Calmly Addressing a Noise Issue with a Neighbor | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a shared building, one neighbor calmly explains that music carries through the wall late at night and agrees on practical adjustments..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Calmly Addressing a Noise Issue with a Neighbor to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

벽을 통해 음악이 꽤 또렷하게 들린다는 말씀을 드리고 싶었어요.

BYUH-gul tong-heh eu-MAH-gi kkweh ttoh-RYUH-ta-geh deul-LIN-da-neun MAL-sseu-meul deu-ri-go SHI-puh-ssuh-yo I wanted to mention that your music carries clearly through the wall.
B

옆집까지 들리는 줄은 몰랐어요.

YUP-jjip-KKAH-jee deul-LI-neun ju-reun mol-LA-ssuh-yo I did not realize it was reaching your side.
A

건물이 조용한 늦은 밤에 특히 잘 들려요.

gun-mul-lee jo-YONG-han neu-jeun BAM-eh TUH-kee jal deul-LYUH-yo It is mostly noticeable late at night, when the building is quiet.
B

저음을 낮추고 스피커를 벽에서 멀리 옮길 수 있어요.

juh-eu-meul nat-CHOO-go suh-PEE-kuh-reul BYUH-geh-suh MUL-lee om-GIL soo ee-SSUH-yo I can lower the bass and move the speakers away from the wall.
A

그러면 도움이 될 것 같아요. 특히 평일 밤에는요.

kuh-ruh-myun doo-OO-mee dwel KKUHT ga-TA-yo. TUH-kee pyung-IL ba-MEH-neun-yo That would help, especially on work nights.
B

그렇게 바꾼 뒤에도 충분하지 않으면 말씀해 주세요.

kuh-ruh-keh ba-KKUN dwee-eh-do choong-BOON-ha-jee a-NEU-myun MAL-sseu-meh ju-SEH-yo Please tell me if the change is not enough.
A

이 문제에 대해 기꺼이 이야기해 주셔서 감사해요.

ee MOON-jeh-eh dae-heh gee-KKUH-ee ee-YAH-gee-heh ju-SYUH-suh gam-SA-heh-yo I appreciate you being willing to talk about it.
B

이 문제가 긴장으로 번지기 전에 해결하는 게 더 나아요.

ee MOON-jeh-ga GIN-jang-eu-ro bun-JEE-gee juh-neh hae-GYUL-ha-neun geh duh na-AH-yo It is better to sort this out before it turns into tension.

