Describing a Possible Heating Problem | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: At home, a tenant describes a heating problem and discusses whether a technician will need access to different rooms..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Describing a Possible Heating Problem to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

난방이 켜지기는 하지만 방이 전혀 쾌적해지지 않아요.

nahn-BAHNG-ee kyuh-jee-GEE-neun hah-JEE-mahn bahng-ee juhn-HYUH kweh-juhk-hae-JEE-jee ah-NAH-yo The heating switches on, but the room never becomes comfortable.
B

온도 조절기는 작동하지만 라디에이터 밸브는 여전히 고착되어 있을 수도 있어요.

OHN-doh joh-JUHL-gee-neun jahk-TONG-ha-ji-mahn rah-dee-eh-EE-tuh BEHL-buh-neun yuh-JUHN-hee goh-CHAHK-dweh-uh ee-SSEUL soo-doh ee-SUH-yo The thermostat may be working, while the radiator valve remains stuck.
A

벽 근처의 파이프가 따뜻하게 느껴져서 저도 그 점이 궁금했어요.

BYUHK geun-CHUH-eh pah-EE-peu-ga TTAH-tteu-ta-ge nuh-KKYUHK-juh-suh juh-doh guh JUHM-ee goong-geum-HAE-sseo-yo I wondered about that, because the pipe feels warm near the wall.
B

그렇다면 전원보다는 순환이 문제일 가능성이 크겠네요.

geu-ruh-TAH-myun juhn-WON-boh-da-neun SOON-hwan-ee moon-JEH-il ga-neung-SUNG-ee keu-GET-neh-yo Then the problem is probably circulation rather than power.
A

기술자가 모든 방에 들어가지 않고도 확인할 수 있을까요?

gee-SOOL-jah-ga MOH-deun bahng-eh duh-ruh-GAH-jee AHN-koh-doh HWAH-gin-hal soo ee-SSEUL-kkah-yo Could a technician check it without entering every room?
B

기술자가 아파트 여러 곳의 온도를 비교하려면 방에 들어갈 수 있어야 할 수도 있어요.

gee-SOOL-jah-ga ah-pah-TEU yuh-ruh GOH-seh OHN-doh-reul bee-GYOH-ha-ryuh-myun bahng-eh duh-ruh-GAL soo ee-SUH-yah hal soo-doh ee-SUH-yo They may need access to compare temperatures across the apartment.
A

기술자가 적절한 사전 통보를 해 준다면 그렇게 조정할 수 있어요.

gee-SOOL-jah-ga juhk-JUHL-han SAH-juhn TONG-boh-reul hae JOON-da-myun geu-ruh-KEH joh-JUHNG-hal soo ee-SUH-yo I can arrange that if they give reasonable notice.
B

확정하기 전에 방문 가능한 시간대를 명확히 정해 달라고 요청해야겠어요.

HWAHK-juhng-ha-gee JUHN-eh bahng-MOON ga-neung-HAN shee-GAHN-dae-reul MYUNG-hwak-hee JUHNG-hae DAL-la-go yo-CHUNG-hae-YAH-get-neh-yo We should request a clear time window before we confirm.

