Discussing Issues

Korean Basic Conversation 4

Chapter 11 · Discussing Issues: Agreeing, Disagreeing & Making Your Case

🗨️ Discussing Issues — 의견 나누기

In this chapter you give an opinion, agree, disagree politely and explain your reasons. The grammar: -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 ("I think / it seems"), -기는 하지만 ("it is…, but"), -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 ("it might be") and -(으)ㄹ까 봐 ("for fear that"). For the background see Korean Grammar 2 9 (Can, Must, May, Seems) and Korean Grammar 3 8 (Contrast and Concession).

① Asking for an Opinion — 의견 묻기

A:재택근무에 대해서 어떻게 생각하세요?What do you think about working from home?

B:저는 찬성하는 편이에요. 출퇴근 시간이 줄어서 편한 것 같아요.I tend to be in favour. I think it's convenient because the commuting time is cut.

A:그 말도 맞아요. 그런데 집에서는 집중이 안 될 수도 있잖아요.That's true. But you might not be able to concentrate at home, mightn't you?

B:그럴 수도 있죠. 하지만 조용한 환경을 만들면 괜찮을 것 같아요.That could be. But if you create a quiet environment I think it would be fine.

A:듣고 보니 일리가 있네요. 저도 한번 해 보고 싶어졌어요.Now that I hear it, you have a point. I've started to want to try it too.

B:일주일에 하루만 먼저 해 보는 것도 좋은 방법이에요.Trying just one day a week first is a good way too.

Hard words: 재택근무 jae-taek-geun-mu working from home · 출퇴근 chul-toe-geun commuting · 집중 jip-jung concentration · 일리가 있다 il-li-ga it-da have a point

② Agreeing — 동의하기

A:온라인 수업이 대면 수업보다 효율적인 것 같아요.I think online classes are more efficient than in-person classes.

B:저도 같은 생각이에요. 시간도 아끼고 자료도 다시 볼 수 있잖아요.I think the same. You save time and can go back over the materials.

A:맞아요. 특히 멀리 사는 학생들에게는 큰 도움이 돼요.Right. It's a big help especially for students who live far away.

B:다만 친구를 사귀기는 어려울 수도 있겠어요.Only, it might be hard to make friends.

A:그 점에는 저도 동의해요. 그래서 가끔은 직접 만나는 시간도 필요한 것 같아요.I agree on that point too. So I think some in-person time is needed now and then.

B:좋은 절충안이네요.That's a good compromise.

Hard words: 대면 dae-myeon face-to-face · 효율적 hyo-yul-jeok efficient · 동의하다 dong-ui-ha-da agree · 절충안 jeol-chung-an compromise

③ Disagreeing Politely — 정중하게 반대하기

A:저는 은퇴하면 시골에서 살고 싶어요. 공기도 맑고 조용하잖아요.When I retire I'd like to live in the countryside. The air is clean and it's quiet.

B:좋기는 하지만 병원이 멀어서 불편할 수도 있어요.It's nice, but it might be inconvenient because the hospital is far away.

A:그건 생각 못 했어요. 하지만 요즘은 시골에도 병원이 꽤 있어요.I hadn't thought of that. But these days there are quite a few hospitals in the countryside too.

B:그렇게 생각하실 수도 있지만, 저는 조금 다르게 생각해요.You may think so, but I think a bit differently.

A:어떤 점이 다르다고 생각하세요?In what way do you think it's different?

B:나이가 들수록 가까운 병원이 더 중요해지는 것 같아요.I think a nearby hospital becomes more important as you get older.

Hard words: 은퇴하다 eun-toe-ha-da retire · 맑다 mak-da be clear, clean · 꽤 kkwae quite · 다르게 da-reu-ge differently

④ Making a Case at Work — 회의에서

A:제안을 하나 드리고 싶습니다. 회의 시간을 삼십 분으로 줄이는 것은 어떨까요?I'd like to make a proposal. How about shortening meetings to thirty minutes?

B:좋은 생각이기는 하지만, 그 안에 모든 안건을 다룰 수 있을까요?It's a good idea, but can we cover every item within that time?

