Handling a Seating Issue Politely | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: At a restaurant, a guest explains that a reserved table is too loud and a staff member offers a quieter corner table..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Handling a Seating Issue Politely to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

저희는 조용한 테이블을 예약했는데, 이 구역은 예상보다 훨씬 시끄럽네요.

juh-HEE-nun joh-yong-han TAY-buhl-ul yeh-YAHK-hen-neun-deh, ee goo-YUH-gun yeh-SANG-boh-dah HWUHL-SSIN shee-kkuh-REOM-neh-yo. We reserved a quiet table, but this area is much louder than expected.
B

죄송합니다. 그 구역은 저희가 예상했던 것보다 일찍 자리가 다 찼습니다.

jweh-SONG-ham-nee-da. guh goo-YUH-gun juh-HEE-ga yeh-SANG-haet-tun guhT-BBOH-dah eel-JJIK jah-ree-ga dah chat-SSEUM-nee-da. I'm sorry; that section filled up earlier than we expected.
A

이 테이블에서는 저희 일행이 서로의 말을 듣기 어려울 것 같아요.

ee TAY-buhl-eh-suh-nun juh-HEE eel-haeng-ee suh-roh-eh mah-rul deut-KKEE uh-RYUH-wool guhT KKA-ta-yo. This table will make it hard for our group to hear each other.
B

주변 공간이 더 넉넉한 구석 테이블로 옮겨 드릴 수 있습니다.

joo-BYUN gong-GAH-nee duh neong-NUH-kan goo-SUK TAY-buhl-loh ohm-GYUH deu-REEL ssoo eet-SSEUM-nee-da. I can move you to a corner table that has more space around it.
A

그러면 도움이 되겠네요. 다만 담당 직원이 계속 저희를 잘 응대할 수 있다면요.

guh-ruh-myun doh-OO-mee dweh-GEN-neh-yo. dah-MAHN dam-DANG jee-GWON-ee gyeh-SOHK juh-HEE-rul jal eung-DAY-hal ssoo eet-TTA-myun-nyo. That would help, as long as our server can still keep up with us.
B

그 구석 자리는 같은 직원이 담당하니, 서비스도 차질 없이 진행될 겁니다.

guh goo-SUK jah-ree-nun gah-teun jee-GWON-ee dam-DANG-ha-nee, suh-BEE-ssoo-doh cha-JEEL UP-sshee jin-HAENG-dwel guhM-nee-da. The same server covers that corner, so service should stay on track.
A

그렇다면 모두 앉기 전에 옮기죠.

guh-ruh-TAH-myun moh-DOO AHN-KKEE juh-neh ohm-GEE-joh. Then let's move before everyone sits down.
B

지금 바로 테이블을 다시 정리해 두겠습니다.

jee-GEUM bah-ROH TAY-buhl-ul dah-SHEE jung-nee-hay doo-GET-SSEUM-nee-da. I'll have the table reset now.

