What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 물 (water), 좀 (a little/some) and 주세요 (please give).
Which one should you use?
While 물 좀 주세요 is polite, 물 좀 줘 is the casual/informal version used with close friends or younger people. For a more formal and deferential way to say "water, please", you can use 물을 주시겠어요?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
물 좀 주세요 is a polite form that uses the -세요 ending, making it appropriate for use in restaurants or with people you do not know well. 물 주세요 is also a formal way to say "water, please". For interacting with an older person or at a formal event, use 물을 주시겠어요? Conversely, 물 줄래? and 물 좀 줘 are informal versions used with close friends or family members.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 좀 is often added to requests to make them sound more polite and less demanding, even if you aren't literally asking for a "small amount".
How do you pronounce it?
mul jom juseyo
Did you know?
- While 물 means 'water', the term 물 is also used in Korean to describe the 'quality' or 'atmosphere' of a place or a gathering of people.
- In many Korean restaurants, you do not need to use the phrase 물 좀 주세요 at all, as a small pitcher of cold water is often automatically brought to your table without being asked for.
- The word 물 is likely a cognate with the Japanese word mizu and the Mongolian word mörön meaning 'river'.
Examples in context
- 물 좀 주세요.mul jom juseyo.Water, please.
- 여기 물 좀 주세요.yeogi mul jom juseyo.Please give me some water here.
- 시원한 물 좀 주세요.siwonhan mul jom juseyo.Cold water, please.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are at a restaurant.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 물 좀 주세요.Dohyeon ssi, mul jom juseyo.Do-hyeon, water please.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 여기 있어요.ne, yeogi isseoyo.Yes, here it is.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워요.gomawoyo.Thank you.
- 도현 Do-hyeon천만에요.cheonmaneyo.You're welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 물, 좀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
