Korean expressions first · Language and culture comparison
See Korean expressions side by side with the language you set for the site, and look at the differences in relationships and culture that show up in the way people speak.
In English work conversations, you soften a request with auxiliary verbs such as can/could, but it is natural to state the time you need and your purpose early. A Korean-style indirect refusal can be read as one that still leaves a possibility open, so it is better to add an alternative or a clear conclusion.
Request for a conversation · When asking a coworker or manager for a short talk
The core of the Korean is not "sigani inneunya" (whether you have time), but asking with consideration for whether now is a good moment to speak to the person.
잠시 말씀 나눌 수 있을까요?
If the matter is long and you say only "jamkkan" (a moment), the other person may feel pressured.
Request for a review · When asking someone to review a particular part of a document or a piece of work
"Hanbeon" is used less for an actual count of times than as a cushioning word that lowers the pressure of the request.
이 부분 검토 부탁드립니다.
If you do not mark what needs to be checked, it can sound like you are shifting your responsibility onto the other person.
Checking a deadline · When confirming exactly when a task is due
Korean asks in a form that respects the deadline the other person sets, but in real work you need to make the date and time specific.
정확한 마감 일시를 알려주실 수 있을까요?
It is better not to settle for "ppalli" (quickly) or "ganeunghan han ppalli" (as quickly as possible) alone.
Checking understanding · When confirming in your own words an instruction or explanation
It is a safe form because it checks your own understanding without pointing out that the other person's explanation was wrong.
제가 이해한 내용을 한번 말씀드려도 될까요?
Just saying "museun marinji moreugesseoyo" (I don't understand what you mean) can feel like putting the responsibility for explaining only on the other person.
Indirect refusal · When it is hard to accept a request or an appointment right away
"Jogeum" (a little) and "geot gatayo" (it seems) soften the strength of the refusal, but the actual meaning is mostly a refusal.
오늘은 어렵고 내일 오후는 가능합니다.
If you keep speaking only indirectly without an alternative, the other person may misunderstand that a possibility remains.
Expressing thanks · When thanking someone politely after getting help at work
Mentioning the help specifically makes the thanks more sincere than a ritual thanks.
덕분에 문제를 해결했습니다. 감사합니다.
If you only give thanks and do not share the follow-up results, the context of the collaboration can break off.
On a first meeting, people often state their name and role and then give a short greeting. When leaving work before others, it is common to say goodbye and make clear the state of your remaining work, rather than speaking as if asking permission.
First meeting · At an official or business first meeting
It uses "boepda", a humble expression that lowers "boda" (to see) and "mannada" (to meet), to mark clearly the formality of a first meeting.
만나 뵙게 되어 반갑습니다.
In a friendly gathering, speaking too formally can create distance.
Asking how someone is · When asking about the recent news of someone you have not seen for a while
It is an open question about life in general, so the length of the answer varies with the relationship.
그동안 잘 지내셨어요?
It is better not to dig deeply into the private news of someone you have just met.
Leaving work first · When leaving your seat at work before others
It softens the words with "-a bogetseumnida", lowering the burden of leaving before the people who were there with you.
먼저 퇴근하겠습니다. 내일 뵙겠습니다.
You do not need to show an attitude of apologizing every time for no reason.
Farewell for getting home · When wishing the other person a safe trip home after parting
It is a closing greeting often used in Korean that carries the wish for the other person to get back safely, more than a simple farewell.
집에 도착하면 연락 주세요.
Unless the relationship is close, asking the person to contact you on arrival can feel like a burden.
For orders, a short, specific sentence with please is natural. How you pay, tips, and service charges differ by country and by shop, so do not apply Korean customs as they are; check the receipt and the notices.
Placing an order · When ordering simply by pointing at a menu item or product
It is the most practical basic ordering form when you can point at the thing with your hand.
이 메뉴 하나 부탁드립니다.
Pointing a finger at a person can look rude, so clearly point at the menu item or product.
Asking for a recommendation · When you want the staff's recommendation on what to order
It is an expression that acknowledges the staff's expertise while narrowing down the choices.
