Pushing Back on an Unrealistic Timeline | Learn Korean in English

Sentence explanations

1. 해결되지 않은 테스트 문제를 고려하면, 제안된 일정은 무리해 보여요.

   The proposed timeline feels ambitious, given the unresolved testing issues.

   해결되지 않은

   unresolved

   테스트

   testing

   문제

   issue

   고려하면

   given / considering

   제안된

   proposed

   일정

   timeline

   무리해

   ambitious / demanding

   보여요

   seems / looks

   More detail

   해결되지 않은 means “unresolved” here. It is built from 해결되다 (“be resolved”) with negation, 해결되지 않다, plus the attributive ending -은, which lets the phrase modify a following noun. Thus it describes an issue whose resolution has not happened. Example: 아직 해결되지 않은 문제가 있어요. — “There is still an unresolved problem.” 테스트 is a borrowed noun meaning “test” or “testing” in this context. It modifies 문제, so 테스트 문제 means “testing issue/problem.” The noun 문제 means an issue or problem; it is not limited to a technical problem. Example: 이 문제를 먼저 확인해요. — “Let’s check this issue first.” 고려하면 comes from 고려하다 (“consider”) plus -(으)면, which marks a condition or premise. Here, the whole phrase 해결되지 않은 테스트 문제를 고려하면 means “given/considering the unresolved testing issues.” The object marker -를 shows what is being considered. Example: 비용을 고려하면, 이 선택이 더 좋아요. — “Considering the cost, this choice is better.” 제안된 means “proposed.” It comes from 제안되다 (“be proposed”) with the attributive ending -ㄴ; it modifies 일정. This form focuses on the schedule as the thing that was proposed. 제안한 would instead describe someone or something that made the proposal. 일정 means a schedule, timetable, or timeline. Together, 제안된 일정 is “the proposed timeline.” 무리해 comes from the descriptive verb 무리하다, meaning “be excessive,” “be too demanding,” or “be overly ambitious.” 무리해 is its 해-form, used here before another verb. The sentence presents the timeline as demanding in light of the stated issues; it does not simply mean that the timeline is large. The attributive form is 무리한, as in 무리한 목표 — “an overly demanding goal.” 보여요 comes from 보이다, “seem” or “look,” in a polite present form. After a descriptive verb, the pattern [descriptive form] + 보이다 means “seem/look [descriptive].” Therefore, 무리해 보여요 means “seems ambitious/demanding.” In another context, 보여요 can also mean “is visible,” but the preceding 무리해 gives it the “seems” meaning here. Example: 그 계획은 현실적이어 보여요. — “That plan seems realistic.” The sentence first sets the basis with 해결되지 않은 테스트 문제를 고려하면, “given the unresolved testing issues.” It then identifies 제안된 일정, “the proposed timeline,” and describes it with 무리해 보여요, “seems too ambitious/demanding.” Together, the fixed utterance means: “The proposed timeline feels ambitious, given the unresolved testing issues.”

2. 저도 그 점이 걱정되지만, 경영진은 검토 전에 계속 추진력을 유지하길 원해요.

   I share that concern, though leadership wants momentum before the review.