Word by Word

저희는 저희는 means “we” as the topic, with a humble and polite reference to the speaker’s group. 는 marks the topic. Use it when speaking for your own group politely, as in 저희는 조용한 테이블을 예약했는데.
조용한 조용한 means “quiet” and directly describes 테이블. Its citation form is 조용하다; 조용한 is the noun-modifying form used before a noun. Use this form before a place, object, or other noun that is quiet.
테이블을 테이블을 means “the table” as the object of the reservation. 를 marks 테이블 as the object. Object nouns commonly take 을 or 를 before an action such as reserving.
예약했는데 예약했는데 means “having reserved it, but” and introduces the reservation as background for the complaint that follows. Its citation form is 예약하다; 예약했는데 combines the completed reservation with the connective ending 는데. Use this form to give background before an explanation, contrast, or concern.
이 이 means “this” and points to the nearby 구역 in 이 구역은. It comes directly before the noun it identifies. Use 이 before a nearby person, place, or object.
구역은 구역은 means “the area” or “the section” as the topic of the sentence. 은 marks the topic. In this restaurant context, 구역 refers to a particular seating section.
예상보다 예상보다 means “than expected.” 보다 marks the standard used for comparison, so 예상보다 introduces the expected level as the basis of comparison. Use X보다 when saying that something is more or less than X.
훨씬 훨씬 means “much” or “far” and strengthens the comparison in 훨씬 시끄럽네요. It shows that the difference from the expected level is substantial. Use it before a comparative description when the difference is clearly large.
시끄럽네요 시끄럽네요 means “it is noisy” with a polite, gentle realization or observation. Its citation form is 시끄럽다; 시끄럽네요 uses the polite -네요 ending to present what the speaker notices. Use it for a tactful observation about a current situation.
죄송합니다 죄송합니다 means “I am sorry” in a formal, polite way. Here the staff member uses it to acknowledge the guest’s inconvenience. Use it when apologizing politely in a service interaction or other formal situation.
그 그 means “that” and identifies the section in 그 구역은. It comes directly before the noun it modifies. Use 그 before a person, place, or object already identified or understood in the conversation.
저희가 저희가 means “we” as the subject, referring humbly to the staff’s group. 가 marks 저희 as the subject of 예상했던. Use it when your own group is the actor or source of an expectation in a polite context.
예상했던 예상했던 means “that we expected” and describes the expectation used as a comparison point. Its citation form is 예상하다; 예상했던 is the form that modifies the following 것. Use it before a noun when referring to something that was expected earlier.
것보다 것보다 means “than the thing or fact,” and in 예상했던 것보다 the whole phrase means “than what we expected.” 것 turns the preceding description into a thing or fact, while 보다 marks the comparison. Use this construction when comparing a current situation with what was expected.
일찍 일찍 means “early” and describes when the section became full. It functions as a time adverb before the action or state it modifies. Use it with actions or events that happen earlier than usual or expected.
자리가 자리가 means “the seats” or “the places” as the subject of the sentence. 이 marks 자리 as the subject. In a restaurant, 자리 can refer to an available seat or seating place.
다 다 means “all” or “completely” in 자리가 다 찼습니다. It emphasizes that no seats remained available. Use it before a verb or state to show that something is complete or applies to everything involved.
찼습니다 찼습니다 means “were full” or “filled up” in this formal polite sentence. Its citation form is 차다 in the sense of being full; 찼습니다 presents that state as completed. Use it for seats, spaces, or containers that have become full.
테이블에서는 테이블에서는 means “at this table” in the sentence about the group’s ability to hear. 에서 marks the table as the place where the situation occurs, and 는 adds a topic or contrastive focus. Use this form when describing what happens at a particular location.
저희 저희 means “our group” or “we” in the humble expression 저희 일행. Here it identifies whose party is being discussed. Use 저희 before a group-related noun when referring politely to your own group.
일행이 일행이 means “our party” or “group” as the subject. 이 marks 일행 as the subject of the difficulty hearing each other. Use 일행 for a group traveling, dining, or attending an event together.
서로의 서로의 means “each other’s” and describes 말을 in 서로의 말을. 의 marks the relationship of possession or association. Use it before a noun when the members of a group have a mutual relationship to that noun.
말을 말을 means “words” or “speech” as the object of hearing. 을 marks 말 as what the group has difficulty hearing. In this sentence, it refers to what the members say to one another.
듣기 듣기 means “hearing” or “listening” as an action treated like a noun. Its citation form is 듣다; 듣기 uses the nominalizing ending 기 in 듣기 어려울. Use an action plus 기 when describing whether doing that action is easy or difficult.
어려울 어려울 means “will be difficult” in the expected situation 어려울 것 같아요. Its citation form is 어렵다; 어려울 is the form placed before 것 in this construction. Use it before 것 같아요 when saying that an activity or situation seems likely to be difficult.
것 것 means “thing” or “fact,” but in 어려울 것 같아요 it helps turn the preceding description into a proposition. The whole construction means “it seems that it will be difficult,” while 것 provides the noun-like frame. Use 것 같아요 after a description when expressing an impression or tentative judgment.
같아요 같아요 means “seems” or “I think” and gently softens the assessment. Its citation form is 같다; 같아요 is the polite form used in the construction 어려울 것 같아요. Use it when presenting an opinion or prediction without stating it too forcefully.
주변 주변 means “the surrounding area” and appears in 주변 공간, the space around the table. It is a noun that identifies what is nearby or around something. Use it before a noun when describing the area surrounding a place or object.
공간이 공간이 means “space” as the subject of the description. 이 marks 공간 as the subject, and the space is described as more ample. Use it when discussing the amount of room available around people or objects.
더 더 means “more” and increases the degree of 넉넉한 in 더 넉넉한. It marks a comparison with the current table’s space. Use it directly before the adjective or adverb whose degree is being increased.
넉넉한 넉넉한 means “ample” or “spacious” and describes 공간. Its citation form is 넉넉하다; 넉넉한 is the noun-modifying form before 공간. Here it describes enough surrounding room for the group.
구석 구석 means “corner” and identifies the location of the alternative table in 구석 테이블. It is used as a noun before 테이블 to specify which table. Use it for a corner or less central part of a room or area.
