Your goal
Separate what you intended from its effect on the other person, then offer a specific apology and next action.
A quick question interrupted an explanation. Go beyond saying “I did not mean it” and acknowledge what the other person could not finish.
Before you start
- 의도
- what someone meant to do
- 영향
- an effect of words or actions
- 말을 끊다
- interrupt someone before they finish
- 설명을 마치다
- finish an explanation
- 사과하다
- apologize for a problem caused by your action
Explore the situation
Situation and participants’ words
An interruption during Mina’s explanation
Jun said he wanted to ask a check question quickly.
| Part | Information to check |
|---|---|
| 관찰 | 미나가 끝내기 전에 준이 질문했어요. |
| 미나의 말 | 설명을 마치지 못했어요. 지금은 잠깐 쉬고 싶어요. |
| 준의 다음 행동 | 사과하고 미나가 쉴 시간을 기다려요. |
There is no reply yet accepting the apology.
Learn the expressions
말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요 denies the intention to interrupt, not that an interruption occurred. Follow with 설명을 마치지 못하게 해서 미안해요 to acknowledge the effect.
| Situation or form | Korean expression |
|---|---|
| 방해하다 | 방해하려던 것은 아니었어요. |
| 말을 끊다 | 말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요. |
| 놀리다 | 놀리려던 것은 아니었어요. |
| 기다리게 하다 | 기다리게 해서 미안해요. |
Use -려던 after a vowel or ㄹ and -으려던 after other final consonants. -려던 shortens -려고 하던. Connect an explanation of intent to the impact the person reported.
Read the conversation
Model: a question during an explanation
제 설명이 아직 끝나지 않았어요.
Show meaning
I have not finished explaining yet.
말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요.
Show meaning
I did not intend to interrupt.
설명을 마치지 못하게 해서 미안해요. 계속 말씀해 주세요.
Show meaning
I am sorry I stopped you finishing. Please continue.
Model: not immediately feeling better
지금은 조금 쉬고 싶어요.
Show meaning
I would like a short break now.
알겠어요. 끝날 때까지 기다릴게요.
Show meaning
Okay. I will wait until you are ready.
Build a sentence
Change the card details and try a sentence before revealing the example. Then assemble the sentence pieces.
Switch perspectives and check
Intent, effect, next action
Intent
- Jun’s account
- 빨리 확인하고 싶었어요.
Example and explanation
말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요.
Separate this from the fact of interruption.
Effect and apology
- Mina’s account
- 아직 설명이 끝나지 않았어요.
Example and explanation
설명을 마치지 못하게 해서 미안해요.
Acknowledge the effect she reported.
Next action
- Current wish
- 잠깐 쉬고 싶어요.
Example and explanation
알겠어요. 기다릴게요.
Do not force immediate acceptance of the apology.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Say you did not intend to disturb.
Sentence pieces
- 것은
- 방해하려던
- 아니었어요.
2. Apologize for making the other person wait.
Sentence pieces
- 미안해요.
- 기다리게 해서
Practice
Choose a response that fits the situation using the expressions you learned.
1. Which form fits 방해하다?
- 방해한 줄은 아니었어요.
- 방해하려던 것은 아니었어요.
- 방해하으려던 것은 아니었어요.
2. Which form fits 말을 끊다?
- 말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요.
- 말을 끊려던 것은 아니었어요.
- 말을 끊은 줄 아니었어요.
3. What does “I did not intend that” establish?
- 상대방이 전혀 불편하지 않았음
- 문제가 이미 모두 해결됨
- 말한 사람이 설명한 의도
4. Mina says she could not finish. Which apology addresses that?
- 왜 그렇게 느껴요? 모두 원래 그래요.
- 설명을 마치지 못하게 해서 미안해요.
- 불편하지 않았으니까 괜찮아요.
Try a new situation
Situation and participants’ words
Yuna’s presentation and Aki’s questions
Aki asked twice while Yuna was explaining.
| Part | Information to check |
|---|---|
| 아키의 의도 | 내용을 확인하려고 했어요. |
| 유나가 말한 영향 | 설명을 끝내지 못해서 아쉬웠어요. 지금은 조금 쉬고 싶어요. |
| 다음 행동으로 약속할 것 | 설명이 끝난 후에 질문해요. |
An explanation of intent neither replaces an apology nor erases the effect.
