Korean for Structured Meetings: Making a Suggestion Politely
Learn formal Korean phrases to offer a suggestion or add a point in structured meetings, using -겠습니다 and -아/어도 될까요 while respecting turn-taking.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In structured meetings, such as team briefings or formal discussions, you often need to signal that you want to contribute. Korean has specific polite patterns for this. This lesson teaches you how to say 'I have a suggestion' and 'Can I add something?' using formal endings like -겠습니다 and the permission pattern -아/어도 될까요. You will also learn how to acknowledge the previous speaker and yield the floor, so your contribution fits the turn-taking norms of Korean formal conversation.
By the end, you can…
- politely announce that I have a suggestion in a formal meeting.
- ask permission to add a point using -아/어도 될까요.
- acknowledge the previous speaker before making my contribution.
- yield the floor to someone else after speaking.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
제안이 하나 있습니다.
I have a suggestion.
je-an-i ha-na it-seum-ni-da
Formal polite. Use when you want to introduce a suggestion in a meeting. Literally 'There is one suggestion.'
한 가지 더 말씀드려도 될까요?
May I add one more thing?
han ga-ji deo mal-sseum-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo
Very polite permission request. Use when you want to add a point after someone else has spoken.
말씀하신 내용에 덧붙여도 될까요?
May I add to what you said?
mal-sseum-ha-sin nae-yong-e deot-but-yeo-do doel-kka-yo
Shows you listened and want to build on the previous speaker's point. Formal and respectful.
잠시 말씀드려도 될까요?
May I say something for a moment?
jam-si mal-sseum-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo
A general polite way to request the floor. Use when you are not sure if it is your turn.
제 차례가 되면 말씀드리겠습니다.
I will speak when it is my turn.
je cha-rye-ga doe-myeon mal-sseum-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da
Shows respect for turn-taking. Use when you want to wait rather than interrupt.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern -아/어도 될까요? means 'May I...?' and is used to ask permission politely. Attach it to a verb stem: 말씀드리다 (to speak, humble) becomes 말씀드려도 될까요? (May I speak?). 덧붙이다 (to add) becomes 덧붙여도 될까요? (May I add?). This pattern is softer than -아/어도 되나요? and is appropriate for formal meetings. For suggestions, use -겠습니다: 제안하겠습니다 (I will suggest), 말씀드리겠습니다 (I will speak). These endings show determination and politeness.
When to use it
Use these phrases when the meeting follows a structured turn-taking order, such as a formal briefing or a chaired discussion. If you want to speak before your turn, first acknowledge the previous speaker: 말씀 잘 들었습니다 (I heard you well). Then ask permission: 한 가지 더 말씀드려도 될까요? If the chair says 네, 말씀하세요 (Yes, please speak), you may proceed. Avoid interrupting with just a suggestion; in Korean formal settings, asking permission first is expected. If you are not called on, you can say 제 차례가 되면 말씀드리겠습니다 to show patience.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
말씀 잘 들었습니다. 제안이 하나 있습니다.
I heard you well. I have a suggestion.mal-sseum jal deu-reot-seum-ni-da. je-an-i ha-na it-seum-ni-da.네, 말씀하세요.
Yes, please speak.ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.이 부분은 다음 주에 다시 논의하는 게 어떨까요?
How about discussing this part again next week?i bu-bun-eun da-eum ju-e da-si non-ui-ha-neun ge eo-tteol-kka-yo?좋은 제안입니다. 그렇게 하시죠.
That's a good suggestion. Let's do that.jo-eun je-an-im-ni-da. geu-reo-ke ha-si-jyo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean formal meetings, hierarchy and turn-taking are often strict. Using humble verbs like 말씀드리다 and polite endings like -겠습니다 shows respect. It is common to acknowledge the previous speaker before adding your point. Interrupting without permission can be seen as rude, especially to a senior. If you are unsure, wait to be called on or ask politely.
One thing to watch for
Saying '제안이 있어요' and immediately speaking without permission.
Try this instead: In formal meetings, first ask permission: '제안이 하나 있는데 말씀드려도 될까요?' (I have a suggestion; may I speak?). Then wait for a response like '네, 말씀하세요' before continuing.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask 'May I add one more thing?' in a formal meeting?
Show a sample answer
한 가지 더 말씀드려도 될까요?
This uses the permission pattern -아/어도 될까요? with the humble verb 말씀드리다. It is polite and appropriate for formal settings. Other variations like '한 가지 더 말씀드려도 되겠습니까?' are also correct but more formal.
2What should you say to acknowledge the previous speaker before making your point?
Show a sample answer
말씀 잘 들었습니다.
This means 'I heard you well' and shows respect. You can also say '말씀 감사합니다' (Thank you for your words). Both are acceptable, but '말씀 잘 들었습니다' is common in meetings.
3If it is not your turn yet, how can you show you will wait?
Show a sample answer
제 차례가 되면 말씀드리겠습니다.
This means 'I will speak when it is my turn.' It demonstrates respect for turn-taking. Alternatively, you can say '나중에 말씀드리겠습니다' (I will speak later), which is also polite.
In formal Korean meetings, always ask permission before contributing: use -아/어도 될까요? and humble verbs like 말씀드리다. Acknowledge the previous speaker, and wait for your turn if needed.
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