A:미리 자료를 공유하면 가능할 것 같습니다. 지난달에도 그렇게 했더니 시간이 줄었습니다.If we share the materials in advance, I think it's possible. When we did it that way last month, the time was cut.

B:근거가 있어서 설득력이 있네요. 그럼 시험적으로 해 봅시다.There's evidence, so it's persuasive. Then let's try it as a trial.

A:감사합니다. 한 달 후에 결과를 보고드리겠습니다.Thank you. I'll report the results after a month.

B:네, 기대하겠습니다.Yes, I look forward to it.

Hard words: 제안 je-an proposal · 안건 an-geon agenda item · 공유하다 gong-yu-ha-da share · 설득력 seol-deung-nyeok persuasiveness · 시험적으로 si-heom-jeo-geu-ro on a trial basis

⑤ Voicing a Worry — 걱정스러운 이유

A:회사가 주 4일 근무를 시작한다고 하는데 어떻게 생각해요?I hear the company is starting a four-day week. What do you think?

B:좋기는 한데, 일이 밀릴까 봐 걱정돼요.It's good, but I'm worried that work will pile up.

A:저는 오히려 효율이 높아질 것 같아요. 쉬는 날이 많으면 더 집중하게 되니까요.If anything, I think efficiency will go up. With more days off you concentrate more.

B:그럴 수도 있겠네요. 하지만 고객이 불편해할까 봐 그것도 걱정이에요.That could be. But I'm also worried that customers might be inconvenienced.

A:좋은 지적이에요. 그건 팀별로 쉬는 요일을 다르게 하면 해결될 것 같아요.Good point. I think that can be solved if each team has a different day off.

B:그 방법이라면 저도 찬성이에요.If it's that way, I'm in favour too.

Hard words: 밀리다 mil-li-da pile up, fall behind · 효율 hyo-yul efficiency · 지적 ji-jeok point, pointing out · 해결되다 hae-gyeol-doe-da be solved

⑥ Between Friends (casual) — 찬성이야 반대야?

A:야, 피자에 파인애플 올리는 거 너는 찬성이야 반대야?Hey, are you for or against pineapple on pizza?

B:나는 반대야. 달기는 하지만 피자는 짭짤해야지.I'm against. It's sweet, sure, but pizza should be savoury.

A:먹어 보면 의외로 맛있을 수도 있어.If you try it, it might be surprisingly tasty.

B:글쎄… 맛없을까 봐 못 시키겠어. 네가 먼저 시켜 봐.Hmm... I'm afraid it'll be bad, so I can't order it. You order it first.

Hard words: 파인애플 pa-in-ae-peul pineapple · 짭짤하다 jjap-jjal-ha-da be savoury, salty · 의외로 ui-oe-ro unexpectedly · 글쎄 geul-sse well... (hesitating)

🔑 Key Phrases — 중요한 표현

English	Polite (-요)	Casual (friends)
I think so too.	저도 그렇게 생각해요.	나도 그렇게 생각해.
I agree.	동의해요.	나도 동의해.
You have a point, but…	일리가 있지만…	그렇긴 한데…
I think a little differently.	저는 조금 다르게 생각해요.	난 좀 다르게 생각해.
That might be so.	그럴 수도 있어요.	그럴 수도 있지.
I'm worried it'll go wrong.	잘못될까 봐 걱정돼요.	잘못될까 봐 걱정돼.

🔤 Three Verbs — 동사

Verb	Dictionary	Polite present	Past	-는 것 같다	-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다
to think	생각하다	생각해요	생각했어요	생각하는 것 같다	생각할 수도 있다
to agree	동의하다	동의해요	동의했어요	동의하는 것 같다	동의할 수도 있다
to oppose	반대하다	반대해요	반대했어요	반대하는 것 같다	반대할 수도 있다

🧰 Grammar Tools — 문법

1. -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다: "I think / it seems"

Use -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 both to guess and to soften an opinion: 이 방법이 좋은 것 같아요. ("I think this method is good.") It is safer and more polite than a bare 좋아요. The form depends on the word type and time: -는 것 같다 (action verb, present), -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (adjective, or a verb in the past), -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 (future or a guess), 인 것 같다 (noun). Unlike -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 (Korean Basic Conversation 4 10), it can be about yourself and your own view.

