Gym Equipment Etiquette | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: At a busy gym, a member asks staff to handle equipment being held with towels without singling anyone out..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Gym Equipment Etiquette to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

몇몇 기구를 수건으로 오랫동안 맡아 둔 걸 봤어요.

myut-MYUT gee-GOO-reul soo-GUN-eu-ro oh-raet-TONG-an mah-TAH doon gull BWASS-uh-yo I noticed several machines were being reserved with towels for a long time.
B

특히 헬스장이 붐빌 때는 정말 답답할 수 있죠.

teuk-HEE HEL-suh-jahng-ee BOOM-beel ttae-neun juhng-MAHL dap-PAH-pahl soo eet-JOH That can be frustrating, especially when the gym is busy.
A

누군가에게 직접 따지고 싶지는 않았어요.

noo-GOON-gah-eh-geh jeek-JJUP TTAH-jee-goh sheep-JJEE-neun ah-NASS-uh-yo I did not want to confront anyone directly.
B

직원을 통해 특정인을 지목하지 않고 전체적으로 안내할 수 있어요.

jee-GWON-eul tong-HAE teuk-JJUNG-in-eul jee-MOH-kah-jee ahn-KOH jun-CHAY-juh-ro ahn-NAY-hahl soo ee-SSUH-yo Staff can give a general reminder without singling anyone out.
A

그러면 덜 공격적으로 느껴질 것 같아요.

guh-ruh-MYUHN duhl gong-GYUK-jjuk-uh-ro nuh-KYUH-jeel gut-KKAH-tah-yo That would feel less aggressive.
B

제가 안내 방송을 하고 운동 공간을 더 자주 살펴볼게요.

jeh-GAH ahn-NAY bahng-SOHNG-eul hah-goh oon-DONG gong-GAN-eul duh JAH-joo sahl-PYUH-bol-geh-yo I can make an announcement and monitor the gym floor more often.
A

그러면 긴장을 만들지 않으면서 기구를 더 쉽게 이용할 수 있을 거예요.

guh-ruh-MYUHN geen-JAHNG-eul MAN-deul-jee ahn-eu-MYUHN-suh gee-GOO-reul duh sheep-KKEH ee-YONG-hahl soo ee-SSUHL guh-yeh-yo That should improve access without creating tension.
B

같은 일이 계속되면 다시 알려 주세요.

gah-teun eel-LEE kyeh-SOHK-dweh-MYUHN TAH-shee ahl-LYUH JOO-seh-yo Please report it again if the same thing keeps happening.

