This workshop helps you talk about problems and solutions in Korean. You will practice asking what the biggest problem is, naming a problem, and suggesting a solution. You will also listen to a short dialogue between two speakers and choose the correct reply. All native examples come from the recordings, so you can repeat them exactly and build confidence step by step.
Asking About Problems and Naming One
Start by asking what the biggest problem is these days. A natural question is «요즘 가장 큰 문제는 뭐라고 생각해요?». This means the speaker wants to know the most serious problem right now. When you answer, you can name the problem directly. For example, «가장 큰 문제는 교통이에요.» means the biggest problem is traffic. If you want to explain why, you can add a detail about when it is bad. In the dialogue, the reply «교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.» means the speaker thinks the traffic problem is the most serious, especially during rush hour, when it is too congested. Notice that the question asks about the biggest problem, and the answer names traffic and gives a reason. Practice saying the question and the answer in order: first ask, then answer. Do not switch the order. This keeps the exchange clear and natural.
Suggesting Solutions and Responding
After naming a problem, you can suggest a solution. A simple pattern is to say that one solution is to do something. For example, «한 가지 해결책은 지하철을 이용하는 거예요.» means one solution is to use the subway. Another way is to say it would be good to do something. «버스 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요.» means it would be good to increase bus routes. You can also suggest avoiding a difficult time. «출퇴근 시간을 피하는 게 좋을 것 같아요.» means I think it would be good to avoid rush hour. In the dialogue, after hearing about traffic, speaker A suggests increasing subway lines or making bus-only lanes with «그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.». This means it would be good to increase subway lines, or making bus-only lanes is also a method. Speaker B responds with «맞아요. 하지만 예산이 부족해서 당장은 어려울 것 같아요.», which means right, but because the budget is insufficient, it seems difficult right away. This shows a polite way to agree and then give a reason why the solution may be hard. Practice the order: problem, solution, response. Keep the same order when you switch roles.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
가장 큰 문제는 교통이에요.
The biggest problem is traffic.
ga-jang keun mun-je-neun gyo-tong-i-e-yo
한 가지 해결책은 지하철을 이용하는 거예요.
One solution is to use the subway.
han ga-ji hae-gyeol-chaek-eun ji-ha-cheol-eul i-yong-ha-neun geo-ye-yo
버스 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요.
It would be good to increase bus routes.
beo-seu no-seon-eul neul-li-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo
출퇴근 시간을 피하는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
I think it would be good to avoid rush hour.
chul-toe-geun si-ga-neul pi-ha-neun ge jo-eul geot ga-ta-yo
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
요즘 가장 큰 문제는 뭐라고 생각해요?
What do you think is the biggest problem these days?교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.
I think the traffic problem is the most serious. Especially during rush hour, it's too congested.그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.
Then it would be good to increase subway lines. Or making bus-only lanes is also a method.맞아요. 하지만 예산이 부족해서 당장은 어려울 것 같아요.
Right. But because the budget is insufficient, it seems difficult right away.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer About a Problem
You will practice a short exchange with a partner. One person asks the question from the recording, and the other answers with the problem and a reason. Use only the recorded lines.
Your task: Partner A says «요즘 가장 큰 문제는 뭐라고 생각해요?». Partner B replies with «교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.». Then Partner A suggests a solution using «그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.». Partner B responds with «맞아요. 하지만 예산이 부족해서 당장은 어려울 것 같아요.». After finishing, switch roles: Partner B asks «요즘 가장 큰 문제는 뭐라고 생각해요?», Partner A answers with «교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.», Partner B suggests «그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.», and Partner A responds with «맞아요. 하지만 예산이 부족해서 당장은 어려울 것 같아요.». Keep the same order: question, answer, solution, response.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Response
You will hear or read a line and choose the best reply from the recorded options. This checks if you understand the meaning and the flow of the dialogue.
Your task: Read the line «요즘 가장 큰 문제는 뭐라고 생각해요?». Which reply fits best? Choose one: «교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.» or «한 가지 해결책은 지하철을 이용하는 거예요.». Then read the line «교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.». Which solution fits best? Choose one: «그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.» or «가장 큰 문제는 교통이에요.». Finally, read the line «그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.». Which response fits best? Choose one: «맞아요. 하지만 예산이 부족해서 당장은 어려울 것 같아요.» or «버스 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요.». Write your choices, then check the answer key below.
Recall with Correct Roles: Problem and Solution
You will recall the dialogue from memory and say the lines in the correct order. One person plays the questioner and solution-suggester, and the other plays the answerer and responder. You can use the recordings to check yourself.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, Partner A asks the question «요즘 가장 큰 문제는 뭐라고 생각해요?». Partner B answers with «교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.». Partner A suggests a solution with «그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.». Partner B responds with «맞아요. 하지만 예산이 부족해서 당장은 어려울 것 같아요.». Then switch roles: Partner B asks «요즘 가장 큰 문제는 뭐라고 생각해요?», Partner A answers with «교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.», Partner B suggests «그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.», and Partner A responds with «맞아요. 하지만 예산이 부족해서 당장은 어려울 것 같아요.». Do not change the order of the lines. After you finish, listen to the recordings and compare.
Common questions
Can I practice alone if I do not have a partner?
Yes. You can play both roles yourself. Say the question, then answer, then suggest a solution, then respond. You can also listen to the recordings and repeat each line. There is no automatic assessment, so use the answer key and self-check questions to see if you kept the correct order.
What should I focus on when I practice these lines?
Focus on the order of the exchange: question, answer, solution, response. Also focus on the meaning of each line. For example, «요즘 가장 큰 문제는 뭐라고 생각해요?» asks about the biggest problem, «교통 문제가 제일 심각한 것 같아요. 특히 출퇴근 시간에 너무 막혀요.» names traffic and gives a reason, «그럼 지하철 노선을 늘리면 좋겠어요. 아니면 버스 전용 차선을 만드는 것도 방법이에요.» suggests a solution, and «맞아요. 하지만 예산이 부족해서 당장은 어려울 것 같아요.» agrees but gives a reason why it is difficult. Repeat the lines exactly as recorded.
Sources and further reading
- korean: discussing problems and solutionsChecked September 2026
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