Clarifying After-Hours Message Urgency | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: In a remote work discussion, two adults clarify that after-hours messages need urgency labels so focused time is protected..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Clarifying After-Hours Message Urgency to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

제 근무 시간이 끝난 뒤에 메시지가 여러 개 들어온 것을 확인했어요.

jeh geun-moo SHI-gan-ee kkeun-nan dwee-eh meh-SHI-ji-ga YUH-ruh geh DEU-ruh-on guh-seul HWAH-gin-hae-ssuh-yo I noticed several messages coming in after my working hours.
B

그때 메시지를 보냈지만, 바로 답장이 올 거라고는 생각하지 않았어요.

geu-ttae meh-SHI-ji-reul boh-NAET-jji-man, pah-roh dap-JJANG-ee ool guh-rah-go-neun saeng-GAH-ka-ji ah-NAH-ssuh-yo I sent them then, but I did not expect an immediate reply.
A

메시지에 사용한 표현만으로는 그 점이 분명하지 않았어요.

meh-SHI-ji-eh sa-YONG-han pyo-HYUN-ma-neu-ro-neun geu JUM-ee boon-MYUNG-ha-ji ah-NAH-ssuh-yo That was not clear from the wording of the messages.
B

그 메시지들을 긴급하지 않다고 표시했어야 했어요.

geu meh-SHI-ji-deu-reul GING-geup-PAH-ji an-TAH-go pyo-SHI-hae-ssuh-ya hae-ssuh-yo I should have marked them as non-urgent.
A

긴급도를 명확히 표시해 두면 집중해서 일할 시간을 지키는 데 도움이 될 거예요.

GING-geup-TTO-reul myung-HWAH-kee pyo-SHI-hae doo-myun jip-JJOONG-hae-suh il-hal SHI-ga-neul JI-kee-neun deh doh-OO-mee dwel guh-yeh-yo Clear urgency labels would help me protect time for focused work.
B

처리할 일, 배경 정보, 그리고 나중에 처리해도 되는 내용에 대해 제목 태그를 추가할 수 있어요.

chuh-REE-hal eel, bae-GYUNG jung-boh, geu-ree-go nah-JOONG-eh chuh-REE-hae-doh dweh-neun nae-YONG-eh dae-hae JEH-mok tae-geu-reul CHOO-ga-hal soo ee-ssuh-yo I can add subject tags for action items, background information, and anything that can wait.
A

그러면 협업을 늦추지 않으면서 부담을 줄일 수 있을 거예요.

geu-ruh-myun hyuh-BUH-beul neut-CHOO-ji ah-neu-myun-suh boo-DAH-meul JOO-ril soo ee-ssul guh-yeh-yo That would lower the pressure without slowing collaboration.
B

앞으로는 그 방식을 기본으로 사용하겠습니다.

ah-peu-ROH-neun geu BANG-shi-geul gee-BON-eu-roh sa-YONG-ha-ge-ssum-nee-dah I will make that my default from now on.

