Expanding a Conversation at a Networking Event | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: At a professional networking event, two attendees discuss overlapping work in product strategy, research, operations, and workflow improvement..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Expanding a Conversation at a Networking Event to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

명찰에 제품 전략이라고 적혀 있는 걸 봤어요.

myuhng-CHAHL-eh jeh-poom juhl-LYAHG-ee-ra-go juh-KYUH in-neun gul bwah-SSUH-yo. I noticed your badge mentions product strategy.
B

그게 제 주 분야이긴 하지만, 제 업무는 연구와 운영 분야에도 걸쳐 있어요.

guh-GEH jeh JOO boon-YAH-ee-gin ha-JI-man, jeh uhm-MOO-neun yuhn-GOO-wah oo-NYUHNG boon-YAH-eh-do gul-chyuh iss-uh-yo. That is my main area, though my work also crosses into research and operations.
A

제품 관련 결정이 복잡해질 때 그런 조합이 분명 도움이 되겠어요.

jeh-poom gwahl-LYUHNG gyuhl-JJUNG-ee bok-JJAH-pae-jil ttae guh-run jo-HAP-ee boon-myung doo-oo-mee dweh-GEH-ssuh-yo. That mix must help when product decisions get complicated.
B

그렇죠. 특히 전략이 팀이 실제로 일하는 방식에 달려 있을 때 더 그래요.

guh-ruh-CHO. teuk-hee juhl-LYAHNG-ee teem-ee shil-JJEH-ro il-ha-neun bahng-shi-geh dahl-lyuh iss-eul ttae duh guhr-eh-yo. It does, especially when a strategy depends on how teams actually work.
A

저는 소규모 디지털 팀이 업무 흐름을 정리하고 개선하도록 도와요.

juh-neun soh-GYOO-moh dee-JEE-tuhl teem-ee uhm-MOO huh-RUHM-eul juhng-NEE-ha-go geh-SUHN-ha-do-rok do-WAH-yo. I help small digital teams clean up their workflows.
B

그렇다면 저희는 아마 같은 조율 문제를 일부 다루고 있겠네요.

guh-ruh-tah-MYUN juh-HEE-neun ah-MAH gah-TEUN jo-YOOL moon-JEH-reul eel-BOO da-roo-go it-KKEN-neh-yo. Then we are probably dealing with some of the same coordination issues.
A

언젠가 서로의 접근 방식을 비교해 보고 싶어요.

uhn-JUN-gah suh-ROH-eh juhp-KKUN bahng-shi-geul bee-GYOH-hae boh-goh shi-PUH-yo. I would like to compare approaches sometime.
B

그렇게 하면 도움이 되겠네요. 특히 대화를 실용적인 내용에 집중한다면요.

guh-ruh-KEH ha-MYUN doo-oo-mee dweh-GEN-neh-yo. teuk-hee deh-HWA-reul shil-YONG-juh-gin nae-YONG-eh jip-JJOONG-han-da-MYUN-yo. That could be useful, especially if we keep the conversation practical.

