문제 설명과 조언Explaining Problems and Giving Advice
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Use the connector -는데 to give background information before explaining a problem, making a request, or asking a question.
- Give advice using -는 게 어때요? and -는 게 좋을 것 같아요, recycling the opinion pattern -는 것 같다 from Chapter 17.
- Soften a request using 좀 together with -아/어 줄 수 있어요?
- Make an indirect request using 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요? to ask permission politely rather than stating a demand directly.
- Explain a problem in a connected way, combining background information, the problem itself, and a request or question about it.
- Respond to someone else's problem with sympathy, a suggestion, or encouragement.
- Maintain consistent everyday polite -아요/어요 speech level and accurate Hangeul spelling while explaining problems and giving advice.
This chapter continues Unit IV, 경험, 의견, 그리고 프로젝트 (Experiences, Opinions, and Projects). It introduces the connector -는데 for the first time and expands advice-giving and softened, indirect request language, building on the goal and reasoning language from Chapter 18.
Communication Scenario
라일라 has run into a scheduling problem with the exercise plan she and 지영 agreed on in Chapter 18. She wants to explain the situation, ask for a small change, and hear 지영's advice. As they talk, 라일라 practices explaining background before stating her problem, and both friends practice giving gentle, softened advice.
- This chapter recycles goal, decision, and reasoning language from Chapter 18, along with opinion and contrast language from Chapter 17.
- This chapter introduces the connector -는데 for setting up background information before a problem, question, or request.
- This chapter also activates advice-giving and softened, indirect request language as its two other principal systems.
Core Vocabulary
The following productive vocabulary supports this chapter's communication goals: explaining a problem, asking for a small change, and giving or receiving advice.
| Korean | Meaning | Category / Pattern | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 문제 | problem | noun | 문제가 생기다 |
| 생기다 | to arise, come up (of a problem) | action verb | 문제가 생겼어요 |
| 사정 | circumstances, situation | noun | 사정이 있어요 |
| 바쁘다 | to be busy | descriptive verb; ㅡ irregular | recycled |
| 힘들다 | to be difficult, hard, tiring | descriptive verb; ㄹ irregular | |
| 미루다 | to postpone, put off | action verb; 을/를 | 약속을 미루다 |
| 바꾸다 | to change (something) | action verb; 을/를 | recycled |
| 조언 | advice | noun | 조언을 구하다 |
| 조언하다 | to give advice, advise | action verb | |
| 구하다 | to seek, ask for | action verb; 을/를 | 조언을 구해요 |
| 부탁하다 | to ask a favor | action verb; 에게 | 부탁이 있어요 |
| 부탁 | favor, request | noun | 부탁 좀 들어줄래요? |
| 들어주다 | to grant, accept (a request) | action verb; 을/를 | 부탁을 들어줘요 |
| 이해하다 | to understand | action verb; 을/를 | 이해해 주세요 |
| 양해하다 | to kindly understand, excuse | action verb | formal-adjacent, everyday use |
| 늦다 | to be late | descriptive/action verb | recycled |
| 깜빡하다 | to forget momentarily, slip one's mind | action verb | 깜빡했어요 |
| 스트레스 | stress | noun (loanword) | 스트레스를 받다 |
| 받다 | to receive | action verb; 을/를 | recycled |
| 쉬다 | to rest | action verb | |
| 혹시 | by any chance, perhaps | adverb | softens a question or request |
| 그러게요 | that's true, I know, right | fixed expression | sympathetic agreement |
| 괜찮아요 | it's okay, that's fine | fixed expression | recycled |
| 힘내다 | to cheer up, take heart | action verb | 힘내세요 |
| 천천히 | slowly | adverb | 천천히 하세요 |
| 대신 | instead | noun / adverb | 대신에 |
| 다음에 | next time | adverb phrase | recycled |
| 어떻게 해야 할까요 | what should I do | fixed expression | asking for advice |
| 알겠어요 | I understand, got it | fixed expression | recycled |
Approximately 28 productive items are listed here as a representative core set; instructors may supplement with additional problem-and-advice vocabulary at their discretion, provided new items remain within this chapter's grammar patterns.
