Initiating a spontaneous brainstorming session requires specific language, especially in a Korean workplace setting. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for politely asking a colleague to share ideas and collaborate briefly, ensuring smooth communication within your team.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 잠깐 아이디어 회의 좀 할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan a-i-di-eo hoe-ui jom hal su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could we have a quick idea meeting (brainstorming session)?
Making the Request
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Expression: 혹시 지금 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ji-geum jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, are you free for a moment right now? -
Expression: 잠시 이야기 좀 나눌 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jam-si i-ya-gi jom na-nul su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could we talk for a little while? -
Expression: 잠깐 아이디어 좀 같이 내볼래요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan a-i-di-eo jom ga-chi nae-bol-lae-yo?
Meaning: Shall we brainstorm some ideas together for a moment? -
Expression: [이름] 씨, 잠시 괜찮으시면 아이디어 공유 좀 부탁드려요.
Pronunciation: [i-reum] ssi, jam-si gwaen-chan-eu-si-myeon a-i-di-eo gong-yu jom bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: [Name], if you have a moment, could I ask you to share some ideas? -
Expression: 간단하게 브레인스토밍 좀 하고 싶은데요.
Pronunciation: gan-dan-ha-ge beu-re-in-seu-to-ming jom ha-go si-peun-de-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to do some simple brainstorming. -
Expression: 잠깐 머리 좀 맞대고 이야기할 시간 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan meo-ri jom mat-dae-go i-ya-gi-hal si-gan it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Do you have time to put our heads together and talk for a moment? (Idiomatic for brainstorming) -
Expression: 짧게 의견 교환 좀 할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jjal-ge ui-gyeon gyo-hwan jom hal su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could we briefly exchange opinions? -
Expression: 혹시 5분 정도만 아이디어 회의 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si o-bun jeong-do-man a-i-di-eo hoe-ui ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would an idea meeting for about 5 minutes be possible? -
Expression: 시간 되시면 잠깐 같이 고민해 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: si-gan doe-si-myeon jam-kkan ga-chi go-min-hae bol su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: If you have time, could we think about it together for a moment?
Suggesting the Topic
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Expression: 새로운 프로젝트 기획안 관련해서요.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un peu-ro-jek-teu gi-hoe-gan gwal-lyeon-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s regarding the new project proposal. -
Expression: 다음 마케팅 캠페인 아이디어가 필요해서요.
Pronunciation: da-eum ma-ke-ting kaem-pe-in a-i-di-eo-ga pil-yo-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because I need ideas for the next marketing campaign. -
Expression: 이 문제 해결 방안에 대해 이야기하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i mun-je hae-gyeol bang-an-e dae-hae i-ya-gi-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to talk about solutions for this problem. -
Expression: 고객 피드백 개선 방안을 논의하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: go-gaek pi-deu-baek gae-seon bang-an-eul non-ui-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’d like to discuss ways to improve based on customer feedback. -
Expression: 신제품 컨셉에 대한 아이디어를 모으고 있어요.
Pronunciation: sin-je-pum keon-sep-e dae-han a-i-di-eo-reul mo-eu-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m gathering ideas about the new product concept. -
Expression: 웹사이트 디자인 개선 관련해서 의견을 듣고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: wep-sa-i-teu di-ja-in gae-seon gwal-lyeon-hae-seo ui-gyeon-eul deut-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to hear your opinion regarding the website design improvement. -
Expression: 발표 자료 구성에 대해 조언을 구하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: bal-pyo ja-ryo gu-seong-e dae-hae jo-eon-eul gu-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’d like to ask for advice on structuring the presentation materials. -
Expression: 팀 워크샵 활동 아이디어를 같이 생각해 볼까요?
Pronunciation: tim wo-keu-syop hwal-dong a-i-di-eo-reul ga-chi saeng-gak-hae bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we think about ideas for the team workshop activities together? -
Expression: 비용 절감 방안에 대해 이야기 나누고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bi-yong jeol-gam bang-an-e dae-hae i-ya-gi na-nu-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to discuss ways to reduce costs.
Checking Availability and Responding
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Expression: (Asking) 지금 혹시 바쁘신가요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum hok-si ba-ppeu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you perhaps busy right now? -
Expression: (Asking) 언제쯤 시간이 괜찮으실까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum si-gan-i gwaen-chan-eu-sil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Around when would be a good time for you? -
Expression: (Asking) 10분 정도면 될 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: sip-bun jeong-do-myeon doel geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think about 10 minutes should be enough. -
Expression: (Accepting) 네, 좋아요. 지금 이야기해요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. ji-geum i-ya-gi-hae-yo.
Meaning: Yes, sounds good. Let’s talk now. -
Expression: (Accepting) 네, 잠깐은 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?
