Communicating new workplace rules effectively is crucial for maintaining a smooth workflow and avoiding misunderstandings. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for explaining a new rule or procedure to a coworker, particularly when they seem confused. Mastering these expressions will help you navigate workplace communication clearly and professionally.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 새로운 규칙을 설명하다
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un gyu-chi-geul seol-myeong-ha-da
Meaning: To explain a new rule
Explaining the New Rule
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Expression: 새로운 회사 규정에 대해 설명해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un hoe-sa gyu-jeong-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will explain the new company regulation to you. -
Expression: 이번에 새로 바뀐 절차가 있어요.
Pronunciation: i-beon-e sae-ro ba-kkwin jeol-cha-ga iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a procedure that has recently changed. -
Expression: 오늘부터 적용되는 새로운 규칙입니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul-bu-teo jeog-yong-doe-neun sae-ro-un gyu-chig-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is a new rule that applies starting today. -
Expression: 이 부분은 꼭 숙지하셔야 해요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-eun kkok suk-ji-ha-syeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You must be familiar with this part. -
Expression: 변경된 내용을 알려드릴게요.
Pronunciation: byeon-gyeong-doen nae-yong-eul al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll let you know about the changed details. -
Expression: 핵심 내용은 다음과 같습니다.
Pronunciation: haek-sim nae-yong-eun da-eum-gwa gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The key points are as follows. -
Expression: 이전 방식과 달라진 점은…
Pronunciation: i-jeon bang-sik-gwa dal-la-jin jeom-eun…
Meaning: The difference from the previous method is… -
Expression: 이제부터는 이렇게 하셔야 합니다.
Pronunciation: i-je-bu-teo-neun i-reo-ke ha-syeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: From now on, you must do it this way. -
Expression: 이 양식을 사용해서 보고해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i yang-sig-eul sa-yong-hae-seo bo-go-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please use this form to report. -
Expression: 궁금한 점이 있으면 언제든지 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: gung-geum-han jeom-i iss-eu-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mur-eo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime.
Clarifying and Checking Understanding
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Expression: 여기까지 이해되셨나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-kka-ji i-hae-doe-syeoss-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you understand up to this point? -
Expression: 혹시 질문 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si jil-mun iss-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have any questions? -
Expression: 제가 설명한 내용이 명확한가요?
Pronunciation: je-ga seol-myeong-han nae-yong-i myeong-hwak-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is what I explained clear? -
Expression: 어떤 부분이 이해가 안 가세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bu-bun-i i-hae-ga an ga-se-yo?
Meaning: Which part don’t you understand? -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I explain it again? -
Expression: 예시를 들어 설명해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ye-si-reul deur-eo seol-myeong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll explain with an example. -
Expression: 이해가 잘 안 되시면 편하게 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-ga jal an doe-si-myeon pyeon-ha-ge mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: If you don’t understand well, please feel comfortable telling me. -
Expression: 이 부분은 조금 헷갈릴 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-eun jo-geum het-gal-lil su iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: This part can be a bit confusing. -
Expression: 천천히 다시 설명할게요.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi da-si seol-myeong-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll explain again slowly. -
Expression: 요점을 다시 말씀드릴게요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeom-eul da-si mal-sseum-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll tell you the main points again.
Responding to Confusion
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Expression: (Coworker) 죄송하지만, 잘 이해가 안 가요.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jal i-hae-ga an ga-yo.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand. -
Expression: (Coworker) 이 부분이 좀 헷갈리네요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-i jom het-gal-li-ne-yo.
Meaning: This part is a bit confusing. -
Expression: (Coworker) 다시 한번 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain it one more time? -
Expression: (Coworker) 구체적인 예를 들어주시면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: gu-che-jeog-in ye-reul deur-eo-ju-si-myeon jo-kess-eo-yo.
Meaning: It would be helpful if you could give a specific example. -
Expression: (Explainer) 네, 그럼요. 어떤 부분이 어려우신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. eo-tteon bu-bun-i eo-ryeo-u-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, of course. Which part is difficult for you? -
Expression: (Explainer) 괜찮아요. 다시 천천히 설명해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a-yo. da-si cheon-cheon-hi seol-myeong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: It’s okay. I’ll explain it again slowly. -
Expression: (Explainer) 이해가 될 때까지 설명해 드릴 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-ga doel ttae-kka-ji seol-myeong-hae deu-ril su iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I can explain until you understand. -
Expression: (Explainer) 걱정 마세요. 처음에는 다들 헷갈려 해요.
Pronunciation: geok-jeong ma-se-yo. cheo-eum-e-neun da-deul het-gal-lyeo hae-yo.
Meaning: Don’t worry. Everyone finds it confusing at first. -
Expression: (Explainer) 제가 더 쉽게 설명해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga deo swip-ge seol-myeong-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Let me try explaining it more simply. -
Expression: (Coworker) 아, 이제 이해했어요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: a, i-je i-hae-haess-eo-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, now I understand. Thank you.
Korean Culture Notes
Hierarchy Matters: Korean workplaces often have a clear hierarchy based on age and position (선배/후배 – senior/junior). When explaining, especially if you are senior, maintain a helpful and patient tone. If you are junior explaining to a senior, be extra respectful and clear.
Indirect Communication: Sometimes, Koreans might express confusion indirectly (e.g., “조금 어렵네요” – jo-geum eo-ryeop-ne-yo – It’s a bit difficult) rather than saying “I don’t understand.” Be attentive to subtle cues and offer clarification proactively.
