Log inSign up

hoeui jungeneun hyudaeponeul an sseoyo.

회의 중에는 휴대폰을 안 써요.hoeui jungeneun hyudaeponeul an sseoyo.
I don’t use my cell phone during meetings.
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Korean grammar and vocabulary.

Start learning Korean now

Questions & Answers about hoeui jungeneun hyudaeponeul an sseoyo.

What does 회의 중에는 mean exactly, and why is 중 used?

회의 중에는 means during the meeting / while a meeting is going on.

  • 회의 = meeting
  • 중 = middle of / in the middle of (i.e., while something is in progress)
  • 회의 중 = during the meeting Then 에는 is 에 + 는 (see below), marking it as a time frame/topic: as for during meetings…
Why is it 에는 instead of just 에 or just 는?

에는 is a combination:

  • 에 marks the time point/period: at/during
  • 는 marks a topic/contrast: as for… So 회의 중에는 often implies in that situation (during meetings), (I/we) don’t use a phone—and it can contrast with other situations (e.g., outside meetings you might).
What’s the difference between 회의 중에는 and 회의 중에?
  • 회의 중에 = simply during the meeting (neutral time expression)
  • 회의 중에는 = as for during the meeting (adds topic/contrast/emphasis) In everyday speech, both are common, but 에는 feels more like stating a general rule or setting a condition.
Why is there 휴대폰을 with 을?

을/를 marks the direct object of the verb.

  • 휴대폰 = cell phone / mobile phone
  • 휴대폰을 = (the) phone as the thing being used Since 쓰다 here means to use, the phone is the object.
What does 쓰다 mean here? I thought 쓰다 means to write.

쓰다 can mean several things, including:

  • to write (e.g., 글을 쓰다 = to write text)
  • to use (e.g., 휴대폰을 쓰다 = to use a phone) In this sentence, it’s the use meaning. Korean often uses 쓰다 for “use (a tool/service).”
Why use 안 써요 instead of 사용하지 않아요?

Both mean don’t use, but the nuance differs:

  • 안 써요: very common, natural, shorter, conversational
  • 사용하지 않아요: more formal/explicit; can sound more “rule-like” or written So 회의 중에는 휴대폰을 안 써요 sounds like everyday speech.
How does the negation 안 work in 안 써요?

안 is the short, common negation placed right before the verb:

  • 쓰다 → 안 쓰다 = to not use Then it’s conjugated:
  • 안 써요 = polite informal present: (I/we) don’t use (it)
What’s the difference between 안 써요 and 못 써요?
  • 안 써요 = don’t use (by choice / as a habit / as a rule)
  • 못 써요 = can’t use (due to inability, restriction, or circumstances) In meetings, 안 써요 often implies a norm/decision (even if it’s due to etiquette), while 못 써요 stresses it’s not possible / not allowed.
Is this sentence talking about I, we, or people in general?

Korean often omits the subject when it’s understood from context. This sentence can mean:

  • I don’t use my phone during meetings.
  • We don’t use phones during meetings.
  • (In general) people don’t use phones during meetings. Context (who is speaking, what situation) decides the most natural reading.
Why is it 써요 and not 씁어요?

쓰다 is an irregular-looking but regular pattern here:

  • verb stem: 쓰-
  • ㅡ drops before -어요/아요 when possible So:
  • 쓰 + 어요 → 써요 Not 씁어요 (that would be a different conjugation pattern and is not used for 쓰다 in this form).
Can 회의 중에는 be shortened in speech?

Yes, very often:

  • 회의 중에는 → 회의 중엔 This is a common contraction where 중에 + 는 becomes 중엔 in spoken Korean.
Does 회의 중에는 휴대폰을 안 써요 sound like a rule, a suggestion, or just a personal habit?

It can fit all three, but it most naturally sounds like a general habit/norm:

  • During meetings, (we/I) don’t use phones. If you want to make it clearly a rule/command, you’d typically use an imperative:
  • 회의 중에는 휴대폰 쓰지 마세요. = Please don’t use your phone during meetings. If you want it clearly personal, you might add 저는:
  • 저는 회의 중에는 휴대폰을 안 써요. = I don’t use my phone during meetings.