Korean Dictionary
How to say "I'll be right back" in Korean
“I'll be right back” in Korean is 금방 돌아올게요 (pronounced "Geumbang doraolgeyo").
금방 돌아올게요
Geumbang doraolgeyo
Usage & Context
Letting someone know you're leaving briefly but will return soon. 잠깐만요, 금방 와요 is a common casual version. Used when stepping out of a meeting, leaving a table at a restaurant, or any brief departure. Shows consideration for others.
Example Sentence
잠깐 화장실 다녀올게요. 금방 돌아올게요!
I'll just pop to the restroom. I'll be right back!
How to use 금방 돌아올게요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “I'll be right back” is 금방 돌아올게요, romanized as Geumbang doraolgeyo.
Usage tip
Check the politeness level before using this word. Korean greetings often change depending on age, relationship, and setting.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 금방 돌아올게요.
Pronunciation Guide
금방 (Geum-bang) sounds like 'gum' followed by 'bang'. 돌아올게요 (Do-ra-ol-ge-yo) sounds like 'dough-rah-all-geh-yoh', with 'ol' having a soft 'l' sound and 'ge' like 'get' without the 't'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
금방 돌아오겠습니다
Geumbang doraogetseumnida
A more formal and deferential way to say 'I'll be right back', often used in business or very polite situations.
Casual (반말)
금방 올게
Geumbang olge
A casual form used with close friends or family. '금방 와요' (Geumbang wayo) is also common and slightly less direct.
More Example Sentences
Leaving your workspace briefly at the office.
잠깐 자리 비울게요. 금방 돌아올게요!
I'll be away from my desk for a moment. I'll be right back!
Stepping away from a group conversation to answer a phone call.
친구들, 나 잠깐 전화 좀 받고 올게. 금방 돌아올게요.
Friends, I'll just take this call. I'll be right back.
Leaving the table at a cafe or restaurant to get something.
음료수 좀 가져올게요. 금방 돌아올게요!
I'll go get some drinks. I'll be right back!
Cultural Context
Saying '금방 돌아올게요' is a polite and considerate way to inform others of your brief absence, showing respect for their time and presence. It's very common in daily interactions, from stepping out of a meeting to leaving a table at a restaurant. In K-dramas, you'll often hear characters use this phrase when excusing themselves for a moment.
Editorial note
We check greetings like 금방 돌아올게요 for politeness and timing, since Korean greetings change with relationship, age, and setting.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
화장실 좀 다녀올게요. 금방 돌아올게요.
I'll just go to the restroom. I'll be right back.
잠깐만요, 금방 돌아올게요.
Just a moment, I'll be right back.
음료수 좀 가져올게요. 금방 돌아올게요.
I'll get some drinks. I'll be right back.
Related Expressions
잠깐만요
Jamkkanmanyo
Just a moment / Excuse me (when leaving briefly)
다녀올게요
Danyeoolgeyo
I'll go and come back
곧 올게요
Got olgeyo
I'll come soon
오래 걸릴 거예요
Ora geollil geoyeyo
It will take a long time (opposite concept)
More Greetings Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice I'll be right back and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
