How to Say "A Little Bit" in Korean

조금

jogeum[t͡ɕo̞ɡɯm]

The English phrase "a little bit" is expressed in Korean as 조금 (jogeum).

조금 is used to describe a small quantity of an object or a short duration of time.

Which one should you use?

While 조금 is the standard form, the contraction 좀 is much more common in casual, everyday conversation.

By adding the particle -씩 to 조금, you create the word 조금씩, which means "little by little" or "gradually".

jogeum

Depending on the intonation, 좀 can be used to express frustration or annoyance when someone is taking too long or behaving poorly, effectively meaning 'give me a break'.
In Korean, the word 좀 is often used as a 'politeness softener' to make requests sound less demanding, even when the speaker does not actually mean 'a little bit'.
The word 조금 has been recorded in written Korean since at least 1489 in the medical text Gugeupganibang eonhae.

그녀는 프랑스어도 조금 할 줄 안다.
She can also speak a little bit of French.
This example shows how to use 조금 to describe a limited ability to speak a language.
Tatoeba #11104615 by intertime, translation #7799626 by sharris123
조금 기다려 주세요.
Please wait a little bit.
너, 밥 좀 먹을래?
Do you want to eat some rice?
아니, 조금 먹을게.
No, I'll eat a little bit.
아니, 조금만 마실게.
No, I'll drink a little bit.
조금 전에 갔어.
I went a little while ago.
매운 음식을 조금 먹었어요.
maeun eumsigeul jogeum meogeosseoyo.
I ate a little bit of spicy food.
숙제가 조금 남았어요.
sukjega jogeum namasseoyo.
There is a little bit of homework left.

Subin and Dohyeon are at a cafe discussing their work.

수빈 Su-bin

도현 씨, 바빠요?
Dohyeon ssi, bappayo?
Dohyeon, are you busy?
도현 Do-hyeon

네, 일이 조금 있어요.
Ne, iri jogeum isseoyo.
Yes, I have a little bit of work.
수빈 Su-bin

그럼 나중에 이야기해요.
Geureom najunge iyagihaeyo.
Then let's talk later.
도현 Do-hyeon

좋아요, 수빈 씨.
Joayo, Subin ssi.
Sounds good, Subin.

Sources

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