잠시만요
jamsimanyo
In Korean, 'just a minute' is expressed as 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo).
The phrase is used to tell someone to stop or to wait for a short period of time.
Meaning: Stop, wait (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잠시 meaning a moment or a short time, 만 meaning only and the polite particle 요.
Which one should you use?
While 잠시만요 translates to 'just a moment,' the more casual 잠깐만 is used to mean 'wait a sec.' Additionally, 잠시만 기다려주세요 is a more descriptive formal way to say 'please wait just a moment,' whereas 잠깐만 기다려 is an informal way to ask someone to wait.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
잠시만요 is a polite phrase suitable for use with strangers, service workers or in public settings. For more casual situations with friends or people younger than you, use the blunt version 잠깐만.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 요 to the end of the phrase makes it a polite request rather than a blunt command.
How do you pronounce it?
jamsimanyo
Did you know?
- In crowded subways or buses, people often shout 잠시만요 while walking through a crowd. In this context, it functions less as a request to wait and more as an apology for bumping into people while trying to pass.
- The word 잠시 in 잠시만요 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning it has roots in Chinese characters. This contrasts with the more native Korean feel of the word 잠깐 used in its casual counterpart 잠깐만.
- The phrase is frequently used as a 'verbal buffer' in Korean conversation. People often say 잠시만요 when they are searching for a word or thinking of an answer to avoid an awkward silence.
Examples in context
- 잠시만요, 제가 확인할게요.Jam-si-man-yo, je-ga hwa-gin-hal-ge-yo.Just a minute, I will check.
- 잠시만요, 길 좀 비켜주세요.Jam-si-man-yo, gil jom bi-kyeo-ju-se-yo.Just a minute, please step aside.
- 잠시만요, 아직 준비가 안 됐어요.Jam-si-man-yo, a-jik jun-bi-ga an dwaet-eo-yo.Just a minute, I am not ready yet.
Example conversation
Jihoon is trying to leave, but Seoyeon needs him to wait.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 잠시만요!Ji-hun ssi, jam-si-man-yo!Jihoon, just a minute!
- 지훈 Ji-hun무슨 일이에요, 서연 씨?Mu-seun il-i-e-yo, Seo-yeon ssi?What is it, Seoyeon?
- 서연 Seo-yeon이것 좀 확인해 주세요.I-geot jom hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.Please check this for me.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 알겠습니다.Ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.Okay, I understand.
