Korean Dictionary
How to say "Please wait a moment" in Korean
“Please wait a moment” in Korean is 잠깐만 기다려 주세요 (pronounced "Jamkkanman gidaryeo juseyo").
잠깐만 기다려 주세요
Jamkkanman gidaryeo juseyo
Usage & Context
Asking someone to wait briefly. 잠깐만요 alone is a very common shortened version. Customer service and hospitality staff use this frequently. Shows consideration by acknowledging the wait rather than keeping someone waiting without explanation.
Example Sentence
죄송해요, 잠깐만 기다려 주세요. 바로 올게요.
I'm sorry, please wait a moment. I'll be right there.
How to use 잠깐만 기다려 주세요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Please wait a moment” is 잠깐만 기다려 주세요, romanized as Jamkkanman gidaryeo juseyo.
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 잠깐만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '잠깐만' as 'jahm-kahn-mahn', like 'jam-can-man'. '기다려' is 'gee-dah-ryuh', with 'gee' like 'geese' without the 'se', 'dah' like 'dad', and 'ryuh' like 'rye' with a 'yuh' sound. '주세요' is 'joo-seh-yoh', with 'joo' like 'jewel', 'seh' like 'say', and 'yoh' like 'yawn' without the 'n'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
잠깐만 기다려 주십시오
Jamkkanman gidaryeo jusipsio
A highly formal and deferential request to wait, suitable for very polite or official contexts.
Casual (반말)
잠깐만 기다려 줘
Jamkkanman gidaryeo jwo
The casual form, used among close friends, family, or people younger than you. Often shortened to just '잠깐만'.
More Example Sentences
A barista or server informing a customer about a short wait.
주문하신 커피 준비 중입니다. 잠깐만 기다려 주세요.
Your ordered coffee is being prepared. Please wait a moment.
A receptionist or customer service agent on the phone.
전화 연결해 드릴게요. 잠깐만 기다려 주세요.
I'll connect your call. Please wait a moment.
To a friend, asking them to wait while you complete a task.
이거 좀 마무리하고 갈게요. 잠깐만 기다려 줘.
I'll finish this up and then go. Please wait a moment.
Cultural Context
The phrase '잠깐만 기다려 주세요' is a polite and considerate way to ask someone to wait briefly. Its shortened form, '잠깐만요' (jamkkanmanyo), is incredibly common in daily life, used in almost any situation where a brief pause is needed – from asking someone to hold a door to excusing yourself for a moment. In customer service, it's a standard phrase that shows the staff acknowledges your presence and the slight delay, rather than just leaving you waiting without explanation.
Editorial note
We check greetings like 잠깐만 기다려 주세요 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
잠깐만요!
Just a moment!
여기서 기다려 주세요.
Please wait here.
금방 갈게요.
I'll be right there.
Related Expressions
잠깐만요
Jamkkanmanyo
Just a moment (very common shortened form)
기다려 주세요
Gidaryeo juseyo
Please wait (without 'a moment')
잠시만요
Jamsimanyo
Just a moment (slightly more formal than 잠깐만요)
조금만요
Jogeumanyo
Just a little bit (can imply waiting a little)
More Greetings Words
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