Pushing Back on an Unrealistic Timeline | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: During a remote project meeting, two coworkers discuss a risky timeline and plan to use testing evidence before making a decision..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Pushing Back on an Unrealistic Timeline to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

해결되지 않은 테스트 문제를 고려하면, 제안된 일정은 무리해 보여요.

hae-GYEOL-dji a-NEUN TEH-seu-teu moon-JEH-reul go-RYUH-ha-myun, jeh-AN-dwen il-JEONG-eun moo-REE-heh BO-yuh-yo. The proposed timeline feels ambitious, given the unresolved testing issues.
B

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

juh-DOH geu JEOM-ee guk-JJUNG-dweh-jee-MAN, gyung-YOUNG-jeen-eun GUHM-toh JONE-eh gyeh-SOK choo-JEEN-nyuh-geul yoo-JEE-ha-geel WON-heh-yo. I share that concern, though leadership wants momentum before the review.
A

불안정한 것을 출시하면 추진력이 떨어질 거예요.

choo-JEEN-nyuk-eun boo-RAN-jung-han guh-SEUL chooL-SSHEE-ha-myun ttuh-ruh-JEEL guh-YEH-yo. Momentum will suffer if we release something unstable.
B

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

ee-HEH-heh-yo. ha-JEE-man geun-GUH UP-shee mee-ROO-myun oo-REE-eh ip-JJANG-ee ya-KEH-jeel soo EE-suh-yo. I understand, yet delaying without evidence may weaken our case.
A

위험도가 가장 높은 테스트를 우선하면 근거를 수집할 수 있어요.

wee-HYUM-do-ga gah-JANG NO-peun TEH-seu-teu-reul oo-SUN-ha-myun geun-GUH-reul soo-JEEP-hal soo EE-suh-yo. We can gather evidence by prioritizing the riskiest tests.
B

그러면 논의가 더 객관적으로 진행되고 방어적인 태도도 줄어들 거예요.

guh-ruh-MYUN no-NEE-ga duh gaek-KWAN-juhg-eu-ro jin-HAENG-dweh-go bang-UH-juh-gin TEH-do-do jool-uh-DEUL guh-YEH-yo. That would make the discussion more objective and less defensive.
A

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

HYUN-jeh gyeol-GWA-reul ba-TANG-eu-ro han wee-HYUM yo-YAH-gee geu-ruh-KEH ha-neun deh do-OO-mee DWEL guh-YEH-yo. A risk summary based on current results would support that.
B

그 요약을 회의에 가져갈게요.

geu yo-YAH-geul HWEH-ee-eh ga-juh-GAL-keh-yo. I can bring that summary to the meeting.
B

그러면 현실적인 결정을 내릴 수 있겠네요.

guh-ruh-MYUN hyun-SIL-juh-gin gyeol-JJUNG-eul NEH-reel soo eet-GEN-neh-yo. So we can make a practical decision.

