Korean for Polite Meeting Interruptions: How to Say 'May I Add Something?'
Learn formal Korean phrases to interrupt politely in meetings, using honorifics and softeners. Master expressions like 'May I add something?' and navigate hierarchical settings with confidence.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Korean business meetings, interrupting requires more than just the right words—it demands awareness of hierarchy, honorifics, and indirectness. Unlike casual conversations, formal interruptions use specific patterns to show respect and avoid seeming aggressive. This lesson teaches you how to politely interject, ask for permission to speak, and add your thoughts in formal settings. You'll learn key phrases, the grammar behind them, and cultural nuances to ensure your interruptions are both effective and respectful.
By the end, you can…
- politely interrupt a meeting using formal Korean phrases.
- use honorifics and softeners appropriately when interjecting.
- ask for permission to add a point and respond to interruptions.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
잠시 말씀드려도 될까요?
May I say something for a moment?
Jam-si mal-sseum-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
A polite way to request permission to speak. Use in formal meetings with superiors.
한 가지 덧붙여도 될까요?
May I add one thing?
Han ga-ji deot-bu-chyeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Specifically for adding a point. '덧붙이다' means to add or append.
죄송하지만, 한 말씀 드려도 될까요?
Sorry, but may I say a word?
Joe-song-ha-ji-man, han mal-sseum deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Starts with an apology to soften the interruption. Use when the meeting is intense.
제 의견을 말씀드려도 괜찮을까요?
Would it be okay if I share my opinion?
Je ui-gyeon-eul mal-sseum-deu-ryeo-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Asks for permission to give an opinion. Very polite and deferential.
잠깐만요, 제가 한 가지 말씀드릴 게 있습니다.
Just a moment, I have something to say.
Jam-kkan-man-yo, je-ga han ga-ji mal-sseum-deu-ril ge it-seum-ni-da.
A slightly more direct but still polite way to interject. Use when you need to speak urgently.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '-아/어도 될까요?' is used to ask for permission politely. Attach it to the stem of a verb. For example, '말씀드리다' (to speak, humble) becomes '말씀드려도 될까요?' (May I speak?). Similarly, '덧붙이다' (to add) becomes '덧붙여도 될까요?' (May I add?). This pattern softens your request and shows respect. Another pattern is '-ㄹ 게 있습니다' to state that you have something to say, as in '말씀드릴 게 있습니다' (I have something to say).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you need to interject in a formal meeting, especially with superiors or clients. For instance, if a senior manager is speaking and you have a relevant point, you can say '잠시 말씀드려도 될까요?' to request permission. If the meeting is less hierarchical but still formal, '한 가지 덧붙여도 될까요?' works well. Avoid using casual interruptions like '잠깐만' without the polite ending; it can sound rude. Always consider the relative status of the person you're interrupting.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이번 프로젝트의 예산에 대해 논의하겠습니다.
We will discuss the budget for this project.I-beon peu-ro-jek-teu-ui ye-san-e dae-hae non-ui-ha-get-seum-ni-da.죄송하지만, 잠시 말씀드려도 될까요?
Sorry, but may I say something for a moment?Joe-song-ha-ji-man, jam-si mal-sseum-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?네, 말씀하세요.
Yes, please go ahead.Ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.예산을 조정할 필요가 있을 것 같습니다. 한 가지 덧붙여도 될까요?
I think we need to adjust the budget. May I add one thing?Ye-san-eul jo-jeong-hal pil-yo-ga it-seul geot gat-seum-ni-da. Han ga-ji deot-bu-chyeo-do doel-kka-yo?A little context goes a long way
In Korean corporate culture, hierarchy often dictates who can speak and when. Interrupting a superior can be risky, so using highly polite and indirect phrases is crucial. Additionally, using humble verbs like '말씀드리다' instead of '말하다' shows respect. It's also common to preface interruptions with an apology, such as '죄송하지만'. Being too direct, even with polite endings, might be perceived as challenging authority. Therefore, always gauge the atmosphere and adjust your level of politeness accordingly.
One thing to watch for
Using the casual '잠깐만' (jam-kkan-man) to interrupt in a formal meeting.
Try this instead: Use the polite '잠시만요' (jam-si-man-yo) or better, '잠시 말씀드려도 될까요?' to ask for permission. For example, instead of saying '잠깐만, 제 생각은...', say '잠시 말씀드려도 될까요? 제 생각은...'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask to add a point in a meeting?
Show a sample answer
한 가지 덧붙여도 될까요?
This phrase directly asks for permission to add something. Other variations like '한 가지 말씀드려도 될까요?' are also acceptable, but '덧붙이다' specifically means to add.
2What is the honorific way to say 'I have something to say'?
Show a sample answer
말씀드릴 게 있습니다.
Using '말씀드리다' (humble form of 'to speak') and the pattern '-ㄹ 게 있습니다' makes it polite. A less formal alternative is '할 말이 있어요', but it's not suitable for formal meetings.
3Why is '잠깐만' inappropriate in a formal meeting?
Show a sample answer
Because it is casual and can sound rude to superiors.
'잠깐만' is a casual way to say 'wait a moment'. In formal settings, use '잠시만요' or a full polite phrase like '잠시 말씀드려도 될까요?'. The casual form might be acceptable among close colleagues, but not in hierarchical situations.
Always use polite permission-asking patterns like '-아/어도 될까요?' and humble verbs to interrupt in Korean meetings. When in doubt, be more formal rather than less.
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