Type	Example	Meaning
action, present	친구들이 찬성하는 것 같아요.	It seems my friends are in favour.
adjective	이 계획이 좋은 것 같아요.	I think this plan is good.
past	제안이 받아들여진 것 같아요.	It seems the proposal was accepted.
future / guess	효율이 높아질 것 같아요.	I think efficiency will rise.
noun	좋은 방법인 것 같아요.	I think it's a good method.

2. -기는 하지만: "it is…, but…"

To admit a point and then add a contrast, repeat the verb or adjective with -기는 하다 and then -지만: 좋기는 하지만 비싸요. ("It is good, but it's expensive.") The first half concedes; the second half is the point you want to make. It is a very polite way to disagree, because you acknowledge the other side first. In speech it often shrinks to -기는 한데 or just 좋긴 한데.

Concession	But…	Meaning
좋기는 하지만	비용이 많이 들어요.	It's good, but it costs a lot.
편하기는 하지만	외로울 수도 있어요.	It's convenient, but it can be lonely.
이해하기는 하지만	동의하기는 어려워요.	I understand, but it's hard to agree.
spoken: 좋긴 한데	좀 비싸.	It's good, but a bit expensive.

3. -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다: "it might also be"

Add -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 to say that something is possible, not certain: 비가 올 수도 있어요. ("It might rain.") The 도 ("also") adds the idea "that could be the case too". It is the usual way to concede in a discussion: 그럴 수도 있어요. ("That could be so.") or to raise a doubt: 집에서는 집중이 안 될 수도 있잖아요.

Use	Example
possibility	내일은 늦을 수도 있어요. I might be late tomorrow.
concession	그렇게 생각하실 수도 있어요. You may think so.
raising a doubt	문제가 생길 수도 있어요. Problems might arise.
negative	안 될 수도 있어요. It might not work.

4. -(으)ㄹ까 봐: "for fear that…"

Use -(으)ㄹ까 봐 to give the reason for an action or a feeling: you fear that something may happen. 일이 밀릴까 봐 걱정돼요. ("I'm worried the work will pile up.") 비가 올까 봐 우산을 가져왔어요. ("I brought an umbrella in case it rains.") The feared thing is usually unwelcome. Add -(으)ㄹ까 to a stem (after a vowel: -ㄹ까, after a consonant: -을까) and then 봐 (or 봐서).

Fear	Action or feeling	Meaning
늦을까 봐	택시를 탔어요.	I took a taxi in case I was late.
잊어버릴까 봐	메모했어요.	I made a note for fear of forgetting.
실수할까 봐	걱정돼요.	I'm worried I'll make a mistake.
맛없을까 봐	못 시키겠어요.	I can't order it for fear it's bad.

Watch out: 것 같다 softens, -기는 하지만 concedes Do not be afraid of -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 even when you are fairly sure; in a discussion a bare 틀려요 ("you're wrong") is very blunt, whereas 제가 보기에는 조금 다른 것 같아요 is gentle. Also, -(으)ㄹ까 봐 is only for worries about something unwelcome: for something you hope for use -았/었으면 좋겠어요 instead.

5. Debate words and phrases

Korean	English
찬성 / 반대 / 중립	in favour / against / neutral
장점 / 단점	advantage / disadvantage
근거 / 이유 / 예	evidence / reason / example
일리가 있어요 / 맞는 말씀이에요	you have a point / that's true
제 생각에는 / 제가 보기에는	in my opinion / as I see it

📰 Reading — 읽기

Read the text, then check the English and the word list. Then answer the true/false questions.