Use the new role information. Write the required details in Korean and try saying them.
Tasks
Try the tasks first, then compare with the answers and examples in step 10.
1. As Aki, say interrupting Yuna was not your intention.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
2. Aki wanted to check the content. Explain that intention.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
3. Yuna could not finish explaining. Apologize for that effect.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
4. Say you will ask questions after the explanation next time.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
5. Yuna wants a short break. Say you will wait.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
Intent, impact, apology and next action
Classify each statement’s role in Yuna and Aki’s new situation.
내용을 확인하려고 했어요.
- Intent
- Impact
- Apology
- Next action
설명을 끝내지 못해서 아쉬웠어요.
- Intent
- Impact
- Apology
- Next action
끝내지 못하게 해서 미안해요.
- Intent
- Impact
- Apology
- Next action
다음에는 설명이 끝난 후에 질문할게요.
- Intent
- Impact
- Apology
- Next action
Check your learning
Read the new conditions and distinguish the key information.
1. New scene: Aki asked twice during Yuna’s presentation. Which is the observation?
- 발표가 끝나기 전에 두 번 질문했어요.
- 아키는 유나를 싫어해요.
- 유나는 앞으로 발표하지 않아요.
2. Aki says, “I wanted to check the content.” What is that?
- 유나의 사과
- 발표 완료 기록
- 의도 설명
3. Yuna says she felt disappointed not finishing. What is that?
- 모임 전체의 공통 규칙
- 유나가 말한 영향과 느낌
- 아키의 원래 의도
4. After the apology, Yuna is still upset. Which response fits?
- 알겠어요. 지금은 기다릴게요.
- 제가 사과했으니 바로 괜찮아야 해요.
- 이미 웃었으니까 해결됐어요.
5. Which is a concrete next action?
- 다음에는 누가 말해도 바로 끊을게요.
- 이유가 좋으면 결과는 중요하지 않아요.
- 다음에는 설명이 끝난 후에 질문할게요.
6. Which includes intent, impact and an apology?
- 다른 사람도 다 그렇게 해요.
- 말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요. 끝내지 못하게 해서 미안해요.
- 전혀 그런 뜻이 아니었어요. 끝이에요.
Reflect on your reading
Tick only what you actually checked. Feedback from another person is optional and is not required to finish the lesson.
Answers and explanations
Show answers and explanations
Practice questions
1. Which form fits 방해하다?
Answer: 방해하려던 것은 아니었어요.
The stem 하- takes -려던.
- 방해한 줄은 아니었어요. — This is not the target denial of intent.
- 방해하으려던 것은 아니었어요. — Do not add 으 after 하-.
2. Which form fits 말을 끊다?
Answer: 말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요.
끊- takes -으려던.
- 말을 끊려던 것은 아니었어요. — This stem needs 으.
- 말을 끊은 줄 아니었어요. — The form does not express this intended meaning.
3. What does “I did not intend that” establish?
Answer: 말한 사람이 설명한 의도
It establishes only the speaker’s account of intent.
- 상대방이 전혀 불편하지 않았음 — Impact must be checked separately.
- 문제가 이미 모두 해결됨 — Resolution has not been established.
4. Mina says she could not finish. Which apology addresses that?
Answer: 설명을 마치지 못하게 해서 미안해요.
Acknowledge the specific effect.
- 왜 그렇게 느껴요? 모두 원래 그래요. — This generalizes and dismisses rather than apologizes.
- 불편하지 않았으니까 괜찮아요. — This dismisses the effect Mina reported.
Learning check
1. New scene: Aki asked twice during Yuna’s presentation. Which is the observation?
Answer: 발표가 끝나기 전에 두 번 질문했어요.
Describe only the recorded action.
- 아키는 유나를 싫어해요. — Aki’s feelings were not established.
