Listening Vocab: Office Life & Workplace Conflict

Agent Progress
Built
Keywords
회사 / 상사 / 동료 / 업무 / 스트레스
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
TOPIK Listening
💡
TL;DR
  • Office-life listening questions often test who has a problem, what caused it, and what action will happen next.
  • Listen for workplace nouns like 상사, 동료, 회의, 업무, 보고서, 야근, 일정, 스트레스.
  • Conflict is usually softened in Korean, so notice polite disagreement, delay, apology, and request phrases.
🎧
🎧 Audio Practice
Use the tracks below like TOPIK listening practice. First pass: listen without pausing and choose an answer. Second pass: listen again and underline keywords such as 업무, 일정, 실수, 부탁, 불만, 해결. Optional third pass: shadow one speaker’s lines aloud to build workplace vocabulary fluency.

🔑 The Big Picture

Office and workplace-conflict items appear often in TOPIK-style listening because they combine everyday vocabulary with social relationships. A short conversation may mention a company task, a boss’s request, a coworker’s mistake, a schedule change, or stress from overtime.
The goal is not to understand every word. The goal is to catch:
  • Setting: 회사, 사무실, 회의실, 부서
  • People: 상사, 동료, 팀장, 직원, 고객
  • Task: 업무, 보고서, 발표, 회의, 일정, 자료
  • Problem: 실수, 지연, 오해, 갈등, 스트레스, 불만
  • Next action: 다시 확인하다, 수정하다, 연락하다, 부탁하다, 사과하다

🧩 Core Concepts / Patterns

1. People and roles

  • 상사: boss or supervisor
  • 동료: coworker
  • 팀장: team leader
  • 직원: employee
  • 고객: customer or client
  • 신입 사원: new employee
Useful listening clue: when a speaker says 팀장님께 말씀드리다 or 상사에게 보고하다, the relationship is hierarchical and formal.

2. Work tasks

  • 업무: work, duties
  • 보고서: report
  • 자료: materials/data
  • 발표: presentation
  • 회의: meeting
  • 마감: deadline
  • 일정: schedule
These words often appear near the actual question answer. For example, if the problem is about a delayed report, listen for 보고서가 늦다, 마감이 지나다, 수정해야 하다.

3. Conflict and stress words

  • 갈등: conflict
  • 불만: complaint/dissatisfaction
  • 스트레스: stress
  • 실수: mistake
  • 오해: misunderstanding
  • 부담: burden/pressure
  • 야근: overtime work
TOPIK distractors may use similar workplace words but change the cause. If the audio says stress comes from 잦은 야근, an answer saying stress comes from 동료와의 갈등 may be attractive but wrong.

4. Polite workplace requests

Common patterns:
  • -아/어 주시겠어요?: Could you please…?
  • -아/어도 될까요?: May I…?
  • -는 게 좋겠습니다: It would be good to…
  • -도록 하겠습니다: I will make sure to…
  • 죄송하지만…: I’m sorry, but…
In workplace listening, conflict is often indirect. A speaker may not say “I am angry.” Instead, they may say 조금 곤란합니다, 다시 확인해 주시겠어요?, or 다음부터는 조심해 주세요.

✅ Exam Strategy

Use the 2-pass method

  1. First pass: answer without pausing. Focus on the speaker’s purpose and the final action.
  1. Second pass: confirm with keywords. Ask, “What exact word proved my answer?”
  1. Optional review: dictation or shadowing. Repeat workplace phrases aloud to make them easier to catch next time.

Predict the question type

Before looking at the choices, ask:
  • Is the question asking for the main idea?
  • Is it asking for the reason?
  • Is it asking what the person will do next?
  • Is it asking about the speaker’s feeling or attitude?

Listen for contrast markers

Workplace conflict often turns on contrast:
  • 그런데 / 하지만: but
  • 그래도: even so
  • 사실은: actually
  • 대신: instead
  • 그래서: so/therefore
The answer is often after the contrast marker.

⚠️ Pitfalls

  • Choosing a word you heard without checking the meaning: Hearing 회의 does not mean the main problem is always the meeting.
  • Missing hierarchy: 말씀드리다 often means speaking upward to a boss or supervisor.
  • Confusing 업무 and 회사: 업무 means work/task, not the physical company.
  • Ignoring the final sentence: The final line often contains the next action.
  • Overreacting to conflict words: Korean workplace conflict may be expressed politely and indirectly.

