Korean Vocabulary #2 – Everyday Expressions: Essential Phrases for Polite Korean

1️⃣ Introduction

Learn 10 short and powerful Korean everyday expressions that make you sound polite, natural, and confident.

You’ll hear these every single day — in cafés, schools, and daily conversations!

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2️⃣ Vocabulary List

#	Korean	Pronunciation	Meaning
1	네	ne	Yes
2	아니요	a-ni-yo	No
3	괜찮아요	gwaen-cha-na-yo	It’s okay / I’m fine
4	정말요?	jeong-mal-lyo?	Really?
5	그렇군요	geu-reo-kku-nyo	I see / That’s right
6	알겠어요	al-get-seo-yo	I understand / Got it
7	잠시만요	jam-si-man-nyo	Just a moment (formal)
8	잠깐만요	jam-kkan-man-nyo	Wait a second (casual)
9	저기요	jeo-gi-yo	Excuse me (to call attention)
10	몰라요	mol-la-yo	I don’t know

Example Sentences

1️⃣ 네.(ne) 

→ Yes

2️⃣ 아니요, 저는 아직 안 먹었어요.(a-ni-yo, jeo-neun a-jik an meo-geot-seo-yo.) →

No, I haven’t eaten yet.

3️⃣ 괜찮아요. 나중에 해요.(gwaen-cha-na-yo. na-jung-e hae-yo.) 

→ It’s okay. Let’s do it later.

4️⃣ 정말요? (jeong-mal-lyo? ) 

→ Really?

5️⃣ 그렇군요. 저도 처음 알았어요.(geu-reo-kku-nyo. jeo-do cheo-eum a-rat-seo-yo.) 

→ I see. I didn’t know that either.

6️⃣ 알겠어요. 바로 확인해 볼게요.(al-get-seo-yo. ba-ro hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo.) 

→ Got it. I’ll check right away.

7️⃣ 잠시만요. 컴퓨터를 껐다 켤게요.

(jam-si-man-nyo. keom-pyu-teo-reul kkeot-da kyeol-ge-yo.) 

→ Just a moment. I’ll restart the computer.

8️⃣ 잠깐만요! 아직 준비 안 됐어요.

(jam-kkan-man-nyo! a-jik jun-bi an dwae-sseo-yo.) 

→ Wait a second! I’m not ready yet.

9️⃣ 저기요, 메뉴판 좀 주세요.

(jeo-gi-yo, me-nyu-pan jom ju-se-yo.) 

→ Excuse me, could I have the menu please?

1️⃣0️⃣ 몰라요. 저도 처음 들어봤어요.

(mol-la-yo. jeo-do cheo-eum deu-reo-bwa-sseo-yo.) 

→ I don’t know. It’s my first time hearing that.

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3️⃣ Expression Tips & Cultural Notes

• “네 / 아니요”Koreans respond to the statement, not the question.

  Q: “안 피곤해요?” (You’re not tired?)A: “네, 안 피곤해요.” ✅ (Yes, I’m not tired.)

• “그렇군요”Comes from 그렇다 (to be so) + 군요 (realization) 

  → shows new understanding.Softer and more natural than just “맞아요.”

  
  

• “알겠어요”Comes from 알다 (to know) + -겠- (future/intentive marker).

  Literally means “I will understand” → used as “Got it / I understand.”

  Often used to politely confirm instructions or requests.

  
  

• “잠시만요” vs “잠깐만요”Both mean “just a moment,” but

  • 잠시만요 → more polite/formal tone

  • 잠깐만요 → casual and friendly

    
    

• “저기요”Literally “over there!” — used to politely call someone’s attention (restaurant, store, public space).Tone matters: soft and clear = polite; loud or abrupt = rude.

  
  

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3️⃣ Mini Practice

Fill in the blanks.Choose the correct expression for each situation.

1️⃣ Agree politely to your teacher → ________

2️⃣ Disagree politely → ________

3️⃣ Learn new information → ________

4️⃣ Say “Really?” politely → ________

5️⃣ Confirm you understood → ________

6️⃣ Ask someone to wait briefly (formal) → ________

7️⃣ Call a waiter at a restaurant → ________

8️⃣ Say “It’s okay” when someone apologizes → ________

9️⃣ You don’t know the answer → ________

1️⃣0️⃣ Ask someone to wait casually → ________

Answers

1️⃣ 네 → Polite “Yes.”

2️⃣ 아니요 → Polite “No.”

3️⃣ 그렇군요 → Shows realization, like “I see.”

4️⃣ 정말요? → Polite surprise: “Really?”

5️⃣ 알겠어요 → Used to politely confirm understanding.

6️⃣ 잠시만요 → Polite “Just a moment.”

7️⃣ 저기요 → Used to get attention politely.

8️⃣ 괜찮아요 → Means “It’s okay.”

9️⃣ 몰라요 → “I don’t know.”

1️⃣0️⃣ 잠깐만요 → Casual, friendly “Wait a second.”

• “알겠어요” sounds polite and professional — perfect for replying to teachers or coworkers, while “알겠어” (without 요) is casual and used with close friends.

• “그렇군요” = polite realization

• “알겠어요” = polite acknowledgment

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Practice polite tone and short reaction sentences in context!

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