Word by Word

명찰 “명찰” means a name tag or badge. Here it is the badge that displays information about the person at the event. A common pattern is “명찰에 ... 적혀 있다,” meaning that something is written on a name tag.
에 In “명찰에,” “에” marks the location where the information is written: on the name tag. It can mark a place or area where something exists or happens.
제품 “제품” means a product. In “제품 전략,” it specifies that the strategy concerns products. This noun commonly comes before another noun to identify the relevant business area.
전략 “전략” means strategy, here the speaker’s professional area. “제품 전략” is a strategy related to products. The word is useful in work conversations about plans and direction.
이라고 “이라고” presents “제품 전략” as the name or wording written on the badge. In “제품 전략이라고 적혀,” it means that it is written as “product strategy.” This pattern is useful when reporting a label, name, or quoted description.
적혀 “적혀” means being written or indicated as part of “적혀 있는.” Here it describes the words that appear on the badge. The form commonly connects with “있다” to describe information that is written somewhere.
있는 “있는” shows that the writing is present or exists on the badge in “적혀 있는.” Together, “적혀 있는” describes something that is written there. This form can modify a following noun or, as here, be followed by “걸.”
걸 “걸” is the contracted object form of “것을,” referring to the fact that something is written on the badge. In “적혀 있는 걸 봤어요,” it makes that observed fact the object of “봤어요.” This contracted form is common in spoken Korean.
봤어요 “봤어요” means saw or noticed here. It politely describes noticing the information on the badge, rather than simply looking at the badge. A common pattern is “...을/를 봤어요,” meaning noticed or saw something.
그게 “그게” means that or that thing and refers back to “제품 전략.” It is the subject of the following description of the speaker’s main professional area. This form is useful when identifying something already mentioned.
제 “제” means my in this polite conversation. It refers to the speaker’s own area and is the possessive form used in “제 주 분야.” It commonly comes directly before the noun that belongs to the speaker.
주 “주” means main or primary in “주 분야.” It identifies the field that is central to the speaker’s work. It is commonly placed before a noun to describe the main part of something.
분야 “분야” means field or area. Here it refers to the speaker’s professional area of work. It is commonly used after a field name, such as in “제품 전략 분야.”
이긴 “이긴” acknowledges that the preceding area is indeed the speaker’s main field before introducing a qualification. In “주 분야이긴 하지만,” it means although it is my main area. This form is useful for conceding one point while moving to a contrasting point.
하지만 “하지만” means but or however and introduces the contrast after the speaker identifies a main field. It connects the statement about the main area with additional work in other fields. It is useful when adding a qualification to what was just said.
업무 “업무” means work or duties in a professional context. Here it refers to the speaker’s work as a whole, which extends into research and operations. The word is commonly used for job-related responsibilities.
는 In “업무는,” “는” marks “업무” as the topic of the sentence. The sentence then explains where that work also extends. This particle commonly introduces the subject being discussed or contrasted.
연구 “연구” means research. Here it is one of the professional fields connected with the speaker’s work. It commonly appears with names of other work areas in a list.
와 “와” connects “연구” and “운영” as two related fields. Here it means and. It is used after “연구” to join the next noun in the list.
운영 “운영” means operations or management in this professional context. It is the second field into which the speaker’s work extends. The word is useful when discussing how an organization, service, or process is run.
에도 In “운영 분야에도,” “에도” means also into or in the operations field. It combines the location or domain marker “에” with “도,” adding the meaning of also. This pattern is useful when saying that something applies to an additional area.
걸쳐 “걸쳐” means extending across or spanning in “운영 분야에도 걸쳐 있어요.” It shows that the speaker’s work covers more than one professional field. It commonly appears with “있다” when describing an ongoing range or scope.
있어요 “있어요” means is or exists here and completes “걸쳐 있어요,” describing work that extends across fields. The polite form states the current situation. It is commonly used after a phrase describing where something is or how it remains.
관련 “관련” means related or relevant. In “제품 관련 결정,” it identifies decisions connected with products. It commonly comes before a noun to show what that noun concerns.
결정 “결정” means decision. Here it refers to decisions related to products that may become complicated. It is useful in professional conversations about choosing a direction or taking action.
이 In “결정이,” “이” marks “결정” as the subject of “복잡해질.” It shows that the decisions are the thing that may become complicated. This subject particle is used after a noun ending in a consonant.
복잡해질 “복잡해질” means become complicated in “복잡해질 때.” It describes a possible change in the product decisions. The pattern “...해질 때” is useful for saying when something becomes a certain state.
때 “때” means when or the time when something happens. In “복잡해질 때,” it introduces the situation in which the decisions become complicated. It commonly follows a verb or adjective form to express when.
그런 “그런” means such or that kind of and modifies “조합.” It refers to the combination of product strategy, research, and operations just described. This form is useful for pointing back to a previously mentioned type of thing.
조합 “조합” means combination or mix. Here it refers to the speaker’s combination of professional areas. The word is useful when discussing how different skills, elements, or fields work together.
분명 “분명” means clearly or certainly. Here it strengthens the suggestion that the combination would help with complicated decisions. It commonly appears before a verb or descriptive expression when the speaker is confident.
도움 “도움” means help. In “도움이 되겠어요,” it is the thing that would be helpful in a difficult decision-making situation. It commonly appears with “되다” to express being helpful.
되겠어요 “되겠어요” makes “도움” a polite, softened assessment: it would be helpful or seems likely to help. In “도움이 되겠어요,” the speaker responds positively to the other person’s professional mix. This form is useful when making a tentative but favorable judgment.
그렇죠 “그렇죠” means that is right or exactly, and confirms the previous comment. Here the speaker agrees that the combination helps with complicated decisions. It is commonly used to acknowledge shared understanding in conversation.
특히 “특히” means especially. Here it singles out the situation in which a strategy depends on how teams actually work. It commonly introduces the part of a statement that deserves extra emphasis.
팀 “팀” means team. Here it refers to the groups whose real working methods affect the strategy. It is commonly used in professional discussions about collaborative work.
실제로 “실제로” means actually or in practice. Here it emphasizes how teams work in reality, not just how a process is supposed to work. It is useful when contrasting real conditions with plans or assumptions.
일하는 “일하는” means working and describes “방식” in “팀이 실제로 일하는 방식.” It identifies the way the teams carry out their work. This form commonly modifies a noun to describe an ongoing activity.
방식 “방식” means way or method. Here it refers to how teams actually work. It commonly follows a verb phrase, as in “일하는 방식,” to describe a method or manner of doing something.
달려 “달려” means depends on in “방식에 달려 있어요.” Here the strategy’s success or outcome is dependent on the way teams work. This expression commonly appears with “...에 달려 있다,” meaning that something depends on something.
