Facilitating and Summarizing

A debate moderator or lead speaker keeps the discussion flowing smoothly and distills the key points. This lesson covers expressions for allocating speaking turns, changing topics, and summarizing the issues.

Yielding the Floor

이제 반대 측 의견을 들어보겠습니다. 발언해 주시기 바랍니다.

ije bandae cheuk uigyeoneul deureobogetseumnida. bareonhae jusigi baramnida.

Now let's hear from the opposing side. Please go ahead.

Changing the Topic

이 쟁점은 이쯤에서 정리하고, 다음 논의로 넘어가겠습니다.

i jaengjeomeun ijjeumeseo jeongnihago, daeum nonuiro neomeogagetseumnida.

Let's wrap up this point here and move on to the next item.

시간 관계상, 답변은 간략히 부탁드리겠습니다.

sigan gwangyesang, dabbyeoneun gallyaki butakdeurigetseumnida.

In the interest of time, I'd ask you to keep your answer brief.

Mediating Interruptions

When speakers talk over one another, the moderator restores order neutrally. Phrases like "먼저 말씀을 마치신 후에" (after you've finished speaking) and "잠시 후 발언 기회를 드리겠습니다" (I'll give you the floor shortly) signal fairness.

한 분씩 말씀해 주시면, 순서대로 발언권을 드리겠습니다.

han bunssik malsseumhae jusimyeon, sunseodaero bareonkwoneul deurigetseumnida.

If you speak one at a time, I'll give the floor in turn.

Summarizing Points

When summarizing, recap objectively with phrases like "지금까지 나온 의견을 정리하면" (to summarize the views raised so far) and "양측의 핵심 쟁점은 ~로 좁혀집니다" (the key issue between the two sides narrows to...).

지금까지 논의를 정리하면, 핵심 쟁점은 예산 배분의 우선순위로 좁혀집니다.

jigeumkkaji nonuireul jeongnihamyeon, haeksim jaengjeomeun yesan baebunui useonsunwiro jobhyeojimnida.

To summarize the discussion so far, the key issue narrows down to the priorities of budget allocation.

양측의 입장 차이는 결국 우선순위의 문제로 귀결됩니다.

yangcheugui ipjang chaineun gyeolguk useonsunwiui munjero gwigyeoldoemnida.

The gap between the two sides ultimately comes down to a question of priorities.

Function	Expression
Yielding floor	~측 의견을 들어보겠습니다
Topic shift	다음 논의로 넘어가겠습니다
Time notice	시간 관계상 간략히 부탁드립니다
Mediating	순서대로 발언권을 드리겠습니다
Summary	핵심 쟁점은 ~로 좁혀집니다

💡 Tip: A moderator must stay neutral. Avoid subjective phrasing like "제 생각에는" (in my opinion) and keep an objective stance with phrasing like "양측의 입장은" (the two sides' positions are...).

To close a debate, point to common ground with phrasing like "오늘 논의를 통해 ~라는 공통점을 확인했습니다" (through today's discussion we confirmed the shared point that...); it leaves a productive impression.

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