처음 왔는데, 가장 인기 있는 메뉴가 뭔가요?
If you have an allergy or an ingredient you cannot eat, you should say so before getting a recommendation.
Adjusting the taste · When you want to remove or lower the spiciness of food
"Maepji anke" (not spicy) can be unclear between "jeonhyeo maepji anke" (not spicy at all) and "deol maepge" (less spicy), so in Korea it is safer to say which of the two you mean.
가능하면 가장 순한 맛으로 부탁드립니다.
With dishes where the sauce itself is spicy, adjusting may not be possible, so check whether it is possible.
Asking to pay · When asking to pay after finishing a meal
In Korea it tells the staff that you intend to pay, but paying at the table and paying at the counter differ by country.
계산 부탁드립니다.
Tips, service charges, and whether you can split the payment differ by culture.
In shops, asking directly about colors, sizes, and exchange conditions is not rude. A polite question and specific product information are often more important than the many cushioning words of Korean.
Asking to try on · When you want to try on clothes or shoes before buying
It uses the permission form to respect the shop's rules and the staff's guidance.
탈의실이 어디인가요?
There are items, such as underwear and cosmetics, that you may not be allowed to try on or use.
Checking stock · When looking for another color of the same product
It is short and direct, but in a shop it is a fully natural way to ask for information.
이 제품 검은색도 재고가 있나요?
Do not ask only about the color; saying the size as well is faster.
Payment method · When saying you will use a card instead of cash
It is a statement that announces your choice of payment, closer to telling the method than to asking permission.
카드 결제 가능한가요?
Abroad, you may need to check the type of card, contactless payment, and the minimum payment amount.
Asking for an exchange · When you want to change a purchased item for another item or size
It is an indirect form that asks first whether it is possible, rather than claiming a right.
사이즈가 맞지 않아서 교환하고 싶습니다.
Check the receipt, the packaging, the exchange deadline, and the limits on hygiene products.
For roads and transport, it is safe to state the destination, direction, and getting-off point briefly and clearly. Because the honorific system for addressing people is weak, an opening expression such as Excuse me carries the politeness.
Asking the way · When asking how to get somewhere while showing a map or an address
It is the most practical form, asking for the route while showing the destination visually.
이곳까지 가장 쉬운 방법이 뭔가요?
If "yeogi" (here) is not visible to the other person, show the address or a pin on the map.
Checking a route · When checking before boarding whether a bus goes to the destination
It puts the means of transport and the destination in one sentence to confirm quickly with a yes or no.
시청에 가려면 이 버스를 타면 되나요?
Watch out for stops with the same name and routes going in the opposite direction.
Asking to get off · When asking, while riding in a car such as a taxi, to be let off at the place you want
It is a direct request that specifies the place, but "juseyo" lowers the strength of the command.
저 앞 안전한 곳에 세워 주세요.
In places where stopping is not allowed under traffic law, let the driver choose a safe spot.
Checking the time · When asking how much time a trip or a process will take
Because it asks for an estimated time, the answer can be a range depending on traffic and waiting conditions.
대략 몇 분 정도 예상하면 될까요?
Do not take it as an exact guarantee; keep in mind that it is an estimate.
A suggestion is natural when it comes with the freedom to decline and a specific time or plan. For an apology, the more clearly you state responsibility, the effect, and the action you will take right away, not just that you are sorry, the more sincere it is.
Making a suggestion · When suggesting doing something together so that the other person can decline without pressure
"Gwaenchaneusimyeon" (if it is all right with you) leaves open the possibility of refusing, and "hasillaeyo?" (would you like to do it?) leaves the choice to the other person.
시간 되시면 같이 가실래요?
In a relationship with a large power gap, even an indirect phrase can in effect feel like pressure.
Apologizing · When admitting your own mistake and apologizing clearly
It states who is responsible first and then apologizes, so it sounds like an apology without excuses.
제가 잘못 확인했습니다. 바로 수정하겠습니다.
Avoid a conditional apology or a phrase that blames only the other person's feelings.