Pronunciation: ne, jam-kkan-eun gwaen-chan-a-yo. mu-seun i-ri-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, a short while is fine. What is it about? -
Expression: (Suggesting another time) 지금은 좀 바쁜데, 30분 뒤는 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum-eun jom ba-ppeun-de, sam-sip-bun dwi-neun eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: I’m a bit busy right now, but how about in 30 minutes? -
Expression: (Suggesting another time) 죄송해요, 지금 회의 들어가야 해서요. 오후에는 시간 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: joe-song-hae-yo, ji-geum hoe-ui deu-reo-ga-ya hae-seo-yo. o-hu-e-neun si-gan gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Sorry, I have to go into a meeting now. I have time in the afternoon. -
Expression: (Accepting) 그럼요, 어떤 주제인가요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo, eo-tteon ju-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Of course, what’s the topic? -
Expression: (Suggesting another time) 제가 지금 마감 중이라서요. 내일 오전에 잠시 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga ji-geum ma-gam jung-i-ra-seo-yo. nae-il o-jeon-e jam-si bol su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m currently on a deadline. Could we meet briefly tomorrow morning? -
Expression: (Asking for details) 네, 어떤 도움이 필요하신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-tteon do-um-i pil-yo-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, what kind of help do you need?
Korean Culture Notes
Hierarchy Matters: When approaching a senior colleague (선배 – seon-bae), use more formal language (like adding -시- infix and using -요 or -ㅂ/습니다 endings). For a junior colleague (후배 – hu-bae) or someone of similar rank, you can be slightly less formal, but politeness is always key in the workplace.
Reading the Room (Nunchi – 눈치): Before interrupting, quickly assess if your colleague seems busy or stressed. Koreans value 눈치 (nun-chi), the ability to gauge situations and others’ moods. If they look preoccupied, it might be better to ask later or send a message first.
Indirectness: Sometimes, Koreans prefer indirect requests. Instead of directly saying “Let’s brainstorm,” phrases like “Could we talk for a moment about X?” or “I’d like to hear your thoughts on Y” can be smoother ways to initiate the session.
Offering Help: Brainstorming is often seen as a collaborative effort. Framing your request as needing their “help” (도움 – do-um) or “advice” (조언 – jo-eon) can be a polite way to engage them.
Time Sensitivity: Clearly stating that you only need a short amount of time (“잠깐” – jam-kkan, “5분 정도” – o-bun jeong-do) shows respect for your colleague’s schedule and increases the likelihood they’ll agree.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Min-jun needs some quick ideas for a client presentation slide and asks his colleague Su-jin for help.
Characters:
- A: Min-jun (민준)
- B: Su-jin (수진)
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Expression: A: 수진 씨, 혹시 지금 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: su-jin ssi, hok-si ji-geum jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Su-jin, by any chance, do you have a moment right now? -
Expression: B: 네, 민준 씨. 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?
Pronunciation: ne, min-jun ssi. gwaen-chan-a-yo. mu-seun i-ri-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, Min-jun. I’m free. What’s up? -
Expression: A: 다음 주 고객 발표 자료 만드는 중인데, 이 슬라이드 관련해서 아이디어 좀 같이 내볼 수 있을까요? 한 5분 정도면 될 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju go-gaek bal-pyo ja-ryo man-deu-neun jung-in-de, i seul-la-i-deu gwal-lyeon-hae-seo a-i-di-eo jom ga-chi nae-bol su it-seul-kka-yo? han o-bun jeong-do-myeon doel geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: A: I’m working on the client presentation materials for next week, and I was wondering if we could brainstorm some ideas together for this slide? I think about 5 minutes should be enough. -
Expression: B: 아, 네 좋아요. 어떤 내용인데요? 같이 봐요.
Pronunciation: a, ne jo-a-yo. eo-tteon nae-yong-in-de-yo? ga-chi bwa-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, yes, sounds good. What’s the content? Let’s look at it together. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다! 이 부분에 들어갈 핵심 메시지가 좀 애매해서요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! i bu-bun-e deu-reo-gal haek-sim me-si-ji-ga jom ae-mae-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you! The core message for this part feels a bit ambiguous. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 한번 같이 고민해 보죠.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. han-beon ga-chi go-min-hae bo-jyo.
Meaning: B: Got it. Let’s think about it together.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially with workplace Korean! Try role-playing with a language partner or even just saying the phrases aloud to yourself~ Imagine different scenarios: asking a senior colleague, asking a close peer, needing ideas for different tasks. Pay attention to the politeness level and choose phrases accordingly!
Listen to how colleagues interact in Korean dramas or workplace vlogs. Notice how they initiate quick chats or ask for opinions. This will help you get a feel for the natural flow and nuances. Don’t be afraid to use these phrases – your Korean colleagues will appreciate your effort to communicate effectively! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)
