Korean for English speakers School · Lesson 4

Being late at school

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

Conversation

  1. Kyle Kyle

    안녕하세요. 늦어서 죄송합니다...

    Annyeonghaseyo. Neujeoseo joesonghamnida...

    Good morning. I'm sorry for being late...

    Tip: <늦어서 죄송합니다> = very formal way to say "I'm sorry for being late" [Note] 'Verbe stem + -어서' expresses a cause for the effect explained after <선생님> = professor [Note] In Korean, the word 선생님 is used to address professors in conversation, in stead of Mr. or Mrs. It is also used in front of a person's family name or occupation to address him/her politely (for example, 김 선생님 = Mr./Mrs. Kim)

  2. Yennifer Yennifer

    카일! 어제는 결석, 오늘은 지각... 무슨 일 있어요?

    Kail! Eojeneun gyeolseok, oneureun jigak... Museun il isseoyo?

    Kyle! You were absent yesterday, and today you are late... What's going on?

    Tip: <결석> = absence, missing a class <지각> = being late <무슨 일 있어요?> = formal way to say "Is something wrong?" or "What's going on?" [Note] Literally, "What matter do you have?"

  3. Kyle Kyle

    아... 그게... 늦잠을 잤어요. 잘못했습니다.

    A... geuge... neutjameul jasseoyo. Jalmotaetseumnida.

    Ah... well... I overslept. I'm so sorry.

    Tip: <그게> = interjection to express hesitation before saying <늦잠> = oversleep <잤어요> = verb "to sleep" (in past tense) [Note] Literally, "I slepted (did) a oversleep" <잘못했습니다> = formal way to say "I'm so sorry, please forgive me" (Literally, "I did wrong")

  4. Yennifer Yennifer

    내일은 일찍 오세요.

    Naeireun iljjik oseyo.

    Come early tomorrow.

    Tip: <내일> = tomorrow <일찍> = early <오세요> = verb "to come" (in command/suggestion conjugation with the suffix -세요)

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you formally apologize in Korean?

죄송합니다 (formal) — most polite. Casual: 미안해요 (polite) or 미안 (casual). With reason: 늦어서 죄송합니다.

What does 결석 mean?

'Absence' (from school/class). 결석하다 = to be absent. 지각 = late arrival.

What is 무슨 일?

'What's the matter / what's going on?'. Showing concern: 무슨 일 있어요? = 'is something wrong?'.

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.