Heartfelt thanks · When thanking someone sincerely in a close relationship
"Jeongmal" (really) raises the intensity of the feeling, and "gomawoyo" is a friendlier word than "gamsahamnida".
덕분에 큰 도움이 됐어요. 정말 고마워요.
To a boss or a customer, "gamsahamnida" is safer.
It is efficient to give the name on the reservation and the date first, then go on to the confirmation or action you want. For a room problem, you must state the symptom and the solution you want specifically, so that it does not sound like a mere complaint.
Confirming a reservation · When confirming your reservation at a hotel or restaurant
Korean asks for the act of confirming, but in other languages giving the name of the person who booked right away may be more natural.
김민수 이름으로 예약했습니다.
Preparing the reservation number, full name, and date in advance makes it quick.
Storing luggage · When asking to store your bags before check-in or after check-out
It asks whether the storage service is available, and it is good to confirm the time and the way of collecting together.
오늘 오후 다섯 시까지 맡길 수 있을까요?
Check valuables and the extent of responsibility for the stored items.
Problem with the room · When first reporting a breakdown or inconvenience in a hotel room
It is an opening expression that says only that a problem exists, so you must follow it right away with the specific symptom.
방에서 뜨거운 물이 나오지 않습니다.
Do not just repeat the complaint; clearly give the room number and the action you want.
Late check-out · When you want to leave later than the standard check-out time
It asks whether the service is available, and you must confirm the extra fee and the times that are possible together.
오후 두 시까지 늦출 수 있을까요?
Do not assume it is free; always confirm the cost.
At a medical visit, stating the symptoms, when they started, how strong they are, and your allergies and the medicines you take directly comes before politeness. If you shorten things in an indirect way, the medical staff may judge the urgency to be low.
Describing symptoms · When telling a hospital or pharmacy your symptoms and when they started
It is the basic structure that gives the symptom and the start time together.
어제 저녁부터 목이 아프고 열도 있어요.
Do not hide needed information such as pain intensity, allergies, and the medicines you take.
Asking how to take medicine · When confirming how many times to take a medicine
It asks only about the number of times, so you should also confirm the dose each time and whether to take it before or after meals.
한 번에 몇 알씩, 언제 먹어야 하나요?
Do not rely on a translation alone for medical instructions; confirm again with a pharmacist or medical staff.
Whether a visit is possible · When asking whether you can be seen on the same day
It asks whether you can be seen without booking, so it is good to say together how urgent it is and how long you can wait.
오늘 예약 없이 접수 가능한 시간이 있나요?
For emergency symptoms, contact the emergency services right away rather than making an ordinary appointment inquiry.
For a sudden call, it is good to ask whether now is possible and about how long it will take. If you need a reply to a message, give a date and time instead of later, so that work expectations become clear.
Checking whether a call is OK · When checking the other person's situation after calling suddenly
Korean expresses whether a call is possible with "gwaenchanta" (it is all right), showing broad consideration for the other person's circumstances.
지금 5분 정도 통화 가능하실까요?
If the matter is long, it is better to state the time you need from the start.
Promising to get back in touch · When the other person is busy or you do not have an answer ready
It is an expression that promises a future action, so the more specific the time you will actually get in touch, the more trust it builds.
오늘 오후 세 시쯤 다시 연락드리겠습니다.
If you say only "najunge" (later) and do not get in touch, it can look like avoidance.
Asking for a reply · When asking the other person to reply after checking a message
It is a request rather than a command, but if there is a deadline you must state the date.
확인 후 오늘 오후까지 답 부탁드립니다.
Repeated reminders or pressure over read receipts can feel like a burden depending on the relationship.
When asking for help, say briefly what the problem is and what action is needed. In a dangerous situation, it is safer to convey the location, the danger, and the support you need before any polite introduction.
Asking for help · When asking the other person whether they can help in a problem situation
It is the basic form that does not order help but first asks whether the other person is able to.
이 가방을 위 선반에 올리는 것 좀 도와주실 수 있나요?
You need to say specifically what kind of help is needed and how, so the other person can decide.