Receptive Vocabulary
The following items appear in this chapter's reading and listening materials for recognition only. They are not assessed productively.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 일정 | schedule (more formal than 계획) |
| 조율하다 | to coordinate, adjust (schedules) |
| 양해 부탁드립니다 | I ask for your understanding (formal fixed expression) |
Pronunciation Focus
This chapter recycles previously introduced sound changes and adds no new sound-change rule. Two items deserve attention because they appear frequently in this chapter's new connector and softened requests.
When -는데 sets up background information before a problem or request, speakers typically use a slight rise in pitch on 데 and a brief pause afterward, signaling that more is coming. Listen for this open, unfinished-sounding intonation in 약속이 있는데... compared with a sentence that simply ends.
혹시 is usually spoken with a gentle, slightly quieter tone at the start of a sentence, since it signals that a hesitant or polite question is coming. Compare the more direct 이거 바꿔 줄 수 있어요? with the softer 혹시 이거 좀 바꿔 줄 수 있어요?, and notice how 혹시 and 좀 work together to soften the tone.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns
This chapter introduces one new connector for background information and expands advice-giving and softened, indirect requests, connecting all three to the goal and reasoning language from Chapter 18.
1. Background Information: -는데
Form: action verb stem + -는데; descriptive verb stem + -(으)ㄴ데; 이다/아니다 stem + -인데. This chapter activates -는데 mainly with action verbs and the copula. -는데 attaches directly to the stem and does not change according to speech level; the speech level appears on the sentence that follows.
Meaning: -는데 introduces background, context, or a mild contrast that sets up the next part of the sentence or conversation. It signals "here is some information — and here is what follows from it," without stating a strong logical connection like reason or condition.
Use: use -는데 before explaining a problem, making a request, or asking a question, so that the listener has context before the main point. -는데 is softer and more conversational than -아/어서 or -(으)니까 from earlier chapters, which state a reason more directly.
- 내일 약속이 있는데, 시간을 바꿀 수 있어요? I have an appointment tomorrow — could we change the time? 있다 stem + 는데 (background) + request
- 요즘 일이 많은데, 그래서 좀 힘들어요. I have a lot of work these days, so I've been a bit tired. 많다 stem + 은데 (background, mild contrast)
- 저는 지영 씨인데, 라일라 씨 있어요? This is Jiyoung — is Laila there? 이다 stem + 인데 (identifying background before a question)
Error: Treating -는데 as equivalent to -아/어서 or -(으)니까, and expecting it to state a direct reason.
Correction: -는데 sets up background or a mild contrast; it does not by itself claim that one thing causes another. Use -아/어서 or -(으)니까 when you want to state a reason directly, and use -는데 when you simply want to give context before your main point.
2. Giving Advice: -는 게 어때요? and -는 게 좋을 것 같아요
Form: action verb stem + -는 게 어때요? or action verb stem + -는 게 좋을 것 같아요. 게 is a contracted form of 것이 ("the thing of ~ing"), so both patterns literally suggest that "doing ~" is a good idea. -는 것 같다 was introduced in Chapter 17 as an opinion pattern; this chapter connects it directly to advice.
Meaning: -는 게 어때요? invites the listener to consider a suggestion, similar to "how about ~?" -는 게 좋을 것 같아요 offers a slightly more confident recommendation, similar to "I think it would be good to ~."
Use: use -는 게 어때요? when you want to propose an option in a friendly, open way. Use -는 게 좋을 것 같아요 when you want to give a clearer recommendation while still softening it as an opinion rather than a command.
