Korean: Interrupt Politely When You Need to Speak Right Now
Learn elementary Korean phrases to cut in politely when you must say something urgent, using 죄송하지만, 잠깐만요, and 한마디만 할게요 without sounding rude.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Sometimes you must speak immediately: the bus is leaving, someone gave the wrong address, or you have a safety concern. In Korean, interrupting is not just about saying the words; it is about softening the interruption with an apology or a request for a short moment. This lesson teaches five elementary phrases for urgent interruptions, plus how they differ from changing the topic. You will practice polite forms for strangers and casual forms for friends, and learn why a short pause after the phrase matters.
By the end, you can…
- interrupt politely in Korean when I need to say something urgent.
- choose between polite and casual interruption phrases for different listeners.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
죄송하지만 잠깐만요.
Sorry, but just a moment.
joe-song-ha-ji-man jam-kkan-man-yo
Polite and safe with strangers, teachers, or staff. Use it to pause the other person before you speak.
죄송한데, 한마디만 할게요.
Sorry, but let me just say one thing.
joe-song-han-de, han-ma-di-man hal-ge-yo
Polite but slightly more direct. Good when you have one urgent point and do not want a long discussion.
잠시 실례하겠습니다.
Excuse me for a moment.
jam-si sil-lye-ha-get-seum-ni-da
Formal and appropriate in meetings, classrooms, or public announcements. It signals a brief, necessary interruption.
잠깐만, 급한 일이 있어서요.
Wait a second, it's because I have something urgent.
jam-kkan-man, geu-pan i-ri i-sseo-seo-yo
Polite casual. Use with people you know well when the reason is urgent and you need immediate attention.
끼어들어서 미안한데, 하나만 물어볼게.
Sorry to cut in, but I'll ask just one thing.
kki-eo-deu-reo-seo mi-an-han-de, ha-na-man mu-reo-bol-ge
Casual, for close friends or people younger than you. Do not use this with strangers or in formal settings.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A polite interruption in Korean often has three parts: an apology or attention word, a short request, and your urgent point. For example, 죄송하지만 잠깐만요. (Sorry, but just a moment.) Then you add your point: 표를 잘못 샀어요. (I bought the wrong ticket.) The phrase 잠깐만요 literally means 'just a moment,' but in conversation it works like 'excuse me, may I interrupt?' You can also use 잠시만요 (jam-si-man-yo) in the same way. If you need to add information, say 한마디만 할게요 (han-ma-di-man hal-ge-yo), which means 'I will say just one thing.' The verb 하다 (hada, 'to do') becomes 할게요 (hal-ge-yo, 'I will do') in this polite promise form.
When to use it
Use these phrases when waiting would cause a problem: the other person is about to leave, you have the wrong information, or there is a safety issue. They are not for changing the topic. If you simply want to talk about something else, say 그런데 (geu-reon-de, 'by the way') or 다른 얘기인데 (da-reun yae-gi-in-de, 'this is a different topic'). Interrupting with 죄송하지만 잠깐만요 signals that your point is immediate. After you say it, pause briefly. If the other person says 네 (ne, 'yes') or 왜요? (wae-yo?, 'why?'), then give your urgent point. With close friends, 잠깐만 (jam-kkan-man) alone is common, but with strangers it can sound abrupt.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
죄송하지만 잠깐만요.
Sorry, but just a moment.joe-song-ha-ji-man jam-kkan-man-yo네, 왜요?
Yes, what is it?ne, wae-yo?급한 일이 있어서요. 표를 잘못 샀어요.
It's because I have something urgent. I bought the wrong ticket.geu-pan i-ri i-sseo-seo-yo. pyo-reul jal-mot sa-sseo-yo.아, 그래요? 다시 사야 돼요.
Oh, really? You need to buy it again.a, geu-rae-yo? da-si sa-ya dwae-yo.A little context goes a long way
Korean politeness often depends on age and relationship. With strangers or people older than you, use 죄송하지만 잠깐만요 or 잠시 실례하겠습니다. With close friends, 잠깐만 or 끼어들어서 미안한데 is natural. A short apology before the interruption is usually expected, even when the matter is urgent.
One thing to watch for
Using 잠깐만 alone with a stranger or in a formal meeting.
Try this instead: 잠깐만 is fine with close friends, but with strangers or in formal situations say 죄송하지만 잠깐만요 or 잠시 실례하겠습니다. For example, at a service counter: 죄송하지만 잠깐만요. 질문이 있어요. (Sorry, but just a moment. I have a question.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You need to stop a stranger who is walking away because they dropped their wallet. Which phrase is most appropriate?
Show a sample answer
죄송하지만 잠깐만요.
This is polite and clear with a stranger. 잠깐만 alone could sound too casual or abrupt in this situation.
2You are in a formal meeting and must add one urgent point. Which phrase fits best?
Show a sample answer
잠시 실례하겠습니다.
This formal phrase signals a brief, necessary interruption. 죄송한데, 한마디만 할게요 is more direct and less formal.
3Your close friend is talking quickly, and you need to ask one urgent question. Which casual phrase can you use?
Show a sample answer
끼어들어서 미안한데, 하나만 물어볼게.
This casual phrase is appropriate with close friends. With a stranger or an older person, use a polite form such as 죄송하지만 잠깐만요.
To interrupt politely in Korean, start with an apology or attention word, ask for a short moment, then give your urgent point. Choose polite forms with strangers and casual forms with close friends.
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