   저도

   I too; as for me too

   그 점이

   that point

   걱정되지만

   although it is concerning

   경영진은

   leadership

   검토 전에

   before the review

   계속

   continuously

   추진력

   momentum

   유지하길 원해요

   wants to maintain

   More detail

   저도 combines 저 (“I,” in a humble/polite form) with the additive particle 도 (“also, too”). Here it means that the speaker shares the concern expressed in the sentence. The particle attaches directly to the form it adds to. Example: 저도 그렇게 생각해요. — “I think so too.” 그 점이 means “that point/aspect.” 그 is a demonstrative meaning “that,” while 점 is a noun meaning a point or aspect. The subject particle 이 marks this noun phrase as the subject of 걱정되지만; it does not itself identify what “that point” refers to beyond the supplied meaning. 걱정되지만 contains 걱정되다, “to be concerning” or “to feel worried,” followed by -지만, “although/but.” In this sentence, the point is presented as a concern for the speaker, giving the meaning “although I share that concern.” -지만 links this clause to a contrasting clause without making the first clause negative. Example: 걱정되지만 계속해요. — “I’m concerned, but I’ll continue.” 경영진은 means “leadership” or “the management team” as the topic. 경영진 is the noun for an organization’s senior management, and 은 marks it as the topic. The following desire is therefore attributed to leadership, not to the speaker. Example: 경영진은 계획을 검토해요. — “Leadership reviews the plan.” 검토 전에 means “before the review.” 검토 is a noun meaning review or examination, and 전에 expresses an earlier time than that noun. With an action, the same time pattern commonly appears as -기 전에: 출발하기 전에 확인해요. — “I check before departing.” 계속 is an adverb meaning “continuously” or “keep on.” It modifies the following maintaining action, so the intended idea is to keep the momentum maintained rather than to perform a separate action called “continue.” Example: 계속 기다려 주세요. — “Please keep waiting.” 추진력 is the noun “momentum,” especially the force or drive that keeps an effort moving forward. It is the object of the maintaining action. Example: 이 계획은 추진력이 필요해요. — “This plan needs momentum.” 유지하길 원해요 means “wants to maintain.” 유지하다 is the base verb “to maintain” or “keep,” and -길 is a conversational shortened form of -기를, nominalizing the action as the thing desired. 원해요 is the polite present form of 원하다, “to want.” Thus, 유지하길 원해요 expresses a desire to maintain something; the thing being maintained is supplied by the preceding 추진력. Example: 팀은 품질을 유지하길 원해요. — “The team wants to maintain quality.” Taken together, 저도 그 점이 걱정되지만 says “I share that concern, though,” and 경영진은 검토 전에 계속 추진력을 유지하길 원해요 says “leadership wants to keep the momentum before the review.” The full utterance is therefore: “I share that concern, though leadership wants momentum before the review.”

3. 불안정한 것을 출시하면 추진력이 떨어질 거예요.

   Momentum will suffer if we release something unstable.

   불안정한

   unstable

   것을

   thing; object-marked form

   출시하면

   if [someone] releases or launches

   추진력이

   momentum

   떨어질 거예요

   will decline

   More detail

   불안정한 means “unstable” here and directly describes the following noun. It is the attributive form of 불안정하다 (“to be unstable”); the -한 form is used before a noun. For example, 불안정한 시스템 means “an unstable system.” 것을 is 것 (“thing”) plus the object marker 을. Together with the preceding modifier, 불안정한 것 means “something unstable,” and 것을 marks that noun phrase as the object of the following verb. The form 것 is useful when an adjective or clause is treated as a noun-like unit: 필요한 것을 사요 means “I buy what is necessary.” 출시하면 comes from 출시하다 (“to release” or “to launch”) plus -면, an if/when ending. In this sentence, the object is the preceding 불안정한 것을, so the condition means “if we release something unstable.” The subject of 출시하다 is not stated in Korean; the fixed translation supplies the intended actor as “we.” The same pattern is reusable: 지금 시작하면 means “if we start now.” 추진력이 is 추진력 (“momentum” or “driving force”) plus the subject marker 이. The marker shows that momentum is the thing undergoing the change described next. 추진력 can refer to progress-driving force in a project or organization, not only physical motion. 떨어질 거예요 comes from 떨어지다 (“to fall” or “to drop”) plus -(으)ㄹ 거예요, which presents a future expectation or prediction. Here it means “will decline.” 떨어지다 is the base form; before 거예요, it appears as 떨어질. For example, 속도가 떨어질 거예요 means “The speed will drop.” Together, 불안정한 것을 출시하면 sets the condition, “if we release something unstable,” and 추진력이 떨어질 거예요 gives the predicted result, “momentum will decline.” The complete meaning is: “Momentum will suffer if we release something unstable.”

4. 이해해요. 하지만 근거 없이 미루면 우리의 입장이 약해질 수 있어요.

   I understand, yet delaying without evidence may weaken our case.

