Korean · Upper intermediate (B2) · Chapter 1 of 12
Discussing and debating
토론하기Toronhagi
Argue your point in Korean: concede with -기는 하지만, -아도 and -더라도, structure an argument, use -잖아요 and interrupt politely.
In this chapter you'll learn to
- Concede a point with -기는 하지만, -아 / -어도, -더라도 and -는데도
- Structure an argument: first, besides, on the other hand, in conclusion
- Remind people of shared facts with -잖아요
- Interrupt politely and keep your turn at a meeting
Listen
At a residents' meeting in an apartment complex in Suwon, Jung Hyejin and Park Dongsu disagree about turning part of the car park into a playground. Mr Yoon chairs. Listen to the whole dialogue first, then line by line.
Mr Yoon
그럼 회의를 시작하겠습니다. 오늘은 주차장 한쪽을 아이들 놀이터로 바꾸는 문제에 대해 이야기하겠습니다. 정혜진 님, 먼저 말씀해 주시겠습니까?
Geureom hoeuireul sijakhagetseumnida. Oneureun juchajang hanjjogeul aideul noriteoro bakkuneun munjee daehae iyagihagetseumnida. Jung Hyejin nim, meonjeo malsseumhae jusigetseumnikka?
Well then, let's begin the meeting. Today we'll discuss turning one side of the car park into a playground for the children. Ms Jung, would you like to start?
Hyejin
네, 감사합니다. 우선, 우리 아파트에는 아이들이 백 명 넘게 사는데 놀 곳이 거의 없습니다. 그래서 아이들이 주차장에서 노는 경우가 많잖아요. 안전이 정말 걱정됩니다.
Ne, gamsahamnida. Useon, uri apateueneun aideuri baek myeong neomge saneunde nol gosi geoui eopseumnida. Geuraeseo aideuri juchajangeseo noneun gyeonguga manchanayo. Anjeoni jeongmal geokjeongdoemnida.
Yes, thank you. First of all, more than a hundred children live in our complex, but there's almost nowhere for them to play. So, as you all know, they often end up playing in the car park. I'm really worried about their safety.
Dongsu
말씀 중에 죄송한데요, 작년에 주차장을 넓혔는데도 아직 자리가 부족하잖아요. 밤늦게 오면 삼십 분씩 돌아다닐 때도 있어요.
Malsseum junge joesonghandeyo, jangnyeone juchajangeul neolpyeonneundedo ajik jariga bujokhajanayo. Bamneutge omyeon samsip bunssik doradanil ttaedo isseoyo.
Sorry to interrupt, but even though we made the car park bigger last year, there still aren't enough spaces, are there? When I come home late at night, I sometimes drive around for thirty minutes.
Hyejin
죄송하지만 제 말 좀 끝까지 들어 주세요. 자리가 부족한 건 저도 알아요. 하지만 주차장이 조금 좁아지더라도 아이들 안전이 더 중요하다고 생각합니다.
Joesonghajiman je mal jom kkeutkkaji deureo juseyo. Jariga bujokhan geon jeodo arayo. Hajiman juchajangi jogeum jobajideorado aideul anjeoni deo jungyohadago saenggakhamnida.
I'm sorry, but please let me finish. I know there aren't enough spaces. But even if the car park gets a little smaller, I think the children's safety matters more.
Dongsu
물론 아이들 안전도 중요하기는 하지만, 주차할 곳이 없으면 결국 차들이 도로에 서게 되잖아요. 그러면 아이들한테 오히려 더 위험할 수도 있어요.
Mullon aideul anjeondo jungyohagineun hajiman, juchahal gosi eopseumyeon gyeolguk chadeuri doroe seoge doejanayo. Geureomyeon aideulhante ohiryeo deo wiheomhal sudo isseoyo.
Of course the children's safety matters too, but if there's nowhere to park, the cars will end up standing in the street, won't they? Then it could actually be even more dangerous for the children.
Mr Yoon
두 분 입장은 잘 알겠습니다. 정혜진 님, 그 문제에 대해서는 어떻게 생각하십니까?
Du bun ipjangeun jal algetseumnida. Jung Hyejin nim, geu munjee daehaeseoneun eotteoke saenggakhasimnikka?
I understand both your positions. Ms Jung, what do you think about that problem?
Hyejin
주차장 뒤쪽은 낮에는 거의 비어 있어요. 게다가 근처에 큰 주차장도 새로 생겼잖아요. 반면에 아이들이 안전하게 놀 수 있는 곳은 근처에 하나도 없습니다.
Juchajang dwijjogeun najeneun geoui bieo isseoyo. Gedaga geuncheoe keun juchajangdo saero saenggyeotjanayo. Banmyeone aideuri anjeonhage nol su inneun goseun geuncheoe hanado eopseumnida.
The back of the car park is almost empty during the day. Besides, a big car park has just opened nearby, as you know. On the other hand, there isn't a single place nearby where children can play safely.
Dongsu
하지만 그 주차장은 무료가 아니잖아요. 아무리 가까워도 매달 주차비를 따로 내야 한다면 찬성할 주민은 많지 않을 거예요.
