Which one should you use?
While 비켜 주세요 is a standard polite way to ask someone to step aside, other forms exist for different contexts. 이동해 주세요 means "Please move". 장소를 비워 주시겠어요? translates to "Would you kindly vacate the space?", and 좀 비워 주세요 means "Please make some room."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality varies depending on who you are addressing. The highly formal 비켜 주십시오 is used in professional settings or public announcements. For polite, everyday situations, use 비켜 주세요 or the formal 이동해 주세요, which is appropriate when speaking to someone older or in a higher position. For informal situations with friends or younger people, you might use 옆으로 좀 가줄래? ("Can you move aside a bit?"), 이쪽을 좀 비워 줄래? ("Could you clear this side a bit?") or simply 비켜. However, be careful with the informal 비켜, as it can sound rude if used with strangers in a crowded space.
How do you pronounce it?
bikyeo juseyo
Did you know?
- In a crowded subway, instead of asking someone to 비켜 주세요, it is often more common and polite to simply say 잠시만요 ('Just a moment'), which avoids the direct command to move.
- The grammar in 비켜 주세요 includes the auxiliary verb 주다, which means 'to give', framing the act of moving as a favor the other person is granting you.
- In Korean culture, physical space is often negotiated through subtle cues. If you are stuck in a crowd, a small bow or a slight wave of the hand while saying 잠시만요 is often more effective than using the phrase 비켜 주세요.
Examples in context
- 죄송합니다. 이동해 주세요.Excuse me. Please move.
- 길 좀 비켜 주세요.gil jom bikyeo juseyo.Please move out of the way for a moment.
- 문 앞 좀 비켜 주세요.mun ap jom bikyeo juseyo.Please move from in front of the door.
- 잠시만 비켜 주세요.jamsiman bikyeo juseyo.Please step aside for just a second.
Example conversation
Ji-eun is trying to pass through a crowded subway car.
- 지은 Ji-eun저기요, 조금만 비켜 주세요.jeogiyo, jogeumman bikyeo juseyo.Excuse me, please move aside just a little bit.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아, 죄송합니다. 비켜 드릴게요.a, joesonghamnida. bikyeo deurilgeyo.Oh, I'm sorry. I will move for you.
- 지은 Ji-eun감사합니다.gamsahamnida.Thank you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니에요, 괜찮습니다.anieyo, gwaenchansseumnida.No problem, it's fine.
