Korean for Confirming Understanding: 'So you're saying that...'
Learn intermediate Korean phrases to confirm what you've understood in conversation, such as '그러니까...다는 거죠?' and '제가 제대로 이해한 게 맞나요?'. Focus on checking comprehension, not asking for clarification.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you're in a Korean conversation, it's not enough to simply nod along. You need to confirm that what you've understood matches what the speaker intended. This lesson teaches you intermediate-level phrases to check your understanding, such as 'So you're saying that...' and 'If I understood correctly...'. You'll learn to use these naturally in conversations, ensuring you're on the same page without derailing the flow. We'll focus on confirmation, not asking for clarification, so you can keep the dialogue moving while making sure you've got it right.
By the end, you can…
- confirm my understanding by paraphrasing what the speaker said.
- use set phrases to check if I've understood correctly.
- respond appropriately when someone confirms or corrects my understanding.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
그러니까...다는 거죠?
So you're saying that...?
geu-reo-ni-kka ... da-neun geo-jyo?
Use after a summary of what you understood. The ellipsis is replaced by a clause. The verb before 다는 is in the plain form.
제가 제대로 이해한 게 맞나요?
Did I understand correctly?
je-ga je-dae-ro i-hae-han ge mat-na-yo?
A polite way to ask for confirmation. Use when you want to check your overall understanding.
그 말씀은 즉...라는 뜻인가요?
Does that mean...?
geu mal-sseu-meun jeuk ... ra-neun tteu-sin-ga-yo?
Use to confirm the meaning of what was said. Slightly formal; appropriate in business or polite contexts. Note: 뜻인가요? is the standard spelling; 뜻인가요 is pronounced tteu-sin-ga-yo.
제가 이해하기로는...인 것 같은데, 맞아요?
As far as I understand, it seems like..., is that right?
je-ga i-hae-ha-gi-ro-neun ... in geot ga-teun-de, ma-ja-yo?
Soften your confirmation with -ㄴ 것 같은데. Use when you're fairly sure but want to double-check. The clause before 인 것 같은데 is a noun or nominalized phrase; for a verb clause, use -는 것 같은데 instead.
다시 한번 확인해도 될까요?
Can I confirm that once more?
da-si han-beon hwa-gin-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Use when you want to repeat back what you heard to ensure accuracy. Polite and non-confrontational.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '그러니까 [clause]다는 거죠?' is a versatile way to confirm understanding. The clause before 다는 is in the plain form (e.g., 간다, 먹는다, 좋다). For example: '그러니까 내일 회의가 취소됐다는 거죠?' (So you're saying the meeting tomorrow is canceled, right?). You can also use '그러니까 [clause]다는 말씀이죠?' in more formal situations. Another pattern is '제가 이해하기로는 [clause]인 것 같은데, 맞아요?', which means 'As far as I understand, it seems like [clause], is that right?' Here, the clause before 인 것 같은데 is a noun or nominalized phrase; for a verb clause, use -는 것 같은데 (e.g., 제출해야 하는 것 같은데). These patterns allow you to paraphrase and confirm without directly asking for clarification.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you want to ensure you've correctly understood the speaker's intent, especially in important conversations like meetings, negotiations, or instructions. For example, after a colleague explains a project change, you might say: '그러니까 마감일이 다음 주로 연기됐다는 거죠?' (So you're saying the deadline has been postponed to next week, right?). If you're in a more formal setting, use '그 말씀은 즉...라는 뜻인가요?' (Does that mean...?). Avoid using these phrases when you genuinely didn't hear or need clarification; instead, ask for repetition. These are for confirmation, not clarification.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이번 프로젝트는 예산이 부족해서 일부 기능을 빼야 할 것 같아요.
For this project, due to budget shortages, we'll probably have to remove some features.i-beon peu-ro-jek-teu-neun ye-san-i bu-jok-hae-seo il-bu gi-neung-eul ppae-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.그러니까 예산 문제로 기능을 줄여야 한다는 거죠?
So you're saying we have to reduce features because of budget issues, right?geu-reo-ni-kka ye-san mun-je-ro gi-neung-eul jul-yeo-ya han-da-neun geo-jyo?네, 맞아요. 정확히 이해하셨어요.
Yes, that's right. You understood correctly.ne, ma-ja-yo. jeong-hwak-hi i-hae-ha-syeo-sseo-yo.제가 이해하기로는 다음 주까지 수정된 계획을 제출해야 하는 것 같은데, 맞나요?
As far as I understand, we need to submit the revised plan by next week, is that right?je-ga i-hae-ha-gi-ro-neun da-eum ju-kka-ji su-jeong-doen gye-hoek-eul je-chul-hae-ya ha-neun geot ga-teun-de, mat-na-yo?A little context goes a long way
In Korean, confirming understanding is often done indirectly to maintain harmony. Using phrases like '그러니까...다는 거죠?' shows you're engaged and respectful. It's common to use the plain form in the clause before 다는, even in polite conversation, because you're quoting or paraphrasing. However, when speaking to someone of higher status, you might use '...다고요?' or '...다는 말씀이세요?' to add extra politeness. Also, Koreans may use '그러니까' to mean 'that's why' or 'so', but in this context, it introduces a confirmation. Be mindful of your tone; a rising intonation is essential for a question.
One thing to watch for
Using '그러니까' as a direct translation of 'so' in all contexts, leading to confusion.
Try this instead: In confirmation phrases, '그러니까' means 'so you're saying that...' and is followed by a clause in the plain form plus 다는 거죠?. For example, '그러니까 내일 비가 온다는 거죠?' (So you're saying it will rain tomorrow, right?). Don't use it as a simple conjunction like '그래서' (so/therefore).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you confirm that you understood someone said the event is canceled?
Show a sample answer
그러니까 행사가 취소됐다는 거죠?
This uses the pattern '그러니까 [clause]다는 거죠?' with the clause '행사가 취소됐다' (the event is canceled) in the plain form. Alternative: '행사가 취소된 거 맞죠?' is also correct but less explicit.
2What phrase would you use to politely ask if you understood correctly in a business meeting?
Show a sample answer
제가 제대로 이해한 게 맞나요?
This is a polite and direct way to ask for confirmation. In a more formal setting, you could also say '제가 이해한 것이 맞습니까?' but the provided answer is appropriate for most business situations.
3Translate: 'So you're saying that we need to submit the report by Friday, right?'
Show a sample answer
그러니까 금요일까지 보고서를 제출해야 한다는 거죠?
This uses the confirmation pattern with the clause '금요일까지 보고서를 제출해야 한다' (must submit the report by Friday). The plain form '한다' is used before '다는 거죠?'. Alternative: '금요일까지 보고서 제출해야 하는 거죠?' is also acceptable but slightly different nuance.
Use '그러니까...다는 거죠?' and similar phrases to confirm your understanding without asking for clarification. Paraphrase what you heard and check with a rising intonation. This keeps conversations smooth and shows you're actively listening.
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