Word by Word

제 “제” means “my” here, referring to the speaker’s working hours. It is the commonly shortened possessive form of 저의. Use it before a noun when identifying something as belonging to the speaker.
근무 “근무” means work or duty here, as in “근무 시간이” for working hours. It is used with 시간 to describe the period during which someone works. This expression is useful when discussing schedules or working hours.
시간이 “시간이” means time or hours as the subject of the sentence. In “근무 시간이 끝난 뒤에,” it identifies the working hours that ended. The particle 이 marks 시간 as the subject.
끝난 “끝난” means ended or finished and describes the following noun 뒤. In “근무 시간이 끝난 뒤에,” it means after the working hours ended. It is the noun-modifying form of 끝나다 and is useful before nouns referring to a completed event.
뒤에 “뒤에” means after in this sentence, referring to the time after the working hours ended. The noun 뒤 combines with 에 to mark the relevant time. Use the pattern “an event 뒤에” to say after an event.
메시지가 “메시지가” means messages as the subject of the sentence. In “메시지가 여러 개 들어온,” the messages are the things that came in. The particle 가 marks 메시지 as the subject, while 여러 개 shows that there was more than one.
여러 “여러” means several or multiple and comes before the counter phrase “여러 개.” It indicates more than one without giving an exact number. Use it before a noun or counter phrase when referring to multiple items.
개 “개” is a general counter for individual items, and “여러 개” means several items. Here it counts the messages that came in. It is used after a number or quantity word when counting ordinary objects.
들어온 “들어온” means came in or arrived and describes the messages in “메시지가 여러 개 들어온 것을.” It is the noun-modifying form of 들어오다. This form is useful before a noun or 것 when describing something that arrived.
것을 “것을” refers to the fact or event that the messages came in and marks it as the object of 확인했어요. The preceding clause “들어온” describes this fact. Use a verb-modifying clause plus 것을 when treating an event as something noticed or confirmed.
확인했어요 “확인했어요” means noticed or confirmed here, referring to the speaker becoming aware that messages had arrived. It is the polite past form of 확인하다. Use it when reporting that you checked or recognized information.
그때 “그때” means then or at that time, referring to the time when the speaker sent the messages. It points back to a previously understood time. Use it to refer to a particular time already mentioned or known in the conversation.
메시지를 “메시지를” means the message or messages as the object of 보냈지만. The particle 를 marks 메시지 as what was sent. Korean can leave the plural unmarked when the context already makes the number clear.
보냈지만 “보냈지만” means sent, but, connecting the speaker’s action with a contrasting statement. It is the past form of 보내다 combined with -지만. Use this form when saying that one fact is true despite another fact or expectation.
바로 “바로” means immediately or right away in “바로 답장이 올.” It emphasizes that the reply would come without delay. It commonly appears before an action or event whose immediacy is being discussed.
답장이 “답장이” means a reply as the subject of “답장이 올 거라고.” The particle 이 marks the reply as the thing expected to come. “답장이 오다” is a reusable expression for a reply arriving.
올 “올” means will come or arrive here, describing the expected arrival of a reply. It is the noun-modifying form of 오다 before 거라고. Use it in expressions such as “답장이 올 것” when referring to an expected arrival.
거라고는 “거라고는” introduces the idea that something would happen and adds contrast or emphasis inside “올 거라고는 생각하지 않았어요.” Here it highlights that the speaker did not have the expectation that a reply would arrive immediately. It is useful when strongly denying a particular expectation.
생각하지 “생각하지” supplies the think part of the negative expression “생각하지 않았어요.” Here it means expect or think that an immediate reply would come. It is the form of 생각하다 used before 않다 to express not thinking or expecting something.
않았어요 “않았어요” completes the polite past negative expression “생각하지 않았어요,” meaning did not think or did not expect. Together with the preceding 하지, it denies the earlier expectation. Use 생각하지 않다 when stating that someone does not think or expect something.
메시지에 “메시지에” means in or on the message, referring to the wording used in the messages. The particle 에 marks the message as the place or source where the expression appears. It is useful when locating information or wording in a message.
사용한 “사용한” means used and describes 표현 in “사용한 표현.” It is the noun-modifying form of 사용하다. Use it before a noun when identifying something that was used in an earlier action.
표현만으로는 “표현만으로는” means with only the wording or expression, with contrast implied by 는. 만 means only, 으로 indicates the means, and 는 sets this limited source against the conclusion that the meaning was not clear. Use this pattern when saying that one source alone is insufficient.
그 “그” means that and modifies 점 in “그 점이 분명하지 않았어요.” It refers back to the point about whether the messages were urgent or needed an immediate reply. Use it before a noun when referring to something already identified in the conversation.
점이 “점이” means the point or aspect as the subject of “분명하지 않았어요.” It refers to the particular matter being evaluated for clarity. The particle 이 marks 점 as the subject.
분명하지 “분명하지” contributes the meaning not clear in the expression “분명하지 않았어요.” It combines with 않다 to deny that the point was clear. Use this negative pattern when information or wording fails to communicate something clearly.
메시지들을 “메시지들을” means the messages as the object of 표시했어야 했어요. 들 marks the plural, and 을 marks the messages as the object. This form is useful when referring explicitly to multiple messages that receive an action.
긴급하지 “긴급하지” means not urgent as part of “긴급하지 않다고.” It describes the messages as lacking urgency before that assessment is reported. Use 긴급하지 않다 when saying that something does not require immediate attention.
않다고 “않다고” means that something is not the case and reports the judgment that the messages were not urgent. It follows “긴급하지” and introduces that content before 표시했어야 했어요. Use this form to quote or report a negative statement.
표시했어야 “표시했어야” means should have marked or labeled in “표시했어야 했어요.” It expresses an action that was expected or necessary but was not done. It comes from 표시하다 with the -었어야 form and is useful for discussing a missed responsibility.
했어요 “했어요” completes the obligation expression “표시했어야 했어요,” making it mean should have marked. Here it is not simply an independent “did”; it completes the past form of the obligation. Use 했어야 했어요 to say that someone should have done something.
긴급도를 “긴급도를” means the urgency level as the object of 표시해 두면. 긴급도 refers to how urgent something is, and 를 marks it as what is clearly labeled. Use it when describing the level of urgency assigned to a message or task.
명확히 “명확히” means clearly and modifies 표시해 in “명확히 표시해 두면.” It describes the manner of labeling the urgency level. Use it before an action when emphasizing that the information should be unambiguous.
표시해 “표시해” means mark or label and then, contributing the marking action in “표시해 두면.” It is the connective form of 표시하다. With 두다, it can describe marking something and leaving that label in place.
