. It comes before a noun when referring to more than one person or thing without giving an exact number.
사람이 사람이 means people as the subject of the complaint in 여러 사람이 붐빈다고 불평한 뒤에. The subject marker 이 identifies the people as the ones who complained.
붐빈다고 붐빈다고 means that it is crowded in 붐빈다고 불평한, reporting the content of the complaint. The ending 다고 can introduce what someone says, thinks, or complains about.
불평한 불평한 means who complained in 여러 사람이 붐빈다고 불평한 뒤에. This form describes the completed complaint before 뒤에, and the pattern X다고 불평하다 reports what the complaint was about.
뒤에 뒤에 means after in 불평한 뒤에 이 시스템을 시작했어요. It follows an event or noun to show that the next action happened afterward.
시스템을 시스템을 means the system as the object that was started, with 을 marking the object in 이 시스템을 시작했어요. The object marker is used in the same way for other systems, plans, or activities.
시작했어요 시작했어요 means started in the polite past statement 이 시스템을 시작했어요. It describes the beginning of a system or activity that was put into operation.
그렇다면 그렇다면 means in that case or then, drawing a conclusion from the information just given. It is useful when responding to new information and stating the next decision.
당신이 당신이 means you as the subject in 당신이 자리를 잡기 전에. It explicitly identifies the other person as the one who will settle in, while 이 marks that person as the subject.
자리를 자리를 means the place or seat being taken in 자리를 잡기 전에. It is the object in the expression for settling into a place, marked by 를.
잡기 잡기 means settling into or taking a place in 자리를 잡기 전에. This noun-like form connects the action to 전에, and V-기 전에 is a common pattern meaning before doing something.
전에 전에 means before in 자리를 잡기 전에. It follows an action expressed with 기 to show that another action should happen earlier.
제가 제가 means I as the subject in 제가 옮겨야겠어요. It identifies the speaker as the person who will move, using 가 to mark the subject.
옮겨야겠어요 옮겨야겠어요 means I should move or I suppose I need to move in 제가 옮겨야겠어요. The form expresses the speaker’s considered decision or sense of necessity, and V-아/어야겠어요 is useful when deciding what one should do.
통화를 통화를 means the call as the object in 통화를 짧게 하고 조용히 말할 수 있다면. It identifies the call whose length is being limited, and 통화를 하다 is a common pattern for having a phone call.
짧게 짧게 means briefly or for a short time in 통화를 짧게 하고. It describes how the call should be kept, and 짧게 하다 can be used when keeping an activity short.
하고 하고 means and then, connecting 통화를 짧게 하고 with the following action. The ending 고 commonly links two actions or events in sequence.
조용히 조용히 means quietly in 조용히 말할 수 있다면. It is an adverb modifying speaking, so it is useful when asking someone to perform an action in a quiet manner.
말할 말할 is the form of 말하다 used before 수 in 말할 수 있다면, expressing the possibility of speaking. The pattern V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 is used for ability or possibility.
있다면 있다면 means if it is possible or if you can in 말할 수 있다면. Together with 수, it makes a conditional about ability or possibility, and V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다면 can introduce a condition.
여기 여기 means here in 여기 있어도 돼요. It identifies the current place and can be used when asking or explaining whether someone may remain in that location.
있어도 있어도 means even if staying or being here in 여기 있어도 돼요. The ending 어도 expresses a concession, and V-아/어도 돼요 is used to ask or give permission.
돼요 돼요 means it is okay or it is allowed in 여기 있어도 돼요. With V-아/어도, it gives permission for the action.
예상보다 예상보다 means than expected in 예상보다 오래 걸릴 수도 있어서. 보다 marks the standard of comparison, so the same pattern can compare an actual result with an expectation.
오래 오래 means for a long time or long in 오래 걸릴 수도 있어서. It commonly describes how much time an activity takes, especially with 걸리다.
걸릴 걸릴 is the form of 걸리다 used in 오래 걸릴 수도 있어서, expressing that something may take a certain amount of time. 오래 걸리다 is a common expression for taking a long time.
수도 수도 expresses possibility in 걸릴 수도 있어서, giving the meaning might take longer. The pattern V-(으)ㄹ 수도 있어요 is useful when describing a possible but uncertain outcome.
있어서 있어서 means because or since in 걸릴 수도 있어서, connecting the possible longer duration to the decision to move. It gives the reason for the following statement.
옮기는 옮기는 means moving in 옮기는 게 공평할 것 같아요. This form modifies 게 and turns the action of moving into the option being evaluated.
게 게 marks the action of moving as the option being judged in 옮기는 게 공평할 것 같아요. It is commonly used after an action in patterns such as saying that doing something is better or fairer.
공평할 공평할 means fair in 공평할 것 같아요, where moving is evaluated as the more equitable choice. It is the form used before 것 in this judgment.
것 것 means the thing or situation being considered in 공평할 것 같아요. In this construction, it makes the preceding assessment into the situation that seems likely.
같아요 같아요 means seems or I think in 공평할 것 같아요. It softens the statement by presenting it as the speaker’s assessment rather than an absolute claim.
발표를 발표를 means the presentation as the object of recording in 발표를 녹음해야 해서. The object marker 를 identifies what will be recorded.
녹음해야 녹음해야 means must record in 녹음해야 해서. The ending 어야 expresses necessity, and the same form can state what someone needs to do before giving a reason.
해서 해서 means because or due to that in 녹음해야 해서. It connects the need to record the presentation with the speaker’s request or appreciation.
그렇게 그렇게 means that way or so in 그렇게 해 주시면, referring to the other person’s decision to move. It is useful when referring back to an action or arrangement just mentioned.
해 해 means do in 그렇게 해 주시면. It is the form of 하다 used before 주다, creating the meaning of doing something as a favor for someone.
주시면 주시면 means if you do it for me or for us in 그렇게 해 주시면. It combines the idea of giving help with a polite conditional, and the pattern V-아/어 주시면 is useful when making a courteous request.
감사하겠어요 감사하겠어요 means I would appreciate it or I would be grateful in 그렇게 해 주시면 감사하겠어요. It politely expresses gratitude for help that the speaker hopes to receive.
말을 말을 means speech or speaking as the object of 하다 in 말을 해도. The phrase refers to the act of speaking, and 말을 하다 is a common expression for speaking.
해도 해도 means even if speaking or doing so in 말을 해도. The ending 도 adds a concessive meaning, allowing the sentence to say what remains true despite that action.
다른 다른 means other in 다른 사람들에게. It comes before 사람들에게 to distinguish those people from the speaker and the person being addressed.
사람들에게 사람들에게 means to or for other people in 사람들에게 방해가 덜 되는. It marks the people affected by the disturbance, and 에게 is commonly used for an affected person or group.
방해가 방해가 means disturbance or disruption as the subject in 방해가 덜 되는. It forms the expression 방해가 되다, meaning to be disruptive or to cause interference.
덜 덜 means less in 방해가 덜 되는, reducing the degree of disruption. It is placed before the expression whose amount or degree is lower.
되는 되는 means being or causing in 방해가 덜 되는 라운지 공간. It is the noun-modifying form of 되다 and describes the lounge area as less disruptive to others.
라운지 라운지 means lounge in 라운지 공간. It identifies the type of area being chosen and combines directly with 공간 to specify the lounge area.
공간을 공간을 means the space or area as the object of choosing in 라운지 공간을 선택할게요. The object marker 을 identifies the area that will be selected.
선택할게요 선택할게요 means I will choose in 라운지 공간을 선택할게요. The ending ㄹ게요 expresses the speaker’s intention or commitment, often as a decision made in response to the situation.

