Knowing how to politely ask for assistance is crucial in any workplace, especially when dealing with physical tasks like moving heavy objects. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for a common scenario: an office worker needing help from a janitor to move a heavy box found in the break room. You’ll learn how to get attention, make the request politely, coordinate the move, and express gratitude effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 상자 좀 같이 옮겨 주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i sang-ja jom ga-chi om-gyeo ju-sil su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly help me move this box together?
Initial Requests and Getting Attention
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Expression: 저기요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. -
Expression: 잠시 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a moment? -
Expression: 관리인님, 잠깐 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-in-nim, jam-kkan do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Mr./Ms. Janitor, could you help me for a moment? (Use ‘관리인님 – gwan-ri-in-nim’ if you don’t know their name, it means ‘custodian/janitor’ respectfully) -
Expression: 도움이 좀 필요한데요.
Pronunciation: do-u-mi jom pil-yo-han-de-yo.
Meaning: I need a little help. -
Expression: 혹시 이것 좀 같이 옮겨 주실 수 있을지 여쭤봅니다.
Pronunciation: hok-si i-geot jom ga-chi om-gyeo ju-sil su it-sseul-ji yeo-jjwo-bom-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m asking if you could possibly help me move this together. (Very formal) -
Expression: 휴게실에 있는 상자 좀 옮겨야 하는데요.
Pronunciation: hyu-ge-sil-e it-neun sang-ja jom om-gyeo-ya ha-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: I need to move a box that’s in the break room. -
Expression: 너무 무거워서 혼자서는 힘들 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu mu-geo-wo-seo hon-ja-seo-neun him-deul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It’s too heavy, I don’t think I can manage it alone. -
Expression: 잠깐만 도와주시면 정말 감사하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man do-wa-ju-si-myeon jeong-mal gam-sa-ha-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would be really grateful if you could help me just for a moment. -
Expression: 바쁘시면 괜찮습니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-si-myeon gwaen-chan-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s okay if you are busy. -
Expression: 혹시 잠시 가능하실까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si jam-si ga-neung-ha-sil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would you possibly be available for a moment?
Describing the Situation
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Expression: 휴게실에 이 큰 상자가 있는데 너무 무거워요.
Pronunciation: hyu-ge-sil-e i keun sang-ja-ga it-neun-de neo-mu mu-geo-wo-yo.
Meaning: There’s this big box in the break room, and it’s too heavy. -
Expression: 혼자 들기에는 좀 버겁네요.
Pronunciation: hon-ja deul-gi-e-neun jom beo-geom-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s a bit overwhelming to lift by myself. -
Expression: 이걸 저쪽 구석으로 옮겨야 해요.
Pronunciation: i-geol jeo-jjok gu-seo-geu-ro om-gyeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to move this to that corner over there. -
Expression: 내용물이 뭔지 모르겠는데 상당히 무겁습니다.
Pronunciation: nae-yong-mul-i mwon-ji mo-reu-get-neun-de sang-dang-hi mu-geop-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t know what’s inside, but it’s quite heavy. -
Expression: 허리를 다칠까 봐 혼자서는 못 들겠어요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri-reul da-chil-kka bwa hon-ja-seo-neun mot deul-get-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m afraid I might hurt my back, so I can’t lift it alone. -
Expression: 같이 들면 금방 옮길 수 있을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ga-chi deul-myeon geum-bang om-gil su it-sseul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think we can move it quickly if we lift it together. -
Expression: 휴게실 공간이 좁아서 이걸 치워야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: hyu-ge-sil gong-gan-i jo-ba-seo i-geol chi-wo-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: The break room space is small, so I think we need to clear this out. -
Expression: 어디에 두면 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-e du-myeon jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where would be a good place to put it? -
Expression: 그냥 바닥에 놓여 있었어요.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang ba-da-ge no-yeo it-sseot-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was just sitting on the floor. -
Expression: 제가 한쪽을 들겠습니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga han-jjo-geul deul-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will lift one side.
During and After Moving
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Expression: 제가 이쪽을 들게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga i-jjo-geul deul-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll lift this side. -
Expression: 준비되셨으면 같이 들어요. 하나, 둘, 셋!
Pronunciation: jun-bi-doe-syeot-sseu-myeon ga-chi deu-reo-yo. ha-na, dul, set!
Meaning: If you’re ready, let’s lift together. One, two, three! -
Expression: 조심하세요!
Pronunciation: jo-sim-ha-se-yo!
Meaning: Be careful! -
Expression: 천천히 옮기시죠.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi om-gi-si-jyo.
Meaning: Let’s move it slowly. (polite suggestion) -
Expression: 여기에 내려놓을까요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-e nae-ryeo-no-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we put it down here? -
Expression: 네, 거기 두면 될 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, geo-gi du-myeon doel geot gat-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, putting it there seems fine. -
Expression: 조금만 오른쪽으로 옮길까요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man o-reun-jjo-geu-ro om-gil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we move it a little to the right? -
Expression: 됐습니다!
Pronunciation: dwaet-sseum-ni-da!