Word by Word

벽을 In 벽을, 벽 means wall, and 을 marks it in the route phrase 벽을 통해, meaning through the wall. A common reuse pattern is [noun]을/를 통해, meaning through or by means of something.
통해 통해 means through in 벽을 통해, describing the route by which the sound is heard. A common pattern is [place or means]을/를 통해 [something], meaning through or by means of it.
음악이 음악이 means music as the subject of the sentence, and 이 marks 음악 as what is heard. The pattern [noun]이/가 들리다 is used when a sound can be heard.
꽤 꽤 means quite or fairly here and strengthens 또렷하게, so the music is heard fairly clearly. It commonly comes before an adjective or adverb to indicate a noticeable degree.
또렷하게 또렷하게 means clearly or distinctly in 또렷하게 들린다는, describing how the music can be heard. The -게 form commonly makes a quality describe how an action happens, as in 또렷하게 말하다, a new example meaning to speak clearly.
들린다는 들린다는 presents the content that something can be heard in 들린다는 말씀을 드리고 싶었어요. 들리다 means to be heard, and this form connects that content to the following noun 말씀. A reusable pattern is 소리가 들린다는 것을 알다, a new example meaning to know that a sound can be heard.
말씀을 말씀을 means the words or message being conveyed politely in 말씀을 드리다, and 을 marks it as the object of 드리다. 말씀을 드리다 is a polite way to say or mention something to another person.
드리고 드리고 means convey or say politely in 말씀을 드리고 싶었어요. It is the connecting form of 드리다 and links the polite expression 말씀을 드리다 to 싶었어요. A common pattern is [person]에게 말씀을 드리다, meaning to tell or mention something to someone politely.
싶었어요 싶었어요 means wanted to in 말씀을 드리고 싶었어요, expressing a desire held at that point. It is the polite past form used with the preceding -고 expression. A common reuse pattern is V-고 싶어요, meaning want to do V.
옆집까지 옆집까지 means as far as the neighboring home, with 까지 marking the endpoint reached by the sound. In 옆집까지 들리는, it says that the sound is audible even at the next-door home. A common pattern is [place]까지, meaning as far as a place.
들리는 들리는 means being heard in 옆집까지 들리는 줄은 몰랐어요, modifying 줄 and describing what was audible. It comes from 들리다, to be heard, and the form lets the verb describe a following noun. A reusable pattern is 잘 들리는 소리, a new example meaning a sound that can be heard well.
줄은 줄은 refers to the expectation or fact in 들리는 줄은 몰랐어요, with 은 highlighting that expectation before 몰랐어요. The pattern V-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다 or 모르다 expresses knowing or not knowing that something would be the case. Here the whole expression means did not realize it was audible.
몰랐어요 몰랐어요 means did not know or did not realize in 들리는 줄은 몰랐어요. It is the polite past form of 모르다 and completes the expression 줄은 몰랐어요. A common reuse pattern is V-(으)ㄹ 줄 몰랐어요, meaning I did not realize that V would happen or be true.
건물이 건물이 means the building as the subject in 건물이 조용한 늦은 밤에. 이 marks 건물 as the thing that is quiet. The pattern [place or thing]이/가 조용하다 describes a quiet place or thing.
조용한 조용한 means quiet in 건물이 조용한 늦은 밤에, describing a late night when the building is quiet. It is the form of 조용하다 used before a noun. A common pattern is 조용한 곳, a new example meaning a quiet place.
늦은 늦은 means late in 늦은 밤에 and modifies 밤, giving late night. It is the noun-modifying form of 늦다. A common pattern is 늦은 밤, meaning late at night.
밤에 밤에 means at night, with 에 marking the time when something is noticeable. In 늦은 밤에, it refers specifically to late nighttime. A common time pattern is [time]에, meaning at or on that time.
특히 특히 means especially and emphasizes the time when the sound is most noticeable. In 특히 잘 들려요, it highlights that the sound is heard clearly in the quiet late-night setting. It commonly appears before the word or phrase being singled out.
잘 잘 means well or clearly in 잘 들려요, describing how easily the sound is heard. With 들리다, it indicates that the sound is audible without difficulty. A common pattern is 잘 들리다, meaning to be heard well or clearly.
들려요 들려요 means can be heard or is audible in 잘 들려요. It is the polite present form of 들리다 and describes sound reaching the listener. A common pattern is 소리가 들려요, meaning I can hear a sound or a sound can be heard.
저음을 저음을 means bass or a low sound as the object of 낮추고, with 을 marking what is lowered. In 저음을 낮추고, it refers to reducing the low-frequency part of the music. A common pattern is 저음을 낮추다, meaning to lower the bass.
낮추고 낮추고 means lower and, linking the action of lowering the bass to the next adjustment. It comes from 낮추다 and uses -고 to connect coordinated actions. A common reuse pattern is [object]을/를 낮추고 [second action], meaning lower something and then do another action.
스피커를 스피커를 means the speakers as the object being moved, and 를 marks them as the object of 옮길. In 스피커를 벽에서 멀리 옮길, the speakers are relocated away from the wall. A common pattern is [object]을/를 옮기다, meaning to move or relocate something.
벽에서 벽에서 means from the wall in 벽에서 멀리 옮길, showing the point from which the speakers are moved away. 에서 marks the starting point or separation. A common pattern is [place]에서 멀리, meaning far away from a place.
멀리 멀리 means far away and describes the distance between the speakers and the wall. In 벽에서 멀리 옮길, it means to move them far from the wall. A common pattern is [place]에서 멀리 가다, a new example meaning to go far away from a place.
옮길 옮길 means move or relocate in 스피커를 벽에서 멀리 옮길 수 있어요. It is the form of 옮기다 used before 수 있어요 to express the possibility or ability to move something. A common pattern is [object]을/를 옮길 수 있어요, meaning can move something.
수 수 expresses possibility or ability in 옮길 수 있어요. Together with the preceding verb form and 있어요, it creates the meaning can move. The reusable pattern V-(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 means can or it is possible to V.
있어요 있어요 means is possible or can in 옮길 수 있어요. In this construction, it completes the expression of ability or possibility rather than simply meaning that something exists. A common pattern is V-(으)ㄹ 수 있어요, meaning can do V.
그러면 그러면 means then or in that case and connects the proposed adjustments with the expected result. Here it refers to lowering the bass and moving the speakers. It is commonly used at the beginning of a response when drawing a consequence from what was just said.
