Lesson 63 · Opening a Conversation

Introduction

혹시 can soften a question when used naturally. 질문하다 asks a question; 부탁하다 asks for a favor.

Look for the Focus tag on today’s new words — Review words are old friends from earlier lessons. The romanization is there to help you get started.

Today’s Vocabulary

질문 · Focus

jilmun · question

N · 질문하다 = ask a question.

질문이 있어요.

jilmuni isseoyo

I have a question.

부탁 · Focus

butak · favor; request

N · 부탁이 있다 = have a favor to ask.

부탁이 있어요.

butagi isseoyo

I have a favor to ask.

예약 · Focus

yeyak · reservation; booking

N · 예약하다 = make a booking.

예약이 있어요.

yeyagi isseoyo

I have a reservation.

방 · Focus

bang · room

N · 집/기숙사 안의 방.

방이 조용해요.

bangi joyonghaeyo

The room is quiet.

자리 · Review

jari · seat; spot

N · A place available to sit/occupy.

여기에 자리가 있어요.

yeogie jariga isseoyo

There is a seat here.

메뉴 · Review

menyu · menu; menu item

N · The menu, or one dish on it: 메뉴를 봐요.

메뉴를 봐요.

menyureul bwayo

I look at the menu.

잠깐 · Review

jamkkan · for a moment; briefly

N/adverb · A short period.

잠깐 쉬어요.

jamkkan swieoyo

I take a short rest.

지금 · Review

jigeum · now

지금 adds a present-time frame. Ordinary present forms can describe current actions in context.

지금 뭐 해요?

jigeum mwo haeyo

What are you doing now?

여기 · Focus

yeogi · here; this place

Place word · 여기에/여기에서.

여기에 앉아요.

yeogie anjayo

I sit here.

혹시 · Focus

hoksi · perhaps; by any chance

Adverb · Can soften an inquiry.

혹시 시간이 있어요?

hoksi sigani isseoyo

Do you have time, by any chance?

물어보다 · Focus

mureoboda · ask; inquire

V · A question can be directed to a person.

친구에게 물어봐요.

chinguege mureobwayo

I ask a friend.

설명하다 · Focus

seolmyeonghada · explain

V · The explained topic takes 을/를.

방법을 설명해요.

bangbeobeul seolmyeonghaeyo

I explain the method.

Useful Phrases / Make Sentences

Here are a few sentences you can use right away. Read them aloud, then try changing one word to make your own sentence!

질문이 있어요.

jilmuni isseoyo

I have a question.

부탁이 하나 있어요.

butagi hana isseoyo

I have a favor to ask.

혹시 지금 자리 있어요?

hoksi jigeum jari isseoyo?

By any chance, are there any seats now?

메뉴를 설명해 주세요.

menyureul seolmyeonghae juseyo

Please explain the menu.

Mini Practice

1. Choose the meaning of 질문: A. favor; request / B. question.
2. Which word means “reservation; booking”: 예약 / 방?
3. Match 1. 자리, 2. 메뉴, 3. 잠깐 with A. for a moment; briefly, B. seat; spot, C. menu; menu item.
4. Write the Korean dictionary word or phrase for “now.”
5. Put these chunks in a natural order: 있어요? / 시간이 / 혹시.
6. Write one short sentence using 설명하다.

Today’s Key Point

Today’s new words: 질문, 부탁, 예약, 방, 여기, 혹시, 물어보다, 설명하다. Try a few of them in one sentence, like 질문이 있어요. — then make one about your own day!