| Situation | -는 게 어때요? (open suggestion) | -는 게 좋을 것 같아요 (clearer recommendation) |
|---|---|---|
| Suggesting rest | 오늘은 좀 쉬는 게 어때요? | 오늘은 좀 쉬는 게 좋을 것 같아요 |
| Suggesting rescheduling | 약속을 다음 주로 미루는 게 어때요? | 약속을 다음 주로 미루는 게 좋을 것 같아요 |
- 스트레스를 많이 받는데, 오늘은 일찍 쉬는 게 어때요? You seem to be under a lot of stress — how about resting early today? 받다 stem + 는데 (background) + 쉬다 stem + 는 게 어때요? (advice)
- 그 문제는 혼자 해결하지 말고 선생님한테 물어보는 게 좋을 것 같아요. I think it would be good to ask the teacher about that problem instead of solving it alone. 물어보다 stem + 는 게 좋을 것 같아요
3. Softened and Indirect Requests: 좀 ~아/어 줄 수 있어요? and 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요?
Form: [action] + 좀 ~아/어 줄 수 있어요? asks whether someone can do something for you, softened with 좀. 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요? asks permission to do something yourself, softened with 혹시 ("by any chance") and -아/어도 되다 ("it's okay to ~").
Meaning: both patterns turn a direct request or demand into a gentler question, giving the listener room to say no comfortably. 좀 ~아/어 줄 수 있어요? asks for help; 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요? asks for permission.
Use: use 좀 ~아/어 줄 수 있어요? when asking someone to do something for you, such as changing a time or explaining something again. Use 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요? when asking whether you may do something yourself, such as arriving late or changing your own plan.
- 죄송한데, 약속 시간 좀 바꿔 줄 수 있어요? I'm sorry, but could you change the appointment time for me? 바꾸다 stem + 어 줄 수 있어요? (softened with 좀)
- 혹시 다음 주에 만나도 될까요? Would it be okay if we met next week instead, by any chance? 만나다 stem + 아도 될까요? (softened permission question)
[background -는데] + [problem statement] + [혹시 or 좀 + softened request]
A natural way to bring up a problem gives context first, states the problem, and then asks for a small change or piece of advice, rather than stating a demand right away.
이번 주에 일이 너무 많은데, 그래서 운동할 시간이 없어요. 혹시 이번 주는 좀 쉬어도 될까요?
I have too much work this week, so I don't have time to exercise. Would it be okay if I rested this week, by any chance?
Practice — Combining the three systems
- Write one sentence giving background information using -는데.
- Write one sentence giving advice using -는 게 어때요? or -는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
- Write one sentence making a softened or indirect request using 좀 ~아/어 줄 수 있어요? or 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요?
Model Dialogue
Setting: 라일라 calls 지영 about the morning exercise plan they agreed on in Chapter 18.
내용 이해 — Comprehension questions:
- What problem does 라일라 explain to 지영, and what background does she give before stating it?
- What does 라일라 ask permission to do, and how does she soften the request?
- What advice does 지영 give at the end of the conversation?
Guided Practice
- Write a background sentence with -는데 explaining why you are busy this week.
- Write a softened request using 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요? based on your background sentence.
- Write one piece of advice you would give a friend in a similar situation, using -는 게 어때요? or -는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
Listening Practice
Ask your instructor, a language partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following passage aloud. Listen twice without reading, then complete the tasks below.
민수의 부탁
민수 씨는 요즘 회사 일이 많은데, 그래서 친구들과의 약속을 자꾸 미루고 있어요. 오늘도 친구한테 전화해서 사정을 설명했어요. "이번 주는 너무 바쁜데, 혹시 약속을 다음 주로 미뤄도 될까요?" 친구는 괜찮다고 했어요. 그리고 "너무 무리하지 말고 좀 쉬는 게 어때요?"라고 조언해 줬어요. 민수 씨는 그 말을 듣고 고마워했어요.
듣기 과제 — Listening task: Listen and answer in English.
| 질문 | 답 |
|---|---|
| What background does 민수 give for his problem? | ______ |
| What does 민수 ask permission to do? | ______ |
| What advice does his friend give him? | ______ |
Reading Practice
Below is a short message that 라일라 wrote to 지영 the day after their phone call. Read it and answer the questions below. No romanization is provided.
메시지: 다시 한번 고마워요
지영 씨, 어제는 정말 고마웠어요. 사실 요즘 일이 너무 많아서 스트레스를 많이 받고 있었는데, 지영 씨가 이해해 줘서 마음이 편해졌어요. 지영 씨 말대로 이번 주는 무리하지 않고 천천히 하려고 해요. 다음 주부터는 다시 아침에 같이 운동하기로 해요! 그리고 혹시 지영 씨도 힘든 일이 있으면 저한테 꼭 말해 줘요. 저도 이해하고 도와주고 싶어요.
