Dealing with minor workplace issues like a wobbly desk requires specific vocabulary and polite phrasing, especially in a quiet Korean office environment. This guide provides essential Korean expressions to help you communicate the problem effectively and respectfully to a coworker.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 책상이 흔들거려요
Pronunciation: chaek-sang-i heun-deul-geo-ryeo-yo
Meaning: The desk is wobbly. (This is the most common and direct way to state the problem.)
Getting Attention and Pointing Out the Issue
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Expression: 저기요…
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo…
Meaning: Excuse me… (Used to politely get someone’s attention.) -
Expression: 잠깐만요.
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment. / Excuse me for a second. -
Expression: 이것 좀 보세요.
Pronunciation: i-geot jom bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please look at this. -
Expression: 제 책상이 좀 이상해요.
Pronunciation: je chaek-sang-i jom i-sang-hae-yo.
Meaning: My desk is a bit strange. / Something’s wrong with my desk. -
Expression: 혹시 제 책상 문제 있는 거 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si je chaek-sang mun-je it-neun geo a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know if there’s a problem with my desk? (More indirect) -
Expression: 여기 좀 만져보세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi jom man-jyeo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please touch here. / Feel this. -
Expression: 제가 일할 때 책상이 움직여요.
Pronunciation: je-ga il-hal ttae chaek-sang-i um-jik-yeo-yo.
Meaning: The desk moves when I work. -
Expression: 이 책상 수평이 안 맞는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i chaek-sang su-pyeong-i an mat-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think this desk isn’t level. -
Expression: 타이핑할 때마다 흔들려요.
Pronunciation: ta-i-ping-hal ttae-ma-da heun-deul-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: It shakes every time I type. -
Expression: 신경 쓰여서 집중이 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: sin-gyeong sseu-yeo-seo jip-jung-i jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: It bothers me, so I can’t concentrate well.
Describing the Wobble
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Expression: 조금 흔들거려요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum heun-deul-geo-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: It wobbles a little. -
Expression: 많이 흔들거려요.
Pronunciation: ma-ni heun-deul-geo-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: It wobbles a lot. -
Expression: 책상이 불안정해요.
Pronunciation: chaek-sang-i bul-an-jeong-hae-yo.
Meaning: The desk is unstable. -
Expression: 앞뒤로 흔들려요.
Pronunciation: ap-dwi-ro heun-deul-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: It wobbles back and forth. -
Expression: 좌우로 흔들려요.
Pronunciation: jwa-u-ro heun-deul-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: It wobbles side to side. -
Expression: 다리 한쪽이 짧은 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: da-ri han-jjok-i jjal-beun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think one leg is short. -
Expression: 바닥이 평평하지 않아서 그런가 봐요.
Pronunciation: ba-dak-i pyeong-pyeong-ha-ji a-na-seo geu-reon-ga bwa-yo.
Meaning: Maybe it’s because the floor isn’t flat. -
Expression: 나사가 헐거워진 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: na-sa-ga heol-geo-wo-jin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think a screw might be loose. -
Expression: 균형이 안 맞아요.
Pronunciation: gyun-hyeong-i an ma-ja-yo.
Meaning: It’s unbalanced. / The balance is off. -
Expression: 덜컹거리는 소리가 나요.
Pronunciation: deol-keong-geo-ri-neun so-ri-ga na-yo.
Meaning: It makes a rattling sound.
Suggesting Solutions or Next Steps
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Expression: 이거 어떻게 고쳐야 할까요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-tteo-ke go-chyeo-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: How should I fix this? / What should be done about this? -
Expression: 밑에 뭘 좀 괴어야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: mit-e mwol jom goe-eo-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I need to put something underneath it. -
Expression: 관리팀에 이야기해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-tim-e i-ya-gi-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should I talk to the management team/facilities? -
Expression: 혹시 도와주실 수 있으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si do-wa-ju-sil su i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly help me? (Use cautiously depending on relationship) -
Expression: 간단하게 고칠 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gan-dan-ha-ge go-chil su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can it be fixed easily/simply? -
Expression: 다른 사람들도 이런 문제 있었나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun sa-ram-deul-do i-reon mun-je i-sseon-na-yo?
