How to Ask for Help Politely in Korean: Can You Speak English? and More
Learn to ask for help politely in Korean, including how to say 'Can you speak English?' and request favors from friends or strangers.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Asking for help in Korean requires choosing the right level of politeness. Whether you need directions from a stranger or a favor from a friend, the verb endings and word choices change. This lesson focuses on polite requests, including how to ask if someone can speak English. You will learn reusable patterns, appropriate tone, and common mistakes to avoid. By the end, you will be able to ask for assistance naturally in everyday situations.
By the end, you can…
- ask a stranger for help politely using the -아/어 주시겠어요? pattern.
- ask if someone can speak English using a natural Korean question.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
영어 하실 수 있어요?
Can you speak English?
yeong-eo ha-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Polite and common. Use with strangers or staff. '하실' is honorific; '할' is casual.
영어 할 수 있어요?
Can you speak English?
yeong-eo hal su i-sseo-yo?
Less honorific, suitable for friends or people of similar age. Still polite but not formal.
죄송하지만, 도와주시겠어요?
Excuse me, could you help me?
joe-song-ha-ji-man, do-wa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Very polite request for help. Use with strangers or in formal settings.
길을 잃었어요. 도와주실 수 있나요?
I'm lost. Could you help me?
gil-eul i-reo-sseo-yo. do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Polite and clear. '도와주실 수 있나요?' is a soft request for assistance.
잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Do you have a moment?
jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Polite way to check if someone is available before asking a favor.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '-아/어 주시겠어요?' is a polite way to ask someone to do something for you. Attach it to a verb stem. For example, '도와주시겠어요?' means 'Could you help me?' from '도와주다' (to help). Another pattern is '-(으)실 수 있어요?' to ask if someone can do something. '영어 하실 수 있어요?' uses the honorific '하실' from '하다' (to do). For friends, you can drop the honorific: '영어 할 수 있어요?' Both are questions, but the honorific version shows more respect.
When to use it
Use honorific forms like '하실 수 있어요?' with strangers, older people, or staff in shops and restaurants. Use '할 수 있어요?' with close friends or people younger than you. When asking for a favor, start with '죄송하지만' (Excuse me) or '잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?' to be polite. For example, '죄송하지만, 영어 하실 수 있어요?' is very polite. If you are asking a friend, '영어 할 수 있어요?' is fine. Avoid using casual speech with strangers, as it can sound rude.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
죄송하지만, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Excuse me, do you have a moment?joe-song-ha-ji-man, jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?네, 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?
Yes, I do. What's the matter?ne, gwaen-chan-a-yo. mu-seun il-i-se-yo?길을 잃었어요. 영어 하실 수 있어요?
I'm lost. Can you speak English?gil-eul i-reo-sseo-yo. yeong-eo ha-sil su i-sseo-yo?네, 조금 할 수 있어요. 어디를 찾으세요?
Yes, I can speak a little. What are you looking for?ne, jo-geum hal su i-sseo-yo. eo-di-reul cha-jeu-se-yo?A little context goes a long way
In Korean, age and social status affect politeness. Using honorifics with strangers is standard. If you are unsure, use the polite formal style (-시- and -요). Koreans may appreciate your effort even if your grammar is not perfect. Avoid using casual speech unless you are close to the person.
One thing to watch for
Using '영어 할 수 있어?' (casual) with a stranger.
Try this instead: With strangers, use '영어 하실 수 있어요?' or '영어 할 수 있어요?' with the polite -요 ending. For example, '영어 하실 수 있어요?' is appropriate. The casual form without -요 is only for close friends or children.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask a stranger if they can speak English?
Show a sample answer
영어 하실 수 있어요?
This uses the honorific '하실' and polite -요 ending. '영어 할 수 있어요?' is also polite but less honorific; both are acceptable with strangers, though '하실' is more respectful.
2Translate: 'Excuse me, could you help me?'
Show a sample answer
죄송하지만, 도와주시겠어요?
This is a polite request using '-아/어 주시겠어요?'. You could also say '죄송하지만, 도와주실 수 있나요?' which is equally polite.
3What is a polite way to check if someone has a moment before asking a favor?
Show a sample answer
잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
This literally means 'Is a moment's time okay?' and is a polite way to ask for someone's attention. '잠시 시간 괜찮으세요?' is also correct.
Use honorific forms like '하실 수 있어요?' with strangers, and '할 수 있어요?' with friends. Start requests with '죄송하지만' or '잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?' to sound polite.
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