What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잠시 (a moment) and the particle 만 (only/just), followed by the polite ending 요.
Which one should you use?
While 잠시만요 is polite and slightly more formal, 잠깐만요 is a common, slightly more casual alternative used in daily conversation. For even more specific levels of politeness, 잠시만 기다려주세요 is a polite and formal way to say 'Please hold on for a moment,' whereas 잠깐만 기다려 is an informal way to say 'Hold on for a moment.' Additionally, 잠시만 is a casual expression meaning 'just a moment.'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
잠시만요 is a polite way to ask someone to wait or to get through a crowd. Because it ends in the polite particle 요, it can be used toward strangers or people older than you without being rude.
How do you pronounce it?
jamsimanyo
When do people say it?
In Korea, 잠시만요 is frequently used as 'excuse me' when you need to pass through a crowded space, such as a subway car or a busy street.
Did you know?
- When using 잠시만요 to pass through a crowd, Koreans often avoid direct eye contact with the people they are pushing past to minimize the feeling of intrusion.
- While 잠시만요 and 잠깐만요 both mean 'wait a moment', 잠깐 originally referred to a very short duration of time, like the blink of an eye.
- The word 만 in 잠시만요 literally means 'only', so you are technically saying 'Just a moment only'.
Examples in context
- 잠시만 기다려주세요.Please hold on for a moment.
- 잠깐만 기다려.Hold on for a moment.
- 잠시만 좀Just a moment, please.
- 잠시만요, 전화 왔어요.jam-si-man-yo, jeon-hwa wat-eo-yo.Hold on, a phone call is coming in.
- 잠시만요, 제가 확인할게요.jam-si-man-yo, je-ga hwa-gin-hal-ge-yo.Wait a minute, I will check it.
- 잠시만요, 문 좀 열어 주세요.jam-si-man-yo, mun jom yeol-eo ju-se-yo.Hold on, please open the door.
Example conversation
Dohyun is trying to leave the office, but Subin needs to give him something.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저 이제 퇴근해요.jeo i-je toe-geun-hae-yo.I am leaving work now.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 잠시만요!Do-hyeon ssi, jam-si-man-yo!Dohyun, hold on!
- 수빈 Su-bin이 서류 좀 가져가세요.i seo-ryu jom ga-jyeo-ga-se-yo.Please take this document.
- 도현 Do-hyeon아, 네. 알겠습니다.a, ne. al-get-seum-ni-da.Ah, okay. I understand.