내 생각

저는 도시에서 사는 것이 시골에서 사는 것보다 좋은 것 같아요. 도시는 교통이 편하고 병원과 학교도 가깝기 때문이에요. 물론 시골은 공기가 맑고 조용하기는 하지만 일자리가 적을 수도 있어요. 그래서 저는 은퇴한 후에는 시골에서 살고 싶지만, 지금은 도시에서 일하는 게 좋다고 생각해요. 친구는 시골 생활이 외로울까 봐 걱정된다고 했어요. 저는 사람마다 생각이 다를 수 있다고 생각해요.

English: I think living in a city is better than living in the countryside. This is because transport is convenient in a city and hospitals and schools are close. Of course the countryside has clean air and is quiet, but there may be fewer jobs. So I'd like to live in the countryside after I retire, but for now I think it's better to work in the city. My friend said she is worried the countryside might be lonely. I think people may think differently.

Words: 일자리 job, position · 외롭다 be lonely · 사람마다 from person to person · 은퇴하다 retire

1. The writer thinks living in a city is better.

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True: 도시에서 사는 것이 … 좋은 것 같아요.

2. The writer says the countryside has more jobs.

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False: there may be fewer (일자리가 적을 수도 있어요).

3. The writer wants to live in the countryside now.

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False: only after retiring (은퇴한 후에는).

4. The friend worries that country life may be lonely.

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True: 외로울까 봐 걱정된다고 했어요.

📖 Vocabulary — 어휘

20 key words for discussions.

#	Korean	Say it	English	Type
1	의견	ui-gyeon	opinion	noun
2	찬성	chan-seong	agreement, being in favour	noun
3	반대	ban-dae	opposition	noun
4	주장	ju-jang	claim, argument	noun
5	근거	geun-geo	grounds, evidence	noun
6	장점	jang-jeom	advantage	noun
7	단점	dan-jeom	disadvantage	noun
8	제안	je-an	proposal	noun
9	이유	i-yu	reason	noun
10	문제	mun-je	problem, issue	noun
11	결정	gyeol-jeong	decision	noun
12	생각하다	saeng-ga-ka-da	think	verb
13	동의하다	dong-ui-ha-da	agree	verb
14	찬성하다	chan-seong-ha-da	be in favour	verb
15	반대하다	ban-dae-ha-da	oppose	verb
16	주장하다	ju-jang-ha-da	insist, claim	verb
17	설명하다	seol-myeong-ha-da	explain	verb
18	제안하다	je-an-ha-da	propose	verb
19	설득하다	seol-deu-ka-da	persuade	verb
20	토론하다	to-ron-ha-da	debate, discuss	verb

As Heard in Dramas — "내 말이!" and "그건 좀…" In casual talk, 내 말이! means "exactly what I said!" when you strongly agree, and 그렇긴 한데… means "that's true, but…". A drawn-out 글쎄… ("well…") or 그건 좀… ("that's a bit…") is a soft way of saying no without saying it.

Real Korean Tip — Saying No Gently Direct disagreement can sound confrontational in Korean, especially with someone older or more senior. Speakers often start by agreeing, then add 그런데 or 다만, or use 글쎄요 to signal doubt. Use 제 생각에는 조금 다른 것 같아요 rather than 아니에요, 틀려요.

Register — Meetings In a formal meeting use the formal style: 부장님 의견에 동의합니다 ("I agree with the department head's opinion"), 제 의견은 조금 다릅니다 ("my opinion is a little different"). With friends, 난 반대야 is enough.

✍️ Try It Yourself — 연습

Say each answer out loud first, then click to check.

1. Say "I think this method is good."

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이 방법이 좋은 것 같아요.

2. Say "It's good, but it's expensive."

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좋기는 하지만 비싸요.

3. Say "That could be so."

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그럴 수도 있어요.

4. Say "I'm worried the work will pile up."

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일이 밀릴까 봐 걱정돼요.

5. Disagree politely: "I think a little differently."

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저는 조금 다르게 생각해요.

6. Why is 비가 오기를 바랄까 봐 걱정돼요 a bad way to say "I hope it will rain"?

Show answer

-(으)ㄹ까 봐 is for fearing something unwelcome. For a hope, say 비가 오면 좋겠어요.