Word by Word

해결되지 해결되지 means “not being resolved” in 해결되지 않은 테스트 문제, describing issues that remain unsettled. It comes from 해결되다 and is commonly used before 않은 or 않다 to describe something that has not been resolved. A new example is 해결되지 않은 문제를 다시 확인해요, “I check the unresolved problem again.”
않은 않은 completes 해결되지 않은 and makes the whole description mean “unresolved” or “not resolved.” It is the modifier form of 않다 and commonly appears as V-지 않은 + noun. A new example is 아직 끝나지 않은 일, “work that is not finished yet.”
테스트 테스트 means “test” here, specifically the tests connected with the unresolved issues. It is used as a noun before 문제 in 테스트 문제, “test problems.” A new example is 테스트 결과를 확인해요, “I check the test results.”
문제 문제 means “problem” or “issue” here, referring to the testing issues under discussion. It combines naturally with a modifying noun, as in 테스트 문제. In a work meeting, 문제 can identify something that needs attention or resolution.
를 를 marks 문제 as the object considered in 문제를 고려하면, so the phrase means “when considering the problems.” It is the object marker used after a noun ending in a vowel. A new example is 일정을 검토해요, “I review the schedule.”
고려하면 고려하면 means “when considering” or “if one takes into account” the testing problems. It comes from 고려하다 and forms a condition with -면. A reliable pattern is A를 고려하면 B, such as a new example 일정과 비용을 고려하면 결정하기 어려워요, “Considering the schedule and cost, it is difficult to decide.”
제안된 제안된 means “proposed” in 제안된 일정, identifying the schedule that has been put forward. It comes from 제안되다 and modifies the following noun. A new example is 제안된 방법을 검토해요, “I review the proposed method.”
일정 일정 means “schedule” or “timeline” here, referring to the planned project timing. It can be modified by words such as 제안된 and can be the topic of a judgment about feasibility. In a project discussion, 일정 is used when talking about planned dates or timing.
은 은 marks 일정 as the topic of the sentence, setting the proposed timeline up for the assessment 무리해 보여요. It is the topic marker used after a noun ending in a consonant. A new example is 이 일정은 너무 짧아요, “This schedule is too short.”
무리해 무리해 means “unreasonably” or “too ambitiously” in 무리해 보여요, indicating that the timeline seems difficult to carry out. It is the form used before 보여요 in the expression “seems too demanding.” A new example is 이 계획은 무리해 보여요, “This plan seems too ambitious.”
보여요 보여요 means “seems” or “looks” here, expressing A’s assessment of the schedule rather than a direct statement of fact. It comes from 보이다 and commonly follows an adjective or descriptive phrase in -아/어 보여요. A new example is 일정이 현실적으로 보여요, “The schedule looks realistic.”
저 저 means “I” in this polite workplace conversation. It refers to the speaker and appears with 도 in 저도, “I also.” In a professional conversation, 저 is a polite way to refer to oneself.
도 도 means “also” or “too” in 저도, showing that the speaker shares the concern already mentioned. It attaches directly to the noun or pronoun it adds to. A new example is 저도 그렇게 생각해요, “I think so too.”
그 그 means “that” or “the mentioned” and points back to the concern just discussed in 그 점. It commonly identifies something already known from the conversation. A new example is 그 문제를 먼저 해결해요, “Let’s solve that problem first.”
점 점 means “point” or “aspect” in 그 점, referring to the particular matter or concern just mentioned. It is useful when discussing one aspect of a larger issue. A new example is 그 점이 중요해요, “That point is important.”
이 이 marks 그 점 as the subject of 걱정되지만, so that point is what is concerning. It is the subject marker used after a noun ending in a consonant. A new example is 이 문제가 중요해요, “This problem is important.”
걱정되지만 걱정되지만 means “is concerning, though” or “is worrying, but,” expressing concern followed by a contrasting point. It combines 걱정되다 with -지만, “though/but.” A reliable pattern is A가 걱정되지만 B, such as a new example 결과가 걱정되지만 기다려야 해요, “The result is worrying, but we have to wait.”
경영진 경영진 means “leadership” or “management,” referring to the people who want to maintain momentum before the review. It is a workplace noun used as the subject of an organizational preference or request. A new example is 경영진이 계획을 검토해요, “Leadership reviews the plan.”
검토 검토 means “review” here, referring to the review that will take place after the desired momentum is maintained. It is a noun that commonly combines with 하다 to mean “to review.” In a work setting, 검토 is used for examining a plan, document, or result.
전 전 means “before” in 검토 전, placing the desired momentum before the review. It follows a noun to form a time expression. A new example is 회의 전, “before the meeting.”
에 에 marks the time point in 검토 전에, meaning “before the review.” Here it completes the time expression 전 rather than indicating a destination. A new example is 시작 전에 확인해요, “I check it before starting.”
계속 계속 means “continuously” or “keep on” in 계속 추진력을 유지하길, emphasizing that the momentum should be maintained without stopping. It commonly comes before the verb or action it modifies. A new example is 계속 확인해요, “I keep checking.”
추진력 추진력 means “momentum” or “driving force” in the project context. It is the object maintained in 추진력을 유지하다. A new example is 프로젝트의 추진력이 필요해요, “The project needs momentum.”
을 을 marks 추진력 as the object of 유지하길, identifying what leadership wants to maintain. It is the object marker used after a noun ending in a consonant. A new example is 계획을 확인해요, “I check the plan.”
유지하길 유지하길 means “to maintain” as the desired action in 유지하길 원해요. It is the shortened spoken form of 유지하기를 and is used before 원해요 to express wanting someone to do something. A reliable pattern is A가 B하길 원하다, such as a new example 팀이 계속 협력하길 원해요, “I want the team to keep cooperating.”
