KOREAN VOCABULARY LEARNING

Part 121: Excuse Me

Formal

실례합니다 is used when trying to get somebody’s attention. You can use this word if you want to approach a stranger on the street, for example if you need to ask for directions.

Example:
실례합니다, 혹시 화장실 어딘지 아세요? - Excuse me, do you know where the bathroom is?

Standard

잠깐만요 and 잠시만요 literally mean wait a moment but sometimes is used to mean excuse me. They should be used if you need somebody to move out of your way.

저기요 and 여기요 sometimes can be mean excuse me. As you know, 저기요 itself already mean excuse me and 여기요 mean here you go. You can shout one of these two words when trying to get somebody’s attention. For example, when you want to call the waiter in a restaurant.

Informal

잠깐만 and 잠시만 is the same like in the standard one but without 요. Make sure you’re using this with people you are close to and who are lower in the social hierarchy than you are.

Other situation

In other situation, 죄송합니다 also can be use as excuse me. You can use it when you need to ask for a favor such as asking for a picture to be taken.