   이해해요

   I understand

   하지만

   but / yet

   근거 없이

   without evidence

   미루면

   if delaying

   우리의

   our

   입장이

   position / case

   약해질

   become weaker

   수 있어요

   may / can

   More detail

   이해해요 comes from 이해하다, “to understand.” The -해요 ending is a polite present-style ending, so here it means “I understand,” with the speaker as the understood subject. Example: 잘 이해해요. — “I understand well.” 하지만 is a contrast connector meaning “but” or “yet.” It links the understanding in the first sentence to a contrasting warning in the next one. Example: 하지만 시간이 없어요. — “But there is no time.” 근거 없이 combines 근거 (“evidence” or “basis”) with 없이 (“without”). The 없이 pattern means that the following action occurs without the stated resource or condition. Here, the postponement is without evidence. Example: 근거 없이 결정하지 마세요. — “Please do not decide without evidence.” 미루면 comes from 미루다, “to postpone” or “to put off,” with -면, an if/when condition ending. Thus, 미루면 means “if [someone] postpones it” here. The form is active: its subject and object are omitted, so the sentence does not by itself specify who postpones what. Example: 결정을 미루면 시간이 더 필요해요. — “If someone postpones the decision, more time is needed.” 우리의 is 우리 (“we” or “our”) plus 의, which marks a possessive relationship. Before the noun 입장, it means “our.” 우리 can also be used as a pronoun meaning “we”; the 의 form specifically connects it to a following noun. Example: 우리의 계획은 간단해요. — “Our plan is simple.” 입장이 uses 입장, which can mean a position, standpoint, or case, plus the subject marker 이. In this context, the fixed translation selects “our case”: the position or case being presented in the discussion. The marker 이 identifies 입장 as the grammatical subject of the following predicate. Example: 그의 입장이 분명해요. — “His position is clear.” 약해질 is the form of 약해지다, “to become weak,” before 수. 약해지다 is built from 약하다 (“to be weak”) and the change-of-state element -어지다; the observed form 약해질 adds the attributive -ㄹ form used in -ㄹ 수 있다. It describes a possible future or conditional change: “become weaker.” Example: 주장이 약해질 수 있어요. — “The argument may become weaker.” 수 있어요 completes the possibility pattern V-(으)ㄹ 수 있다. With an action or change form before it, this pattern expresses ability or possibility. Here, because the sentence presents a possible consequence rather than someone’s ability, it means “may” or “can”: 약해질 수 있어요 means “may become weaker.” 있어요 is the polite present form of 있다, “to exist/be.” Example: 내일 만날 수 있어요. — “Meeting tomorrow is possible.” Together, 근거 없이 미루면 means “if [someone] postpones it without evidence,” and 우리의 입장이 약해질 수 있어요 means “our case may become weaker.” With the opening 이해해요 and the contrast connector 하지만, the whole utterance means: “I understand, yet delaying without evidence may weaken our case.”

5. 위험도가 가장 높은 테스트를 우선하면 근거를 수집할 수 있어요.

   We can gather evidence by prioritizing the riskiest tests.

   위험도가

   risk level

   가장 높은

   highest

   테스트를

   test

   우선하면

   if prioritizing

   근거를

   evidence

   수집할

   collect

   수 있어요

   can

   More detail

   위험도가 means “risk level” here. 위험도 is a noun meaning degree of risk, and -가 marks it as the subject of the description 가장 높은. The form 위험도가 does not itself mean “risky”; it says that the risk level is high. 가장 높은 describes the test with the highest risk level. 높은 is the attributive form of 높다 (“to be high”), and 가장 marks the highest degree: 높다 → 더 높다 (“be higher”) → 가장 높다 (“be the highest”). Because 높은 modifies 테스트, it comes before that noun. 테스트를 means “test” as the object of 우선하다. 테스트 is a noun, and -를 marks it as the object. Together, 위험도가 가장 높은 테스트 means “the test(s) whose risk level is highest.” Korean does not mark number here, so the form itself does not specify singular or plural. 우선하면 means “if/when [we] prioritize” in this sentence. It is based on 우선하다 (“to prioritize”), with -면 expressing a condition or circumstance: 우선하다 → 우선하면. Korean omits the subject here; the fixed translation identifies it as “we.” Example: 중요한 일을 우선하면 시간이 절약돼요. — “If you prioritize important tasks, you save time.” 근거를 means “evidence” as the object of 수집하다. 근거 is a noun meaning evidence or a basis for a claim, and -를 marks it as the object. In this utterance, it is what can be gathered. 수집할 is the attributive form of 수집하다 (“to collect”), used before 수. The form 수집할 is part of the ability pattern 수집할 수 있어요, meaning “can collect.” It is not a past-tense form. 수 있어요 completes the ability expression. In 동사-(으)ㄹ 수 있어요, the verb form before 수 combines with 있어요 to express that the action is possible or feasible. Here, 수집할 수 있어요 means “can gather/collect,” and the ending -어요 makes the statement conversationally polite. Together, 위험도가 가장 높은 테스트를 means “the test(s) with the highest risk level” as the object of 우선하면, “if/when we prioritize.” 근거를 수집할 수 있어요 means “we can gather evidence.” The whole utterance therefore means: “We can gather evidence by prioritizing the riskiest tests.”

