What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into: 한국어 (Korean) + 를 (object marker) + 잘 (well) + 못해요 (cannot do). Literally, it means "I cannot do Korean well."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 한국어를 잘 못해요 is polite and appropriate for speaking to strangers or people older than you. If you are speaking to close friends or people younger than you, you can use the informal version 한국어 잘 못해. For very formal situations, you might use 한국어가 서투릅니다 to say "My Korean is not proficient" or 한국어를 잘 못 해서 죄송합니다 to say "I'm sorry for not being good at Korean."
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 한국어를 잘 못해요 uses the polite ending -해요, which makes it suitable for respectful social interactions. Other ways to express your level of proficiency include 한국어를 조금밖에 못해요 (I can only speak a little Korean), 한국어가 많이 부족해요 (My Korean is very lacking) or 한국어 이해하는 게 힘들어요 (Understanding Korean is hard for me).
How do you pronounce it?
hangugeo-reul jal mothaeyo
Did you know?
- Even a proficient speaker might use the phrase 한국어를 잘 못해요 as a display of humility rather than a statement of fact.
- The formal term for not being proficient, 서투릅니다, is rooted in a word that also describes clumsy or awkward physical movements.
- Admitting you are not good at the language is often used as a 'social lubricant' to encourage locals to be more patient and helpful.
Examples in context
- 죄송해요, 한국어를 잘 못해요.joesonghaeyo, hangugeoreul jal mothaeyo.I'm sorry, I am not good at Korean.
- 아직 한국어를 잘 못해요.ajik hangugeoreul jal mothaeyo.I am not good at Korean yet.
- 저는 한국어를 잘 못해요.jeoneun hangugeoreul jal mothaeyo.I am not good at Korean.
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin안녕하세요, 지훈 씨 맞으세요?annyeonghaseyo, jihun ssi majeuseyo?Hello, are you Jihoon?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 맞아요. 수빈 씨 안녕하세요!ne, majayo. subin ssi annyeonghaseyo!Yes, I am. Hello, Subin!
- 수빈 Su-bin반가워요. 사실 제가 한국어를 잘 못해요.bangawoyo. sasil jega hangugeoreul jal mothaeyo.Nice to meet you. Actually, I am not good at Korean.
- 지훈 Ji-hun괜찮아요. 제가 도와줄게요.gwaenchanayo. jega dowajulgeyo.That's okay. I will help you.
