What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잠깐 (a moment/a short while), 만 (only) and the polite particle 요.
Which one should you use?
While 잠깐만요 is a standard way to ask someone to wait, 잠시만요 is a slightly more formal and polished version. For a more explicit and formal request, you can use 잠시만 기다려주세요, which means "Please wait for a moment". Additionally, 잠깐만 기다려 주세요 is another way to ask someone to wait for a moment.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The version 잠시만요 is slightly more formal and is often used in professional settings or within the service industry. If you are among friends or speaking to people younger than you, you can use the informal shortened version 잠깐만.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the 요 at the end of 잠깐만요 to create 잠깐만 makes the phrase informal and suitable only for close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
jamkkanmanyo
Did you know?
- In highly urgent settings like a hospital or a professional kitchen, the polite particle 요 is often stripped away. This transforms the polite 잠깐만요 into a sharp, command-like 잠깐만 to signal an immediate stop.
- The grammatical structure of 잠깐만요 includes the particle 만, which translates to 'only'. This turns the phrase into 'only a moment' to psychologically soften the request by emphasizing how brief the wait will be.
- While 잠깐만요 and 잠시만요 are similar, the latter is based on a different Hanja root, which gives it a more elegant and polished feel to native speakers.
Examples in context
- 잠깐만요, 곧 답장하겠습니다.Just a moment, I will reply soon.
- 잠시만요, 저도 준비해야 해요.Just a moment, I need to prepare too.
- 잠깐만, 뭐라고 하셨어요?Just a moment, what did you say?
- 잠깐만요, 여기서 기다려 주세요.jamkkanmanyo, yeogiseo gidaryeo juseyo.Just a moment, please wait here.
- 잠깐만요, 제 질문 하나만 할게요.jamkkanmanyo, je jilmun hanaman halgeyo.Just a moment, let me ask one question.
Example conversation
Dohyeon is about to leave the room and Seoyeon remembers something.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저 이제 갈게요.jeo ije galgeyo.I'm leaving now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon잠깐만요, 도현 씨!jamkkanmanyo, Dohyeon ssi!Just a moment, Dohyeon!
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 왜 그러세요?ne, wae geureoseyo?Yes, what is it?
- 서연 Seo-yeon이거 가져가세요.igeo gajyeogaseyo.Please take this.
