Korean for Professional Orders: Polite Workplace Etiquette
Learn to order food or supplies politely in Korean workplace settings, using honorifics and appropriate formal speech levels.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In Korean workplaces, ordering food or supplies involves more than just stating what you want. It requires using honorifics and formal speech levels to show respect to colleagues and superiors. This lesson teaches you how to order professionally, distinguishing between casual and polite forms. You'll learn key phrases, patterns, and cultural nuances to navigate business meals and office requests smoothly.
By the end, you can…
- order food or supplies politely in a Korean workplace using formal speech.
- use honorific verbs and appropriate titles when making requests to superiors or colleagues.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
주문하시겠습니까?
Would you like to order?
ju-mun-ha-si-get-seum-ni-kka?
Used by staff to ask if you're ready to order. Respond politely.
저는 비빔밥으로 하겠습니다.
I will have bibimbap.
jeo-neun bi-bim-bap-eu-ro ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Polite way to order your own dish. '으로 하겠습니다' means 'I'll go with'.
김 부장님은 뭘 드시겠어요?
What would you like to eat, Manager Kim?
gim bu-jang-nim-eun mwol deu-si-get-eo-yo?
Ask a superior's preference using honorific '드시다' and title '부장님'.
커피 한 잔 주시겠어요?
Could you give me a cup of coffee?
keo-pi han jan ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Polite request using '주시겠어요?' for service.
회의실로 갖다 주세요.
Please deliver it to the meeting room.
hoe-ui-sil-lo gat-da ju-se-yo.
Request delivery politely with '주세요'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'Noun + 으로 하겠습니다' is a polite way to state your choice when ordering. For example, '불고기로 하겠습니다' (I'll have bulgogi). To ask others, use '뭘 드시겠어요?' with honorific '드시다'. For requests, '주시겠어요?' is more polite than '주세요'. Example: '물 좀 주시겠어요?' (Could you give me some water?).
When to use it
Use formal speech (합니다/해요 style) with superiors and in professional settings. When ordering for a group, ask each person's preference using honorifics: '김 과장님은 뭘 드시겠어요?' For phone orders to restaurants, use '주문할게요' (I'd like to order) politely. Avoid casual '먹을래' with colleagues unless you're close.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
점심 메뉴 정하셨어요?
Have you decided on lunch menu?jeom-sim me-nyu jeong-ha-syeot-eo-yo?네, 저는 김치찌개로 하겠습니다. 부장님은요?
Yes, I'll have kimchi stew. What about you, Manager?ne, jeo-neun gim-chi-jji-gae-ro ha-get-seum-ni-da. bu-jang-nim-eun-yo?저도 같은 걸로 주문해 주세요.
Please order the same for me.jeo-do gat-eun geol-lo ju-mun-hae ju-se-yo.알겠습니다. 김치찌개 두 개 주문하겠습니다.
Okay. I'll order two kimchi stews.al-get-seum-ni-da. gim-chi-jji-gae du gae ju-mun-ha-get-seum-ni-da.A little context goes a long way
In Korean workplaces, age and hierarchy influence speech. Using honorifics with superiors is expected. When ordering, it's common for the most junior person to place the order, but they should confirm choices with seniors first. Tipping is not customary in Korea.
One thing to watch for
Using casual '먹을래?' to a superior.
Try this instead: Use honorific '드시겠어요?' instead. For example, '부장님, 뭘 드시겠어요?' is polite.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask a colleague what they want to order?
Show a sample answer
뭘 드시겠어요?
This uses honorific '드시다' and polite ending '겠어요?'. Alternatively, '뭘 주문하시겠어요?' is also correct.
2Translate: 'I will have bulgogi.' (polite)
Show a sample answer
저는 불고기로 하겠습니다.
'으로 하겠습니다' is a polite way to state your choice. You could also say '불고기 주문할게요' in a more casual polite style.
3What is wrong with saying '커피 줘' to a superior?
Show a sample answer
It's too casual and direct. Use '커피 주시겠어요?' instead.
'줘' is imperative casual; '주시겠어요?' is polite and honorific.
Always use honorifics and formal speech when ordering in Korean professional settings. Confirm choices with superiors and use polite request forms like '주시겠어요?'.
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