Korean · Real conversations
Support and boundaries: Korean conversation practice
Show care while being clear about your limits. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
B1 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A friend having a thoughtful private conversation.
Goal: Show care while being clear about your limits.
Read the conversation
Partner
힘든 한 주였지만 무슨 말을 해야 할지 모르겠어요.himdeun han juyeotjiman museun mareul haeya halji moreugesseoyo.
Show English translation
I've had a hard week, but I'm not sure what to say.
You
그 이야기를 하고 싶으세요?geu iyagireul hago sipeuseyo?
Show English translation
Would you like to talk about it?
Partner
나중에 할게요. 전에 하던 일을 왜 그만두셨는지 물어봐도 될까요?najunge halgeyo. jeone hadeon ireul wae geumandusyeonneunji mureobwado doelkkayo?
Show English translation
Maybe later. Can I ask why you left your last job?
You
그 이야기는 하지 않았으면 좋겠어요.geu iyagineun haji anasseumyeon jokesseoyo.
Show English translation
I'd prefer not to discuss that.
Partner
물론이죠. 오늘 결정하면 더 쉬워질 거라고 생각했어요.mullonijyo. oneul gyeoljeonghamyeon deo swiwojil georago saenggakhaesseoyo.
Show English translation
Of course. I thought deciding today would make things easier.
You
무슨 말씀인지 알겠지만 시간이 더 필요해요.museun malsseuminji algetjiman sigani deo piryohaeyo.
Show English translation
I see what you mean, but I need more time.
Partner
천천히 생각하세요. 이 이야기를 모임 사람들에게 전해 드릴까요?cheoncheonhi saenggakhaseyo. i iyagireul moim saramdeurege jeonhae deurilkkayo?
Show English translation
Take your time. Would you like me to share this with the group?
You
그건 좀 불편해요.geugeon jom bulpyeonhaeyo.
Show English translation
I don't feel comfortable with that.
Partner
말하지 않을게요. 대신 내일 만날 수도 있어요.malhaji aneulgeyo. daesin naeil mannal sudo isseoyo.
Show English translation
I won't share it. We could meet tomorrow instead.
You
생각해 볼게요.saenggakhae bolgeyo.
Show English translation
Let me think about it.
Try your part first
Partner says: I've had a hard week, but I'm not sure what to say. Your goal: Would you like to talk about it?
Reveal a sample reply
그 이야기를 하고 싶으세요?geu iyagireul hago sipeuseyo?
Would you like to talk about it?
Partner says: Maybe later. Can I ask why you left your last job? Your goal: I'd prefer not to discuss that.
Reveal a sample reply
그 이야기는 하지 않았으면 좋겠어요.geu iyagineun haji anasseumyeon jokesseoyo.
I'd prefer not to discuss that.
Partner says: Of course. I thought deciding today would make things easier. Your goal: I see what you mean, but I need more time.
Reveal a sample reply
무슨 말씀인지 알겠지만 시간이 더 필요해요.museun malsseuminji algetjiman sigani deo piryohaeyo.
I see what you mean, but I need more time.
Partner says: Take your time. Would you like me to share this with the group? Your goal: I don't feel comfortable with that.
Reveal a sample reply
그건 좀 불편해요.geugeon jom bulpyeonhaeyo.
I don't feel comfortable with that.
Partner says: I won't share it. We could meet tomorrow instead. Your goal: Let me think about it.
Reveal a sample reply
생각해 볼게요.saenggakhae bolgeyo.
Let me think about it.
Make it your own
- Offer company instead of advice.
- Set a different boundary.
- Ask for time before answering.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking Korean
Most examples use polite 해요-style endings. A more formal ending may appear when addressing staff or making a careful request. Do not switch to casual speech with a stranger simply because the English translation sounds friendly.
Hangul is the main text; romanization helps you read along. Korean often leaves a clear subject unstated. Particles and endings carry information that English may express with separate words.