두면 “두면” means if one leaves or keeps something that way in “표시해 두면.” Together with 표시해, it describes labeling the urgency in advance and leaving the label available. Use the pattern “verb-아/어 두면” when a completed action remains useful later.
집중해서 “집중해서” means with focus or while concentrating in “집중해서 일할 시간.” It connects 집중하다 to the work being done. Use it before an action when describing focused performance of that action.
일할 “일할” means to work or for working and modifies 시간 in “일할 시간을.” It is the noun-modifying form of 일하다. Use it before 시간 or another noun to describe work that someone will do or needs time to do.
시간을 “시간을” means time as the object of 지키는. In “시간을 지키는 데,” it refers to preserving the speaker’s time for focused work. The particle 을 marks 시간 as what is protected or kept.
지키는 “지키는” means protecting or keeping and modifies 데 in “시간을 지키는 데.” Here it describes preserving time for focused work. It is the noun-modifying form of 지키다 and is useful before 데 when discussing the activity of keeping something.
데 “데” means in doing something or for that purpose in “지키는 데 도움이 될 거예요.” It turns the preceding activity into the purpose or context in which something is helpful. Use the pattern “verb-는 데 도움이 되다” to say that something helps with an activity.
도움이 “도움이” means help as the subject of “도움이 될 거예요.” The expression says that clear labels will be helpful for protecting focused work time. Use “도움이 되다” when saying that something helps or proves useful.
될 “될” means will be or will become here, describing the help that clear urgency labels will provide. It is the noun-modifying form of 되다 before 거예요. Use “도움이 될 거예요” to predict that something will be helpful.
거예요 “거예요” completes the prediction “도움이 될 거예요,” meaning will be helpful. It gives the statement a polite explanatory or predictive tone. Use “verb-(으)ㄹ 거예요” for a polite prediction about a future result.
처리할 “처리할” means to handle or process and modifies 일 in “처리할 일.” It is the noun-modifying form of 처리하다. Use it before a noun when identifying work that needs to be handled.
일 “일” means a task or piece of work in “처리할 일.” It is the item to be handled, alongside background information and content that can wait. Use it for work or tasks in practical workplace discussions.
배경 “배경” means background in the compound “배경 정보.” It identifies information that provides context rather than an immediate action item. Use it before 정보 when referring to contextual or supporting information.
정보 “정보” means information, specifically “배경 정보” in this dialogue. It refers to context that can be labeled separately from action items. Use it with a preceding noun to specify the kind of information being discussed.
그리고 “그리고” means and and links the final item to the earlier categories in the list. Here it connects background information with content that can wait. Use it to join words, phrases, or clauses in an ongoing list.
나중에 “나중에” means later and modifies 처리해도 되는. It indicates that the content does not need to be handled immediately. Use it as a time adverb when postponing an action to a later time.
처리해도 “처리해도” contributes the meaning even if or when handled in “처리해도 되는 내용.” With 되는, it forms the idea that handling the content later is acceptable. Use this form when discussing an action that is allowed or acceptable under a condition.
되는 “되는” means being acceptable or okay in “처리해도 되는 내용.” Together with 처리해도, it says that the content may be handled later. It is the noun-modifying form of 되다 and is useful before a noun when describing what is permitted or suitable.
내용에 “내용에” means for or about the content in “내용에 대해.” The particle 에 forms the standard pattern 에 대해, which marks the topic under discussion. Use it before 대해 when introducing the content or subject being addressed.
대해 “대해” means about or concerning in the pattern “내용에 대해.” It identifies what the subject tags are related to. Use “noun에 대해” to say about or regarding a particular topic.
제목 “제목” means title or subject, referring here to the subject line or title used for a message tag. It appears in “제목 태그.” Use it when labeling or discussing the title of a message, document, or other item.
태그를 “태그를” means tags as the object of 추가할 수 있어요. The particle 를 marks the tags as what can be added. Use this form when describing tags or labels applied to messages or other content.
추가할 “추가할” means to add and appears in the ability expression “추가할 수 있어요.” It is the noun-modifying form of 추가하다 before 수. Use it before 수 when saying that something can be added.
수 “수” is the possibility or ability element in “추가할 수 있어요.” It does not mean an independent object here; the full pattern means can add. Use “verb-(으)ㄹ 수 있다” to express ability or possibility.
있어요 “있어요” completes “추가할 수 있어요,” meaning can add or it is possible to add. Together with 수, it expresses present ability or possibility. Use this polite form when offering or confirming that an action is possible.
그러면 “그러면” means then or in that case and introduces the expected result of the proposed labeling system. It connects the condition or suggestion with its consequence. Use it when responding to an idea and explaining what will follow from it.
협업을 “협업을” means collaboration as the object of 늦추지 않으면서. The particle 을 marks collaboration as what should not be slowed down. Use it when discussing cooperation on shared work.
늦추지 “늦추지” means not slow down or not delay in “늦추지 않으면서.” It is the form of 늦추다 used before 않으면서. Here it describes avoiding any delay to collaboration.
않으면서 “않으면서” means while not doing or without doing and combines with 늦추지 to mean without slowing collaboration. It connects an action that is avoided with the main result. Use the pattern “verb-지 않으면서” to describe doing one thing without doing another.
부담을 “부담을” means burden or pressure as the object of 줄일 수 있을 거예요. It refers to the pressure caused by unclear message urgency. The particle 을 marks 부담 as what can be reduced, and “부담을 줄이다” is a reusable expression.
줄일 “줄일” means to reduce and appears before 수 in “줄일 수 있을 거예요.” It is the noun-modifying form of 줄이다. Use it with 수 있다 to say that a burden, amount, or problem can be reduced.
있을 “있을” contributes the possibility of being able to do something in “줄일 수 있을 거예요.” Together with 줄일 수, it says that reducing the pressure will be possible. Use “verb-(으)ㄹ 수 있을 거예요” for a polite prediction about future possibility.
앞으로는 “앞으로는” means from now on, with 는 marking the future period as the topic or contrast. It introduces a change in the speaker’s practice after this discussion. Use it when stating what will happen or be done in the future.
방식을 “방식을” means the method or approach as the object of 기본으로 사용하겠습니다. It refers to the proposed system of using urgency-related subject tags. The particle 을 marks the method as what will be adopted.
기본으로 “기본으로” means as the default or standard in “그 방식을 기본으로 사용하겠습니다.” It shows that the method will be used as the normal starting practice. Use “noun을 기본으로 사용하다” when adopting something as a default.
사용하겠습니다 “사용하겠습니다” means I will use and expresses a polite commitment or intention. Here the speaker promises to use the proposed method as the default from now on. It is the formal polite future-intention form of 사용하다 and is useful when making a clear workplace commitment.