테이블로 테이블로 means “to the table” and marks the destination of the move. 로 shows the direction or destination in 옮겨 ... 테이블로. Use a destination noun with 로 when describing movement toward or to that destination.
옮겨 옮겨 means “move” or “transfer” in 옮겨 드릴 수 있습니다. Its citation form is 옮기다; 옮겨 is the connective form linking the movement with the polite service expression 드리다. Here the staff member offers to move the guests to another table.
드릴 드릴 indicates that the staff member will perform the action for the guests in 옮겨 드릴 수 있습니다. Its citation form is 드리다; 드릴 is the form used before 수 to express a possible service action. Use this service-oriented construction when offering to do something for another person politely.
수 수 expresses possibility in 옮겨 드릴 수 있습니다, so the whole phrase means “can move you.” It is a dependent noun used with the preceding verb form to frame what is possible. Use the pattern verb plus 을 or ㄹ 수 있습니다 to say that someone can do something.
있습니다 있습니다 means “is possible” in the construction 옮겨 드릴 수 있습니다. Its citation form is 있다; together with 수 it forms a formal polite expression of ability or possibility. Use it after 수 when stating politely that an action is possible.
그러면 그러면 means “then” or “in that case” and connects the proposed move with the guest’s response. It treats the preceding information as the condition for what follows. Use it when drawing a consequence from something just said.
도움이 도움이 means “help” as the subject in 도움이 되겠네요. 이 marks 도움 as the subject, and the full expression means that something will be helpful. Use 도움이 되다 when evaluating whether an action or solution helps.
되겠네요 되겠네요 means “would be helpful” here, with a gentle realization about the proposed move. Its citation form is 되다; 되겠네요 combines the prospective sense of 겠 with the polite realization ending 네요. Use it for a tactful judgment about a likely result.
다만 다만 means “however” or “there is just one qualification.” Here it introduces the guest’s remaining concern about continued service. Use it to add a reservation after generally agreeing with what was said.
담당 담당 means “being in charge of” and appears in 담당 직원, meaning “the staff member in charge.” It identifies responsibility for the guests or area. Use 담당 before a person or role when specifying who handles a task or customer.
직원이 직원이 means “the staff member” as the subject of the concern about service. 이 marks 직원 as the subject of 응대할. Use 직원 for a staff member in a workplace, shop, or restaurant.
계속 계속 means “continuously” or “still” and modifies 응대할. It shows that service should continue after the guests move. Use it before an action or state that remains ongoing.
저희를 저희를 means “us” as the object of 응대할. 를 marks the speaker’s group as the people receiving service. Use this humble object form when describing how staff or another person treats your group.
잘 잘 means “well” and modifies 응대할 in the sense of serving the group properly. It evaluates the quality or adequacy of the service. Use it before an action verb when saying that something is done well.
응대할 응대할 means “will attend to” or “will serve” and describes the service the staff member can continue providing. Its citation form is 응대하다; 응대할 is the form before 수 in 저희를 잘 응대할 수 있다면요. Use it for polite service toward customers or guests.
담당하니 담당하니 means “since [someone] is in charge of” and gives the reason for the assurance that follows. Its citation form is 담당하다; 담당하니 uses a connective form that links the responsibility to its result. Use it to explain why a situation or outcome is expected.
서비스도 서비스도 means “the service also” or “service too.” 도 adds service as another item that will remain satisfactory, alongside the table arrangement. Use 도 when adding an item to something already mentioned.
차질 차질 means a disruption, hitch, or setback in 차질 없이. The full phrase 차질 없이 means “without disruption,” so 차질 supplies the problem that is being excluded. Use it in this kind of expression when discussing whether plans or service encounter a hitch.
없이 없이 means “without” and attaches to 차질 in 차질 없이. Its citation form is 없다; 없이 is the adverbial form used to describe proceeding without something. Use a noun plus 없이 to say that something happens without that condition.
진행될 진행될 means “will proceed” in 서비스도 차질 없이 진행될 겁니다. Its citation form is 진행되다; 진행될 is the form before 겁니다 that presents the expected course of the service. Use it for plans, events, or processes that are expected to continue.
겁니다 겁니다 is the formal polite ending in 진행될 겁니다 and expresses an expected future result. It presents the staff member’s assurance that service will stay on track. Use it after a preceding verb or adjective form when making a polite prediction or assurance.
그렇다면 그렇다면 means “if that is so” or “then” and accepts the staff member’s reassurance as the basis for the next decision. It introduces a consequence under that condition. Use it when moving from an explanation or condition to an action or conclusion.
모두 모두 means “everyone” or “all” and refers to every member of the group in 모두 앉기 전에. It emphasizes that the timing applies to the whole group. Use it before an action or noun when referring to all people or items involved.
앉기 앉기 means “sitting down” as an action treated like a noun. Its citation form is 앉다; 앉기 uses the nominalizing ending 기 in 앉기 전에. Use an action plus 기 전에 to express “before doing that action.”
전에 전에 means “before” and follows 앉기 in 앉기 전에. It sets the time limit for moving the group. Use it after a noun or nominalized action to say that something happens before it.
옮기죠 옮기죠 means “let’s move” as a polite proposal. Its citation form is 옮기다; 옮기죠 uses the polite suggestion ending 죠. Use it when proposing a shared action or seeking agreement about what to do next.
지금 지금 means “now” and places the staff member’s action in the present moment. It emphasizes that the table will be reset immediately. Use it as a time adverb before an action that is happening or will happen now.
바로 바로 means “right away” in 지금 바로. It strengthens the immediacy of the planned action. Use it with a time or action expression when promising that something will happen without delay.
다시 다시 means “again” and describes resetting the table after the seating change. It indicates that the arrangement will be done anew. Use it before an action that is repeated or redone.
정리해 정리해 means “arrange” or “reset” in 정리해 두겠습니다. Its citation form is 정리하다; 정리해 is the connective form before 두겠습니다. Here it refers to preparing the table again for the guests.
두겠습니다 두겠습니다 means “I will leave it done” or “I will keep it arranged” in 정리해 두겠습니다. Its citation form is 두다; after 정리해, it shows that the arrangement will be completed and left ready for later use, with a formal polite commitment. Use this construction when preparing something in advance and keeping it in that state.