원해요 원해요 means “wants” here, stating leadership’s desire for the momentum to be maintained. It comes from 원하다 and follows the desired noun or action. A new example is 관리자가 빠른 답변을 원해요, “The manager wants a quick answer.”
불안정한 불안정한 means “unstable” and modifies 것 in 불안정한 것, referring to something that is not stable enough to release. It comes from 불안정하다 and is used before a noun. A new example is 불안정한 제품을 출시하지 마세요, “Do not release an unstable product.”
것 것 means “thing” or “something” and turns 불안정한 into “something unstable” in 불안정한 것을 출시하면. It allows the described thing to function as the object of 출시하면. A new example is 새로운 것을 시험해요, “I test something new.”
출시하면 출시하면 means “if we release” or “when releasing,” introducing the condition that would cause momentum to decrease. It comes from 출시하다 with -면. A reliable pattern is A를 출시하면 B, such as a new example 제품을 출시하면 반응을 확인해요, “When we release the product, we check the response.”
떨어질 떨어질 means “will fall” or “will decrease” in 추진력이 떨어질 거예요, referring to momentum becoming lower. It comes from 떨어지다 and modifies the expected result before 거예요. A new example is 매출이 떨어질 수 있어요, “Sales may decrease.”
거예요 거예요 completes 떨어질 거예요 and expresses the expected future result “will decrease.” It commonly follows a verb modifier in -(으)ㄹ 거예요 to state a prediction or expectation. A new example is 시간이 더 걸릴 거예요, “It will take more time.”
이해해요 이해해요 means “I understand,” acknowledging the other person’s point before adding a different concern. It comes from 이해하다 and is a polite conversational form. In a meeting, it can be used to recognize someone’s reasoning without necessarily agreeing with it.
하지만 하지만 means “but” or “however” and introduces the contrasting point about delaying without evidence. It commonly links an acknowledgment or statement to a different consideration. A new example is 이해해요. 하지만 시간이 부족해요, “I understand. But we do not have enough time.”
근거 근거 means “evidence” or “basis” here, referring to support for the team’s position about delaying. It commonly appears with 없이 for “without evidence” or with 있다 for having a basis. In a discussion, 근거 identifies information that supports a claim.
없이 없이 means “without” in 근거 없이, showing that the delaying would happen without evidence. It follows a noun to describe the absence of that thing. A new example is 설명 없이 결정하지 마세요, “Do not decide without an explanation.”
미루면 미루면 means “if we delay” or “if we postpone,” describing the condition under which the team’s position may weaken. It comes from 미루다 with -면. A reliable pattern is A를 미루면 B, such as a new example 결정을 미루면 문제가 커질 수 있어요, “If we postpone the decision, the problem may grow.”
우리 우리 means “our” in 우리 의 입장, referring to the position shared by the speakers or their team. It can function as a possessive expression before a noun. A new example is 우리 팀, “our team.”
의 의 marks the possessive relationship in 우리의 입장, meaning “our position.” It connects the possessor 우리 with the possessed noun 입장. A new example is 회사의 계획, “the company’s plan.”
입장 입장 means “position” or “stance” here, referring to the team’s position in the discussion, not a physical entrance. It commonly combines with verbs such as 설명하다 or 바꾸다. In a meeting, 입장 is used when presenting or defending a viewpoint.
약해질 약해질 means “will weaken” or “will become weaker” in 입장이 약해질 수 있어요. It comes from 약해지다 and describes a change in strength before 수 있어요. A new example is 주장이 약해질 수 있어요, “The argument may become weaker.”
수 수 is the possibility element in 약해질 수 있어요, making the phrase mean “may become weaker” or “can become weaker.” It is used with a verb modifier in -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 to express possibility or ability. A new example is 확인할 수 있어요, “It is possible to check it.”
있어요 있어요 completes 약해질 수 있어요 and expresses that the possibility exists, so the position may weaken. In this construction, it does not mean physical location; it works with 수 to form “can or may.” A new example is 지금 시작할 수 있어요, “We can start now.”
위험도 위험도 means “risk level,” referring to how risky each test is. It is the subject of 가장 높은 in 위험도가 가장 높은 테스트. A new example is 위험도가 높은 작업부터 확인해요, “I check the high-risk tasks first.”
가 가 marks 위험도 as the subject of 높은, identifying the risk level that is highest. It is the subject marker used after a noun ending in a vowel. A new example is 시간이 중요해요, “Time is important.”
가장 가장 means “most” and makes 높은 mean “highest” in 가장 높은 테스트. It is placed before the adjective or descriptive form being ranked. A new example is 가장 중요한 부분, “the most important part.”
높은 높은 means “high” and, with 가장, means “highest” in 위험도가 가장 높은 테스트. It is the modifier form of 높다 and describes the risk level of the tests. A new example is 우선순위가 높은 작업, “a high-priority task.”
우선하면 우선하면 means “if we prioritize,” describing the condition for gathering evidence. It comes from 우선하다 with -면. A reliable pattern is A를 우선하면 B, such as a new example 중요한 일을 우선하면 시간을 절약할 수 있어요, “If we prioritize important work, we can save time.”
수집할 수집할 means “to collect” or “to gather” in 근거를 수집할 수 있어요. It comes from 수집하다 and modifies 수 in the possibility construction, expressing what can be done. A new example is 자료를 수집할 수 있어요, “We can collect the data.”
그러면 그러면 means “then” or “in that case,” connecting the proposed prioritization with its expected effect on the discussion. It commonly introduces the consequence of a preceding condition or suggestion. A new example is 그러면 내일 다시 만나요, “Then let’s meet again tomorrow.”