도움이 도움이 means help as the subject of 도움이 될 것 같아요, and 이 marks 도움 as the subject. The phrase 도움이 되다 means to be helpful. A common pattern is [action or thing]이/가 도움이 되다, meaning something is helpful.
될 될 means will be or become in 도움이 될 것 같아요. It is the form of 되다 used before 것, and the whole phrase expresses the speaker’s belief that the adjustment would help. A common pattern is 도움이 될 것 같아요, meaning I think it will be helpful.
것 것 refers to the situation or result in 도움이 될 것 같아요 and makes the preceding clause into something that can be assessed. Together with 같아요, it expresses a tentative judgment rather than a firm statement. A common pattern is V-(으)ㄹ 것 같아요, meaning I think V will happen or be the case.
같아요 같아요 means seems or I think in 도움이 될 것 같아요, showing a polite and somewhat tentative assessment. It is the polite form of 같다 in this expression. A common pattern is A/V-(으)ㄴ 것 같아요 or A/V-(으)ㄹ 것 같아요, meaning it seems or I think that something is or will be so.
평일 평일 means weekdays or workdays in 평일 밤, referring to nights before or during regular working days. It commonly combines with time nouns such as 평일 밤. In this dialogue, it identifies the nights when quiet is especially important.
밤에는요 밤에는요 means as for nights or on nights, with 는 setting 밤 as the topic and 요 giving the utterance a polite conversational ending. In 평일 밤에는요, it means on weekday nights in particular. A common conversational pattern is [time]에는요 when adding a special point about a time.
그렇게 그렇게 means that way or like that and refers back to the proposed adjustments. In 그렇게 바꾼 뒤에도, it means after making the change in that way. A common pattern is 그렇게 하다, meaning to do it that way.
바꾼 바꾼 means changed or adjusted in 그렇게 바꾼 뒤에도, describing the adjustment made to the bass and speaker position. It comes from 바꾸다 and modifies 뒤. A common pattern is 바꾼 후 or 바꾼 뒤, meaning after changing something.
뒤에도 뒤에도 means even after that in 바꾼 뒤에도 충분하지 않으면. 뒤 marks what comes afterward, and 도 adds the meaning even or also. A common pattern is V-(으)ㄴ 뒤에도, meaning even after doing V.
충분하지 충분하지 supplies the idea of being sufficient in 충분하지 않으면. It is the first part of the negative conditional expression, while 않으면 makes the condition mean if it is not sufficient. A common pattern is 시간이 충분하지 않으면, a new example meaning if there is not enough time.
않으면 않으면 means if not or if it is not in 충분하지 않으면. With 충분하지, it forms the negative condition if the change is not enough. A common pattern is V-지 않으면, meaning if someone does not V or if something is not V.
말씀해 말씀해 means tell me or let me know in 말씀해 주세요. It is the polite speaking or telling form used before 주세요, and the full expression makes a courteous request. A common pattern is 문제가 있으면 말씀해 주세요, a new example meaning please let me know if there is a problem.
주세요 주세요 makes 말씀해 주세요 a polite request meaning please tell me. Here it follows 말씀해 and asks the listener to report whether the adjustment is enough. A common pattern is V-아/어 주세요, meaning please do V.
이 이 has two functions in this dialogue: in 음악이, it marks 음악 as the subject, while in 이 문제에, it means this and modifies 문제. The subject-marker use follows a noun ending in a consonant, and the demonstrative use points to a specific issue.
문제에 문제에 means about the issue in 문제에 대해, where 문제 means issue or problem and 에 combines with 대해. The full phrase 문제에 대해 means about or concerning the issue. A common pattern is [topic]에 대해 이야기하다, meaning to talk about a topic.
대해 대해 means about or concerning in 문제에 대해. It introduces the topic of the discussion and is commonly used after a noun with 에. A reusable pattern is [noun]에 대해 말하다 or 이야기하다, meaning to speak or talk about something.
기꺼이 기꺼이 means willingly or gladly in 기꺼이 이야기해 주셔서, showing that the neighbor is ready to discuss the issue. It commonly modifies an action that someone agrees to do voluntarily. A common pattern is 기꺼이 도와주다, a new example meaning to gladly help.
이야기해 이야기해 means talk or discuss in 이야기해 주셔서, referring to discussing the noise issue. It is the connecting form of 이야기하다 and links the action to 주셔서 감사해요. A common pattern is [topic]에 대해 이야기하다, meaning to talk about a topic.
주셔서 주셔서 means for doing something for the speaker in 이야기해 주셔서 감사해요. The 주다 component presents the talking as something done as a favor, and the form connects that action to 감사해요. A common pattern is 도와주셔서 감사해요, a new example meaning thank you for helping.
감사해요 감사해요 means thank you or I appreciate it in 이야기해 주셔서 감사해요. It is a polite expression of thanks for the other person’s willingness to discuss the issue. A common pattern is V-아/어 주셔서 감사해요, meaning thank you for doing V for me.
문제가 문제가 means the issue as the subject in 문제가 긴장으로 번지기 전에. 가 marks 문제 as the thing that could develop into tension. A common pattern is 문제가 생기다, a new example meaning a problem arises.
긴장으로 긴장으로 means into tension in 긴장으로 번지다. 으로 marks the state or direction that the issue could develop into. A common pattern is [state]으로 번지다, meaning to spread or develop into a state.
번지기 번지기 means spreading or developing into in 번지기 전에. It comes from 번지다 and names the action that is to be prevented before it happens. A common pattern is 문제가 번지다, a new example meaning a problem spreads or escalates.
전에 전에 means before and sets the point that must come earlier than the issue developing into tension. In 번지기 전에, it follows the action noun 번지기 to mean before it spreads. A common pattern is V-기 전에, meaning before doing V.
해결하는 해결하는 means resolving or sorting out in 해결하는 게 더 나아요. It describes the action of dealing with the issue before it becomes tension. A common pattern is 문제를 해결하다, meaning to solve or sort out a problem.
게 게 is the conversational contraction of 것이 in 해결하는 게 더 나아요. It makes the action of resolving the issue the thing being evaluated as better. A common pattern is V-는 게 좋다, meaning it is good or better to V.
더 더 means more and creates the comparison in 더 나아요, meaning is better. Here it indicates that resolving the issue early is preferable to allowing tension to develop. A common pattern is 이 방법이 더 좋아요, a new example meaning this method is better.
나아요 나아요 means is better in 해결하는 게 더 나아요. It is the polite form of 낫다 and gives advice about the preferable course of action. A common pattern is V-는 게 나아요, meaning it is better to V.