Meaning: That’s it! / We’re done! -
Expression: 도와주셔서 정말 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you so much for helping me. -
Expression: 덕분에 수월하게 옮겼습니다.
Pronunciation: deok-bun-e su-wol-ha-ge om-gyeot-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thanks to you, we moved it easily. -
Expression: 정말 큰 도움이 됐어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal keun do-u-mi dwaet-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was really a big help. -
Expression: 수고하셨습니다.
Pronunciation: su-go-ha-syeot-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: You worked hard / Thank you for your effort.
Korean Culture Notes
Respectful Address: When addressing janitorial or maintenance staff whose names you don’t know, using 관리인님 (gwan-ri-in-nim) is a polite and respectful term. Avoid overly casual language.
Using Polite Request Forms: Employing polite verb endings like ~아/어 주실 수 있을까요? (-a/eo ju-sil su it-sseul-kka-yo?) or ~아/어 주시면 감사하겠습니다 (-a/eo ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-sseum-ni-da) is essential when asking for a favor, especially from someone assisting you with their work.
Acknowledging Their Time: Before launching into your request, it’s courteous to ask if they have a moment (잠시 시간 괜찮으세요? – jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?) or acknowledge they might be busy (바쁘시면 괜찮습니다 – ba-ppeu-si-myeon gwaen-chan-sseum-ni-da). This shows consideration for their duties.
Clear Expression of Gratitude: Clearly thanking the person afterwards is very important. Phrases like 정말 감사합니다 (jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you very much) and 수고하셨습니다 (su-go-ha-syeot-sseum-ni-da – Thank you for your hard work) are standard and appreciated.
Offering a Small Gesture: While not required, mentioning a small gesture like buying coffee (다음에 커피라도 한잔 살게요 – da-eu-me keo-pi-ra-do han-jan sal-ge-yo) can be a friendly way to express extra appreciation, common in Korean workplace culture.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An office worker (A) finds a very heavy box of old documents in the break room that needs to be moved to the corner. They ask the building’s janitor (B) for help.
Roles: A = Office Worker, B = Janitor
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Expression: A: 저기요, 관리인님. 잠시 시간 괜찮으실까요?
Pronunciation: A: jeo-gi-yo, gwan-ri-in-nim. jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sil-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me, Mr./Ms. Janitor. Do you possibly have a moment? -
Expression: B: 네, 무슨 일이세요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, mu-seun i-ri-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, what is it? -
Expression: A: 휴게실에 이 상자가 있는데, 너무 무거워서 혼자 옮기기가 힘들어서요. 혹시 잠깐만 같이 옮겨 주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: hyu-ge-sil-e i sang-ja-ga it-neun-de, neo-mu mu-geo-wo-seo hon-ja om-gi-gi-ga him-deu-reo-seo-yo. hok-si jam-kkan-man ga-chi om-gyeo ju-sil su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: There’s this box in the break room, but it’s too heavy, so it’s difficult to move alone. Could you possibly help me move it together just for a moment? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 그럼요. 어디로 옮길까요?
Pronunciation: B: a, ne. geu-reom-yo. eo-di-ro om-gil-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Ah, yes. Of course. Where should we move it? -
Expression: A: 저쪽 구석으로 옮겨주시면 감사하겠습니다. 제가 이쪽을 들게요.
Pronunciation: A: jeo-jjok gu-seo-geu-ro om-gyeo-ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-sseum-ni-da. je-ga i-jjok-eul deul-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: I would appreciate it if we could move it to that corner over there. I’ll lift this side. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 자, 하나, 둘, 셋!
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-get-sseum-ni-da. ja, ha-na, dul, set!
Meaning: B: Yes, I understand. Okay, one, two, three! -
Expression: A: (옮기면서) 조심하세요. 천천히요. 네, 여기에 놓으면 될 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: A: (om-gi-myeon-seo) jo-sim-ha-se-yo. cheon-cheon-hi-yo. ne, yeo-gi-e no-eu-myeon doel geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: A: (While moving) Be careful. Slowly. Yes, I think putting it here will be fine. -
Expression: B: 네. 됐습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne. dwaet-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Okay. Done. -
Expression: A: 아이고, 정말 감사합니다! 관리인님 덕분에 쉽게 옮겼어요. 수고하셨습니다!
Pronunciation: A: a-i-go, jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! gwan-ri-in-nim deok-bun-e swip-ge om-gyeot-sseo-yo. su-go-ha-syeot-sseum-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Oh my, thank you so much! Thanks to you, Mr./Ms. Janitor, we moved it easily. Thank you for your hard work! -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 필요하시면 언제든 말씀하세요.
Pronunciation: B: byeol-mal-sseu-meul-lyo. pil-yo-ha-si-myeon eon-je-deun mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Don’t mention it. If you need anything, just let me know anytime.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially when asking for help politely~! Try reading these phrases aloud, focusing on the pronunciation and intonation. Imagine yourself in the break room needing to move that heavy box. You could even role-play the conversation with a friend or language partner! Remember to use the formal ~요 (yo) or ~ㅂ/습니다 (p/seumnida) endings when speaking to someone like a janitor in a workplace setting. Good luck, you can do it! Fighting!