논의 논의 means “discussion,” referring to the project conversation that can become more objective. It is a noun commonly used with 진행되다 for a discussion being conducted. A new example is 논의를 시작해요, “We start the discussion.”
더 더 means “more” in 더 객관적으로, indicating a greater degree of objectivity. It is placed before the word or expression whose degree is increased. A new example is 더 자세히 설명해요, “I explain it in more detail.”
객관적 객관적 means “objective” in the description of how the discussion should proceed. With 으로, it becomes 객관적으로, “objectively” or “in an objective way.” A new example is 객관적인 자료를 사용해요, “I use objective data.”
으로 으로 completes 객관적으로 and marks the manner in which the discussion proceeds: objectively. Here it is part of the adverbial form 객관적으로, rather than marking a destination. A new example is 구체적으로 설명해요, “I explain it specifically.”
진행되고 진행되고 means “proceeds and” or “is carried out and,” linking the discussion’s objective progress to the reduction of a defensive attitude. It comes from 진행되다 with -고, which connects it to the following result. A new example is 회의가 진행되고 있어요, “The meeting is in progress.”
방어적인 방어적인 means “defensive,” describing the kind of attitude that is expected to decrease. It modifies 태도 in 방어적인 태도. A new example is 방어적인 반응을 보이지 마세요, “Do not show a defensive reaction.”
태도 태도 means “attitude” or “stance,” here referring to a defensive manner during the discussion. It combines with descriptive words such as 방어적인 to specify how someone responds. In a workplace conversation, 태도 can describe the way a person approaches disagreement.
줄어들 줄어들 means “will decrease” or “will be reduced” in 방어적인 태도도 줄어들 거예요. It comes from 줄어들다 and describes the attitude becoming less pronounced before 거예요. A new example is 부담이 줄어들 거예요, “The burden will decrease.”
현재 현재 means “current” or “present,” identifying the results available at the time of the discussion. It modifies 결과 in 현재 결과. A new example is 현재 상황을 확인해요, “I check the current situation.”
결과 결과 means “result,” referring to the results that provide the basis for the risk summary. It commonly combines with 현재 to indicate results available now. In testing and project work, 결과 is used for what testing or analysis has produced.
바탕 바탕 means “basis” or “foundation” in 바탕으로 한, showing that the current results serve as the foundation for the risk summary. A reliable pattern is A를 바탕으로 하다 or A를 바탕으로 한 B. A new example is 자료를 바탕으로 한 보고서, “a report based on the data.”
한 한 completes 바탕으로 한 and makes it a modifier meaning “based on” in 위험 요약. It comes from 하다 in the construction A를 바탕으로 한 B. A new example is 경험을 바탕으로 한 조언, “advice based on experience.”
위험 위험 means “risk” in 위험 요약, referring to the risks identified from the current results. It combines with 요약 to specify what is summarized. A new example is 위험을 분석해요, “I analyze the risk.”
요약 요약 means “summary,” referring to a concise presentation of the identified risks. In 위험 요약, 위험 specifies the content of the summary. A new example is 결과 요약을 준비해요, “I prepare a summary of the results.”
그렇게 그렇게 means “that way” or “so,” referring to making the discussion more objective and less defensive. It points back to the manner or result just described. A new example is 그렇게 하면 시간을 절약할 수 있어요, “If you do it that way, you can save time.”
하는 하는 means “doing” or “making” in 그렇게 하는 데, referring to carrying out the approach just mentioned. It is the modifier form of 하다 before 데 in the expression “helpful for doing that.” A reliable pattern is V-는 데 도움이 되다, such as a new example 연습하는 데 도움이 돼요, “It helps with practicing.”
데 데 is used in 그렇게 하는 데 도움이 될 거예요 to mean “in doing that” or “for that purpose.” It forms the practical-purpose expression V-는 데 도움이 되다, “to be helpful for doing V.” A new example is 이해하는 데 도움이 돼요, “It helps with understanding.”
도움 도움 means “help” in 도움이 될 거예요, stating that the risk summary will be useful for making the discussion more objective and less defensive. It commonly appears in 도움이 되다, “to be helpful.” A new example is 이 자료가 큰 도움이 돼요, “This material is a great help.”
될 될 means “will be” in 도움이 될 거예요, making the prediction that the summary will help. It comes from 되다 and appears before 거예요 in the expected-future construction. A new example is 좋은 기준이 될 거예요, “It will be a good standard.”
회의 회의 means “meeting,” referring to the meeting where the summary will be presented. It is the destination or occasion associated with 가져갈게요. A new example is 회의에서 결과를 설명해요, “I explain the results at the meeting.”
가져갈게요 가져갈게요 means “I’ll bring it” or “I’ll take it there,” expressing the speaker’s commitment to take the summary to the meeting. It comes from 가져가다 with -ㄹ게요, a form used for a speaker’s intended action or promise. A reliable pattern is N을 가져갈게요, such as a new example 자료를 가져갈게요, “I’ll bring the materials.”
현실적인 현실적인 means “practical” or “realistic” in 현실적인 결정, describing a decision that can be applied in the actual situation. It modifies 결정 directly. A new example is 현실적인 계획을 세워요, “I make a realistic plan.”
결정 결정 means “decision,” referring to the practical decision the coworkers expect to make. It commonly combines with 내리다 in 결정을 내리다, “to make a decision.” In a work meeting, 결정 identifies the outcome chosen after discussion.
내릴 내릴 means “make” or “reach” in 결정을 내릴 수 있겠네요, where 내리다 is used with 결정 to mean “make a decision.” It appears before 수 in the possibility construction. A new example is 중요한 결정을 내릴 수 있어요, “We can make an important decision.”
있겠네요 있겠네요 completes 내릴 수 있겠네요 and expresses a likely conclusion or ability: “then we should be able to make” a practical decision. It combines the possibility expression 수 있다 with 겠네요, which presents the conclusion as expected or newly recognized. A new example is 이제 시작할 수 있겠네요, “Then it looks like we can start now.”