Word by Word

몇몇 몇몇 means several or a few here, referring to more than one piece of equipment. It comes before a noun, as in 몇몇 기구. Use it when identifying a small, unspecified number of people or things.
기구 기구 means equipment or a machine here, specifically gym equipment. In 기구를, it is the thing affected by the action. It is useful for referring to a piece of equipment in a facility.
를 를 marks 기구 as the object of the action in 기구를. It follows the noun in 기구를 and shows what was reserved or observed. Use it after an object ending in a vowel.
수건 수건 means towel here. In 수건으로, the towel is used as the means of reserving the equipment. Use 수건 for a towel in everyday situations.
으로 으로 means with or by means of here, showing that the towel was used to reserve the equipment in 수건으로. It follows 수건 in this expression. The pattern noun으로 can describe a tool or means.
오랫동안 오랫동안 means for a long time and describes the duration of the reservation. It modifies the action in 오랫동안 맡아 둔. Use it before an action when emphasizing that something continues for an extended period.
맡아 맡아 means hold or reserve here, as part of 맡아 둔, where a towel is left to keep a machine claimed. The citation form is 맡다, and 맡아 is the form used before 둔. This pattern can describe taking responsibility for or keeping something for a purpose.
둔 둔 shows that something has been left or kept in a particular state here. In 맡아 둔, it indicates that the equipment was left reserved with the towel. It comes after 맡아 to describe a completed state that remains.
걸 걸 is the conversational contracted form of 것을 here, referring to the fact that the machines had been reserved. In 맡아 둔 걸 봤어요, the whole clause is what the speaker noticed. This form commonly appears before verbs such as 봤어요 when referring to an observed fact.
봤어요 봤어요 means saw or noticed here, reporting that the speaker observed the reservation. The citation form is 보다, and 봤어요 is its polite past form in this dialogue. Use it to report something you saw or noticed.
특히 특히 means especially and highlights the condition of the gym being busy. It introduces the situation that makes the frustration stronger. Use it before the part you want to emphasize.
헬스장 헬스장 means gym or fitness center here. In 헬스장이, it is the place being described as crowded. Use 헬스장 when talking about a gym as a facility.
이 이 marks 헬스장 as the subject in 헬스장이. It shows that the gym is the thing that becomes crowded. It follows a noun ending in a consonant.
붐빌 붐빌 means be crowded in the expression 붐빌 때, meaning when the gym is crowded. The citation form is 붐비다, and 붐빌 is the form used before 때. Use this form before 때 to describe a crowded situation.
때 때 means when or the time when here, referring to the situation in 붐빌 때. It turns the preceding condition into a time or circumstance. Use it after a verb or adjective description when saying when something happens.
는 는 marks 때 as the topic or gives it contrast in 때는. Here, it emphasizes the crowded-gym situation as the context in which the problem is particularly frustrating. It can highlight a particular time or condition.
정말 정말 means really and strengthens the description of the frustration. It appears before 답답할 수 있죠 to emphasize the feeling. Use it to add emphasis to an evaluation or reaction.
답답할 답답할 means be frustrating or feel stifling here. In 답답할 수 있죠, it presents that feeling as a possible reaction to the situation. The citation form is 답답하다, and 답답할 is the form used before 수.
수 수 expresses possibility or ability in 답답할 수 있죠. Together with 답답할 and 있다, it means that the situation can feel frustrating. The pattern verb or adjective-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 is used to express possibility.
있죠 있죠 completes the possibility expression 답답할 수 있죠 and conversationally confirms that this can happen. It has a polite, shared-understanding tone, similar to saying that it can be that way. Use it when confirming an understandable possibility with the listener.
누군가 누군가 means someone here, referring to an unspecified person at the gym. It is followed by 에게 in 누군가에게 to identify the person being confronted. Use it when the particular person is unknown or intentionally not identified.
에게 에게 marks 누군가 as the person toward whom the direct confrontation would be directed in 누군가에게. It is used with a person as the target or recipient of an action. The pattern person에게 is common with actions directed at someone.
직접 직접 means directly here, emphasizing that the speaker did not want to address the person personally. It modifies 따지고 in 직접 따지고. Use it when contrasting direct personal action with handling something indirectly.
따지고 따지고 means confront or argue over an issue here, in the expression 누군가에게 직접 따지고 싶지 않았어요. The citation form is 따지다, and 따지고 connects the action to the following desire expression. It is useful when describing directly challenging someone about a problem.
싶지 싶지 contributes the meaning of not wanting to do something in 따지고 싶지 않았어요. The pattern verb-고 싶지 않다 expresses that the speaker does not want the action. Here, the unwanted action is confronting someone directly.
않았어요 않았어요 makes the desire negative and past in 싶지 않았어요, meaning the speaker did not want to do it. It is the polite past form used to report that earlier intention. Use it after a negative expression when describing what someone did not want or did not do.
직원 직원 means a staff member here, referring to gym staff who can handle the issue. In 직원을, the staff member is connected to the following action through the object marker. Use 직원 for a worker or staff member at an organization or facility.
을 을 marks 직원 as the object of the phrase in 직원을 통해. It shows that the staff member is the channel through which the reminder can be given. It follows a noun ending in a consonant.
통해 통해 means through or by using as a channel here, as in 직원을 통해. It presents staff as the means for giving a general reminder. The pattern noun을 통해 is useful for describing an intermediary or method.
특정인 특정인 means a specific person here, referring to one individual who should not be identified publicly. It is the person being excluded from the action in 특정인을 지목하지 않고. Use it when contrasting one particular person with a group in a formal or neutral context.
지목하지 지목하지 means not single out or not designate here, as part of 지목하지 않고. The citation form is 지목하다, and the form 지목하지 is used to make that action negative before 않고. It is useful when describing a decision not to identify one person.
않고 않고 connects the negative action in 지목하지 않고 to the following action 안내할. Together, the phrase means without singling anyone out. The pattern verb-지 않고 is commonly used for doing one thing without doing another.
전체적으로 전체적으로 means generally or for everyone as a whole here. It describes giving guidance broadly instead of identifying a particular person. Use it when discussing an overall approach or a group-wide action.
