Korean for Clothing Alterations: Asking to Take In a Waist
Learn Korean phrases to ask a tailor to take in a skirt or trousers at the waist, using 허리, 줄이다, and polite requests.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When a skirt fits perfectly at the hips but gaps at the waist, you need to explain the problem clearly to a tailor. In Korean, the key is to specify the area (허리) and the action (줄이다, to reduce). This lesson teaches you how to show the excess fabric with a clip, ask for a small adjustment, and confirm how much will be removed before any work begins. You'll practice polite request forms and questions to ensure the alteration meets your expectations.
By the end, you can…
- ask a tailor to take in the waist of a skirt or trousers.
- show the excess fabric and specify the amount to be removed.
- confirm details before the alteration begins.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
허리만 조금 줄여 주세요.
Please take in just the waist a little.
heo-ri-man jo-geum ju-ryeo ju-se-yo
Polite request to reduce only the waist area. Use when the hips fit but the waist is too loose.
허리가 너무 커요.
The waist is too big.
heo-ri-ga neo-mu keo-yo
States the problem clearly. You can point to the waist while saying this.
이 정도 줄여 주세요.
Please take it in about this much.
i jeong-do ju-ryeo ju-se-yo
Use while showing the amount with your fingers or a clip.
얼마나 줄이나요?
How much will you take it in?
eol-ma-na ju-ri-na-yo
Ask to confirm the amount before work begins.
다시 입어 봐도 돼요?
Can I try it on again?
da-si i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo
Useful after the alteration to check the fit.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '허리만 조금 줄여 주세요' combines 허리 (waist), 만 (only), 조금 (a little), and 줄여 주세요 (please reduce). You can replace 허리 with other garment parts: 소매만 조금 줄여 주세요 (please take in just the sleeves a little), 기장만 조금 줄여 주세요 (please shorten just the length a little). The verb 줄이다 means 'to reduce' and is used for taking in fabric. For shortening length, use 줄이다 as well, but for hemming you might also hear 기장을 줄이다. Always use the polite request form -아/어 주세요.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you need alterations at a tailor or dry cleaner. Start by stating the problem: 허리가 너무 커요. Then show the excess with a clip and say 이 정도 줄여 주세요. Before they start, ask 얼마나 줄이나요? to confirm the amount. If you want to ensure they only adjust the waist, say 허리만 줄여 주세요. After the work, ask 다시 입어 봐도 돼요? to try it on. These phrases work for skirts, trousers, and dresses.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
어서 오세요. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Welcome. How can I help you?eo-seo o-se-yo. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo이 치마 허리가 너무 커요. 허리만 조금 줄여 주세요.
The waist of this skirt is too big. Please take in just the waist a little.i chi-ma heo-ri-ga neo-mu keo-yo. heo-ri-man jo-geum ju-ryeo ju-se-yo네, 얼마나 줄여 드릴까요?
Okay, how much shall I take it in?ne, eol-ma-na ju-ryeo deu-ril-kka-yo이 정도요. (shows with clip) 그리고 얼마나 줄이나요?
About this much. (shows with clip) And how much will you take it in?i jeong-do-yo. geu-ri-go eol-ma-na ju-ri-na-yoA little context goes a long way
In Korea, alterations are common at dry cleaners and tailor shops. It's polite to bring the garment and clearly show the area needing adjustment. Using the polite request form -아/어 주세요 is essential. Tipping is not customary for alterations; the price is usually fixed. If you're unsure about the amount, ask before they start.
One thing to watch for
Saying '허리를 줄이세요' (command form) instead of '허리를 줄여 주세요' (polite request).
Try this instead: Use the polite request form: 허리를 줄여 주세요. The command form can sound rude. For example, '허리만 조금 줄여 주세요' is polite and clear.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a tailor to take in only the waist a little?
Show a sample answer
허리만 조금 줄여 주세요.
This uses 허리 (waist), 만 (only), 조금 (a little), and 줄여 주세요 (please reduce). It's polite and specific.
2What phrase can you use to show the amount you want taken in?
Show a sample answer
이 정도 줄여 주세요.
This means 'Please take it in about this much.' You can show the amount with your fingers or a clip.
3How do you ask 'How much will you take it in?' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
얼마나 줄이나요?
This question asks for the amount of reduction. It's useful to confirm before work begins.
To get a waist taken in, say 허리만 조금 줄여 주세요, show the excess with a clip, and ask 얼마나 줄이나요? to confirm the amount.
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