6. 그러면 논의가 더 객관적으로 진행되고 방어적인 태도도 줄어들 거예요.

   That would make the discussion more objective and less defensive.

   그러면

   then; in that case

   논의

   discussion

   더

   more

   객관적으로

   objectively

   진행되고

   proceeds and

   방어적인

   defensive

   태도

   attitude

   도

   also; too

   줄어들

   decrease; become less

   거예요

   future or expectation marker

   More detail

   그러면 means “then” or “in that case.” It links this result to a condition or situation already under discussion. A reusable pattern is 그러면 + result, meaning “then, …” or “in that case, …”. 논의 is the noun “discussion.” It combines with verbs such as 논의하다 (“to discuss”) and 논의가 진행되다 (“a discussion proceeds” or “a discussion is carried out”). 더 means “more” and increases the degree of the following description. Here it modifies 객관적으로, so the discussion proceeds more objectively. Example: 더 빨리 means “more quickly.” 객관적으로 means “objectively.” The form 객관적 means “objective,” and -으로 makes this expression adverbial: 객관적으로 판단하다 means “to judge objectively.” 진행되고 comes from 진행되다, “to proceed” or “to be carried out.” The ending -고 connects this clause to the following one, giving “proceeds … and …”. Here, 논의가 진행되고 says that the discussion proceeds; it does not identify someone who carries it out. 방어적인 means “defensive” and modifies 태도. It is the attributive form related to 방어적이다 (“to be defensive”), not a form of 태도. Example: 방어적인 반응 means “a defensive reaction.” 태도 means “attitude” or “stance.” Here it is the subject of the later result: the defensive attitude becomes less pronounced. Example: 긍정적인 태도 means “a positive attitude.” 도 is an additive particle meaning “also” or “too.” Attached to 태도, it marks the attitude as another element affected by the expected change: the discussion becomes more objective, and the defensive attitude also decreases. 줄어들 is the verb stem of 줄어들다, “to decrease” or “to become less.” In 줄어들 거예요, this stem combines with the prospective pattern -(으)ㄹ 거예요. Because the stem ends in ㄹ, the visible form is 줄어들 거예요; the meaning is that the attitude will decrease or is expected to become less pronounced, rather than that someone will reduce it directly. 거예요 is the polite future or expectation part of the pattern -(으)ㄹ 거예요. Together with the preceding verb stem, 줄어들 거예요 means “will decrease” or “is expected to decrease.” Putting the parts together, 그러면 introduces the expected consequence. 논의가 더 객관적으로 진행되고 says that the discussion will proceed in a more objective way, while 방어적인 태도도 줄어들 거예요 says that the defensive attitude will also decrease. The whole utterance means: “Then, the discussion will proceed more objectively, and the defensive attitude will also decrease.”

7. 현재 결과를 바탕으로 한 위험 요약이 그렇게 하는 데 도움이 될 거예요.

   A risk summary based on current results would support that.

   현재

   current

   결과

   results

   바탕으로 한

   based on

   위험

   risk

   요약

   summary

   그렇게

   that way

   하는

   doing

   도움이 될 거예요

   will help

   More detail

   현재 means “current” here and commonly comes before a noun to specify the present situation or time: 현재 상황 means “the current situation.” It is not an inflected adjective in this sentence. 결과 means “result.” Its plural meaning can be understood from context; Korean nouns do not have to take a plural ending when the number is not being emphasized. 현재 결과 therefore means “current results.” 바탕으로 한 describes 요약: it means “based on.” The underlying noun 바탕 means “basis” or “foundation,” and 바탕으로 하다 is the pattern “to use as a basis.” Here 한 is the modifier form of 하다, making the preceding phrase modify the following noun: A를 바탕으로 한 B = “B based on A.” 위험 means “risk” or “danger.” It combines with 요약 to form 위험 요약, “risk summary.” 요약 means “summary.” As a noun, it can also be used in the pattern A 요약 for “a summary of A,” while 요약하다 is the related verb “to summarize.” In this sentence, it is the subject of the later predicate. 그렇게 means “that way” or “in that manner.” It refers to the manner already understood from the context, rather than naming a new action itself. Korean 그렇게 is an adverbial form used to describe how something is done. 하는 is the modifier form of 하다, “to do.” In 그렇게 하는 데, it helps form the pattern V-는 데, meaning “in doing V” or “for doing V.” Thus 그렇게 하는 데 means “in doing that” or “for doing so.” The form 하는 itself does not mean “doing that” independently; 그렇게 supplies the manner and the larger construction supplies the purpose/context. 도움이 될 거예요 uses 도움 (“help”) plus 되다 (“to become” or “to serve as”). Literally, it presents something as becoming help; naturally, it means “will help” or “will be helpful.” 될 is the modifier form of 되다 used before 것, and 거예요 is the conversational contraction of 것이에요. The pattern 도움이 될 거예요 expresses a polite prediction or expectation that something will be helpful. For example, 이 설명이 도움이 될 거예요. means “This explanation will be helpful.” Putting the parts together: 현재 결과를 바탕으로 한 identifies a summary based on current results; 위험 요약 names that summary as a risk summary; and 그렇게 하는 데 도움이 될 거예요 says that it will help with doing that. The whole utterance therefore means: “A risk summary based on current results would support that.” The final -ㄹ 거예요 presents this as an expected or predicted result in polite conversational language.

