잠깐만요
jamkkanmanyo
The English phrase "wait a second" is translated into Korean as 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo).
잠깐만요 is used to ask someone to stop or wait for a short period of time, often meaning "just a moment, please" or "hold on for a second".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잠깐 (a moment), 만 (only/just) and the polite ending 요.
Which one should you use?
While 잠깐만요 is a common polite way to say "just a moment, please", the alternative 잠시만요 is slightly more formal and is frequently used by service staff or in professional settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
잠깐만요 is a polite form suitable for use with strangers, colleagues or people older than you. You can use the informal version 잠깐만 by dropping the 요 at the end. This is suitable only for close friends or people younger than you. For a more formal way to say "just a moment, please", you can use 잠시만요. The informal phrase 잠시만 can also be used to say "wait a second".
How do you pronounce it?
jamkkanmanyo
Did you know?
- In crowded subways or busy streets, you might hear people shout 잠깐만요! as a way to say 'Excuse me' while moving through a crowd.
- In high-tension K-drama scenes, characters often shout 잠깐만! to stop someone from leaving or to interrupt a revelation, treating it as a command rather than a request.
- When answering a phone in a professional setting, Koreans will almost exclusively use 잠시만요 because 잠깐만요 can sound too casual for a client.
Examples in context
- 잠시만요, 제가 다음에 할 말이 아직 남았어요.Wait a second, I still have something to say next.
- 잠깐만요, 다음에 질문하실 수 있을까요?Wait a second, can you ask your question next?
- 잠시만, 이거 좀 보자.Wait a second, let's look at this.
- 잠깐만, 지금 할 준비가 되어 있지 않아.Wait a second, I'm not ready yet.
- 잠깐만요, 이것 좀 보세요.Jamkkanmanyo, igeot jom boseyo.Wait a second, look at this.
- 잠깐만요, 문 좀 열어주세요.Jamkkanmanyo, mun jom yeoreojuseyo.Wait a second, please open the door.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihoon are walking in a park when Seoyeon realizes she dropped something.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 잠깐만요!Jihoon-ssi, jamkkanmanyo!Jihoon, wait a second!
- 지훈 Ji-hun왜 그래요, 서연 씨?Wae geuraeyo, Seoyeon-ssi?What's wrong, Seoyeon?
- 서연 Seo-yeon지갑을 떨어뜨린 것 같아요.Jigabeul tteoreotdin geot gatayo.I think I dropped my wallet.
- 지훈 Ji-hun제가 같이 찾아볼게요.Jega gachi chajabolgeyo.I will help you look for it.