This passage recycles vocabulary and grammar from Chapters 1 through 18 and introduces no structures beyond this chapter's scheduled systems.
내용 이해 — Comprehension questions:
- What background does 라일라 give for why she was stressed?
- What does 라일라 say she plans to do this week, and starting next week?
- What does 라일라 ask 지영 to do if 지영 ever has a hard time?
Writing Workshop
This chapter's writing task is a short problem-and-request message: 문제가 생겼어요 ("A Problem Has Come Up").
- Give background. Write one sentence using -는데 to explain your situation.
- State the problem. Write one sentence clearly stating the problem that has come up.
- Make a softened request. Use 좀 ~아/어 줄 수 있어요? or 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요? to ask for a small change or favor.
- Add advice for yourself. Write one sentence giving yourself advice using -는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
- Close politely. End with a thank-you or an expression of understanding, recycling language from earlier chapters.
- Revise. Check your draft against the checklist below.
체크리스트 — Editing checklist:
- Background information is given using -는데.
- The problem is stated clearly.
- A softened or indirect request is made using 좀 ~아/어 줄 수 있어요? or 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요?
- Advice is given using -는 게 어때요? or -는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
- The message closes politely.
- Speech level is consistent everyday polite -아요/어요 throughout.
- Only Hangeul is used; no romanization appears in the final draft.
- No grammar or vocabulary beyond Chapters 1 through 19 appears productively.
Speaking Practice
통제 연습 — Controlled practice: 배경과 부탁 연결하기
Practice saying one sentence with -는데 followed immediately by a softened request, so that the two flow together as one connected thought.
의사소통 과제 — Communicative task: 문제 설명하고 조언 구하기
With a partner, explain a small everyday problem using -는데, make a softened request about it, and ask your partner for advice using 어떻게 해야 할까요? Respond to your partner's problem with sympathy and one piece of advice.
혼자 하는 연습 — Solo alternative
Record yourself explaining a problem with background information, making a softened request, and giving yourself one piece of advice.
Culture and Communication
Directly stating a demand can feel abrupt in many everyday South Korean interactions, especially among people who are not extremely close. Giving background with -는데 before a request, and softening the request itself with 좀 or 혹시, is a common and expected way to ask for a small change, favor, or exception without seeming pushy.
Responding to a friend's problem with 그러게요 ("that's true," "I know") shows sympathy and agreement before offering advice or granting a request. Expressing understanding first, as 지영 does in this chapter's dialogue, is generally seen as a considerate way to respond before making a suggestion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Error: Beginning directly with 시간 바꿔 줄 수 있어요? without any context, which can sound abrupt.
Correction: Give background first with -는데, such as 이번 주에 일이 많은데, 시간 좀 바꿔 줄 수 있어요?, so the listener understands your situation before you ask.
Error: Using -는 게 어때요? when asking for permission for your own action, such as 제가 늦게 가는 게 어때요?
Correction: -는 게 어때요? proposes advice to someone else; use -아/어도 될까요? to ask permission for your own action: 제가 늦게 가도 될까요?
Error: Placing 혹시 in every single sentence of a conversation, which can sound repetitive rather than polite.
Correction: Reserve 혹시 for the specific moment you are softening a request or question, and let surrounding sentences stand on their own.
Chapter Review
Section A — 어휘 (Vocabulary)
1. List three problem-and-advice vocabulary items from this chapter, with their meanings.
Section B — 문법 (Grammar)
1. Write one sentence using -는데 to give background information.
2. Write one sentence giving advice using -는 게 어때요? or -는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
3. Write one softened or indirect request using 좀 ~아/어 줄 수 있어요? or 혹시 ~아/어도 될까요?
Section C — 독해 이해 (Reading Comprehension)
1. According to 라일라's message, describe her problem, her request, and the plan she and 지영 agreed on.
Section D — 쓰기 (Writing)
1. Write your "A Problem Has Come Up" message following the Writing Workshop steps and checklist.
Section E — 말하기 (Speaking)
1. Role-play or record a conversation in which you explain a problem, make a softened request, and receive advice from a partner.
