바빠요
bappayo
The English phrase 'I am busy' is expressed in Korean as 바빠요 (bappayo).
This phrase is used to communicate that you have a lot of work to do or that you have no free time.
Which one should you use?
The phrase has different forms depending on the level of formality required. The dictionary form is 바쁘다, while 바빠요 is the standard polite version, 바빠 is the casual version and 바쁩니다 is the highly formal version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 바빠요 is the standard polite way to say 'I am busy' to most people. If you are speaking among friends, you can use the informal version 바빠. In highly formal situations, you should use 바쁩니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the verb is 바쁘다. In conversation, you will use conjugated forms such as the informal 바빠, the polite 바빠요 or the formal 바쁩니다.
How do you pronounce it?
bappayo
Did you know?
- When people want to say they are extremely busy, they might use the word 눈코 뜰 새 없다, which literally translates to 'no time to open one's eyes or nose'.
- While 바빠요 means 'I am busy', Koreans often use the phrase 정신 없다 meaning 'to have no spirit' or 'to be mindless' to describe being so busy that they are overwhelmed.
- If you say 바빠요 to someone older or of higher social status than you, it may sound dismissive or even rude, regardless of the polite ending. In Korean culture, stating you are 'too busy' can be perceived as subtly signaling that the other person is not a priority.
Examples in context
- 이번 주는 운전연습을 하느라고 바빠요.I am busy this week because I practice driving.This sentence is useful for explaining why you are busy with a specific activity using 바빠요.Tatoeba #3120698 by Wakano, translation #3120701 by Wakano
- 저는 요즘 정말 바빠서 약속을 잡기 힘들어요.I am really busy these days, so it's hard for me to make plans.
- 저는 시간이 없어서 미팅에 참석할 수 없습니다.I am unable to attend the meeting because I don't have any time.
- 요즘 너무 바빠서 못 만나겠어.I am so busy these days, I can't meet up.
- 진짜 시간 없어서 못 가. 미안해.I really don't have time to go. I'm sorry.
- 요즘 너무 바빠요.yo-jeum neo-mu ba-ppa-yo.I am very busy lately.
- 회의 때문에 좀 바빠요.hoe-ui ttae-mun-e jom ba-ppa-yo.I am a bit busy because of a meeting.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨, 오늘 저녁에 시간 있어요?Seo-yeon ssi, o-neul jeo-nyeok-e si-gan iss-eo-yo?Seoyeon, do you have time this evening?
- 서연 Seo-yeon미안해요, 오늘은 일이 많아서 좀 바빠요.mi-an-hae-yo, o-neul-eun il-i man-a-seo jom ba-ppa-yo.I'm sorry, I'm a bit busy today because I have a lot of work.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 내일은 괜찮아요?geu-reom nae-il-eun gwaen-chan-a-yo?Then, is tomorrow okay?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 내일은 괜찮아요.ne, nae-il-eun gwaen-chan-a-yo.Yes, tomorrow is fine.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
