What does it mean word for word?
잠깐 literally means "a moment" or "a short while", while 뭐라고? is a contraction of 무엇이라고?, which means "what did you say?"
Which one should you use?
The phrase 뭐라고? can function alone to mean "What did you say?" or "Excuse me?" when you did not hear something properly or are confused.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 잠깐, 뭐라고? is informal and should only be used with friends or people younger than you. For a polite version, you can use 잠깐만요, 뭐라고요?, which adds the honorific suffix -요 to both parts.
How do you pronounce it?
jamkkan, mworago?
When do people say it?
When expressing disbelief or shock in a respectful or formal tone, you might use 어이가 없군요! (I can't believe it!), 정말이에요? (Is that true? / Really?) or 실화입니까? (Is it a true story?). Among friends in an informal setting, you can use 완전 진심이야? (Are you totally serious?) or 진짜야? (Is it real? / Really?).
Did you know?
- If you use the informal 뭐라고? with a stranger or a superior, it can sound quite aggressive or confrontational, almost like saying 'Say what to me?!' Always add the polite suffix -요 to avoid looking like you are challenging them.
- The word 잠깐 has been used since at least 1447, appearing in the Seokbo sangjeol, an early Korean Buddhist text.
Examples in context
- 잠깐, 뭐라고? 다시 말해줘.jam-kkan, mwo-ra-go? da-si mal-hae-jwo.Wait, what? Say that again.
Example conversation
Seoyeon tells Dohyeon some shocking news about a movie.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그 영화 주인공이 죽었대.geu yeon-hwa ju-in-gong-i jug-eot-dae.I heard the movie protagonist died.
- 도현 Do-hyeon잠깐, 뭐라고?jam-kkan, mwo-ra-go?Wait, what?
- 서연 Seo-yeon진짜라니까.jin-jja-ra-ni-kka.I'm telling you, it's true.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 말도 안 돼.jeong-mal mal-do an dwae.Really, that's unbelievable.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 잠깐, CC BY-SA 4.0.
