Improving Office Recycling Practices | Learn Korean in English

Korean lesson set in a contemporary Seoul everyday setting: At work, two adults discuss clearer recycling labels, visible sorting examples, and reducing disposable supplies through practical procurement changes..

EN → KO / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Improving Office Recycling Practices to practice Korean conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

사무실에 재활용 수거함이 있지만 사람들이 헷갈려 하는 것 같아요.

sah-moo-SHEE-reh jay-HWAH-yong soo-guh-HAH-mee it-JJEE-mahn sah-rahm-deu-REE-ga het-KKAL-lyuh hah-neun goht gah-TAH-yoh We have recycling bins in the office, but people seem confused.
B

그 라벨은 일상적으로 사용하기에는 아마 너무 모호한 것 같아요.

guh rah-BEH-leun il-SSAHNG-juh-guh-roh sah-yong-ha-gee-eh-neun ah-MAH nuh-MOO moh-HOH-han goht gah-TAH-yoh The labels are probably too vague for daily use.
A

분류 규칙을 더 간단하고 눈에 잘 띄게 만들어야 해요.

bool-LYOO gyoo-CHEE-geul duh gan-DAHN-ha-go noo-neh jal TTEE-geh man-deu-ruh-YAH heh-YOH We should make sorting rules simpler and more visible.
B

수거함 근처에 시각적인 예시를 두면 실수가 줄어들 거예요.

soo-guh-HAHM geun-CHUH-eh shee-GAHK-juh-geen yeh-SHEE-reul doo-myun shil-SSOO-ga joo-ruh-deul guh-YEH-yoh Visual examples near the bins would reduce mistakes.
A

일회용 비품도 더 적게 주문해야 한다고 생각해요.

eel-HWEH-yong bee-POOM-do duh jeok-KKEH joo-MOON-hae-YAH han-da-go seng-GAHK-hae-YOH I also think fewer disposable supplies should be ordered.
B

그러려면 단순한 안내가 아니라 조달 방식을 바꿔야 해요.

guh-ruh-RYUM-myun dan-SOON-han an-NEH-ga ah-NEE-rah joh-DAHL bahng-SHEE-geul bah-KKWOH-yAH heh-YOH That requires procurement changes, not just reminders.
A

쉽게 대체할 수 있는 물품부터 시작할 수 있을까요?

shweep-KKHEH deh-CHEH-hal soo IN-neun mool-POOM-boo-teoh shee-JAHK-hal soo ee-SSEUL-KKAH-yoh Could we start with items that have easy alternatives?
B

그러면 변화로 인한 혼란이 줄어들 거예요.

guh-ruh-MYUN byun-HWAH-roh in-HAN hol-LAHN-ee joo-ruh-deul guh-YEH-yoh That would make the change less disruptive.