Hajiman geu juchajangeun muryoga anijanayo. Amuri gakkawodo maedal juchabireul ttaro naeya handamyeon chanseonghal jumineun manchi aneul geoyeyo.
But that car park isn't free, is it? However close it is, if people have to pay a parking fee on top every month, not many residents will be in favour.
Hyejin
그래서 제안이 하나 있어요. 그 주차비는 관리비에서 조금씩 같이 내면 어떨까요? 계산해 보니까 한 집에 한 달에 삼천 원 정도예요.
Geuraeseo jeani hana isseoyo. Geu juchabineun gwallibieseo jogeumssik gachi naemyeon eotteolkkayo? Gyesanhae bonikka han jibe han dare samcheon won jeongdoyeyo.
That's why I have a suggestion. How about we all pay a little towards that parking fee through the maintenance charge? I've worked it out, and it comes to about three thousand won per flat a month.
Dongsu
한 달에 삼천 원이요? 그 정도라면 저도 반대할 이유는 없네요. 하지만 다른 주민들 의견도 들어 봐야 하지 않을까요?
Han dare samcheon woniyo? Geu jeongdoramyeon jeodo bandaehal iyuneun eomneyo. Hajiman dareun jumindeul uigyeondo deureo bwaya haji aneulkkayo?
Three thousand won a month? If it's that little, I have no reason to object either. But shouldn't we hear what the other residents think too?
Mr Yoon
두 분 말씀 잘 들었습니다. 결론적으로, 아이들 안전이 중요하다는 데는 두 분 의견이 같으시네요. 그럼 이 문제는 다음 달에 주민 투표로 결정하겠습니다.
Du bun malsseum jal deureotseumnida. Gyeollonjeogeuro, aideul anjeoni jungyohadaneun deneun du bun uigyeoni gateusineyo. Geureom i munjeneun daeum dare jumin tupyoro gyeoljeonghagetseumnida.
Thank you both. In conclusion, you both agree that the children's safety is important. So we'll decide this question by a residents' vote next month.
Hyejin
네, 좋아요. 투표 결과가 어떻게 나와도 저는 받아들이겠습니다.
Ne, joayo. Tupyo gyeolgwaga eotteoke nawado jeoneun badadeurigetseumnida.
Yes, that's fine. Whatever the result of the vote, I'll accept it.
Understand
Conceding: it's true, but …
In a discussion you often admit that the other side is partly right before you make your own point. The simplest way is -기는 하지만 (-gineun hajiman), it's true that … but: (jungyohagineun hajiman), it is important, but … In speech it is often shortened to -긴 하지만 (-gin hajiman), and -기는 한데 (-gineun hande) sounds softer. Starting with (mullon), of course, makes the concession clearer: … (mullon bissajiman …), of course it's expensive, but …
-아도 / -어도 (-ado / -eodo), even if, even though, follows the same vowel rule as the present: (gakkawodo), even if it's close; (biga wado), even if it rains. With (amuri) in front it means “no matter how”: (amuri gakkawodo), however close it is. -더라도 (-deorado) also means “even if”, but it's for something you only imagine, and it sounds more emphatic: (jobajideorado), even if it does get smaller.
-는데도 (-neundedo), after verbs, and -(으)ㄴ데도 (-(eu)ndedo), after adjectives, mean “even though”, for a fact that has already happened or is true: (neolpyeonneundedo), even though we made it bigger. It is the B1 background ending -는데 (-neunde) + (do), even.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -기는 하지만 (-gineun hajiman) | it's true that …, but | (anjeondo jungyohagineun hajiman) |
| … -지만 (mullon … -jiman) | of course …, but | (mullon bissajiman) |
| -아도 / -어도 (-ado / -eodo) | even if, even though | (amuri gakkawodo), however close it is |
| -더라도 (-deorado) | even if (imagined, emphatic) | (jogeum jobajideorado) |
| -는데도 / -(으)ㄴ데도 (-neundedo / -(eu)ndedo) | even though (a fact) | (neolpyeonneundedo), (bappeundedo) |
- 이 동네는 조용하기는 하지만 좀 불편해요.I dongneneun joyonghagineun hajiman jom bulpyeonhaeyo.This neighbourhood is quiet, it's true, but it's a bit inconvenient.
- 아무리 바빠도 아침은 꼭 먹어요.Amuri bappado achimeun kkok meogeoyo.However busy I am, I always eat breakfast.
- 비가 오더라도 회의는 합니다.Biga odeorado hoeuineun hamnida.Even if it rains, the meeting will go ahead.
- 약을 먹었는데도 머리가 계속 아파요.Yageul meogeonneundedo meoriga gyesok apayo.Even though I took medicine, my head still hurts.
Building an argument, and -잖아요
A clear argument has an order. (useon), first of all, opens it; (gedaga), besides, on top of that, adds a point in the same direction; (banmyeone), on the other hand, sets up a contrast; and (gyeollonjeogeuro), in conclusion, sums up. (ohiryeo) means “rather, if anything”, for a result that is the opposite of what someone expects: (ohiryeo deo wiheomhal sudo isseoyo), it could actually be more dangerous.