- 유나는 앞으로 발표하지 않아요. — No future decision was given.
2. Aki says, “I wanted to check the content.” What is that?
Answer: 의도 설명
Aki explains what they meant to do.
- 유나의 사과 — This is not Yuna apologizing.
- 발표 완료 기록 — It does not say the presentation finished.
3. Yuna says she felt disappointed not finishing. What is that?
Answer: 유나가 말한 영향과 느낌
This is the affected person’s report.
- 모임 전체의 공통 규칙 — An individual experience is not a group rule.
- 아키의 원래 의도 — Do not turn it into Aki’s intent.
4. After the apology, Yuna is still upset. Which response fits?
Answer: 알겠어요. 지금은 기다릴게요.
Acknowledge their present feelings.
- 제가 사과했으니 바로 괜찮아야 해요. — An apology does not require immediate acceptance.
- 이미 웃었으니까 해결됐어요. — Neither smiling nor resolution was confirmed.
5. Which is a concrete next action?
Answer: 다음에는 설명이 끝난 후에 질문할게요.
It addresses the interrupted turn.
- 다음에는 누가 말해도 바로 끊을게요. — That repeats the interruption.
- 이유가 좋으면 결과는 중요하지 않아요. — This erases impact by appealing to intent.
6. Which includes intent, impact and an apology?
Answer: 말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요. 끝내지 못하게 해서 미안해요.
The statement pairs intent with an apology for the effect.
- 다른 사람도 다 그렇게 해요. — This justifies behavior by generalizing.
- 전혀 그런 뜻이 아니었어요. 끝이에요. — It omits impact and apology.
Example answers
Written responses are examples. Other wording can also meet the same conditions.
1. As Aki, say interrupting Yuna was not your intention.
말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요.
유나 씨의 말을 끊으려던 것은 아니었어요.
State the intention without denying the event.
2. Aki wanted to check the content. Explain that intention.
내용을 확인하려고 했어요.
설명 내용을 확인하려고 했어요.
State only the intent given in the role card.
3. Yuna could not finish explaining. Apologize for that effect.
설명을 끝내지 못하게 해서 미안해요.
설명을 마치지 못하게 해서 미안해요.
Connect the reported effect to your apology.
4. Say you will ask questions after the explanation next time.
다음에는 설명이 끝난 후에 질문할게요.
다음에는 설명이 끝난 뒤에 질문할게요.
Specify the action and when it will happen.
5. Yuna wants a short break. Say you will wait.
알겠어요. 기다릴게요.
알겠어요. 지금은 기다릴게요.
Do not demand that she continue immediately.
Intent, impact, apology and next action
Situation and participants’ words
Yuna’s presentation and Aki’s questions
Aki asked twice while Yuna was explaining.
| Part | Information to check |
|---|---|
| 아키의 의도 | 내용을 확인하려고 했어요. |
| 유나가 말한 영향 | 설명을 끝내지 못해서 아쉬웠어요. 지금은 조금 쉬고 싶어요. |
| 다음 행동으로 약속할 것 | 설명이 끝난 후에 질문해요. |
An explanation of intent neither replaces an apology nor erases the effect.
내용을 확인하려고 했어요. → Intent
Aki states what they meant to do.
설명을 끝내지 못해서 아쉬웠어요. → Impact
Yuna’s reported impact and feeling.
끝내지 못하게 해서 미안해요. → Apology
An apology for the effect.
다음에는 설명이 끝난 후에 질문할게요. → Next action
A future action and its timing.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Say you did not intend to disturb.
방해하려던 것은 아니었어요.
This explains intent.
2. Apologize for making the other person wait.
기다리게 해서 미안해요.
Name the effect: they had to wait.
Review and continue
Come back to these
Recall with the example closed
Separate what you intended from its effect on the other person, then offer a specific apology and next action.
Change one detail
Change a person, action or time and make two sentences.
Combine with earlier expressions
Make a short exchange with a question and response.
Review what felt difficult
Review this expressionApologize while separating intention and impact →Earlier learningReconnect the foundation →Look separately at activity completion and core learning results.