Word by Word

사무실에 “사무실에” means “in the office” in this dialogue. The ending marks the office as the location where the collection bins are. A common reuse pattern places a location before a statement about something being there.
재활용 “재활용” means “recycling” here and describes the purpose of the collection bins. It is used as a noun before another noun to specify what is being recycled or collected. In this dialogue, it identifies the bins as recycling bins.
수거함이 “수거함이” means “collection bin” and is the subject of the statement that there are bins. The ending marks the bin as the thing that exists in the office. This form is useful when describing a collection container as the subject of a sentence.
있지만 “있지만” means “there is, but” in this sentence. It states that the bins exist and then connects that fact to the contrasting problem that people are confused. The ending is useful when acknowledging one fact before presenting a different or opposing point.
사람들이 “사람들이” means “people” and marks them as the subject of the confusion described in the dialogue. The ending identifies who is experiencing or doing something. It can be used when talking about people as the subject of an action or state.
헷갈려 “헷갈려” means “get confused” in “헷갈려 하는 것 같아요.” It describes the people’s difficulty distinguishing or understanding the recycling system. The form appears before “하는” to describe what the people seem to be doing.
하는 In “헷갈려 하는 것 같아요,” “하는” links the described behavior to the following assessment. It presents “헷갈려” as something the people appear to do, rather than meaning “doing” independently here. This form is useful when describing an action or behavior as part of a larger description.
것 In “헷갈려 하는 것 같아요,” “것” turns the preceding behavior into something that can be assessed with “같아요.” It does not refer to a concrete thing here. This use is common when expressing that a situation or action seems to be the case.
같아요 “같아요” means “seem” or “I think” in this dialogue, showing that the speaker is making an observation rather than stating the confusion as absolute fact. It completes the expression “헷갈려 하는 것 같아요.” This polite form is useful when giving a cautious impression or opinion.
그 “그” means “that” or “the” before the labels being discussed. It points to labels that are identifiable from the context. It is commonly placed before a noun when referring to a specific known item.
라벨은 “라벨은” means “the labels” and sets the labels as the topic of the second sentence. The ending marks what the speaker is now discussing. This form is useful when introducing a topic and describing its quality or condition.
일상적으로 “일상적으로” means “for everyday use” or “in everyday life” here. It modifies the idea of using the labels and emphasizes their practical daily context. This adverb can be used when describing something that happens or is used as part of ordinary routines.
사용하기에는 “사용하기에는” means “for using” in “일상적으로 사용하기에는.” The form presents everyday use as the context against which the labels are judged, leading to the conclusion that they are too vague. This pattern is useful when evaluating whether something is suitable for a particular purpose.
아마 “아마” means “probably” and signals that the speaker is making a likely judgment about the labels. It softens the statement because the speaker is not presenting the reason as certain. It is commonly used before the statement or description that is considered likely.
너무 “너무” means “too” in “너무 모호한,” indicating that the labels are vague to an undesirable degree. It comes before the description it intensifies. This use is common when a quality exceeds what is suitable for a purpose.
모호한 “모호한” means “vague” and describes the labels as unclear for everyday use. The form modifies the noun being discussed. It can be reused to describe instructions, wording, or standards that do not give sufficiently clear guidance.
분류 “분류” means “sorting” or “classification” and specifies the subject of the rules. It is used before “규칙을” to identify the rules as rules for sorting. This noun is useful in workplace or organizational contexts when items are grouped by type or category.
규칙을 “규칙을” means “rules” and is the object of making the sorting rules simpler and more visible. The ending marks the rules as the thing being changed. It can be used when an action is directed at a set of rules.
더 “더” means “more” here and indicates an increase in simplicity and visibility compared with the current rules. It comes before the descriptions being strengthened. This word is useful when proposing an additional degree of a quality or change.
간단하고 “간단하고” means “simple and” in the description of the sorting rules. The ending connects this quality with the following quality, so both are requested. This form is useful for linking two descriptions of the same thing.
눈에 In “눈에 잘 띄게,” “눈에” refers to the eye or visual perception. Together with the surrounding expression, it helps describe something as noticeable, rather than meaning only “to the eye” literally. This form is useful when discussing whether something can be readily seen.
잘 In “눈에 잘 띄게,” “잘” contributes the meaning “clearly” or “noticeably.” It modifies the expression about being seen and helps emphasize that the rules should stand out. This word commonly modifies an action or state to describe how effectively it occurs.
띄게 In “눈에 잘 띄게,” “띄게” means “so that it stands out” or “conspicuously.” It describes the desired visible effect of making the rules. This form is useful when explaining that a sign, label, or feature should be easy to notice.
만들어야 “만들어야” means “must make” in the proposal about changing the sorting rules. It expresses the action that is required for the rules to become simpler and more visible. The form is useful when stating that a particular change is necessary.
해요 In “만들어야 해요,” “해요” completes the polite expression of obligation. The whole expression means that the rules need to be made simpler and more visible; “해요” does not independently mean “should” here. This polite ending is useful for making a recommendation or stating a requirement.
수거함 “수거함” means “collection bin” in “수거함 근처에.” Here it identifies the place beside which visual examples should be put. This noun can be reused when referring to a container intended for collecting items.
근처에 “근처에” means “near” and marks the location of the visual examples relative to the bins. It identifies where something is placed. This form is useful for describing an object’s position near a person, place, or thing.
시각적인 “시각적인” means “visual” and describes examples that can be understood by looking at them. It modifies “예시를” in the dialogue. This adjective is useful when distinguishing information presented through images or visible models.
예시를 “예시를” means “examples” and is the object of placing them near the bins. The ending marks the examples as what is placed. It can be used when referring to concrete instances that clarify a rule or idea.