-잖아요 (-janayo) is a contraction of -지 않아요 (-ji anayo) and means “as you know, after all”. You use it to remind people of a fact they already know and to build your case on it: (jariga bujokhajanayo), there aren't enough spaces, as we all know; (juchajangeseo noneun gyeonguga manchanayo), they often play in the car park, as you know (literally “there are many cases”, , gyeongu). Past: (saenggyeotjanayo); nouns: (muryoga anijanayo), (haksaengijanayo). Use it with care to people above you: it can sound as if they should have known already.
| Korean | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| (useon) | first of all | opens the first point |
| (gedaga) | besides, on top of that | adds a point in the same direction |
| (banmyeone) | on the other hand, whereas | sets up a contrast |
| (geuraedo) | even so, still | starts a sentence after a concession |
| (ohiryeo) | rather, if anything, actually | the opposite of what's expected |
| (gyeollonjeogeuro) | in conclusion | sums up at the end |
Interrupting politely
Interrupting someone older or at a formal meeting needs an apology first. (malsseum junge joesonghandeyo), sorry to interrupt, literally “I'm sorry, while you're speaking”, uses the honorific noun (malsseum), words. To keep your turn, ask for patience: (je mal jom kkeutkkaji deureo juseyo), please hear me out to the end. Notice that you use the plain (mal) for your own words and (malsseum) for other people's.
The chair of a meeting usually speaks (hamnidache): (sijakhagetseumnida) and addresses people as full name + (nim): (Jung Hyejin nim). The speakers mix (hamnidache) for their main points and (haeyoche) in the back-and-forth, which is completely natural.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| , … (Malsseum junge joesonghandeyo, …) | Sorry to interrupt, … |
| (Je mal jom kkeutkkaji deureo juseyo.) | Please let me finish. |
| (Meonjeo malsseumhaseyo.) | Please, go ahead. (after you both start at once) |
| (Museun malsseuminji algetseumnida.) | I see what you mean. |
| (Geu malsseumdo matseumnida.) | You have a point there. |
| … (Je mareun geuge anira …) | That's not what I mean. What I mean is … |
More in the grammar: But and background: -지만, -는데, -아/어도 · Nuanced endings: -네요, -잖아요, -거든요 and more
New words
- 회의hoeuimeeting · (hoeuireul sijakhada), to start a meeting; (…e daehae iyagihada), to talk about …
- 주차장juchajangcar park · (juchahada), to park; (juchabi), parking fee; (han dare samcheon won jeongdo), about () 3,000 won a month
- 놀이터noriteoplayground · from (nolda), to play; (nol got), a place (, got) to play
- 안전anjeonsafety · (anjeonhada), to be safe; (anjeonhage), safely; the opposite is (wiheomhada), to be dangerous
- 부족하다bujokhadato be short of, not to be enough · (jariga bujokhaeyo), there aren't enough spaces; (juchajangeul neolpida), to make the car park bigger
- 물론mullonof course · often opens a concession: … -지만 (mullon … -jiman)
- 입장ipjangposition, point of view · (je ipjangeseoneun), from my point of view
- 게다가gedagabesides, on top of that · (gedaga sae juchajangdo saenggyeosseoyo), besides, a new car park has opened (, saenggida, to appear, to open)
- 반면에banmyeoneon the other hand, whereas · also after a modifier: (ssan banmyeone), while it's cheap
- 찬성하다chanseonghadato be in favour (of), to support · with (e): (geu jeane chanseonghaeyo), I support that suggestion (, jean)
- 주민juminresident · (jumin hoeui), residents' meeting
- 반대하다bandaehadato be against, to object · with (e): (geu gyehoege bandaehaeyo)
- 결론gyeollonconclusion · (gyeollonjeogeuro), in conclusion; (tupyoro gyeoljeonghada), to decide by vote (, gyeoljeonghada, to decide)
- 투표tupyovote · (tupyohada), to vote
Practise
1.Which form fits? ___ (Jangnyeone juchajangeul ___ ajik jariga bujokhaeyo.) Even though we made it bigger, there still isn't enough space.
2.Hyejin wants to finish what she is saying. Put the words in order.
Tap the words below in the right order.Please let me finish.
3.Match the Korean with the English.
Pick a word on the left, then its meaning on the right.
4.At a residents' meeting you want to interrupt an older neighbour. What do you say?
5.Which sentence means “Even if it rains, the meeting will go ahead”?
6.Dongsu says (geu juchajangeun muryoga anijanayo). What is he doing?
0 of 6 exercises done.
Say it out loud
말씀 중에 죄송한데요, …
Malsseum junge joesonghandeyo, …
Sorry to interrupt, …
Listen, then say it out loud, as close to the recording as you can.
Check
Five questions on this chapter. Then mark it as finished to add its words to your review deck.
0 of 5 answered.