🎧 Listening Scripts

Track 1 — Schedule Change

A: 김 대리님, 내일 오전 회의 자료 준비 다 되셨나요?
B: 거의 끝났는데, 부장님께서 일정이 바뀌었다고 하셨어요.
A: 그럼 회의가 오후로 미뤄진 건가요?
B: 네, 오후 세 시로 변경됐습니다. 자료는 점심 전까지 다시 확인하겠습니다.

Track 2 — Report Mistake

A: 보고서에 지난달 매출 숫자가 잘못 들어간 것 같아요.
B: 정말요? 제가 자료를 다시 확인해 보겠습니다.
A: 오늘 오후까지 수정해서 팀장님께 보내야 해요.
B: 네, 제 실수입니다. 바로 고치겠습니다.

Track 3 — Coworker Conflict

A: 요즘 민수 씨와 일하는 게 조금 힘들어 보여요.
B: 네, 업무를 나눌 때마다 의견이 자주 달라서 스트레스를 받아요.
A: 직접 이야기해 봤어요?
B: 아직요. 감정적으로 말할까 봐 먼저 팀장님께 조언을 구하려고요.

Track 4 — Overtime Stress

A: 이번 주도 야근이 많았죠?
B: 네, 새 프로젝트 때문에 거의 매일 늦게 퇴근했어요.
A: 건강도 챙기셔야 해요.
B: 맞아요. 그래서 오늘은 급한 업무만 끝내고 일찍 가려고 합니다.

Track 5 — Customer Complaint

A: 고객이 배송 일정에 대해 불만을 말씀하셨어요.
B: 제가 담당자에게 확인해 보고 바로 연락드리겠습니다.
A: 사과도 함께 전해 주세요.
B: 네, 일정이 늦어진 이유와 해결 방법을 정리해서 안내하겠습니다.

🧪 Practice Hub — 50 TOPIK-style Questions

📝
Practice Hub: Office Life & Workplace Conflict
Answer all 50 questions. Sets 1–2 train vocabulary recognition, Sets 3–4 train listening comprehension, and Set 5 trains workplace-conflict inference. Do not check the answer toggles until you finish each set.

Set 1 — Core Vocabulary Matching

Choose the best English meaning.
  1. 상사
    1. customer
    2. boss/supervisor
    3. schedule
    4. report
  1. 동료
    1. coworker
    2. mistake
    3. overtime
    4. meeting room
  1. 업무
    1. office building
    2. work/task duties
    3. complaint
    4. salary
  1. 보고서
    1. report
    2. conflict
    3. advice
    4. schedule
  1. 일정
    1. mistake
    2. stress
    3. schedule
    4. employee
  1. 야근
    1. business trip
    2. overtime work
    3. team leader
    4. presentation
  1. 불만
    1. complaint/dissatisfaction
    2. data
    3. apology
    4. client
  1. 실수
    1. mistake
    2. deadline
    3. coworker
    4. department
  1. 갈등
    1. schedule
    2. conflict
    3. document
    4. request
  1. 자료
    1. materials/data
    2. overtime
    3. burden
    4. customer
Answers — Set 1
  1. 2 — 상사 means a boss or supervisor.
  1. 1 — 동료 means coworker.
  1. 2 — 업무 means work duties or tasks.
  1. 1 — 보고서 means report.
  1. 3 — 일정 means schedule.
  1. 2 — 야근 means overtime work.
  1. 1 — 불만 means complaint or dissatisfaction.
  1. 1 — 실수 means mistake.
  1. 2 — 갈등 means conflict.
  1. 1 — 자료 means materials or data.

Set 2 — Complete the Workplace Sentence

Choose the most natural word.
  1. 내일 회의 ( )이/가 오후 세 시로 바뀌었습니다.
    1. 스트레스
    2. 일정
    3. 동료
    4. 실수
  1. 보고서에 숫자가 잘못 들어가서 ( )을/를 수정해야 합니다.
    1. 자료
    2. 상사
    3. 고객
    4. 야근
  1. 일이 너무 많아서 이번 주에는 매일 ( )을/를 했습니다.
    1. 갈등
    2. 야근
    3. 불만
    4. 오해
  1. 새 직원은 아직 회사 ( )에 익숙하지 않습니다.
    1. 업무
    2. 고객
    3. 사과
    4. 불만
  1. 팀원들 사이에 의견 차이가 커져서 ( )이/가 생겼습니다.
    1. 갈등
    2. 자료
    3. 보고서
    4. 일정
  1. 고객의 ( )을/를 듣고 담당자가 바로 사과했습니다.
    1. 회의
    2. 불만
    3. 상사
    4. 마감
  1. 발표 전에 필요한 ( )을/를 모두 준비했습니다.
    1. 자료
    2. 실수
    3. 야근
    4. 스트레스
  1. 중요한 내용은 먼저 팀장님께 ( )해야 합니다.
    1. 퇴근
    2. 보고
    3. 지각
    4. 휴식
  1. 마감 시간이 가까워져서 직원들이 큰 ( )을/를 느꼈습니다.
    1. 부담
    2. 동료
    3. 회사
    4. 일정
  1. 서로 말을 잘못 이해해서 작은 ( )이/가 생겼습니다.
    1. 오해
    2. 자료
    3. 발표
    4. 고객
Answers — Set 2
  1. 2 — A meeting 일정 can be changed.
  1. 1 — Numbers and information are part of the 자료.
  1. 2 — Working late every day means 야근.
  1. 1 — New employees become familiar with company 업무.
  1. 1 — Large differences in opinion can create 갈등.
  1. 2 — Customers express 불만.
  1. 1 — You prepare 자료 before a presentation.
  1. 2 — 보고하다 means to report to a supervisor.
  1. 1 — A close deadline creates 부담.
  1. 1 — Misunderstanding speech creates 오해.