두면 “두면” means “if placed” or “if one puts them” in “예시를 두면.” It introduces the condition that visual examples are placed near the bins. This form is useful when explaining the result that follows if someone takes a particular action.
실수가 “실수가” means “mistakes” and marks them as the subject of the predicted reduction. The ending identifies the mistakes as what will decrease. This form is useful when describing a change in the number or frequency of mistakes.
줄어들 “줄어들” means “decrease” in “실수가 줄어들 거예요.” It describes the expected reduction in mistakes if examples are provided. This form is useful for predicting that a quantity or problem will become smaller.
거예요 In “줄어들 거예요,” “거예요” presents the decrease as an expected or predicted result. The whole expression means “will decrease” or “is expected to decrease.” This polite form is useful when making a forecast about a likely outcome.
일회용 “일회용” means “disposable” and describes supplies intended for one-time use. It modifies “비품도” in the dialogue. This word is useful when discussing products that are used once and then discarded.
비품도 “비품도” means “supplies too” or “office supplies as well.” The ending adds these supplies to the earlier recycling discussion as another thing that should be addressed. This form is useful when adding an additional item or category to a proposal.
적게 “적게” means “in a smaller quantity” or “fewer” in “적게 주문해야.” It modifies the ordering action and indicates that the quantity should be reduced. This adverb is useful when describing an action carried out in a smaller amount.
주문해야 “주문해야” means “must order” in the speaker’s proposal about disposable supplies. It expresses the required ordering action, specifically ordering a smaller quantity. This form is useful when stating that an order or purchase needs to be made in a particular way.
한다고 In “주문해야 한다고 생각해요,” “한다고” marks the content of the speaker’s thought. It connects the idea that supplies must be ordered less often or in smaller quantities with “생각해요.” This form is useful when reporting the content of an opinion or belief.
생각해요 “생각해요” means “think” or “believe” and presents the proposal as the speaker’s opinion. In “주문해야 한다고 생각해요,” it introduces the speaker’s view about what should be done. This polite form is useful when expressing a personal judgment or recommendation.
그러려면 “그러려면” means “to do that” or “if that is to happen” and refers back to reducing orders of disposable supplies. It introduces the condition or requirement needed to achieve that earlier proposal. This form is useful when explaining what must happen for a stated goal to be reached.
단순한 “단순한” means “simple” or “mere” and describes the guidance as limited to simple reminders or notices. In the dialogue, it helps contrast guidance with a deeper procurement change. This adjective is useful when characterizing something as straightforward or limited in scope.
안내가 “안내가” means “guidance” or “notice” and is the first item in the contrast with procurement changes. The ending marks it as the item being rejected by the “not A but B” structure. This form is useful when comparing one possible measure with another.
아니라 “아니라” means “not” in the contrast “단순한 안내가 아니라 조달 방식을 바꿔야 해요.” It rejects simple guidance as the sufficient solution and leads to the required procurement change. This form is useful in a structure that contrasts what is not the case with what is required instead.
조달 “조달” means “procurement” and identifies the organizational process that needs to change. It modifies “방식을” to specify which method is being discussed. This noun is useful in workplace contexts involving purchasing or obtaining supplies.
방식을 “방식을” means “method” or “approach” and is the object of changing in the procurement proposal. The ending marks the approach as what must be changed. It can be used when referring to the way a task or process is carried out.
바꿔야 “바꿔야” means “must change” in the statement about the procurement approach. It expresses an obligation rather than a suggestion that change might happen by itself. This form is useful when identifying a required change to a method, plan, or system.
쉽게 “쉽게” means “easily” and modifies the possibility of substituting the items. It indicates that the alternatives can be used without much difficulty. This adverb is useful when describing an action as requiring little effort or causing few obstacles.
대체할 “대체할” means “replace” or “substitute” in “대체할 수 있는 물품.” It describes the replacement action associated with the items under consideration. This form is useful before a possibility expression when identifying something that can be substituted.
수 In “대체할 수 있는,” “수” contributes the meaning of ability or possibility. The full construction expresses that the items can be replaced; “수” alone does not mean “can.” This form is useful after an action when discussing whether that action is possible.
있는 In “대체할 수 있는 물품,” “있는” means “that can” as part of the description of items that are possible to replace. It connects the possibility expression to “물품.” This form is useful when a possibility or condition modifies a following noun.
물품부터 “물품부터” means “items first” or “starting with the items.” The ending marks these items as the starting point for the proposed change. This form is useful when choosing where an action or process should begin.
시작할 “시작할” means “start” in the proposal to begin with easily replaceable items. It appears before the possibility expression that turns the proposal into a question. This form is useful when describing an action that is being considered as a possible starting point.
있을 In “시작할 수 있을까요,” “있을” contributes to the possibility expression used to ask whether starting is feasible. It does not mean that something exists here. This form is useful when asking politely whether an action can be carried out.
까요 “까요” is the polite question ending in “시작할 수 있을까요?” The whole question asks whether they could start with the selected items, so “까요” itself does not independently mean “could.” This ending is useful for polite proposals, suggestions, or requests for agreement.
그러면 “그러면” means “then” or “in that case” and introduces the expected result of starting with items that have easy alternatives. It links the previous proposal to the consequence that follows. This expression is useful when responding to a condition or proposal and explaining its result.
변화로 Within “변화로 인한 혼란,” “변화로” identifies the change as the source or cause connected to the following description. The full phrase refers to confusion caused by the change, rather than “변화로” alone meaning confusion. This form is useful when linking an event or factor to a resulting situation.
인한 “인한” means “caused by” or “resulting from” in “변화로 인한 혼란.” It modifies “혼란” and explains that the confusion results from the change. This form is useful before a noun when describing a consequence produced by a preceding cause.
혼란이 “혼란이” means “confusion” and is the subject of the statement that it will be reduced. The ending marks the confusion as what becomes less disruptive or less extensive. This form is useful when describing confusion as the result of a change or situation.

