Meaning
"While I'm gone, could you"는 상대방에게 부탁을 할 때 사용하는 표현입니다. 이 문장은 두 부분으로 나뉩니다. 첫 번째 부분인 "While I'm gone"은 "내가 없는 동안"이라는 의미로, 화자가 부재 중일 때를 나타냅니다. 두 번째 부분인 "could you"는 상대방에게 어떤 행동을 부탁할 때 공손하게 묻는 표현입니다.
이 표현은 주로 직장이나 가정에서, 자신이 자리를 비울 때 특정한 일을 부탁하고자 할 때 사용됩니다. 예를 들어, "While I'm gone, could you water the plants?"라고 하면 "내가 없는 동안, 식물에 물을 줄 수 있나요?"라는 뜻이 됩니다.
이러한 구조는 상대방에게 부담을 주지 않으면서도 정중하게 부탁할 수 있는 방법입니다. "While I'm gone, could you"와 같은 표현을 사용하면 상대방에게 예의 바르게 요청할 수 있어, 협조적인 분위기를 만들기 좋습니다.
Today's Sentences
- While I’m gone, could you make dinner?
- While I’m gone, could you rake the leaves?
- While I’m gone, could you clean the house?
- While I’m gone, could you take out the trash?
- While I’m gone, could you replace the lightbulb?
- Writer's Note
01
While I’m gone, could you make dinner?
Situation 1
Can we sit down and sort out what goes on at home?
Sure.
What’s on the list?
목록에 무엇이 있나요?
While I’m gone, could you make dinner?
Of course.
Situation 2
While I’m gone, could you make dinner?
Sure.
It won’t be very good but I’ll try.
매우 좋지는 않겠지만, 시도해 보겠습니다.
I’ll cut up the ingredients for each day that I’m gone.
It'll be easier to cook the meals.
그래야 요리하기가 더 쉬울 거예요.
Great idea!
That would be so helpful!
그것이 정말 도움이 될 거예요!
02
While I’m gone, could you rake the leaves?
Situation 1
I’m going on a business trip this week.
For how many days?
3 days.
While I’m gone, could you rake the leaves?
제가 없는 동안, 낙엽을 좀 긁어모아 줄 수 있나요?
Sure, I can do that.
Situation 2
While I’m gone, could you rake the leaves?
Actually, I hurt my back and I don’t know if I can help you with that.
You should get it checked out.
I'll deal with the leaves when I get back.
제가 돌아오면 낙엽을 처리할게요.
I’ll try to make an appointment at the clinic.
03
While I’m gone, could you clean the house?
Situation 1
I’m scheduled for surgery this weekend.
Oh no, so sorry to hear that.
What can I do to help out?
제가 어떻게 도와드릴 수 있을까요?
While I’m gone, could you clean the house please?
Of course.
I’m here for you if you need.
필요하실 때 제가 도와드리겠습니다.
Situation 2
While I’m gone, could you clean the house?
Can you clean it instead?
Well, we all use this house so you can contribute by vacuuming and cleaning every now and then.
Fine.
04
While I’m gone, could you take out the trash?
Situation 1
Will you be home this weekend?
No, I won’t be home until next Tuesday.
Didn’t you need me to do something around the house?
While I’m gone, could you take out the trash?
Situation 2
While I’m gone, could you take out the trash?
Sure.
Anything else?
다른 요청 사항이 있나요?
The trash and maybe sort the recycling bins?
Of course.
05
While I’m gone, could you replace the lightbulb?
Situation 1
While I’m gone, could you replace the lightbulb?
Sure.
Do you know which lightbulbs need replacing?
어떤 전구를 교체해야 하는지 알고 계신가요?
I know the master bedroom, kitchen and linen closet need replacing.
Okay, I’ll check the other rooms as well.
Situation 2
How is everything at home?
Everything is great.
Although, I don’t know if it’s just me but the house seems really dim.
하지만, 저만 그런 건지는 모르겠지만 집이 정말 어두운 것 같아요.
While I’m gone, could you replace the lightbulbs?
Maybe that’s why the rooms don’t seem very bright.
I’ll change them.
제가 바꿀게요.
Writer's Note
"Could you" is a polite way of asking someone to do something for you. After all, if you're going to ask you might as well ask nicely, right?
Usually "could" is used in the following situations:
- General Ability
Example 1: I could play soccer really well in my teen years.
Example 2: We could play video games for hours after school. - Ask for Permission
Example 1: Could I share your umbrella? Thank you so much!
Example 2: Could I use your bathroom, please? - To Request Something
Example 1: Could you bring me a blanket, please?
Example 2: Could you get me a glass of water? - Possibility in the Past
Example 1: What a close call! You could have gotten into an accident!
Example 2: Did you buy your tickets already? You could gotten them for free if you waited another day! - Suggestion
Example 1: We could go watch the fireworks on the weekend?
Example 2: Do you think we could meet another day, instead? - Conditional of "Can"
Example 1: If we had some extra money, I'm sure we could afford to buy that car.
Example 2: If you came into the store yesterday, you could have been part of a surprise sale!
예시 1: 나는 십대 시절에 축구를 정말 잘할 수 있었다.
예시 2: 우리는 방과 후에 몇 시간 동안 비디오 게임을 할 수 있었다.
예시 1: Could I share your umbrella? 정말 감사합니다!
예시 2: Could I use your bathroom, please?
예시 1: Could you bring me a blanket, please?
예시 2: Could you get me a glass of water?
예시 1: 정말 아슬아슬했어! 너는 사고를 당할 수도 있었어!
예시 2: 이미 티켓을 샀어? 하루만 더 기다렸다면 무료로 받을 수도 있었어!
예시 1: 주말에 불꽃놀이를 보러 가는 건 어때?
예시 2: 대신 다른 날 만날 수 있을까?
예시 1: 우리가 여유 자금이 있었다면, 그 차를 살 여유가 있었을 거예요.
예시 2: 당신이 어제 가게에 왔다면, 깜짝 세일에 참여할 수 있었을 거예요!