Word by Word

난방이 “난방이” means “the heating” as the subject of the sentence. The ending 이 marks it as the thing that switches on; this form is useful when describing what a heating system does.
켜지기는 “켜지기는” means that the heating does switch on, with emphasis on that fact before the contrast that follows. This form is useful when acknowledging one working aspect while introducing a problem or limitation.
하지만 “하지만” means “but” and introduces a contrast between the heating switching on and the room not becoming comfortable. It is commonly used to connect two contrasting statements.
방이 “방이” means “the room” as the subject of becoming comfortable. The ending 이 marks the room as the thing whose condition changes.
전혀 “전혀” means “not at all” in this sentence and strengthens the negative statement about the room. It is commonly used with a negative expression when emphasizing that something does not happen in any degree.
쾌적해지지 “쾌적해지지” expresses becoming comfortable in the negative sequence completed by 않아요. It is useful for describing a condition that fails to improve or change into a desired state.
않아요 “않아요” makes the preceding expression negative, so 쾌적해지지 않아요 means that the room does not become comfortable. This polite ending is useful for stating a present problem or condition.
온도 “온도” means “temperature” and forms the first part of “온도 조절기는,” referring to a device that controls temperature. It is useful when discussing how warm or cool a place or object is.
조절기는 “조절기는” means “the thermostat” in “온도 조절기는,” with 는 marking it as the topic. This form is useful when contrasting the thermostat’s operation with the radiator valve’s condition.
작동하지만 “작동하지만” means “works, but” and presents the thermostat as functioning while the valve may still be stuck. It is a useful way to contrast two conditions in a device or system.
라디에이터 “라디에이터” means “radiator,” the heating unit mentioned in the possible fault. This loanword is useful when identifying a particular part of a heating system.
밸브는 “밸브는” means “the valve” as the topic in contrast with the thermostat. The ending 는 highlights the valve’s separate condition, which remains stuck.
여전히 “여전히” means “still,” showing that the valve remains in the same stuck condition. It is useful when a problem continues despite another part of the system working.
고착되어 “고착되어” describes being stuck or fixed in place, and it connects to 있어요 to describe the valve’s continuing state. This form is useful for describing a mechanical part that cannot move normally.
있을 “있을” contributes the idea of being in a state in “고착되어 있을 수도 있어요.” Here it helps describe the possibility that the valve remains stuck; it is useful when a condition may continue to exist.
수도 “수도” is part of “있을 수도 있어요,” expressing that the stated possibility may be one option. This construction is useful when giving a cautious explanation rather than a definite diagnosis.
있어요 “있어요” completes the possibility expression “있을 수도 있어요,” meaning that the valve may be in that condition. The polite form is useful for presenting a tentative assessment.
벽 “벽” means “wall” in “벽 근처의,” identifying the nearby location of the pipe. It is useful for describing where an object or sensation is located.
근처의 “근처의” means “near” or “in the vicinity of” and modifies 파이프가 in the expression “벽 근처의 파이프가.” It is useful for locating one noun close to another place or object.
파이프가 “파이프가” means “the pipe” as the subject of feeling warm. The ending 가 marks the pipe as the source of the observed sensation.
따뜻하게 “따뜻하게” means “warm” in the description of how the pipe feels. Its form is useful before an expression of feeling or perception when describing the quality of that sensation.
느껴져서 “느껴져서” means “because it feels” or “since it feels,” linking the warm sensation of the pipe to the speaker’s curiosity. This form is useful for giving a reason based on how something is perceived.
저도 “저도” means “I also” or “I, too,” showing that the speaker had the same point in mind. The ending 도 is useful when adding the speaker to an already mentioned group or viewpoint.
그 “그” means “that” and points back to the aspect just discussed. It is useful before a noun when referring to information already known in the conversation.
점이 “점이” means “that point” or “that aspect” as the subject of being curious in “그 점이 궁금했어요.” This form is useful when referring to one particular aspect of a situation.
궁금했어요 “궁금했어요” means “was curious” or “wondered,” referring here to the speaker’s question about the warm pipe. It is useful for explaining that something in a previous situation raised a question.
그렇다면 “그렇다면” means “then” or “if that is so,” using the preceding information as the basis for a conclusion. It is useful when drawing a tentative conclusion from what another person has said.
전원보다는 “전원보다는” means “rather than power” in the comparison of possible causes. The ending 보다는 marks power as the option being contrasted with circulation; this form is useful when weighing one explanation against another.
순환이 “순환이” means “circulation” as the subject of possibly being the problem. The ending 이 marks circulation as the suspected source of the heating issue.
문제일 “문제일” means “be the problem” within “순환이 문제일 가능성이,” describing what the circulation may be. This form is useful before a word expressing likelihood or possibility.
가능성이 “가능성이” means “the likelihood” or “the possibility” as the subject whose level is being assessed. It is useful when presenting an explanation as probable rather than certain.
크겠네요 “크겠네요” means that the likelihood seems high, with the speaker reaching an inference from the evidence. This polite expression is useful when recognizing a likely conclusion without stating absolute certainty.
기술자가 “기술자가” means “the technician” as the person who may check the heating. The ending 가 marks the technician as the subject of the possible action.
모든 “모든” means “every” or “all” and modifies 방 in “모든 방,” referring to the complete set of rooms. It is useful before a plural or collective noun when including the whole group.
방에 “방에” means “into the room” with 들어가다, identifying the destination of entering. This form is useful for stating which place someone enters or goes into.
들어가지 “들어가지” means “enter” in the negative connective expression “들어가지 않고도.” It supplies the action that is not performed, so the phrase means that the technician can check the system without entering every room.
않고도 “않고도” means “without doing so” or “even without,” connecting a negative action to the possibility of checking the heating. It is useful when saying that one result is possible despite omitting an action.
확인할 “확인할” means “to check” in “확인할 수 있을까요,” referring to examining the heating problem. This form is useful before an expression of ability or possibility when asking whether an action can be done.
수 “수” expresses ability or possibility in “확인할 수 있을까요.” It is useful after an action form to ask or state whether that action is possible.
있을까요 “있을까요” completes the polite question “확인할 수 있을까요,” meaning “could it be possible to check it?” This form is useful for making a careful request or asking about feasibility.
아파트 “아파트” means “apartment” and identifies the whole location across which temperatures are compared. It is useful when discussing rooms, facilities, or conditions within a residential building.
여러 “여러” means “several” or “various” and modifies 곳 in “여러 곳,” referring to more than one location. It is useful when the exact number is not specified but the group contains multiple places.
곳의 “곳의” means “of places” and links 여러 곳 to 온도, giving the meaning “the temperatures of several places.” The ending 의 is useful for showing the relationship between two nouns.
온도를 “온도를” means “temperatures” as the object being compared. The ending 를 marks the temperatures as the thing affected by 비 교하려면’s action.
비교하려면 “비교하려면” means “to compare” or “if one needs to compare,” explaining the purpose or condition for entering the rooms. This form is useful when stating what must be done in order to achieve a particular purpose.
들어갈 “들어갈” means “to enter” in the phrase “들어갈 수 있어야,” referring to the technician’s possible access to the rooms. It is useful before 수 when describing whether an action is possible.
있어야 “있어야” means that something needs to be possible or available, here referring to being able to enter. In “들어갈 수 있어야 할 수도 있어요,” it describes a necessary condition that may apply.
할 “할” contributes the idea of needing to do something in “들어갈 수 있어야 할 수도 있어요.” Here it places the need itself inside a possibility expression, so the technician may need to be able to enter.
적절한 “적절한” means “reasonable” or “appropriate” and modifies 사전 통보, describing notice that gives the tenant enough practical preparation time. It is useful before a noun when judging whether something fits the circumstances.
사전 “사전” means “advance” or “prior” in “사전 통보,” referring to notice given before the visit. It is useful in expressions about something arranged or communicated ahead of time.
통보를 “통보를” means “notice” as the object of giving or making notice. The ending 를 marks the notice as what the technician provides before visiting.
해 “해” is the action form used with 통보를 and 준다면 to express giving or providing notice. In this context, it describes the technician carrying out the notice-related action for the tenant.
준다면 “준다면” means “if they give” in the condition about receiving reasonable notice. It is useful for stating what will be possible when another person provides something or takes an action.
그렇게 “그렇게” means “that way” or “so,” referring back to arranging access under the stated notice condition. It is useful when pointing to an arrangement or manner already established in the conversation.
조정할 “조정할” means “arrange” or “adjust” in “그렇게 조정할 수 있어요,” referring to arranging access to the apartment. This form is useful before an expression of ability when saying that an arrangement can be made.
확정하기 “확정하기” means “confirming” or “finalizing” and refers to finalizing the technician’s visit. The form is useful when an action is treated as a noun before a time expression such as 전에.
전에 “전에” means “before” and places the request for a clear time window before confirmation. It is useful for ordering one action or event ahead of another.
방문 “방문” means “visit” in “방문 가능한 시간대,” referring to the technician’s visit. It is useful when discussing an official or arranged visit to a place.
가능한 “가능한” means “possible” or “available” and modifies 시간대, identifying a time window when the visit can take place. It is useful before a noun to describe what can be arranged.
시간대를 “시간대를” means “time window” as the object of setting clearly and requesting. The ending 를 marks the visit period that should be decided.
명확히 “명확히” means “clearly,” describing how the time window should be set. It is useful when asking for information or arrangements without ambiguity.
정해 “정해” means “set” or “decide” in “시간대를 명확히 정해 달라고,” referring to deciding the available visiting period. It is useful when asking someone to establish a time, choice, or arrangement.
달라고 “달라고” introduces a request for someone to do the preceding action, so “정해 달라고” means asking them to set the time window. This pattern is useful when reporting or making a request for another person’s action.
요청해야겠어요 “요청해야겠어요” means “we should request” or “we ought to request,” expressing the speaker’s conclusion about the necessary next step. It is useful for proposing an action that should be taken before an arrangement is confirmed.