Grammar Points

-을/를 고려하면

문제를 고려하면

moon-JEH-reul go-RYUH-ha-myun

when considering the problem

Attach -으면 or -면 to express a condition or viewpoint: “when considering…”

-지만

걱정되지만

guk-JJUNG-dweh-jee-MAN

although it is concerning

Attach -지만 to contrast two ideas, similar to “but” or “although” in English.

Korean Vocabulary

걱정되다 verb
guk-JJUNG-dweh-da to be concerning; to worry 걱정되지만
검토 noun
GUHM-toh review
경영진 noun
gyung-YOUNG-jeen leadership; management
고려하다 verb
go-RYUH-ha-da to consider 고려하면
무리하다 adj
moo-REE-ha-da to be too ambitious; to be unreasonable 무리해
문제 noun
moon-JEH problem
불안정하다 adj
boo-RAN-jung-ha-da to be unstable 불안정한
일정 noun
il-JEONG schedule; timeline
제안되다 verb
jeh-AN-dweh-da to be proposed 제안된
추진력 noun
choo-JEEN-nyuk momentum; driving force
출시하다 verb
chool-SSHEE-ha-da to release; to launch 출시하면
해결되다 verb
hae-GYEOL-dweh-da to be resolved 해결되지 않은

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Momentum will suffer if we release something unstable.

Show Answer불안정한 것을 출시하면 추진력이 떨어질 거예요.

I can bring that summary to the meeting.

Show Answer그 요약을 회의에 가져갈게요.

So we can make a practical decision.

Show Answer그러면 현실적인 결정을 내릴 수 있겠네요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to be concerning; to worry

Show Answer걱정되지만

to consider

Show Answer고려하면

to release; to launch

Show Answer출시하면

to be unstable

Show Answer불안정한