Grammar Points

A-(으)ㄴ 것 같아요

라벨이 모호한 것 같아요.

rah-BEH-lee moh-HOH-han goht gah-TAH-yoh

The label seems vague.

Attach -(으)ㄴ 것 같아요 to an adjective to say that something appears to have a certain quality.

V-아/어야 하다

비품을 주문해야 해요.

bee-POO-meul joo-MOON-hae-YAH heh-YOH

We have to order supplies.

Use -아/어야 하다 to express necessity or obligation.

Korean Vocabulary

간단하다 adj
gan-DAHN-ha-dah to be simple 간단하고
것 같아요 phrase
goht gah-TAH-yoh seem to; it seems that
눈에 잘 띄다 verb
noo-neh jal TTEE-dah to be clearly visible 눈에 잘 띄게
라벨 noun
rah-BEHL label
모호하다 adj
moh-HOH-ha-dah to be vague 모호한
분류 규칙 noun
bool-LYOO gyoo-CHEEK sorting rules
사무실 noun
sah-moo-SHEEL office
시각적인 adj
shee-GAHK-juh-geen visual
예시 noun
yeh-SHEE example
일상적으로 adv
il-SSAHNG-juh-guh-roh for daily use; routinely
재활용 수거함 noun
jay-HWAH-yong soo-guh-HAHM recycling bin
헷갈려 하다 verb
het-KKAL-lyuh hah-DAH to be confused 헷갈려 하는

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

That would make the change less disruptive.

Show Answer그러면 변화로 인한 혼란이 줄어들 거예요.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

for daily use; routinely

Show Answer일상적으로

to be simple

Show Answer간단하고

visual

Show Answer시각적인

office

Show Answer사무실