Korean: Ask for More Explanation (Not Repetition)
Learn intermediate Korean phrases to ask someone to elaborate, clarify, or go deeper—without simply asking them to repeat what they said.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you already heard someone but still don't fully grasp their meaning, simply asking them to repeat (다시 말해 주세요) often isn't enough. This lesson teaches you how to ask for elaboration in Korean: to unpack a concept, give an example, or explain the reasoning behind a statement. You'll learn set phrases like 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요? and 조금 더 풀어서 말씀해 주시겠어요?, plus the grammar that makes them polite and natural. These are intermediate-level requests that signal you're listening carefully and want deeper understanding, not just louder repetition.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone to elaborate on a point using polite Korean.
- request a concrete example or clarification of reasoning.
- distinguish 'elaborate' requests from simple repetition requests.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요?
Could you explain in more detail?
deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Neutral-polite and widely useful; works in meetings, classes, and conversations with acquaintances.
조금 더 풀어서 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Could you unpack that a little more?
jo-geum deo pu-reo-seo mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
'풀어서' literally means 'unravel'; used when an explanation felt compressed or abstract.
무슨 뜻인지 좀 더 구체적으로 알려 주시겠어요?
Could you tell me more specifically what you mean?
mu-seun tteus-in-ji jom deo gu-che-jeok-eu-ro al-lyeo ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Asks for specifics; good when a general statement needs concrete detail.
예를 하나 들어 주시겠어요?
Could you give me an example?
ye-reul ha-na deu-reo ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Requests illustration rather than repetition; very effective after an abstract claim.
왜 그렇게 말씀하시는지 이유를 설명해 주시겠어요?
Could you explain the reasoning behind that?
wae geu-reo-ke mal-sseum-ha-si-neun-ji i-yu-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Asks for rationale; use when you understand the words but not the logic.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core frame is '설명해 주시겠어요?' (Could you explain?). Add degree or manner adverbs before it: 더 자세히 (in more detail), 조금 더 풀어서 (a bit more unpacked), 구체적으로 (specifically). For example: 이 부분을 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요? (Could you explain this part in more detail?) and 그 개념을 조금 더 풀어서 설명해 주시겠어요? (Could you unpack that concept a little more?). To ask for an example, use 예를 들어 주시겠어요? or 예를 하나 들어 주시겠어요?. These patterns target depth, not repetition.
When to use it
Use these when you heard the words clearly but need meaning, structure, or evidence. In a lecture: 방금 말씀하신 이론을 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요? In a work meeting: 그 결정의 이유를 설명해 주시겠어요? In casual conversation with a friend, drop the honorific -시- and say 더 자세히 설명해 줄래? or 예를 하나 들어 줄래? Keep -시겠어요? for bosses, teachers, clients, and strangers. If you only missed the sound, ask 다시 말해 주세요; that is repetition, not elaboration.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
방금 말씀하신 정책이 실제로 어떻게 적용되는지 조금 더 풀어서 설명해 주시겠어요?
Could you unpack a little more how the policy you just mentioned is actually applied?bang-geum mal-sseum-ha-sin jeong-chaek-i sil-je-ro eo-tteo-ke jeok-yong-doe-neun-ji jo-geum deo pu-reo-seo seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?네, 간단히 말하면 신청 순서대로 처리된다는 뜻입니다. 예를 들어, 월요일에 신청한 사람이 먼저 검토됩니다.
Yes, simply put, it means applications are processed in order. For example, someone who applied on Monday is reviewed first.ne, gan-dan-hi mal-ha-myeon sin-cheong sun-seo-dae-ro cheo-ri-doen-da-neun tteu-sim-ni-da. ye-reul deu-reo, wol-yo-il-e sin-cheong-han sa-ram-i meon-jeo geom-to-doe-mni-da.아, 이해됐습니다. 그런데 왜 접수 순서가 그렇게 중요한지도 설명해 주시겠어요?
Ah, I understand. But could you also explain why the order of receipt matters so much?a, i-hae-dwae-sseum-ni-da. geu-reon-de wae jeop-su sun-seo-ga geu-reo-ke jung-yo-han-ji-do seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?물론입니다. 한정된 자원을 공정하게 배분하기 위해서입니다.
Of course. It's in order to distribute limited resources fairly.mul-ron-im-ni-da. han-jeong-doen ja-won-eul gong-jeong-ha-ge bae-bun-ha-gi wi-hae-seo-im-ni-da.A little context goes a long way
Korean politeness is carried heavily by verb endings. -시겠어요? is a polite, non-pushy request form suitable for superiors, teachers, and clients; among close friends, -아/어 줄래? or -아/어 줄 수 있어? is natural. Using 해 주세요 is fine but can sound more direct, while -시겠어요? softens the request. Also, saying '이해가 안 돼요' (I don't understand) is acceptable, but pairing it with a specific elaboration request shows engagement and respect.
One thing to watch for
Using 다시 말해 주시겠어요? when you actually want elaboration.
Try this instead: 다시 말해 주시겠어요? asks for repetition. For deeper understanding, say 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요? or 예를 하나 들어 주시겠어요? Example: 이 부분을 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요?
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You understood the words but not the logic behind a coworker's decision. What do you ask?
Show a sample answer
왜 그렇게 결정하셨는지 이유를 설명해 주시겠어요?
This asks for the rationale, not repetition. Alternatives like 그 결정의 배경을 설명해 주시겠어요? also work.
2A professor gives an abstract definition. Ask for a concrete example politely.
Show a sample answer
예를 하나 들어 주시겠어요?
This requests illustration. 예를 들어 설명해 주시겠어요? is also correct and slightly more formal.
3You want a compressed explanation unpacked. Which phrase fits best?
Show a sample answer
조금 더 풀어서 말씀해 주시겠어요?
'풀어서' means to unravel or unpack. 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요? is a valid alternative but less specific about unpacking.
To go deeper in Korean, ask for detail, examples, or reasoning—not repetition. Keep -시겠어요? for polite contexts and switch to -아/어 줄래? with close friends.
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