Set 3 — Track 1 and Track 2 Comprehension

Listen to Track 1 or Track 2 and choose the best answer.
  1. Track 1: Why did the meeting time change?
    1. The report was not finished.
    2. The boss said the schedule changed.
    3. The customer complained.
    4. The coworker made a mistake.
  1. Track 1: When will the meeting be held?
    1. Tomorrow morning
    2. At lunch time
    3. At 3 p.m.
    4. Next week
  1. Track 1: What will B do before lunch?
    1. Call the customer
    2. Check the materials again
    3. Ask for vacation
    4. Leave work early
  1. Track 1: What is the main topic?
    1. A changed meeting schedule
    2. A conflict with a coworker
    3. A customer complaint
    4. A new employee’s first day
  1. Track 1: Which word is closest to 미뤄지다 in this context?
    1. be delayed/postponed
    2. be deleted
    3. be hired
    4. be praised
  1. Track 2: What problem does A mention?
    1. The report has an incorrect sales number.
    2. The meeting room is too small.
    3. The boss is absent.
    4. The customer cancelled an order.
  1. Track 2: Who needs to receive the corrected report?
    1. A customer
    2. A new employee
    3. The team leader
    4. A coworker’s family
  1. Track 2: When should the report be corrected?
    1. By this afternoon
    2. By tomorrow morning
    3. Next month
    4. After the meeting
  1. Track 2: What does B admit?
    1. B forgot the meeting.
    2. It was B’s mistake.
    3. B wants to quit.
    4. B called the customer.
  1. Track 2: What will B do next?
    1. Go home early
    2. Correct the report immediately
    3. Cancel the project
    4. Ask the customer to wait
Answers — Set 3
  1. 2 — B says the boss said the schedule changed.
  1. 3 — The meeting changed to 오후 세 시.
  1. 2 — B says they will check the materials again before lunch.
  1. 1 — The whole conversation centers on the changed meeting schedule.
  1. 1 — 미뤄지다 means to be postponed or pushed back.
  1. 1 — The sales number in the report seems wrong.
  1. 3 — A says it must be sent to the team leader.
  1. 1 — A says 오늘 오후까지.
  1. 2 — B says 제 실수입니다.
  1. 2 — B says 바로 고치겠습니다.

Set 4 — Track 3, Track 4, and Track 5 Comprehension

Listen to Track 3, Track 4, or Track 5 and choose the best answer.
  1. Track 3: Why is B stressed?
    1. B has too many customers.
    2. B often disagrees with Minsu about dividing work.
    3. B lost important materials.
    4. B has to move offices.
  1. Track 3: What has B not done yet?
    1. Asked the team leader for advice
    2. Spoken directly with Minsu
    3. Finished the report
    4. Checked the meeting time
  1. Track 3: Why is B cautious?
    1. B may speak emotionally.
    2. B does not know Minsu’s name.
    3. B forgot the deadline.
    4. B wants to avoid all work.
  1. Track 3: What will B probably do first?
    1. Quit the company
    2. Ask the team leader for advice
    3. Cancel the meeting
    4. Send a customer email
  1. Track 4: Why did B work late this week?
    1. Because of a new project
    2. Because of a customer party
    3. Because B lost a report
    4. Because the boss was on vacation
  1. Track 4: What does A advise B to do?
    1. Prepare more data
    2. Take care of B’s health
    3. Call the customer
    4. Rewrite the report
  1. Track 4: What does B plan to do today?
    1. Finish only urgent work and leave early
    2. Stay until midnight
    3. Have a meeting with the customer
    4. Ask for a new coworker
  1. Track 5: What did the customer complain about?
    1. The price
    2. The delivery schedule
    3. The employee’s voice
    4. The meeting room
  1. Track 5: What will B check?
    1. The manager’s vacation plan
    2. The delivery issue with the person in charge
    3. The office address
    4. The presentation order
  1. Track 5: What should B include when contacting the customer?
    1. A joke and a discount code
    2. An apology, reason for delay, and solution
    3. A new employee’s phone number
    4. A request for overtime
Answers — Set 4
  1. 2 — B says opinions differ whenever they divide work.
  1. 2 — B has not directly spoken with Minsu yet.
  1. 1 — B worries about speaking emotionally.
  1. 2 — B says they will first ask the team leader for advice.
  1. 1 — B worked late because of a new project.
  1. 2 — A says B should take care of health.
  1. 1 — B plans to finish urgent tasks and leave early.
  1. 2 — The customer complained about the delivery schedule.
  1. 2 — B will check with the person in charge.
  1. 2 — B will explain the delay reason and solution and also apologize.

