A2Korean

Asking for Help

These essential phrases will help you get someone's attention, ask for help, and navigate communication when you are lost or do not understand.

Key Phrases

Getting attention · 2 ways to say it

실례합니다.

polite

sillyehamnida.

Excuse me.

A memorized formal phrase, best when approaching strangers or service staff.

저기요.

neutral

jeogiyo.

Excuse me. / Over here.

The standard everyday way to call for someone's attention.

Asking for help · 2 ways to say it

좀 도와줄 수 있어요?

neutral

jom dowajul su isseoyo?

Can you help me a bit?

Use this neutral polite form to ask strangers for assistance.

좀 도와줄 수 있어?

casual

jom dowajul su isseo?

Can you help me a bit?

Only use this casual form with close friends.

Saying you are lost · 2 ways to say it

길을 잃었어요. 여기 어디예요?

neutral

gireul ireosseoyo. yeogi eodiyeyo?

I am lost. Where is this place?

Combines stating your problem with asking for your current location.

나 길을 잃었어.

casual

na gireul ireosseo.

I am lost.

Pronouns like '나' (I) are often dropped, but kept here for clarity.

Expressing lack of understanding · 2 ways to say it

미안하지만, 잘 이해할 수 없어요.

neutral

mianhajiman, jal ihaehal su eopseoyo.

I am sorry but, I cannot understand well.

Uses '-지만' (but) to gently soften the statement.

미안, 잘 이해할 수 없어.

casual

mian, jal ihaehal su eopseo.

Sorry, I can't really understand.

Asking to repeat · 2 ways to say it

다시 한 번 말해 줄 수 있어요?

neutral

dasi han beon malhae jul su isseoyo?

Can you say it one more time?

다시 한 번 말해 줄 수 있어?

casual

dasi han beon malhae jul su isseo?

Can you say it one more time?

Asking to speak slowly

천천히 말해 줄 수 있어요?

neutral

cheoncheonhi malhae jul su isseoyo?

Can you speak slowly?

Asking about language

영어로 말할 수 있어요?

neutral

yeongeoro malhal su isseoyo?

Can you speak in English?

Uses the particle '-(으)로' to mean 'in' or 'by means of'.

Practice Dialogue

Traveler
저기요, 좀 도와줄 수 있어요?
jeogiyo, jom dowajul su isseoyo?
Local
네? 어디에 가고 싶어요?
ne? eodie gago sipeoyo?
Traveler
길을 잃었어요. 서울역에 가고 싶어요.
gireul ireosseoyo. seoullyeoge gago sipeoyo.
Local
여기서 버스로 갈 수 있어요. 저기에서 타요.
yeogiseo beoseuro gal su isseoyo. jeogieseo tayo.
Traveler
미안하지만, 잘 이해할 수 없어요. 천천히 말해 줄 수 있어요?
mianhajiman, jal ihaehal su eopseoyo. cheoncheonhi malhae jul su isseoyo?
Local
아, 네. 저기에서 버스를 타고 가요.
a, ne. jeogieseo beoseureul tago gayo.
Traveler
아, 버스요? 고마워요.
a, beoseuyo? gomawoyo.
Local
네, 안녕히 가세요.
ne, annyeonghi gaseyo.

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