있을 “있을” completes the dependency expression “달려 있을 때.” Together with “달려,” it describes a condition in which something is dependent on another factor. Here it introduces the situation when a strategy depends on teams’ working methods.
더 “더” means more or even more. In “더 그래요,” it emphasizes that the previous point applies even more strongly in this situation. It commonly intensifies a comparison or degree.
그래요 “그래요” means it is so or that is the case. Here it refers back to the claim that the professional mix helps, especially under the stated condition. It is useful for confirming or restating an earlier point.
저 “저” means I or me in the humble form used in this polite conversation. Here it introduces the speaker’s own professional activity. It is commonly used when speaking politely about oneself.
소규모 “소규모” means small-scale. In “소규모 디지털 팀,” it describes teams that are limited in size. It commonly comes before a noun to describe the scale of an organization or activity.
디지털 “디지털” means digital. Here it identifies the type of teams whose workflows the speaker helps improve. It commonly modifies a noun describing a technology-related organization or activity.
흐름 “흐름” means flow, and here it refers to the flow of work or workflow. In “업무 흐름,” it describes how work moves through a team. This expression is useful when discussing processes and their organization.
을 In “흐름을,” “을” marks the workflow as the object of the following action. The speaker helps organize and improve that workflow. This object particle is used after a noun ending in a consonant.
정리 “정리” contributes the meaning organize or clean up in “정리하고 개선하도록.” Here it refers to putting the workflow into a clearer, more orderly state. It is useful when discussing the organization of information, tasks, or processes.
하고 “하고” connects the two actions “정리” and “개선.” In the dialogue, the teams are helped to organize their workflow and improve it. This connective form is useful for linking actions performed together.
개선 “개선” contributes the meaning improve in “개선하도록 도와요.” Here it refers to making the workflow better after organizing it. It is useful in professional discussions about making a process or result more effective.
하도록 “하도록” links the intended action with “도와요,” giving the meaning help someone do something. In “정리하고 개선하도록 도와요,” it describes helping the teams organize and improve their workflow. This pattern is useful after verbs of helping or directing.
도와요 “도와요” means helps here. The speaker says they help small digital teams organize and improve their workflows. A common pattern is “사람이 ...하도록 도와요,” meaning help someone do something.
그렇다면 “그렇다면” means if so or then. Here it draws an inference from the other person’s work with digital teams. It is useful for introducing a conclusion based on what has just been said.
저희 “저희” means we or our in a humble form. Here it refers politely to the speaker’s side and the other person’s side as people dealing with related work. It is commonly used in professional conversations when speaking modestly about one’s group.
아마 “아마” means probably. Here it softens the inference that both people deal with some of the same coordination issues. It commonly appears when the speaker is making a likely but not certain statement.
같은 “같은” means the same or similar and modifies “조율 문제.” Here it identifies issues that overlap between the two people’s work. It commonly comes before a noun when comparing something with another previously mentioned thing.
조율 “조율” means coordination. Here it refers to coordinating people, teams, or work processes. The word is useful in professional situations where different groups need to work together smoothly.
문제 “문제” means problem or issue. In “조율 문제,” it refers to difficulties with coordination. It commonly follows a noun to specify the type of problem being discussed.
를 In “문제를,” “를” marks the coordination issues as the object of “다루고.” It shows what the two people may be handling. This object particle is used after a noun ending in a vowel.
일부 “일부” means some or part of something. Here it limits the statement to some of the same coordination issues, not necessarily all of them. It commonly appears before the noun or object being partially identified.
다루고 “다루고” means dealing with or handling and connects to the following inferred state in “다루고 있겠네요.” Here it describes working on coordination issues. It commonly links an ongoing action with “있다.”
있겠네요 “있겠네요” expresses a polite, softened inference in “다루고 있겠네요”: you seem to be dealing with them or must be dealing with them. The form shows the speaker is drawing a conclusion from the shared professional interests. It is useful when recognizing a likely situation without stating it too strongly.
언젠가 “언젠가” means sometime or someday. Here it refers to a future occasion when the two people could compare their approaches. It is useful for suggesting a non-specific future time.
서로 “서로” means each other or one another. Here it indicates that both people’s approaches will be compared with the other person’s approach. It commonly appears when an action is reciprocal.
의 In “서로의,” “의” marks possession or association, giving the meaning each other’s. It connects “서로” with “접근 방식.” This particle commonly links a possessor or related person to a following noun.
접근 “접근” means approach. In “접근 방식,” it refers to the way each person approaches their work. It commonly combines with “방식” when discussing methods or professional strategies.
비교해 “비교해” means compare in “비교해 보고 싶어요.” It describes examining the two approaches in relation to each other. A common pattern is “A와 B를 비교해 보다,” meaning try comparing A and B.
보고 “보고” contributes the meaning try doing or see about doing in “비교해 보고 싶어요.” Together with “비교해,” it presents comparison as something the speaker would like to try. The pattern “동사-아/어 보고 싶어요” is useful for expressing a desire to try an action.
싶어요 “싶어요” means want to or would like to. Here it follows “비교해 보고” and politely expresses the speaker’s desire to compare approaches. It commonly follows an action phrase when stating a wish.
그렇게 “그렇게” means that way or like that. Here it refers to comparing the two approaches as just proposed. It commonly points back to an action or manner already mentioned.
하면 “하면” means if someone does or keeps something in “그렇게 하면.” Here it introduces the condition of carrying out the proposed comparison. This conditional form is useful for explaining what may happen if an action is taken.
되겠네요 “되겠네요” expresses a polite, tentative assessment that something would work or be helpful. In “도움이 되겠네요,” it responds positively to the idea of comparing approaches. It is useful when evaluating a suggestion without making the statement overly forceful.
대화 “대화” means conversation. Here it refers to the discussion the two people may continue after meeting. It is useful in social and professional situations involving an exchange of ideas.
실용적인 “실용적인” means practical. In “실용적인 내용,” it describes content that can be applied to real work. It commonly modifies a noun referring to useful, applicable subject matter.
내용 “내용” means content or subject matter. Here it refers to the practical topics discussed in the conversation. It is useful when distinguishing the substance of a discussion from the conversation itself.
집중 “집중” contributes the meaning focus in “내용에 집중한다면요.” Here it describes directing the conversation toward practical subject matter. It commonly appears with “에” to show what attention is directed toward.
한다면요 “한다면요” means if we do or keep doing it, with a polite sentence-ending tone. In “집중한다면요,” the omitted action is keeping the conversation focused on practical content. This conditional form is useful for adding a condition or qualification to a suggestion.