Grammar Points

V-(으)ㄴ 뒤에

근무 시간이 끝난 뒤에 메시지가 여러 개 들어왔어요.

geun-moo SHI-gan-ee kkeun-nan dwee-eh meh-SHI-ji-ga YUH-ruh geh DEU-ruh-wass-uh-yo

Several messages came in after working hours ended.

This pattern means “after doing something.” The completed-action form comes before 뒤에.

V-아/어야 했어요

긴급도를 명확히 표시했어야 했어요.

GING-geup-TTO-reul myung-HWAH-kee pyo-SHI-hae-ssuh-ya hae-ssuh-yo

We should have clearly indicated the urgency level.

This expresses that an action was necessary but was not done.

Korean Vocabulary

근무 시간 noun
geun-moo SHI-gan working hours 근무 시간이

제 근무 시간이 끝난 뒤에

끝나다 verb
kkeun-NAH-dah to end; to finish 끝난

근무 시간이 끝난 뒤에

답장 noun
dap-JJANG reply; response 답장이

바로 답장이 올 거라고는

뒤 noun
dwee after; behind 뒤에

끝난 뒤에

들어오다 verb
DEU-ruh-OH-dah to come in; to arrive 들어온

메시지가 여러 개 들어온

메시지 noun
meh-SHI-ji message 메시지가

메시지가 여러 개 들어온

바로 adv
pah-roh immediately; right away

바로 답장이 올 거라고는

보내다 verb
boh-NAEH-dah to send 보냈지만

그때 메시지를 보냈지만

생각하다 verb
saeng-GAH-ka-dah to think; to expect 생각하지 않았어요

올 거라고는 생각하지 않았어요

여러 개 phrase
YUH-ruh geh several; multiple items

메시지가 여러 개 들어온

표현 noun
pyo-HYUN wording; expression 표현만으로는

메시지에 사용한 표현만으로는

확인하다 verb
HWAH-gin-ha-dah to check; to confirm; to notice 확인했어요

들어온 것을 확인했어요

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I should have marked them as non-urgent.

Show Answer그 메시지들을 긴급하지 않다고 표시했어야 했어요.

I will make that my default from now on.

Show Answer앞으로는 그 방식을 기본으로 사용하겠습니다.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to send

Show Answer보냈지만

to check; to confirm; to notice

Show Answer확인했어요

message

Show Answer메시지가

wording; expression

Show Answer표현만으로는