Grammar Points

-기 전에

번지기 전에

bun-JEE-gee juh-neh

before it spreads

‘-기 전에’ means ‘before doing something’ and shows that one action happens earlier than another.

-(으)ㄹ 것 같아요

도움이 될 것 같아요

doo-OO-mee dwel KKUHT ga-TA-yo

I think it will help

This pattern expresses a speaker’s tentative opinion or prediction: ‘I think it will…’ or ‘It seems…’.

Korean Vocabulary

낮추다 verb
nat-CHOO-da to lower; to turn down 낮추고

저음을 낮추고 스피커를 벽에서 멀리 옮길 수 있어요.

늦은 밤 phrase
NEU-jeun BAM late at night

건물이 조용한 늦은 밤에 특히 잘 들려요.

들리다 verb
deul-LEE-da to be heard 들린다는

옆집까지 들리는 줄은 몰랐어요.

또렷하게 adv
ttoh-RYUH-ta-geh clearly

벽을 통해 음악이 꽤 또렷하게 들린다는 말씀을 드리고 싶었어요.

말씀을 드리고 싶었어요 phrase
MAL-sseu-meul deu-ri-go SHI-puh-ssuh-yo I wanted to mention

벽을 통해 음악이 꽤 또렷하게 들린다는 말씀을 드리고 싶었어요.

모르다 verb
MO-reu-da to not know; to be unaware 몰랐어요

옆집까지 들리는 줄은 몰랐어요.

벽 noun
BYUHK wall 벽을

벽을 통해 음악이 꽤 또렷하게 들린다는 말씀을 드리고 싶었어요.

스피커 noun
suh-PEE-kuh speaker 스피커를

저음을 낮추고 스피커를 벽에서 멀리 옮길 수 있어요.

옆집 noun
YUP-jjip the neighboring house or apartment 옆집까지

옆집까지 들리는 줄은 몰랐어요.

저음 noun
juh-EUM bass; low-pitched sound 저음을

저음을 낮추고 스피커를 벽에서 멀리 옮길 수 있어요.

조용하다 adj
jo-YONG-ha-da to be quiet 조용한

건물이 조용한 늦은 밤에 특히 잘 들려요.

특히 adv
TUH-kee especially

건물이 조용한 늦은 밤에 특히 잘 들려요.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I did not realize it was reaching your side.

Show Answer옆집까지 들리는 줄은 몰랐어요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to be heard

Show Answer들린다는

the neighboring house or apartment

Show Answer옆집까지

to not know; to be unaware

Show Answer몰랐어요

clearly

Show Answer또렷하게