Grammar Points

-기는 하지만

난방이 켜지기는 하지만 전혀 쾌적해지지 않아요.

nahn-BAHNG-ee kyuh-jee-GEE-neun hah-JEE-mahn juhn-HYUH kweh-juhk-hae-JEE-jee ah-NAH-yo

The heating does switch on, but it does not become comfortable at all.

This pattern acknowledges one fact before contrasting it with a different or unexpected result.

-(으)ㄹ 수도 있어요

라디에이터 밸브가 여전히 고착되어 있을 수도 있어요.

rah-dee-eh-EE-tuh BEHL-buh-ga yuh-JUHN-hee goh-CHAHK-dweh-uh ee-SSEUL soo-doh ee-SUH-yo

The radiator valve may still remain stuck.

This ending expresses possibility or a tentative guess, rather than certainty.

Korean Vocabulary

고착되어 있을 수도 있어요 phrase
goh-CHAHK-dweh-uh ee-SSEUL soo-doh ee-SUH-yo may remain stuck
난방 noun
nahn-BAHNG heating
따뜻하게 느껴져서 phrase
TTAH-tteu-ta-ge nuh-KKYUHK-juh-suh because it feels warm
라디에이터 밸브 noun
rah-dee-eh-EE-tuh BEHL-buh radiator valve
벽 근처 phrase
BYUHK geun-CHUH near the wall
순환 noun
SOON-hwan circulation
여전히 adv
yuh-JUHN-hee still
온도 조절기 noun
OHN-doh joh-JUHL-gee thermostat
작동하지만 phrase
jahk-TONG-ha-ji-mahn works, but
전혀 adv
juhn-HYUH not at all
켜지기는 하지만 phrase
kyuh-jee-GEE-neun hah-JEE-mahn switches on, but
쾌적해지지 않아요 phrase
kweh-juhk-hae-JEE-jee ah-NAH-yo does not become comfortable

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Then the problem is probably circulation rather than power.

Show Answer그렇다면 전원보다는 순환이 문제일 가능성이 크겠네요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

works, but

Show Answer작동하지만

still

Show Answer여전히

heating

Show Answer난방

not at all

Show Answer전혀