In Korean, leaving a gathering early is usually softened with a short reason and a polite ending. This workshop gives you three short tasks using real recorded lines. You will first say a polite excuse yourself, then listen to a short exchange and choose the correct reply, and finally recall who says what. Each task includes a clear answer so you can check yourself. You can play both roles with the audio, so speak aloud and compare with the model lines.
Giving a Reason Before You Go
A common pattern is to name a reason, then add a polite ending that means you have to go. The reason comes first, and the ending shows you are not leaving suddenly. For example, «내일 아침에 회의가 있어서 먼저 가야 해요.» means the speaker has a meeting tomorrow morning, so they must leave first. This is polite and works at work or with acquaintances. A softer, more indirect option is «죄송하지만 이만 가 봐야 할 것 같아요.», which means the speaker is sorry but feels they should get going now. Use this when you do not want to give a detailed reason. When you leave a gathering to go home, «오늘은 이만 들어가야 해요.» is natural and simply says you have to go home now. If you have plans, «약속이 있어서 먼저 일어나야 해요.» says you have plans, so you have to get up first. All four lines are useful when you want to end a conversation politely.
Understanding a Friend's Excuse and Replying
When someone tells you they have to leave, a short, warm reply keeps the mood friendly. In the recorded exchange, speaker A says «오늘 정말 재미있었어요. 그런데 내일 아침에 회의가 있어서 먼저 가야 해요.», which means it was really fun today, but they have a meeting tomorrow morning, so they have to leave first. Speaker B answers with «아, 그래요? 알겠어요. 먼저 가세요.», meaning oh, really, I understand, go ahead first. Speaker A then says «죄송해요. 다음에 또 봬요.», which means sorry, see you again next time. Speaker B closes with «네, 조심히 들어가세요.», meaning yes, get home safely. Notice that B does not try to stop A or ask for more details. B simply accepts the reason and says a kind goodbye. This is a common and comfortable way to respond.
Choosing the Right Level of Politeness
The lines in this workshop use polite endings, so they fit coworkers, acquaintances, and many friendly situations. «내일 아침에 회의가 있어서 먼저 가야 해요.» and «약속이 있어서 먼저 일어나야 해요.» give a clear reason, while «죄송하지만 이만 가 봐야 할 것 같아요.» is more indirect and gentle. «오늘은 이만 들어가야 해요.» is simple and natural when you are heading home. In the exchange, «아, 그래요? 알겠어요. 먼저 가세요.» shows that a short acceptance is enough, and «네, 조심히 들어가세요.» adds a warm wish for the other person's safe trip home. You do not need a long explanation. A short reason plus a polite goodbye is usually enough. Practice saying each line aloud, then try switching roles so you can both give and receive the excuse.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
내일 아침에 회의가 있어서 먼저 가야 해요.
I have a meeting tomorrow morning, so I have to leave first.
nae-il a-chim-e hoe-ui-ga iss-eo-seo meon-jeo ga-ya hae-yo
죄송하지만 이만 가 봐야 할 것 같아요.
I'm sorry, but I think I should get going now.
joe-song-ha-ji-man i-man ga bwa-ya hal geot gat-a-yo
오늘은 이만 들어가야 해요.
I have to go home now.
o-neul-eun i-man deul-eo-ga-ya hae-yo
약속이 있어서 먼저 일어나야 해요.
I have plans, so I have to get up first.
yak-sok-i iss-eo-seo meon-jeo il-eo-na-ya hae-yo
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
오늘 정말 재미있었어요. 그런데 내일 아침에 회의가 있어서 먼저 가야 해요.
It was really fun today. But I have a meeting tomorrow morning, so I have to leave first.아, 그래요? 알겠어요. 먼저 가세요.
Oh, really? I understand. Go ahead first.죄송해요. 다음에 또 봬요.
Sorry. See you again next time.네, 조심히 들어가세요.
Yes, get home safely.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Say Your Own Polite Excuse
Imagine you are at a casual gathering with coworkers. It is getting late, and you want to leave first. You have a meeting tomorrow morning.
Your task: Say a polite excuse using the pattern from the recording. Start with the reason, then add the polite ending. Use the recorded line «내일 아침에 회의가 있어서 먼저 가야 해요.» as your model.
Listen and Choose the Correct Reply
You will hear a short exchange. Speaker A says it was fun but has a meeting tomorrow morning and must leave first. Speaker B replies.
Your task: Listen to the exchange. Then choose the correct reply from B. Is it «아, 그래요? 알겠어요. 먼저 가세요.» or «네, 조심히 들어가세요.»? Say your choice aloud.
Recall Who Says What
Think back to the recorded exchange. There are two speakers: A, who is leaving, and B, who is staying.
Your task: Without looking at the lines, say who says each of these: «내일 아침에 회의가 있어서 먼저 가야 해요.», «아, 그래요? 알겠어요. 먼저 가세요.», «죄송해요. 다음에 또 봬요.», and «네, 조심히 들어가세요.» Then say each line in the correct role.
Common questions
Do I always need to give a reason when I leave a Korean gathering?
Not always, but a short reason makes the exit smoother and more polite. The recorded lines show simple reasons like a meeting, plans, or going home. You can choose the one that fits your situation.
What should I say when someone tells me they have to leave?
A short, warm reply is enough. The recorded exchange shows that accepting the reason and saying a kind goodbye works well. You can say «아, 그래요? 알겠어요. 먼저 가세요.» and then «네, 조심히 들어가세요.»
Sources and further reading
- korean: making excuses to leaveChecked September 2026
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