Grammar Points

-아/어야겠어요

자리를 옮겨야겠어요.

jah-ree-rul ohm-GYUH-yah-GET-ssuh-yoh

I think I need to move seats.

This ending expresses the speaker’s decision or realization that something needs to be done.

N보다

예상보다 오래 걸릴 거예요.

yeh-SAHNG-boh-dah oh-RAE guhl-leel guh-YEH-yoh

It will take longer than expected.

보다 marks the standard of comparison and means “than” when attached to a noun.

Korean Vocabulary

구석 noun
goo-SUHK corner
그렇다면 conj
guh-RUH-tah-myun in that case; if so
불평하다 verb
bool-PYUNG-hah-dah to complain 불평한
붐비다 verb
boom-BEE-dah to be crowded 붐빈다고
사람 noun
sah-RAHM person; people
시스템 noun
shee-seu-TEM system
여기 adv
yuh-GEE here 여기서는
여러 det
YUH-ruh several; various
예약하다 verb
yeh-YAH-kah-dah to reserve 예약했어요
조용하다 adj
joh-yong-hah-dah to be quiet 조용한
테이블 noun
TAY-buhl table
필요하다 adj
pee-RYOH-hah-dah to be needed 필요해서

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to be needed

Show Answer필요해서

to reserve

Show Answer예약했어요

here

Show Answer여기서는

to be crowded

Show Answer붐빈다고