Your goal
Briefly summarize the other person’s explanation and ask whether you understood correctly.
A late reply does not by itself mean someone is avoiding you. Summarize their stated reason, then separately check agreement about future contact.
Before you start
- 오해
- a mistaken interpretation
- 요약하다
- summarize the main points
- 해석
- an interpretation of meaning
- 답이 늦다
- a reply arrives later
- 동의하다
- agree to a proposal or idea
Explore the situation
Situation and participants’ words
Reconsider a delayed reply
Jun sent a message in the afternoon and received a reply in the evening.
| Part | Information to check |
|---|---|
| 준의 해석 | 나를 피하는 줄 알았어요. |
| 미나가 밝힌 이유 | 회의 중이라서 메시지를 못 봤어요. |
| 확인한 다음 행동 | 급한 일은 전화해 주세요. |
This is not permission to call at any time.
Learn the expressions
Begin with 제가 이해한 게 맞다면, state your interpretation and check with 맞아요? Here 게 is short for 것이. If the person says no, revisit the explanation and revise it.
| Situation or form | Korean expression |
|---|---|
| 상대 설명: 회의 중이라 메시지를 못 봄 | 제가 이해한 게 맞다면 회의 중이라서 답을 못 한 거예요. 맞아요? |
| 이해가 맞음 | 네, 맞아요. |
| 이해를 수정해야 함 | 그 뜻이 아니라 잠깐 생각할 시간이 필요했어요. |
| 다음 행동 제안 | 그럼 급한 일은 전화해도 될까요? |
Understanding that a meeting delayed the reply is different from permission to call at any time. Ask separately about future actions. 알겠어요 can acknowledge understanding; do not treat it as consent to every proposal.
Read the conversation
Model: a delayed reply
답이 없어서 저를 피하는 줄 알았어요.
Show meaning
I thought you were avoiding me because there was no reply.
회의 중이라서 메시지를 못 봤어요.
Show meaning
I could not see the message during a meeting.
제가 이해한 게 맞다면 회의 중이라서 답을 못 한 거예요. 맞아요?
Show meaning
So you could not reply because you were in a meeting. Is that right?
Model: future contact
네, 맞아요.
Show meaning
Yes, that is right.
급한 일은 전화해도 될까요?
Show meaning
May I call for something urgent?
급한 일은 전화해 주세요.
Show meaning
Please call for urgent matters.
Build a sentence
Change the card details and try a sentence before revealing the example. Then assemble the sentence pieces.
Switch perspectives and check
From observation to checked understanding
Interpretation not yet checked
- Observation
- 오후 메시지 → 저녁 답변
- Jun’s interpretation
- 나를 피하는 것 같음
Example and explanation
답이 늦어서 저를 피하는 줄 알았어요.
Jun’s interpretation is not yet established as the other person’s intent.
Reason checked
- Mina’s reply
- 회의 중이라 메시지를 못 봄
Example and explanation
제가 이해한 게 맞다면 회의 중이라서 답을 못 한 거예요. 맞아요?
Summarize and check the given explanation.
Next action checked
- Mina’s permission
- 급한 일은 전화해 주세요.
Example and explanation
급한 일은 전화해도 되는 거예요. 맞아요?
Keep the “urgent matters” limit.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Build the opening for checking your interpretation.
Sentence pieces
- 이해한 게
- 제가
- 맞다면
2. Check that the person needs time to think.
Sentence pieces
- 필요한 거예요.
- 생각할 시간이
- 맞아요?
Practice
Choose a response that fits the situation using the expressions you learned.
1. Mina said she could not see it during a meeting. Which summary fits?
- 휴대전화를 잃어버렸다는 거예요.
- 회의 중이라서 답을 못 한 거예요. 맞아요?
- 저를 싫어해서 답을 안 한 거예요. 맞아요?
2. In this phrase, 게 is short for what?
- 것이
- 것을
- 것에게
3. After “Yes, it was the meeting,” what is not confirmed?
- 이번 늦은 답변의 이유
- 회의 때문에 메시지를 못 봤다는 설명
- 앞으로 아무 때나 전화해도 되는지
4. If the person says that is not what they meant?
- 상대가 반드시 거짓말한다고 해요.
- 다시 듣고 요약을 고쳐요.
- 내 요약을 그대로 확정해요.