Grammar Points

V-는데

예약했는데

yeh-YAHK-hen-neun-deh

having made a reservation, but/as

-는데 connects a background situation to what follows, often showing contrast or providing context.

V-기 어렵다

듣기 어려울

deut-KKEE uh-RYUH-wool

will be difficult to hear

기 turns a verb into a noun-like expression; 어렵다 then describes the difficulty of doing that action.

Korean Vocabulary

구역 noun
goo-YUHk area; section 이 구역

이 구역은 예상보다 훨씬 시끄럽네요

시끄럽다 adj
shee-kkuh-RUP-tta to be noisy; to be loud 시끄럽네요

이 구역은 예상보다 훨씬 시끄럽네요

예상하다 verb
yeh-SANG-ha-da to expect; to anticipate 예상보다

예상보다 훨씬 시끄럽네요

예약하다 verb
yeh-YAHK-ha-da to reserve; to make a reservation 예약했는데

저희는 조용한 테이블을 예약했는데

일찍 adv
eel-JJIK early

저희가 예상했던 것보다 일찍 자리가 다 찼습니다

자리 noun
JAH-ree seat; spot; place 자리가

일찍 자리가 다 찼습니다

저희 pron
juh-HEE we; us (humble)

저희는 조용한 테이블을 예약했는데

조용하다 adj
joh-yong-HA-da to be quiet 조용한

조용한 테이블

죄송하다 adj
jweh-SONG-ha-da to be sorry 죄송합니다

죄송합니다

차다 verb
CHA-da to be full 찼습니다

자리가 다 찼습니다

테이블 noun
TAY-buhl table

조용한 테이블을 예약했는데

훨씬 adv
HWUHL-SSIN much; far

예상보다 훨씬 시끄럽네요

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Then let's move before everyone sits down.

Show Answer그렇다면 모두 앉기 전에 옮기죠.

I'll have the table reset now.

Show Answer지금 바로 테이블을 다시 정리해 두겠습니다.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to be noisy; to be loud

Show Answer시끄럽네요

to expect; to anticipate

Show Answer예상보다

to reserve; to make a reservation

Show Answer예약했는데

to be sorry

Show Answer죄송합니다