Meaning: Have other people had this kind of problem? -
Expression: 제가 한번 고쳐볼게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga han-beon go-chyeo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll try to fix it myself. -
Expression: 수리 요청을 해야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: su-ri yo-cheong-eul hae-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I need to request a repair. -
Expression: 혹시 여분의 종이나 받침 같은 거 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si yeo-bun-ui jong-i-na bat-chim ga-teun geo i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have any spare paper or shims? -
Expression: 일단 임시로 이렇게 써야겠어요.
Pronunciation: il-dan im-si-ro i-reo-ke sseo-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: For now, I’ll just have to use it like this temporarily.
Korean Culture Notes
Quiet Office Environment: Korean offices often value a quiet atmosphere. When discussing issues like a wobbly desk, try to speak softly and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Approach your coworker discreetly.
Indirect Communication: Sometimes, Koreans prefer indirect communication, especially for minor complaints. Instead of directly saying “My desk is broken,” you might start with a softer approach like “제 책상이 좀 이상해요” (je chaek-sang-i jom i-sang-hae-yo – My desk is a bit strange) or ask if they’ve noticed it too.
Politeness with Coworkers: Even with coworkers you are friendly with, maintaining a level of politeness (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) is standard in most professional settings. Use polite endings like -요 (-yo) or -(스)ㅂ니다 (-(seu)m-ni-da).
Handling Minor Issues: For small problems like a wobbly desk, it’s often expected that you might try a simple fix yourself first (like putting paper under a leg) before escalating it to facilities or management, unless it’s significantly disruptive.
Considering Others: Before making adjustments or requesting repairs that might cause noise or disruption, be mindful of your colleagues working nearby. It might be better to address the issue during a less busy time if possible.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun notices his desk is wobbly while working in a quiet office. He decides to mention it to his nearby coworker, Sora.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 저기, 소라 씨. 잠깐만요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi, so-ra ssi. jam-kkan-man-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, Sora. Just a moment. -
Expression: B: 네, 민준 씨? 무슨 일 있으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, min-jun ssi? mu-seun il i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, Minjun? Is something wrong? -
Expression: A: 아니, 별건 아니고요. 제 책상이 좀 흔들거려서요. 이것 좀 보세요.
Pronunciation: a-ni, byeol-geon a-ni-go-yo. je chaek-sang-i jom heun-deul-geo-ryeo-seo-yo. i-geot jom bo-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, it’s nothing major. My desk is a bit wobbly. Please look at this. (Minjun gently pushes his desk) -
Expression: B: 어, 정말이네요. 꽤 흔들리는데요?
Pronunciation: eo, jeong-ma-ri-ne-yo. kkwae heun-deul-li-neun-de-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, you’re right. It shakes quite a bit, doesn’t it? -
Expression: A: 네, 타이핑할 때마다 신경 쓰여서요. 혹시 밑에 받칠 만한 거 없을까요?
Pronunciation: ne, ta-i-ping-hal ttae-ma-da sin-gyeong sseu-yeo-seo-yo. hok-si mit-e bat-chil man-han geo eop-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, it bothers me whenever I type. Do you happen to have anything I could put underneath it? -
Expression: B: 글쎄요… 여기 두꺼운 종이 몇 장 있는데, 이걸로 한번 괴어볼래요?
Pronunciation: geul-sse-yo… yeo-gi du-kkeo-un jong-i myeot jang it-neun-de, i-geol-lo han-beon goe-eo-bol-lae-yo?
Meaning: B: Hmm… I have a few sheets of thick paper here, want to try propping it up with this? -
Expression: A: 아, 네! 감사합니다. 한번 해볼게요.
Pronunciation: a, ne! gam-sa-ham-ni-da. han-beon hae-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Ah, yes! Thank you. I’ll give it a try. -
Expression: B: 안되면 관리팀에 이야기해야 할 수도 있겠네요.
Pronunciation: an-doe-myeon gwan-ri-tim-e i-ya-gi-hae-ya hal su-do it-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: If that doesn’t work, you might have to talk to the facilities team.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially with situational phrases like these! Try saying the core expression “책상이 흔들거려요” (chaek-sang-i heun-deul-geo-ryeo-yo) out loud several times~ Pay attention to the pronunciation and intonation. You can also role-play the conversation example with a study partner or even by yourself, imagining you’re in a quiet Korean office. Notice how politeness markers like -요 (-yo) are used consistently. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