Try a new situation
Situation and participants’ words
Checking what silence meant
Aki was briefly quiet after Yuna’s proposal.
| Part | Information to check |
|---|---|
| 유나의 처음 생각 | 내 말을 무시한 줄 알았어요. |
| 아키가 설명한 사정 | 생각할 시간이 필요했어요. |
| 아키의 다음 행동 | 조금 생각한 후에 제가 말할게요. |
| 아직 없는 정보 | 그 제안을 수락할지 거절할지에 대한 답 |
Needing time does not establish acceptance of the proposal.
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. Aki said she needed time to think. Check using 제가 이해한 게 맞다면.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
2. Aki confirmed it. Summarize the checked meaning.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
3. Reply that you will wait while Aki thinks.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
4. Mina could not reply because of a meeting. Check that reason.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
5. Ask separately whether calling for urgent matters is okay.
Show a hint
Use the pattern and keep the supplied information.
Observation, interpretation and confirmed explanation
Separate pre-reply interpretations from Aki’s confirmed account.
제안 후 아키가 잠깐 조용했어요.
- Observation
- Yuna’s first interpretation
- Confirmed in Aki’s reply
내 말을 무시한 줄 알았어요.
- Observation
- Yuna’s first interpretation
- Confirmed in Aki’s reply
생각할 시간이 필요했어요.
- Observation
- Yuna’s first interpretation
- Confirmed in Aki’s reply
조금 생각한 후에 제가 말할게요.
- Observation
- Yuna’s first interpretation
- Confirmed in Aki’s reply
Check your learning
Read the new conditions and distinguish the key information.
1. Aki was quiet and then said she needed time to think. Which interpretation is confirmed?
- 잠깐 생각할 시간이 필요했어요.
- 유나를 무시하려고 했어요.
- 앞으로 대화를 하지 않기로 했어요.
2. Which checks Aki’s explanation?
- 제가 이해한 게 맞다면 이미 모든 것에 동의했어요.
- 제가 이해한 게 맞다면 내일 꼭 대답해요.
- 제가 이해한 게 맞다면 생각할 시간이 필요했던 거예요. 맞아요?
3. Aki says she will speak after thinking. Yuna can say?
- 생각하지 말고 바로 대답해요.
- 알겠어요. 기다릴게요.
- 지금 바로 동의했다고 쓸게요.
4. What does 알겠어요 always confirm here?
- Context is needed; not automatic consent to all proposals
- 모든 제안에 동의
- 모든 불편이 사라짐
5. Which states the observation of a delayed reply?
- 나를 무시하는 사람이에요.
- 항상 예의가 없어요.
- 오후에 보낸 메시지에 저녁에 답이 왔어요.
6. How should this clarification end?
- 상대방의 나라 사람은 모두 같다고 해요.
- 서로 확인한 뜻과 다음 행동을 정리해요.
- 확인 전 내 해석을 확정해요.
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. Mina said she could not see it during a meeting. Which summary fits?
Answer: 회의 중이라서 답을 못 한 거예요. 맞아요?
Preserve Mina’s stated reason.
- 휴대전화를 잃어버렸다는 거예요. — No loss was reported.
- 저를 싫어해서 답을 안 한 거예요. 맞아요? — It adds an unverified feeling.
2. In this phrase, 게 is short for what?
Answer: 것이
It abbreviates 제가 이해한 것이 맞다면.
- 것을 — Here the construction uses 것이.
- 것에게 — This is not an “to someone” expression.
3. After “Yes, it was the meeting,” what is not confirmed?
Answer: 앞으로 아무 때나 전화해도 되는지
Future calling permission needs a separate question.
- 이번 늦은 답변의 이유 — The person has confirmed that reason.
- 회의 때문에 메시지를 못 봤다는 설명 — That explanation is in the reply.
4. If the person says that is not what they meant?
Answer: 다시 듣고 요약을 고쳐요.
A check lets you correct the interpretation.
- 상대가 반드시 거짓말한다고 해요. — There is no basis for accusing them of lying.
- 내 요약을 그대로 확정해요. — This ignores their correction.
Learning check
1. Aki was quiet and then said she needed time to think. Which interpretation is confirmed?
Answer: 잠깐 생각할 시간이 필요했어요.
Use the explanation the person gave.
- 유나를 무시하려고 했어요. — An intention to ignore was not confirmed.