누적 복습 — Cumulative review
This chapter recycles goal, decision, and reasoning language from Chapter 18 and opinion and contrast language from Chapter 17, while introducing the background connector -는데 and expanding advice-giving and softened, indirect requests. These systems will be reinforced in Chapter 20, the final B1 portfolio, where learners integrate the full range of Volume II communication.
Practical Performance Task
수행 과제
문제가 생겼어요 — A Problem Has Come Up
You will explain a small everyday problem in both written and spoken form, giving background, making a softened request, and offering or receiving advice.
- Written: Write your "A Problem Has Come Up" message from the Writing Workshop.
- Spoken: Present the same problem aloud or role-play a conversation about it with a partner, including background with -는데, a softened request, and at least one piece of advice.
- Reflection: Write one English sentence identifying which system — background with -는데, giving advice, or softened requests — you feel most confident using now.
| Criterion | What is evaluated |
|---|---|
| Background information | Background is expressed correctly using -는데 |
| Problem statement | The problem is stated clearly and understandably |
| Softened request | A request or permission question is softened using 좀 or 혹시 |
| Advice | Advice is given correctly using -는 게 어때요? or -는 게 좋을 것 같아요 |
| Vocabulary | Problem-and-advice vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately |
| Cumulative recycling | Goal, decision, opinion, or contrast language from Chapters 17–18 is recycled naturally |
| Speech-level consistency | Everyday polite -아요/어요 maintained throughout |
| Hangeul and spacing accuracy | Accurate spelling and level-appropriate spacing throughout, no romanization |
| Scope discipline | No structures used productively beyond Chapter 19 |
Answer Key
Grammar Practice — -는데, Advice, and Softened Requests
1. Sample answer: 이번 주에 시험이 있는데, 요즘 너무 바빠요.
2. Sample answer: 오늘은 일찍 자는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
3. Sample answer: 혹시 내일 다시 전화해도 될까요?
Model Dialogue — Comprehension
- 라일라 explains that she has too much work this week, which makes it hard for her to get up early; she gives this background using -는데 before stating the problem.
- 라일라 asks permission to change the exercise time to evening just for this week, softened with 혹시 and -아/어도 될까요?
- 지영 advises 라일라 not to push herself too hard this week and to take it slowly.
Listening comprehension
- 민수 explains that he has a lot of work at the company these days.
- 민수 asks permission to postpone the appointment to next week.
- His friend advises him not to push himself too hard and to rest a little.
Reading comprehension
- 라일라 gives the background that she has had too much work lately and has been under a lot of stress.
- She plans to take it slowly this week and to go back to exercising together in the mornings starting next week.
- 라일라 asks 지영 to tell her if 지영 ever has a hard time too, so that she can understand and help her.
Chapter Review — Section B
1. Sample answer: 요즘 일이 많은데, 그래서 좀 피곤해요.
2. Sample answer: 오늘은 좀 쉬는 게 어때요?
3. Sample answer: 부탁이 있는데, 이거 좀 도와줄 수 있어요?
Section D — Sample "A Problem Has Come Up" message
지영 씨, 이번 주에 회사 일이 너무 많은데, 그래서 스트레스를 많이 받고 있어요. 죄송한데, 이번 주만 운동 시간을 저녁으로 바꿔도 될까요? 저는 이번 주는 무리하지 않고 천천히 하는 게 좋을 것 같아요. 이해해 줘서 항상 고마워요.
Check that: background is given with -는데, a request is softened with 좀 or 혹시, advice is given with -는 게 좋을 것 같아요 or -는 게 어때요?, and no structures beyond Chapter 19 appear productively.
Looking Ahead
지금 할 수 있는 것 — What you can do now
You can give background information with -는데, explain a problem in a connected way, soften a request or permission question, give and receive advice, and respond to someone else's problem with sympathy, all in consistent everyday polite speech level.