Korean life, curious minds & everyday techKorea · Work & life ·
Three Korean requests that make a work conversation clearer
When you miss an instruction, the most useful phrase may be the one that helps you ask again. These short requests are a starting point for language practice, not workplace safety training.
Ask for repetition
다시 말씀해 주세요 — Please say that again. Use the request when you did not catch the message. A polite ending helps, but tone, relationship and the situation still matter. If the information concerns a task, follow up with the specific detail you need clarified.
Ask for a slower explanation
천천히 말씀해 주세요 — Please speak slowly. Slower speech can make an unfamiliar expression easier to follow. It does not replace a translation or demonstration where those are needed. Practise the phrase aloud before you need it.
Confirm before acting
제가 이해한 게 맞나요? — Have I understood correctly? Repeat the relevant detail in your own words or ask the other person to show you. For hazardous equipment or urgent matters, stop and get appropriate assistance rather than relying on a memorized sentence.
Keep a personal phrase list
Save a few expressions connected to your real day, review them, and add context about who you would say them to. Never put confidential workplace details into a public practice set. For employment or immigration procedures, follow official sources; this article provides language-learning examples only.
Check the official source
Work24 — official employment information ↗
Independent educational information. Details and circumstances can change. Verify important information using the linked sources. See About for our editorial approach and important limitations.
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