Korean · Real conversations
Work updates: Korean conversation practice
Explain progress and agree on a priority. 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 colleague giving a short project update.
Goal: Explain progress and agree on a priority.
Read the conversation
Partner
오늘은 무슨 일을 하고 계세요?oneureun museun ireul hago gyeseyo?
Show English translation
What are you working on today?
You
보고서를 작성하고 있어요.bogoseoreul jakseonghago isseoyo.
Show English translation
I'm working on the report.
Partner
보고서는 얼마나 진행됐어요?bogoseoneun eolmana jinhaengdwaesseoyo?
Show English translation
How far have you got with the report?
You
초안을 완성했어요.choaneul wanseonghaesseoyo.
Show English translation
I've finished the first draft.
Partner
좋은 시작이네요. 검토한 버전을 오늘 보낼 수 있어요?joeun sijagineyo. geomtohan beojeoneul oneul bonael su isseoyo?
Show English translation
Good start. Can you send the checked version today?
You
시간이 더 필요해요.sigani deo piryohaeyo.
Show English translation
I need more time.
Partner
시간이 얼마나 더 필요하세요?sigani eolmana deo piryohaseyo?
Show English translation
How much longer do you need?
You
마감이 언제예요?magami eonjeyeyo?
Show English translation
What's the deadline?
Partner
내일 오후까지예요. 수치도 업데이트해야 해요.naeil ohukkajiyeyo. suchido eopdeiteuhaeya haeyo.
Show English translation
Tomorrow afternoon. We also need the figures updated.
You
무엇을 먼저 해야 할까요?mueoseul meonjeo haeya halkkayo?
Show English translation
What should I prioritize?
Try your part first
Partner says: What are you working on today? Your goal: I'm working on the report.
Reveal a sample reply
보고서를 작성하고 있어요.bogoseoreul jakseonghago isseoyo.
I'm working on the report.
Partner says: How far have you got with the report? Your goal: I've finished the first draft.
Reveal a sample reply
초안을 완성했어요.choaneul wanseonghaesseoyo.
I've finished the first draft.
Partner says: Good start. Can you send the checked version today? Your goal: I need more time.
Reveal a sample reply
시간이 더 필요해요.sigani deo piryohaeyo.
I need more time.
Partner says: How much longer do you need? Your goal: What's the deadline?
Reveal a sample reply
마감이 언제예요?magami eonjeyeyo?
What's the deadline?
Partner says: Tomorrow afternoon. We also need the figures updated. Your goal: What should I prioritize?
Reveal a sample reply
무엇을 먼저 해야 할까요?mueoseul meonjeo haeya halkkayo?
What should I prioritize?
Make it your own
- Change the task.
- Request a different amount of time.
- Clarify two competing priorities.
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.
