Korean Workplace Conversation: Dealing with Work Stress

Learning how to discuss work-related stress and show empathy in Korean is essential for anyone working in a Korean environment. This dialogue, Korean Workplace Conversation, is a foreign English teacher and a Korean colleague demonstrates natural conversational patterns and important grammar structures.

대화 (Dialogue): Korean Workplace Conversation

A: 안녕하세요!

B: 안녕하세요. 요즘 너무 바쁘시죠? 많이 힘드실 것 같아요.

A: 네, 정말 힘들어요. 업무가 너무 많아서 집에 늦게 들어가게 돼요(들어 가요). 어제도 밤 10시에 퇴근했어요.

B: 그러시겠어요. 그럼 식사는 제때 드시고 계세요?

A: 아니요, 점심도 거르는 날이 많아요. 회의가 계속 있어서 시간이 없어요.

B: 그건 정말 안 좋으시겠어요. 건강이 가장 중요한데… 주말에는 좀 쉬실 수 있으세요?

A: 주말에도 학교에 나와서 일해야 할 때가 있어요. 특히 시험 기간에는 더 바빠져요.

B: 너무 무리하지 마세요. 스트레스 받으시면 건강에 안 좋아요. 혹시 운동이나 취미 활동은 하고 계세요?

A: 운동할 시간이 없어요. 집에 가면 너무 피곤해서 바로 잠들어요.

B: 이해해요. 하지만 조금씩이라도 시간을 내시는 게 좋을 것 같아요. 산책이라도 하시면 기분이 좀 나아질 거예요.

A: 맞아요. 앞으로는 건강 관리에 더 신경 써야겠어요. 조언해 주셔서 고맙습니다.

B: 천만에요. 건강이 가장 소중하니까 꼭 잘 챙기세요. 힘내세요!

영어 해석 (English Translation:Korean Workplace Conversation)

A: Hello!

B: Hello. You’ve been really busy lately, haven’t you? It must be quite tough.

A: Yes, it’s really tough. I have so much work that I end up going home late. Yesterday I also left work at 10 PM.

B: I can imagine. Then are you eating your meals on time?

A: No, I often skip lunch too. I don’t have time because there are continuous meetings.

B: That must be really bad for you. Your health is the most important thing… Can you rest a bit on weekends?

A: Sometimes I have to come to school and work even on weekends. Especially during exam periods, it gets even busier.

B: Don’t overwork yourself too much. If you get stressed, it’s bad for your health. By any chance, are you doing exercise or hobby activities?

A: I don’t have time to exercise. When I get home, I’m so tired that I fall asleep immediately.

B: I understand. But I think it would be good to make time little by little. Even if you just take a walk, your mood will improve.

A: You’re right. I should pay more attention to health management from now on. Thank you for the advice.

B: You’re welcome. Since health is the most precious thing, please take good care of it. Cheer up!

어휘 정리 (Vocabulary)

바쁘다 – to be busy
힘들다 – to be difficult, tough, hard
업무 – work, duties, tasks
퇴근하다 – to leave work, get off work
식사 – meal
제때 – on time, at the right time
거르다 – to skip (a meal)
회의 – meeting
무리하다 – to overwork, overexert oneself
스트레스 – stress
운동 – exercise
취미 활동 – hobby activities
피곤하다 – to be tired
산책 – walk, stroll
기분 – mood, feeling
건강 관리 – health management
조언 – advice
소중하다 – to be precious, valuable
챙기다 – to take care of, look after

문법 정리 (Grammar Points)

1. -(으)시죠 (Polite Confirmation)

Usage: Used to politely confirm something you assume is true
Example: 바쁘시죠? (You’re busy, aren’t you?)
Formation: Verb stem + (으)시 + 죠

2. -(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 (Assumption/Probability)

Usage: Expresses assumption or probability about a situation
Example: 힘드실 것 같아요 (It seems like it would be tough)
Formation: Verb stem + (으)ㄹ 것 같아요

3. -게 되다 (Natural Result)

Usage: Expresses that something happens as a natural result of circumstances
Example: 늦게 들어가게 돼요 (I end up going home late)
Formation: Verb stem + 게 되다

4. -시겠어요 (Empathetic Understanding)

Usage: Shows understanding or empathy with someone’s situation
Example: 그러시겠어요 (I can imagine/understand)
Formation: Verb stem + 시겠어요

5. -고 계세요 (Ongoing Action – Honorific)

Usage: Polite way to ask about ongoing actions or states
Example: 드시고 계세요? (Are you eating?)
Formation: Verb stem + 고 계세요

6. -(으)면 (Conditional)

Usage: Expresses “if” or “when” conditions
Example: 스트레스 받으시면 (If you get stressed)
Formation: Verb stem + (으)면

7. -아/어야 겠어요 (Necessity/Intention)

Usage: Expresses necessity or strong intention to do something
Example: 신경 써야겠어요 (I should pay attention)
Formation: Verb stem + 아/어야 겠어요

Cultural Notes

Workplace Concern: Korean colleagues often show genuine concern for each other’s well-being, especially regarding work-life balance.
Health Priority: The phrase “건강이 가장 중요하다” (health is most important) is commonly used to remind someone to prioritize their well-being.
Polite Advice: Notice how advice is given indirectly using phrases like “~것 같아요” (it seems like) to avoid being too direct or pushy.

This dialogue demonstrates the caring nature of Korean workplace relationships and provides practical language for discussing work stress and health concerns in professional settings.