In this speaking workshop, you will practice polite Korean expressions for getting someone's attention, asking a quick question, and understanding a short answer about a location. You will hear short recorded lines and use them in guided speaking tasks. The focus is on speaking clearly and politely, not on grammar rules. You can play both roles in the practice tasks, and you can use the answer keys to check yourself.
Getting Attention Politely
The first step in many conversations is getting someone's attention without being rude. A short polite call is often enough. Listen to «저기요» and repeat it slowly. This line is used to call a server, clerk, or stranger from a short distance; it is casual-polite, so avoid it with people clearly older than you or in very formal settings. Next, listen to «실례합니다». This is a polite way to interrupt, enter a room, squeeze past someone, or ask a stranger a question, and it is more formal than «저기요». Then listen to «잠시만요». This line means 'Just a moment, please' or 'Excuse me for a second', and it asks for a brief pause before you speak. Finally, listen to «죄송하지만». This is a soft interruption before a request or question; it is not an apology for a mistake, but it signals 'I'm sorry to bother you, but...'. Practice each line with a calm, friendly tone. Keep your voice clear and not too loud.
A Short Exchange: Excuse Me and a Reply
Now you will hear a short exchange between two speakers. Speaker A gets attention, and Speaker B responds. Listen to «저기요, 잠시만요.». Speaker A says a polite phrase to get attention and ask for a moment. Then listen to «네, 무슨 일이세요?». Speaker B answers and asks what they can do. Notice that Speaker B is ready to help. When you practice, try to match the polite tone. Do not rush. Say «저기요, 잠시만요.» clearly, then pause, and answer with «네, 무슨 일이세요?». You can also switch roles: play Speaker B first, then Speaker A. This helps you hear the rhythm of a short polite exchange.
Asking Where a Place Is
After getting attention, you may want to ask where something is. Listen to «실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?». Speaker A politely asks where the subway station is. The phrase includes a polite opening and a question about location. Then listen to «저기 은행 옆에 있어요.». Speaker B answers that it is over there next to the bank. This answer gives a general direction and a nearby landmark. When you practice, say «실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?» slowly and clearly. Then listen to «저기 은행 옆에 있어요.» and repeat it. Pay attention to the location words. You are not required to create new sentences; use the recorded lines as your model.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
저기요
Excuse me (to call someone over)
jeo-gi-yo
실례합니다
Excuse me / Pardon me (polite intrusion)
sil-lye-ham-ni-da
잠시만요
Just a moment, please / Excuse me for a second
jam-si-man-yo
죄송하지만
I'm sorry, but... (soft interruption)
joe-song-ha-ji-man
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
저기요, 잠시만요.
Excuse me, just a moment.네, 무슨 일이세요?
Yes, what can I do for you?실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?
Excuse me, by any chance, where is the subway station?저기 은행 옆에 있어요.
It's over there next to the bank.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Get Attention and Respond
You will play both roles in a short polite exchange. Use the recorded lines «저기요, 잠시만요.» and «네, 무슨 일이세요?». Imagine you are in a public place and you need to ask a quick question.
Your task: First, play the role of Speaker A. Say «저기요, 잠시만요.» clearly. Then pause and play the role of Speaker B. Say «네, 무슨 일이세요?». Repeat the exchange two more times. Then switch roles: start with «네, 무슨 일이세요?» as Speaker B, and answer with «저기요, 잠시만요.» as Speaker A. Focus on a polite tone and a short pause between the two lines.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Response
You will hear a question and choose the correct reply from two options. The question is «실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?». The two possible replies are «저기 은행 옆에 있어요.» and «네, 무슨 일이세요?». Only one reply matches the question about a location.
Your task: Listen to «실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?» again. Then read the two options: «저기 은행 옆에 있어요.» and «네, 무슨 일이세요?». Which one is a suitable reply to a question about where the subway station is? Say your chosen reply out loud. Then say the other reply out loud and notice that it is a general response to getting attention, not a location answer.
Recall and Role Play: Ask and Answer About a Location
You will recall the location question and answer from memory. Use «실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?» and «저기 은행 옆에 있어요.». Imagine you are Speaker A asking about the subway station, and then Speaker B answering.
Your task: First, play Speaker A. Without looking at the text, try to say «실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?» from memory. Then play Speaker B and say «저기 은행 옆에 있어요.» from memory. If you forget, replay the recordings and try once more. After that, switch roles: play Speaker B first with «저기 은행 옆에 있어요.», then Speaker A with «실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?». Keep the same polite tone.
Common questions
Can I use these phrases with anyone?
These recorded lines are polite and can be used in many everyday situations when you need to get attention or ask a quick question. However, the right choice can depend on the situation. For example, «저기요» is used to call someone over from a short distance, but it is casual-polite, so avoid it with people clearly older than you or in very formal settings. «죄송하지만» is a softer way to begin an interruption before a request or question. Listen to the tone and choose the line that fits the moment.
What if I do not understand the reply?
If you do not understand a reply, you can politely ask the person to repeat or speak slowly. In this workshop, you practiced «실례합니다, 혹시 지하철역이 어디예요?» and «저기 은행 옆에 있어요.». If someone answers with a location you do not know, you can use «잠시만요» to ask for a brief pause, and then ask again. It is fine to take your time and use the recorded lines as models.
Sources and further reading
- korean: excuse me getting attentionChecked September 2026
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