Working at a Place: 일하다
The verb 일하다 means "to work." Rather than memorizing long lists of specific job titles, it is often more practical to state where you work using the place marker -에서 .
Core Frame
[Place]에서 일해요. (I work at [Place].)
Place · Sentence
은행 · 은행에서 일해요.
식당 · 식당에서 일해요.
회사 · 회사에서 일해요.
집 · 집에서 일해요.
Asking About Work Tasks
When asking what someone does for a living or what task they are doing right now, use the phrase 무슨 일을 해요? (What kind of work do you do?).
Depending on the context, this can mean "What is your job?" or "What task are you working on at this exact moment?"
You can answer by stating your specific action, or simply by describing your workplace.
Preparing for Something: 준비하다
The verb 준비하다 means "to prepare" or "to get ready." It is frequently used at school and work to talk about meetings, exams, and presentations.
Use the object marker -을/를 to show what you are preparing.
Core Frame
[Noun]을/를 준비해요. (I prepare [Noun].)
Noun · Sentence
회의 · 회의를 준비해요.
시험 · 시험을 준비해요.
발표 자료 · 발표 자료를 준비해요.
저녁 식사 · 저녁 식사를 준비해요.
Being Ready vs. Preparing
Beginners often translate "I am ready" literally, but Korean speakers usually express this by saying "Preparation is finished" ( 준비가 끝났어요 ) or "I have prepared it all" ( 다 준비했어요 ).
Common Mistake
If you are still in the process of getting ready, use the -고 있어요 (am doing) form: 회의를 준비하고 있어요 (I am preparing for the meeting).
If you are fully ready, say 준비가 끝났어요 .
You can also drop the -하다 part of the verb to use 준비 as a noun, like in 시험 준비 (test preparation) or 회의 준비 (meeting preparation).
Quick review
준비가 끝났어요
Expressing that you are ready