What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잠시 (a moment), 만 (only/just), 기다려 (wait) and 주세요 (please do for me).
Which one should you use?
The form 잠시만 기다려 주세요 is a polite standard request. In contrast, using just 기다려 without the 주세요 ending is informal and can be potentially rude to strangers. For a more concise, colloquial option in busy environments, you can use 잠시만요.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several levels of formality for this request. 잠시만 기다려 주세요 is a polite and standard way to request someone to wait. In professional situations, you may use the formal and respectful expression 잠시만 기다려 주십시오 or the formal question 잠시만 기다려 주시겠어요? For informal situations, you can use 잠시만 기다려 or the interchangeable phrase 잠깐만 기다려.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 만 is attached to 잠시 (moment) to emphasize that the person should wait only for a short duration.
How do you pronounce it?
jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo
Did you know?
- If you are in a crowded subway or a busy street and need someone to move slightly, you can simply say 잠시만요. This is not just a request to wait, but a common way to say 'excuse me' to pass through.
- The verb 기다리다 can also mean 'to long for' or 'to yearn for' someone in a romantic or emotional context.
- The ending 주세요 literally means 'please give', turning the act of waiting into a favor that the other person 'gives' to the speaker.
Examples in context
- 잠시만 기다려 주세요.Please wait a moment.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 잠시만 기다려 주세요.Tatoeba #13146489 by atitarev, translation #430067 by witbrock
- 잠시만 기다려 주세요, 제가 금방 갈게요.jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo, je-ga geum-bang gal-ge-yo.Please wait a moment, I will be right there.
- 전화 끊지 말고 잠시만 기다려 주세요.jeon-hwa kkeun-ji mal-go jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.Please wait a moment without hanging up the phone.
Example conversation
Ji-eun is calling Ji-hun to check on a delivery.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 제 택배 좀 확인해 줄 수 있어요?Ji-hun ssi, je taek-bae jom hwa-gin-hae jul su is-seo-yo?Ji-hun, can you check my package for me?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 잠시만 기다려 주세요. 확인해 볼게요.Ne, jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo. hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo.Yes, please wait a moment. I will check it.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워요, 빨리 부탁해요.Go-ma-wo-yo, ppal-li bu-tak-hae-yo.Thank you, please hurry.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 지은 씨. 지금 보고 있어요.Ne, Ji-eun ssi. ji-geum bo-go is-seo-yo.Yes, Ji-eun. I am looking at it now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