8. 그 요약을 회의에 가져갈게요.

   I can bring that summary to the meeting.

   그

   that

   요약

   summary

   회의

   meeting

   가져갈게요

   I can bring it

   More detail

   그 refers here to the summary identified in the translation as “that summary.” It is a demonstrative determiner placed before a noun. Korean also has 이 for something close to the speaker and 저 for something distant from both speaker and listener; the choice concerns distance or discourse reference, not grammatical gender. 요약 means “summary.” It is a noun and can be used for a summary of information, results, or a discussion. In this sentence, 요약을 marks it as the object of the action: 요약을 가져가다 means “to take/bring a summary.” Example: 회의 내용을 요약했어요. — “I summarized the meeting contents.” 회의 means “meeting.” The following particle 에 marks the destination in this sentence, so 회의에 means “to the meeting.” This same particle can mark a time or a location in other sentences; here the destination reading is supported by 가져가다. 가져갈게요 is the observed form of 가져가다, “to take or bring something along,” plus the ending -ㄹ게요. 가져가다 changes to 가져갈 before -ㄹ게요, and -ㄹ게요 presents the speaker’s willing commitment or intention to do something, often naturally translated here as “I’ll bring it.” It is not simply the ability expression “I can”; the fixed translation uses “can” to convey the intended possibility in context. The subject is the speaker, although Korean commonly leaves that subject unspoken. Compare 가져올게요, “I’ll bring it here,” where 오다 contrasts with 가다 by orienting the movement toward the relevant place or person. Together, 그 요약을 forms “that summary” as the object, 회의에 identifies the meeting as the destination, and 가져갈게요 says that the speaker intends to take or bring it there. The complete meaning is “I can bring that summary to the meeting.”

9. 그러면 현실적인 결정을 내릴 수 있겠네요.

   So we can make a practical decision.

   그러면

   then / in that case

   현실적인

   practical; realistic

   결정

   decision

   내릴

   make (a decision)

   수 있겠네요

   can, apparently

   More detail

   그러면 means “then” or “in that case.” It links the statement to a preceding condition or point. Here it presents the possibility of making a decision as what follows from that context. 현실적인 is the form of 현실적이다, “to be realistic/practical,” used before a noun. The ending -인 makes this descriptive form attributive: 현실적인 결정 = “a practical decision.” Compare 현실적이지 않은 결정, “an impractical decision.” 결정 means “decision.” It is commonly used with 내리다 in the reusable combination 결정을 내리다, literally “lower a decision” in form but naturally “make a decision.” For example, 오늘 결정을 내릴게요. means “I’ll make a decision today.” 내릴 is the form of 내리다, “to lower” or, in this combination, “to make” a decision. Before 수, its -(으)ㄹ form marks the action as a possible or contemplated one: 결정을 내릴 수 있다 means “can make a decision.” The observed form is 내릴, not a form of 결정. 수 있겠네요 combines 수 있다, “can / be possible,” with -겠네요, which presents the speaker’s conclusion or recognition in a conversational way. In this sentence, the fixed meaning is “can make,” with the ending adding a sense of arriving at or acknowledging that conclusion. The -겠- here is not being used to change the statement into a firm future promise. Together, 현실적인 결정 is “a practical decision,” and 결정을 내릴 수 있겠네요 says that making such a decision is possible. With 그러면 at the beginning, the complete utterance means: “So we can make a practical decision.”