Grammar Points

-(으)ㄴ다면요

업무에 집중한다면요

uhm-MOO-eh jip-JJOONG-han-da-MYUN-yo

If we focus on the work

-(으)ㄴ다면요 expresses a hypothetical condition. It can make a suggestion or assumption sound softer.

-아/어 보고 싶어요

접근 방식을 비교해 보고 싶어요

juhp-KKUN bahng-shi-geul bee-GYOH-hae boh-goh shi-PUH-yo

I would like to try comparing the approaches

-아/어 보다 means to try doing something, and -고 싶어요 expresses the speaker's desire.

Korean Vocabulary

걸쳐 있어요 phrase
gul-chyuh iss-uh-yo extends across; spans
도움이 되겠어요 phrase
doo-oo-mee dweh-GEH-ssuh-yo must be helpful
명찰 noun
myuhng-CHAHL badge
복잡해질 때 phrase
bok-JJAH-pae-jil ttae when it becomes complicated
실제로 adv
shil-JJEH-ro actually; in practice
업무 noun
uhm-MOO work; duties
연구 noun
yuhn-GOO research
운영 분야 phrase
oo-NYUHNG boon-YAH operations field
적혀 있는 걸 봤어요 phrase
juh-KYUH in-neun gul bwah-SSUH-yo noticed that it was written
제품 전략 phrase
jeh-poom juhl-LYAHK product strategy
조합 noun
jo-HAP combination; mix
주 분야 phrase
JOO boon-YAH main area

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

actually; in practice

Show Answer실제로

work; duties

Show Answer업무

combination; mix

Show Answer조합

research

Show Answer연구