Saving Face (체면 – Che-myeon): Admitting confusion can sometimes feel embarrassing. Create a comfortable atmosphere where asking questions is encouraged. Reassure your coworker that it’s okay not to understand immediately (“괜찮아요” – gwaen-chan-a-yo – It’s okay).
Clarity is Valued: While indirectness exists, clear instructions are highly valued for efficiency. Ensure your explanation covers the ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘when’ of the new rule to avoid ambiguity.
Follow-up: After explaining, it’s good practice to check in later to see if the coworker is applying the rule correctly or if they have further questions. This shows care and ensures proper implementation.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Min-jun (선배 – Senior colleague) explains a new procedure for submitting expense reports to Ji-hye (후배 – Junior colleague), who seems unsure.
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Expression: A: 민준 선배 (Min-jun Seonbae): 지혜 씨, 다음 주부터 경비 처리 절차가 좀 바뀌었어요. 제가 설명해 줄게요.
Pronunciation: A: min-jun seon-bae: ji-hye ssi, da-eum ju-bu-teo gyeong-bi cheo-ri jeol-cha-ga jom ba-kkwi-eoss-eo-yo. je-ga seol-myeong-hae jul-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Min-jun (Senior): Ji-hye, the expense reporting procedure is changing a bit starting next week. I’ll explain it to you. -
Expression: B: 지혜 후배 (Ji-hye Hubae): 아, 네, 선배님. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: B: ji-hye hu-bae: a, ne, seon-bae-nim. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Ji-hye (Junior): Oh, okay, Senior. Thank you. -
Expression: A: 민준 선배: 이전에는 종이 영수증을 제출했는데, 이제는 새로 도입된 시스템에 영수증 사진을 업로드해야 해요. 이 웹사이트에서요.
Pronunciation: A: min-jun seon-bae: i-jeon-e-neun jong-i yeong-su-jeung-eul je-chul-haess-neun-de, i-je-neun sae-ro do-ip-doen si-seu-tem-e yeong-su-jeung sa-jin-eul eom-no-deu-hae-ya hae-yo. i wep-sa-i-teu-e-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Min-jun (Senior): Previously, we submitted paper receipts, but now you have to upload photos of the receipts to the newly introduced system. On this website. -
Expression: B: 지혜 후배: 아… 사진을 찍어서 웹사이트에 올리는 건가요? 그럼 종이 영수증은 필요 없나요?
Pronunciation: B: ji-hye hu-bae: a… sa-jin-eul jjig-eo-seo wep-sa-i-teu-e ol-li-neun geon-ga-yo? geu-reom jong-i yeong-su-jeung-eun pil-yo eop-na-yo?
Meaning: B: Ji-hye (Junior): Ah… so I take a photo and upload it to the website? Then are paper receipts not needed? -
Expression: A: 민준 선배: 네, 맞아요. 업로드만 하면 되고, 종이 영수증은 본인이 보관하면 돼요. 혹시 이 부분이 헷갈리나요?
Pronunciation: A: min-jun seon-bae: ne, maj-a-yo. eom-no-deu-man ha-myeon doe-go, jong-i yeong-su-jeung-eun bon-in-i bo-gwan-ha-myeon dwae-yo. hok-si i bu-bun-i het-gal-li-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Min-jun (Senior): Yes, that’s right. You just need to upload it, and you can keep the paper receipt yourself. Is this part perhaps confusing? -
Expression: B: 지혜 후배: 조금요. 웹사이트 사용법을 잘 몰라서요. 한번 보여주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: B: ji-hye hu-bae: jo-geum-yo. wep-sa-i-teu sa-yong-beob-eul jal mol-la-seo-yo. han-beon bo-yeo-ju-sil su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Ji-hye (Junior): A little. I’m not familiar with how to use the website. Could you perhaps show me once? -
Expression: A: 민준 선배: 그럼요. 지금 바로 보여줄게요. 이 버튼을 누르고 사진을 선택하면 돼요. 어렵지 않아요~
Pronunciation: A: min-jun seon-bae: geu-reom-yo. ji-geum ba-ro bo-yeo-jul-ge-yo. i beo-teun-eul nu-reu-go sa-jin-eul seon-taek-ha-myeon dwae-yo. eo-ryeop-ji an-a-yo~
Meaning: A: Min-jun (Senior): Of course. I’ll show you right now. You press this button and select the photo. It’s not difficult~ -
Expression: B: 지혜 후배: 아, 이렇게 하는 거군요! 이제 알겠어요. 감사합니다, 선배님!
Pronunciation: B: ji-hye hu-bae: a, i-reo-ke ha-neun geo-gun-yo! i-je al-gess-eo-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da, seon-bae-nim!
Meaning: B: Ji-hye (Junior): Ah, this is how you do it! Now I get it. Thank you, Senior!
Practice Tips
Understanding new rules is essential, but explaining them clearly is just as important! Try role-playing this scenario with a study partner, taking turns being the explainer and the confused coworker. Pay attention to using polite language (-시-, -요 endings) appropriate for the workplace~
Listen carefully to how native speakers explain procedures in Korean dramas or workplace vlogs. Notice their tone and the phrases they use to check for understanding. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions yourself when learning something new in Korean – it’s part of the process! Keep practicing, and you’ll become a confident communicator in the Korean workplace! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