Set 5 — Inference and TOPIK-style Workplace Conflict

Read the short situation or listen to the implied dialogue. Choose the best answer.
  1. A coworker says, “죄송하지만 이 자료를 다시 확인해 주시겠어요? 숫자가 조금 이상한 것 같아요.” What is the speaker doing?
    1. Praising the report
    2. Politely requesting a recheck
    3. Refusing to work
    4. Announcing a promotion
  1. A team leader says, “다음부터는 마감 시간을 꼭 지켜 주세요.” What is the problem?
    1. Someone missed or almost missed a deadline.
    2. Someone arrived too early.
    3. The company moved buildings.
    4. The customer praised the team.
  1. A worker says, “업무가 한 사람에게만 너무 많이 몰리는 것 같습니다.” What is the concern?
    1. Work is not distributed fairly.
    2. The meeting is too short.
    3. The office is too cold.
    4. The customer changed address.
  1. A says, “그 일은 제가 처리하도록 하겠습니다.” What will A do?
    1. A will handle the matter.
    2. A will ignore the matter.
    3. A will complain to a customer.
    4. A will go on vacation.
  1. If a speaker says, “상사에게 먼저 말씀드려야 할 것 같아요,” what can you infer?
    1. The speaker needs to report upward before acting.
    2. The speaker already quit the job.
    3. The speaker is speaking to a child.
    4. The speaker refuses all responsibility.
  1. A says, “회의는 예정대로 진행하지만 발표 순서만 바뀌었습니다.” What changed?
    1. The whole meeting was cancelled.
    2. Only the presentation order changed.
    3. The company moved.
    4. The customer complaint disappeared.
  1. A says, “고객이 많이 기다리고 있어서 바로 연락드려야 합니다.” What is most urgent?
    1. Calling/contacting the customer
    2. Cleaning the office
    3. Buying lunch
    4. Printing vacation forms
  1. B says, “제가 잘못 이해해서 일이 늦어졌습니다.” What caused the delay?
    1. A misunderstanding by B
    2. A broken computer
    3. A cancelled meeting
    4. A new office rule
  1. A says, “오늘은 급한 업무만 먼저 끝냅시다.” What should be done first?
    1. Urgent work
    2. All optional tasks
    3. A farewell party
    4. Vacation planning
  1. B says, “동료와 직접 이야기해 보고 해결 방법을 찾겠습니다.” What is B’s plan?
    1. Avoid the coworker forever
    2. Talk directly with the coworker and find a solution
    3. Send the report to a customer without checking
    4. Ask for more overtime
Answers — Set 5
  1. 2 — 다시 확인해 주시겠어요? is a polite recheck request.
  1. 1 — The phrase implies a deadline problem.
  1. 1 — 한 사람에게만 몰리다 means the work is concentrated on one person.
  1. 1 — 처리하도록 하겠습니다 means “I will handle it.”
  1. 1 — 말씀드리다 signals speaking respectfully to a superior.
  1. 2 — The meeting continues as planned; only the presentation order changed.
  1. 1 — 바로 연락드려야 합니다 shows contacting the customer is urgent.
  1. 1 — B says B misunderstood, causing delay.
  1. 1 — 급한 업무 means urgent work.
  1. 2 — B will speak directly and look for a solution.

✅ Final Review Checklist

  • Can you identify the workplace role: 상사, 동료, 팀장, 직원, 고객?
  • Can you separate the task from the problem?
  • Can you catch the final action after phrases like 그래서, 바로, 먼저, and -도록 하겠습니다?
  • Can you explain why a wrong answer is only a heard keyword, not the main meaning?