안내할 안내할 means inform or provide guidance here, in 안내할 수 있어요. The citation form is 안내하다, and 안내할 is the form used before 수 to express that this can be done. Use it for giving information, directions, or facility guidance.
있어요 있어요 completes 안내할 수 있어요 and expresses that giving the guidance is possible. In this construction, it means can rather than simply exists. The pattern verb-(으)ㄹ 수 있어요 is a polite way to say that someone can do something.
그러면 그러면 means then or in that case here, referring to the proposed general announcement. It introduces the expected result of using that approach. Use it to connect a condition or suggestion with its consequence.
덜 덜 means less here and modifies 공격적으로 in 덜 공격적으로. It shows that the approach would have a lower degree of aggressiveness. Use it before an adjective or adverb when making a comparison of degree.
공격적 공격적 contributes the idea of being aggressive in 공격적으로. With the following form, it describes how the approach would feel. Use this word when evaluating a manner or action as forceful or confrontational.
느껴질 느껴질 means feel or seem here, in 느껴질 것 같아요, describing how the approach would be experienced. The citation form is 느껴지다, and 느껴질 is the form used before 것 같아요. It is useful for describing an impression rather than an objective fact.
것 것 packages the preceding idea 느껴질 inside the pattern 느껴질 것 같아요. With 같아요, the expression means that it seems likely to feel that way. This pattern is commonly used to give a tentative expectation or opinion.
같아요 같아요 makes 느껴질 것 같아요 a tentative statement meaning it seems likely to feel that way. The citation form is 같다, and this polite form expresses an impression or expectation. Use it when presenting an opinion without stating it as absolute certainty.
저 저 means I here and is the first part of 제가, the polite first-person expression used by the staff member. It identifies the speaker as the person who will make the announcement and monitor the gym. Use 저 when referring to yourself politely.
가 가 is the subject marker in 제가, identifying the speaker as the subject of the planned actions. 저 and 가 combine in the dialogue form 제가. Use this marker after a subject when presenting it as the one performing the action.
안내 안내 means information or guidance here, as the first part of 안내 방송, an announcement providing guidance. It supplies the purpose or content of the broadcast. Use 안내 in expressions related to giving directions or information.
방송 방송 means broadcast or announcement here, in 안내 방송. Together, 안내 방송 refers to a public announcement giving guidance to gym users. Use 방송 for information delivered to a group through a broadcast or public announcement.
하고 하고 means and do here, connecting 안내 방송을 하다 with the next action. In 안내 방송을 하고 운동 공간을 살펴볼게요, it links the announcement to monitoring the exercise area. Use it to connect sequential actions.
운동 운동 means exercise or workout here, as the first part of 운동 공간, the area where people exercise. It identifies the purpose of the space. Use 운동 when talking about physical exercise or working out.
공간 공간 means space or area here, referring to the gym floor in 운동 공간. Together, 운동 공간 means the area used for exercise. Use it after a noun to specify the type or purpose of a space.
더 더 means more here and modifies 자주 in 더 자주. It indicates that the monitoring will happen with greater frequency than before. Use it before an adjective or adverb when increasing the degree or amount.
자주 자주 means often or frequently here, describing how often the gym floor will be monitored. In 더 자주, it means more often. Use it to describe repeated actions that happen frequently.
살펴볼게요 살펴볼게요 means I will check or monitor here, referring to the staff member watching the gym floor. The citation form is 살펴보다, and 살펴볼게요 expresses a polite commitment to do it. Use it when offering or promising to check something for the listener.
긴장 긴장 means tension here, referring to uncomfortable tension between gym users or staff. In 긴장을 만들지 않으면서, it is the thing that should not be created. Use it when discussing a strained atmosphere or interpersonal unease.
만들지 만들지 means create or cause here, as part of 긴장을 만들지 않으면서. The citation form is 만들다, and 만들지 is used before 않으면서 to negate the action. It describes causing tension as the action being avoided.
않으면서 않으면서 means without doing or while not doing here. In 긴장을 만들지 않으면서, it means without creating tension while improving access. The pattern verb-지 않으면서 connects an action with something done without carrying out the first action.
쉽게 쉽게 means easily here, describing how people will be able to use the equipment. It modifies 이용할 in 쉽게 이용할 수 있을 거예요. Use it before an action when saying that something can be done without difficulty.
이용할 이용할 means use or access here, referring to using the gym equipment more easily. The citation form is 이용하다, and 이용할 is used before 수 in 이용할 수 있을 거예요. Use it for making use of a facility, service, or resource.
있을 있을 helps form the expected possibility in 이용할 수 있을 거예요, meaning people will be able to access the equipment. It follows 수 and expresses a possible or available state before 거예요. The pattern verb-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 is used for ability or possibility.
거예요 거예요 completes 이용할 수 있을 거예요 and presents the improved access as an expected result. In this construction, it gives the statement a future or predictive meaning. Use it when saying what is likely to happen or be possible.
같은 같은 means same here and modifies 일 in 같은 일. It refers back to the same equipment-reservation problem mentioned earlier. Use it before a noun when identifying something as the same as what was previously discussed.
일 일 means thing or matter here, referring to the situation happening at the gym. In 같은 일, it means the same kind of incident rather than a job. Use 일 to refer broadly to an event, matter, or situation.
계속되면 계속되면 means if it continues or keeps happening here, referring to the same problem continuing. The citation form is 계속되다, and 계속되면 adds the condition if it continues. Use this form to state what should happen if a situation does not stop.
다시 다시 means again here, asking the listener to report the problem another time if necessary. It modifies 알려 주세요. Use it when an action is repeated or returned to.
알려 알려 means tell or inform here, in 알려 주세요. The citation form is 알리다, and 알려 is the form used before 주세요 to make a polite request. Use it when asking someone to provide information or let you know about something.
주세요 주세요 makes 알려 주세요 a polite request meaning please let me know or please report it. It follows the action the listener is being asked to perform. Use verb-아/어 주세요 when politely asking someone to do something.

