There is no single Korean word that covers every use of English “excuse me.” The best expression depends on what you mean: getting someone’s attention, apologizing for a small mistake, asking someone to repeat themselves, or squeezing past people.
For many everyday situations, 저기요 (jeogiyo) is the most useful starting point. It means something like “excuse me” or “over there,” and you can use it to get a stranger’s attention. But it would sound wrong in some other situations, especially when you need to apologize or ask someone to repeat what they said.
The most useful Korean expressions for “excuse me”
- 저기요 (jeogiyo) — excuse me; used to get someone’s attention
- 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) — excuse me; a more formal expression for interrupting, entering, or imposing
- 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo) — excuse me; wait a moment; used when asking someone to pause or when passing through
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) — I’m sorry; a polite apology
- 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) — I’m sorry; polite but less formal than 죄송합니다
- 네? (ne) or 뭐라고요? (mworagoyo) — pardon?; asking someone to repeat themselves
1. Getting a stranger’s attention: 저기요
Use 저기요 when you want to call out to a server, employee, stranger, or someone nearby. It is common in restaurants, shops, cafés, and public places.
저기요, 메뉴판 좀 주세요.
Jeogiyo, menyupan jom juseyo.
Excuse me, could you give me a menu?
저기요, 이 버스 서울역에 가요?
Jeogiyo, i beoseu Seoul-yeoge gayo?
Excuse me, does this bus go to Seoul Station?
저기요 is generally polite enough for ordinary interactions, but your tone matters. Say it clearly and politely rather than shouting it across a crowded room. In a restaurant, you can also attract a server’s attention with a small gesture and say 저기요.
Do not confuse it with 여기요 (yeogiyo). The two can overlap when calling someone, but 여기요 literally means “here” and is particularly common when calling a server or asking for attention at your table.
2. A formal “excuse me”: 실례합니다
실례합니다 literally relates to committing a discourtesy or breaking etiquette. It is a formal way to say “excuse me” when you are interrupting, entering, asking a personal question, or otherwise imposing on someone.
실례합니다. 혹시 이 근처에 약국이 있나요?
Sillyehamnida. Hoksi i geuncheoe yakgugi innayo?
Excuse me. Is there a pharmacy nearby?
You may hear it in formal announcements, professional settings, or when someone wants to sound especially courteous. It can also be used when entering a room or interrupting a conversation, although in everyday casual situations people often choose a more specific expression such as 저기요, 잠시만요, or 죄송하지만.
실례합니다 is polite, but it can sound somewhat formal in a relaxed interaction. It is not the default translation for every English “excuse me.”
3. Passing in front of someone or asking them to wait: 잠시만요
잠시만요 means “just a moment” or “please wait a moment.” It is useful when you need someone to pause, move slightly, or let you pass.
잠시만요. 지나갈게요.
Jamsimanyo. Jinagalgeyo.
Excuse me. I’m going to pass through.
In a crowded subway, elevator, shop, or queue, 잠시만요 may be enough on its own. A slightly fuller version is:
잠시만 지나갈게요.
Jamsiman jinagalgeyo.
Excuse me, I’ll just get through.
Here, -ㄹ게요 gives the sentence a natural “I’ll do this” nuance. It is not a command meaning “move.” Your tone and body language should still be considerate, especially if you are passing close to someone.
4. Apologizing for a minor inconvenience: 죄송합니다
When English speakers say “excuse me” after bumping into someone, interrupting them, or causing a small inconvenience, Korean usually uses an apology rather than an attention-getting phrase.
죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) is a formal and very common “I’m sorry.” Use it with strangers, older people when formality is appropriate, customers, coworkers in a professional setting, or anyone you may have inconvenienced.
죄송합니다. 제가 못 봤어요.
Joesonghamnida. Jega mot bwasseoyo.
I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.
For a less formal but still polite apology, use 미안해요 (mianhaeyo). With close friends, 미안 (mian) is casual.
In a shop or restaurant, 죄송하지만 (joesonghajiman, “I’m sorry, but…”) is a useful way to soften a request or complaint:
죄송하지만 주문이 잘못 나온 것 같아요.
Joesonghajiman jumuni jalmot naon geot gatayo.
Excuse me, but I think the order came out wrong.
5. Asking someone to repeat themselves: 네? or 뭐라고요?
If you did not hear or understand someone, English “excuse me?” is usually translated with a question rather than with 저기요.
네? (ne?) is a natural, short way to say “Pardon?” or “Sorry?” when you did not catch what someone said. Your intonation makes the difference: a rising tone signals that you are asking them to repeat themselves.
네? 잘 못 들었어요.
Ne? Jal mot deureosseoyo.
Pardon? I didn’t hear you clearly.
You can also say:
죄송하지만 다시 말씀해 주세요.
Joesonghajiman dasi malsseumhae juseyo.
I’m sorry, but please say that again.
뭐라고요? (mworagoyo?) means “What did you say?” It is understandable and can be perfectly natural, but it may sound more direct depending on your tone and the relationship. The longer phrase above is safer in formal situations.
6. Interrupting someone politely
When you need to interrupt a conversation or ask a question while someone is busy, combine a polite opener with your request:
- 죄송하지만, 잠깐 괜찮으세요? — Sorry, do you have a moment?
- 실례지만, 질문 하나 해도 될까요? — Excuse me, may I ask one question?
- 잠시만요. 이것만 확인할게요. — Excuse me, I’ll just check this one thing.
실례지만 (sillyejiman) is the connective form of 실례하다 and means “excuse me, but…” It is especially useful before a question that could feel intrusive, such as asking for directions, clarification, or personal information.
Which Korean phrase should you choose?
| Situation | Natural choice | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Calling a stranger or server | 저기요 | Excuse me |
| Calling a server at your table | 여기요 | Over here; excuse me |
| Passing through a crowd | 잠시만요 | Just a moment; excuse me |
| Bumping into someone | 죄송합니다 | I’m sorry |
| Asking someone to repeat themselves | 네? | Pardon? |
| Making a formal interruption | 실례합니다 or 실례지만 | Excuse me; if you don’t mind |
A practical rule for learners
Think about your intention rather than translating the English word directly:
- Do you want someone to look at you? Say 저기요.
- Do you need to get past them? Say 잠시만요.
- Did you inconvenience them? Say 죄송합니다.
- Did you not hear them? Say 네? or ask them to repeat themselves.
- Are you interrupting formally? Use 실례합니다 or 실례지만.
If you are unsure, a polite combination is usually more natural than relying on one word: 죄송하지만, 잠시만요 (“I’m sorry, excuse me for a moment”) or 저기요, 질문 하나 해도 될까요? (“Excuse me, may I ask a question?”). In Korean, the right expression is shaped less by the English dictionary entry for “excuse me” than by what you are trying to do in that moment.