Korean has a separate excuse me for each job. To get a stranger's or a waiter's attention, say 저기요 (jeogiyo). To squeeze past people, say 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo) or 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo). Before a question or an interruption, use 실례지만 (sillyejiman), "excuse me, but". If you bump into someone, apologise with 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida).
- Getting attention
- 저기요 (jeogiyo)
- Getting past
- 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo)
- Before a question
- 실례지만 (sillyejiman)
- Interrupting, entering
- 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)
- After a bump
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida)
- Level
- A1
Which excuse me fits which situation?
Think about what you want the other person to do: look at you, let you through, or forgive the interruption. Each has its own phrase.
| Korean | Romanization | Situation | Literally |
|---|---|---|---|
| 저기요 | jeogiyo | Calling a stranger or a waiter | "Over there" |
| 여기요 | yeogiyo | Calling staff to your own table | "Over here" |
| 잠시만요 | jamsimanyo | Getting through a crowd, off a bus or train | "Just a moment" |
| 잠깐만요 | jamkkanmanyo | The same, a shade more everyday; also "wait!" | "Just a moment" |
| 실례지만 | sillyejiman | Opening a question to a stranger | "It's rude, but…" |
| 실례합니다 | sillyehamnida | Entering an office, interrupting a meeting | "I am being rude" |
| 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | Treading on a foot, bumping a bag | "I'm sorry" |
실례 (sillye) means discourtesy, so 실례합니다 acknowledges that you are imposing a little. Small restaurants add their own ways of calling staff: many tables have a call button, and regulars often address the owner as 사장님 (sajangnim), "boss".
How do you start a question to a stranger?
Open with 저기요 to catch their eye, or 실례지만 to soften what follows, then ask. A slight bow helps.
저기요, 이거 떨어뜨리셨어요.
Jeogiyo, igeo tteoreotteurisyeosseoyo.
Excuse me, you dropped this.
실례지만, 이 자리 비었어요?
Sillyejiman, i jari bieosseoyo?
Excuse me, is this seat free?
실례지만 길 좀 물어볼게요.
Sillyejiman gil jom mureobolgeyo.
Excuse me, could I ask the way?
잠깐 실례할게요.
Jamkkan sillyehalgeyo.
Excuse me a moment.
Leaving the table or stepping out of a meeting.
If the answer comes back too fast, how to say I don't understand in Korean has the follow-up phrases. Asking for the toilet works the same way; see how to ask where the toilet is.
What do you say to get past someone?
On a packed bus or subway, 잠시만요 or 잠깐만요, said as you edge forward, is the polite way through. Near your stop, 내릴게요 (naerilgeyo), "I'm getting off", tells people why you are pushing. 잠깐만요 also means "wait!", as when Seoyeon calls after a postman who is hurrying away with a mysterious key in this Contos story:
잠깐만요, 그 열쇠!Jamkkanmanyo, geu yeolsoe!
잠깐 (jamkkan) is a short while, and 만 means only: "just a moment". With friends, 잠깐만 without 요 is enough.
What mistakes do learners make with excuse me?
Using 미안해요 to get attention is the common one: it apologises rather than calls. Another is saying 실례합니다 to a waiter; it is understood, but 저기요 or 여기요 is what people actually say in a restaurant. And don't stretch 저기요 into a shout across a quiet room: a raised hand and eye contact do half the work.
When the meal is over, the same 여기요 starts the payment: see how to ask for the bill in Korean. When someone thanks you for stepping aside, reply as in how to say you're welcome in Korean.
Read Korean stories at your level and tap any phrase, from 잠깐만요 to 실례지만, to see what it means.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
How do you pronounce jeogiyo?
Roughly "juh-gee-yo". The eo is like the u in "fun", and the g is soft, close to a k said gently.
Is jeogiyo rude?
No, it is the normal way to call a stranger or a waiter. Tone matters: a light, rising 저기요 is polite, while a loud, sharp one can sound impatient.
What is the difference between jamsimanyo and jamkkanmanyo?
They mean the same. 잠시 is a little more formal and is common when getting past people; 잠깐 is more everyday and is also the usual way to say "wait a moment".
How do you say excuse me to a teacher in Korean?
Knock, then say 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) as you enter, or 선생님, 실례지만… (seonsaengnim, sillyejiman…) before a question. Addressing them as 선생님 matters more than the exact phrase.