- 앞으로 대화를 하지 않기로 했어요. — Do not expand it into a permanent refusal.
2. Which checks Aki’s explanation?
Answer: 제가 이해한 게 맞다면 생각할 시간이 필요했던 거예요. 맞아요?
Summarize the needed time and ask if it is right.
- 제가 이해한 게 맞다면 이미 모든 것에 동의했어요. — Silence did not state agreement to everything.
- 제가 이해한 게 맞다면 내일 꼭 대답해요. — No promise to answer tomorrow was made.
3. Aki says she will speak after thinking. Yuna can say?
Answer: 알겠어요. 기다릴게요.
Respect the next action Aki offered.
- 생각하지 말고 바로 대답해요. — This removes the requested thinking time.
- 지금 바로 동의했다고 쓸게요. — She has not agreed to the underlying proposal.
4. What does 알겠어요 always confirm here?
Answer: Context is needed; not automatic consent to all proposals
Check what was acknowledged.
- 모든 제안에 동의 — This expands the scope of consent.
- 모든 불편이 사라짐 — It does not confirm emotional resolution.
5. Which states the observation of a delayed reply?
Answer: 오후에 보낸 메시지에 저녁에 답이 왔어요.
It describes the timing and actual response.
- 나를 무시하는 사람이에요. — This adds intent and a judgment about the person.
- 항상 예의가 없어요. — This turns one event into “always.”
6. How should this clarification end?
Answer: 서로 확인한 뜻과 다음 행동을 정리해요.
Record only the understanding and action actually confirmed.
- 상대방의 나라 사람은 모두 같다고 해요. — Do not generalize to a whole culture.
- 확인 전 내 해석을 확정해요. — This bypasses clarification.
Example answers
Written responses are examples. Other wording can also meet the same conditions.
1. Aki said she needed time to think. Check using 제가 이해한 게 맞다면.
제가 이해한 게 맞다면 생각할 시간이 필요했던 거예요. 맞아요?
제가 이해한 게 맞다면 잠깐 생각할 시간이 필요했던 거예요. 맞아요?
Do not replace the explanation with a new motive.
2. Aki confirmed it. Summarize the checked meaning.
아키는 생각할 시간이 필요했어요.
아키는 잠깐 생각할 시간이 필요했어요.
Record the confirmed need.
3. Reply that you will wait while Aki thinks.
알겠어요. 기다릴게요.
생각할 시간을 드릴게요.
Do not demand an immediate answer.
4. Mina could not reply because of a meeting. Check that reason.
제가 이해한 게 맞다면 회의 중이라서 답을 못 한 거예요. 맞아요?
회의 때문에 답을 못 한 거예요. 맞아요?
Do not infer dislike from a delayed reply.
5. Ask separately whether calling for urgent matters is okay.
급한 일은 전화해도 될까요?
급한 일이 있으면 전화해도 될까요?
Consent about future contact is checked separately.
Observation, interpretation and confirmed explanation
Situation and participants’ words
Checking what silence meant
Aki was briefly quiet after Yuna’s proposal.
| Part | Information to check |
|---|---|
| 유나의 처음 생각 | 내 말을 무시한 줄 알았어요. |
| 아키가 설명한 사정 | 생각할 시간이 필요했어요. |
| 아키의 다음 행동 | 조금 생각한 후에 제가 말할게요. |
| 아직 없는 정보 | 그 제안을 수락할지 거절할지에 대한 답 |
Needing time does not establish acceptance of the proposal.
제안 후 아키가 잠깐 조용했어요. → Observation
A recorded behavior.
내 말을 무시한 줄 알았어요. → Yuna’s first interpretation
Yuna’s first interpretation.
생각할 시간이 필요했어요. → Confirmed in Aki’s reply
Aki stated this need.
조금 생각한 후에 제가 말할게요. → Confirmed in Aki’s reply
Aki’s stated next action.
Sentence-piece practice
1. Build the opening for checking your interpretation.
제가 이해한 게 맞다면
Continue with your summary.
2. Check that the person needs time to think.
생각할 시간이 필요한 거예요. 맞아요?
Finish with a check and listen to the answer.
Review and continue
Come back to these
Recall with the example closed
Briefly summarize the other person’s explanation and ask whether you understood correctly.
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 expressionCheck whether a misunderstanding is resolved →Earlier learningReconnect the foundation →Look separately at activity completion and core learning results.