Grammar Points

동사/형용사-(으)면

계속되면 다시 알려 주세요.

kyeh-SOHK-dweh-MYUHN TAH-shee ahl-LYUH JOO-seh-yo

If it continues, please let me know again.

-(으)면 expresses a condition: “if” or “when.”

동사-아/어 주세요

직접 알려 주세요.

jeek-JJUP ahl-LYUH JOO-seh-yo

Please let me know directly.

-아/어 주세요 makes a polite request meaning “please do.”

Korean Vocabulary

기구 noun
gee-GOO equipment; machine

몇몇 기구를

누군가 pron
noo-GOON-gah someone; anyone 누군가에게
답답하다 adj
dap-PAH-pah-dah to be frustrating; to feel stifling 답답할
맡아 두다 phrase
mah-TAH DOO-dah to reserve; to keep set aside 맡아 둔
몇몇 det
MYUT-myut several

몇몇 기구

보다 verb
BOH-dah to see; to notice 봤어요
붐비다 verb
BOOM-bee-dah to be crowded; to be busy 붐빌
수건 noun
soo-GUN towel

수건으로

오랫동안 adv
oh-raet-TONG-an for a long time
직접 adv
jeek-JJUP directly; in person
특히 adv
teuk-HEE especially
헬스장 noun
HEL-suh-jahng gym 헬스장이

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I did not want to confront anyone directly.

Show Answer누군가에게 직접 따지고 싶지는 않았어요.

That would feel less aggressive.

Show Answer그러면 덜 공격적으로 느껴질 것 같아요.

Please report it again if the same thing keeps happening.

Show Answer같은 일이 계속되면 다시 알려 주세요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

for a long time

Show Answer오랫동안

gym

Show Answer헬스장이

someone; anyone

Show Answer누군가에게

to be frustrating; to feel stifling

Show Answer답답할