Korean Paraphrase Confirmation: Restating Ideas with '그러니까...다는 거죠?'
Learn to restate a conversation partner's idea in your own words to confirm understanding, using Korean paraphrase patterns such as -다는 거죠?, -라는 말씀이시죠?, and -셈이네요.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you listen to Korean, understanding each word is not enough. You often need to show your partner that you have understood their meaning by saying it back in your own words. This skill is called paraphrase confirmation. In Korean it is done with endings like -다는 거죠? and -라는 말씀이시죠?, which mean roughly 'So you mean...?' or 'So what you are saying is...?'. Unlike a summary, which shortens a long argument, a paraphrase confirmation repeats the other person's core point in a new form and invites them to agree or correct you. This lesson teaches the patterns, the politeness levels, and the timing for using them naturally in conversation.
By the end, you can…
- restate a partner's idea in my own Korean words and ask for confirmation.
- choose between polite and formal paraphrase endings according to the listener and situation.
- respond when a partner corrects my paraphrase without losing the conversation flow.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
그러니까 제 말은, 시간이 없다는 거죠?
So what you mean is that you don't have time, right?
geu-reo-ni-kka je ma-reun, si-ga-ni eop-da-neun geo-jyo?
Casual-polite paraphrase confirmation between friends or close colleagues. The quoted clause takes -다는 before 거죠.
다시 말씀하시면, 계획을 바꾸시겠다는 말씀이시죠?
If I may rephrase, you are saying you will change the plan, correct?
da-si mal-sseum-ha-si-myeon, gye-hoe-geul ba-kku-si-get-da-neun mal-sseu-mi-si-jyo?
Formal polite version using 말씀 and the honorific -시-. Use with superiors, elders, or in business settings.
제가 이해한 게 맞다면, 예산이 부족하다는 뜻이네요.
If I understood correctly, that means the budget is insufficient.
je-ga i-hae-han ge mat-da-myeon, ye-san-i bu-jok-ha-da-neun tteu-si-ne-yo.
A softer confirmation that states your understanding as a conclusion rather than a direct question.
그러면 결국 처음부터 다시 시작하는 셈이네요.
So in the end, that amounts to starting over from the beginning.
geu-reo-myeon gyeol-guk cheo-eum-bu-teo da-si si-jak-ha-neun se-mi-ne-yo.
Paraphrases the practical consequence of what the partner said. Useful when the meaning is implied rather than stated.
제가 잘못 이해했으면 다시 말씀해 주세요.
If I misunderstood, please tell me again.
je-ga jal-mot i-hae-hae-sseu-myeon da-si mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
A repair phrase to use after your paraphrase is rejected. It keeps the conversation cooperative.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is a quoted clause plus -다는 거죠? or -다는 말씀이시죠?. Attach -다 to a plain declarative verb stem, then add -는 것 (shortened to 거) and 이죠?. For example, 친구가 바쁘다 (a friend is busy) becomes 친구가 바쁘다는 거죠? ('So you mean your friend is busy, right?'). With an honorific subject, use -시- inside the quote: 선생님이 오시겠다는 말씀이시죠? ('So you mean the teacher will come?'). For nouns, use -라는 instead of -다는: 다음 주가 시험이라는 거죠? ('So you mean the exam is next week?').
When to use it
Use paraphrase confirmation when the other person has given a long explanation, when their meaning is indirect, or when a decision depends on shared understanding. It is common in meetings, customer service, and serious conversations. For example, after a colleague explains a delay, you can say 일정이 일주일 미뤄진다는 거죠? ('So you mean the schedule is pushed back by one week?'). Avoid using it after every sentence, because it can sound like an interrogation. Use it at natural checkpoints, and soften it with 제가 이해한 게 맞다면 ('if I understood correctly') when you are unsure.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이번 프로젝트는 다음 주까지 끝내야 하는데, 인력이 부족해서 어려울 것 같아요.
We have to finish this project by next week, but we are short-staffed, so it looks difficult.i-beon peu-ro-jek-teu-neun da-eum ju-kka-ji kkeun-nae-ya ha-neun-de, in-nyeo-gi bu-jok-hae-seo eo-ryeo-ul geot ga-ta-yo.그러니까 인력이 부족해서 다음 주까지 끝내기 어렵다는 말씀이시죠?
So you mean that because you are short-staffed, it is difficult to finish by next week, correct?geu-reo-ni-kka in-nyeo-gi bu-jok-hae-seo da-eum ju-kka-ji kkeun-nae-gi eo-ryeop-da-neun mal-sseu-mi-si-jyo?네, 맞아요. 정확히 이해하셨어요.
Yes, that's right. You understood exactly.ne, ma-ja-yo. jeong-hwa-ki i-hae-ha-syeo-sseo-yo.그럼 결국 일정을 연장하거나 사람을 더 투입해야 하는 셈이네요.
Then in the end, that amounts to either extending the deadline or adding more people.geu-reom gyeol-guk il-jeong-eul yeon-jang-ha-geo-na sa-ra-meul deo tu-ip-hae-ya ha-neun se-mi-ne-yo.A little context goes a long way
Korean conversation often values indirect confirmation, so a paraphrase question can be a polite way to check meaning without directly challenging the speaker. With superiors, use 말씀 and -시- and keep your tone gentle; with close friends, -다는 거죠? is normal. If someone corrects you, accept it with 아, 그렇군요 ('Ah, I see') rather than defending your first interpretation, because the goal is shared understanding, not winning the point.
One thing to watch for
Using -다고요? as a neutral paraphrase confirmation in formal situations.
Try this instead: -다고요? often sounds like surprise or disagreement, as in 지금 간다고요? ('You're going now?'). For a neutral check, use -다는 거죠? or the formal -다는 말씀이시죠?. Example: 예산이 부족하다는 말씀이시죠? is a safe confirmation, while 예산이 부족하다고요? can sound doubtful.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A coworker says: 회의가 세 시로 바뀌었어요. Restate this in polite Korean to confirm understanding.
Show a sample answer
회의가 세 시로 바뀌었다는 거죠?
This uses the plain past form 바뀌었다 plus -는 거죠? to check the changed time. 바뀌었다는 말씀이시죠? is also correct in a more formal setting.
2Your manager says: 이번 주에는 보고서를 못 낼 것 같아요. Choose the more appropriate confirmation for this formal situation.
Show a sample answer
이번 주에는 보고서를 못 내신다는 말씀이시죠?
The honorific -시- and 말씀이시죠? match a formal workplace relationship. The casual -다는 거죠? would be too informal with a manager.
3Your paraphrase is wrong. What Korean phrase can you use to ask the speaker to explain again?
Show a sample answer
제가 잘못 이해했으면 다시 말씀해 주세요.
This repair phrase politely admits a possible misunderstanding and asks for repetition. 다시 설명해 주시겠어요? is another valid alternative.
Restating someone's idea in your own Korean words with -다는 거죠? or -라는 말씀이시죠? turns listening into active understanding. Match the politeness level to your listener, pause at natural checkpoints, and treat corrections as part of the conversation rather than a failure.
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