Korean for English speakers Cafe · Lesson 1

I'm sorry for ..., It's okay and Thank you

Apologize for being late in Korean — 늦어서 미안해요 (Sorry for being late) — with -아/어서 for reason.

Conversation

  1. Kyle Kyle

    어! 밥 씨, 왔어요?

    Eo! bap ssi, wasseoyo?

    Oh! Bob, here you are!

    Tip: <왔어요?> = formal way to say "Here you are!" [Note] Literally, "Oh, you have arrived?" (<왔어요> = verb "to come/arrive" in past tense)

  2. Bob Bob

    아~ 카일 씨~ 늦어서 미안해요...

    A~ Kail ssi~ Neujeoseo mianhaeyo...

    Oh, Kyle... I'm sorry for being late.

    Tip: <늦어서 미안해요> = formal way to say "I'm sorry for being late"

  3. Kyle Kyle

    괜찮아요~ 먼저 주문했어요.

    Gwaenchanayo~ Meonjeo jumunhaesseoyo.

    It's okay. I've ordered already.

    Tip: <괜찮아요> = formal way to say "It's okay/fine" as a response to "Sorry" <먼저> = already (adverb to express the state of being in advance in time or order) <주문했어요> = verb "to order" (in past tense) [Note] -했어요 is a suffix of past tense for the verbs including -하 (Verb stem 주문(하)- + Suffix -했어요)

  4. Bob Bob

    아, 정말요? 고마워요!

    A, jeongmallyo? Gomawoyo!

    Oh, really? Thank you!

    Tip: <아, 정말요?> = formal way to say "Oh, really?" <고마워요> = formal way to say "Thank you"

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you apologize in Korean?

미안해요 (informal/casual) or 죄송합니다 (formal). For being late: 늦어서 미안해요 / 죄송합니다.

What does -아/어서 mean?

Means 'because / so' connecting cause and effect. 늦어서 = 'because (I am) late'. Adds reason to a verb.

How to respond to 'sorry'?

괜찮아요 (it's OK), 아니에요 (no problem). Universal forgiving responses.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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