Communicating project delays effectively is crucial in any professional environment, especially in Korea where clear communication and managing expectations are highly valued. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for explaining a project delay to a colleague, ensuring you handle the situation professionally and maintain good working relationships.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 프로젝트 일정이 좀 지연됐어요.
Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu il-jeong-i jom ji-yeon-dwaess-eo-yo.
Meaning: The project schedule has been slightly delayed.
Basic Work & Project Vocabulary
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Expression: 프로젝트
Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu
Meaning: Project -
Expression: 일정
Pronunciation: il-jeong
Meaning: Schedule / Timeline -
Expression: 마감일
Pronunciation: ma-gam-il
Meaning: Deadline -
Expression: 업무
Pronunciation: eop-mu
Meaning: Work / Task -
Expression: 담당자
Pronunciation: dam-dang-ja
Meaning: Person in charge -
Expression: 진행 상황
Pronunciation: jin-haeng sang-hwang
Meaning: Progress status -
Expression: 문제
Pronunciation: mun-je
Meaning: Problem / Issue -
Expression: 해결책
Pronunciation: hae-gyeol-chaek
Meaning: Solution -
Expression: 보고하다
Pronunciation: bo-go-ha-da
Meaning: To report -
Expression: 상의하다
Pronunciation: sang-ui-ha-da
Meaning: To discuss / consult -
Expression: 협력하다
Pronunciation: hyeop-ryeok-ha-da
Meaning: To cooperate / collaborate -
Expression: 팀원
Pronunciation: tim-won
Meaning: Team member
Phrases for Explaining the Delay
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Expression: 죄송하지만, 프로젝트가 조금 늦어질 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, peu-ro-jek-teu-ga jo-geum neut-eo-jil geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but it seems the project will be a bit delayed. -
Expression: 예상치 못한 문제가 발생해서 일정이 지연됐습니다.
Pronunciation: ye-sang-chi mot-han mun-je-ga bal-saeng-hae-seo il-jeong-i ji-yeon-dwaess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The schedule was delayed because an unexpected problem occurred. -
Expression: 현재 문제 해결 중이라 시간이 좀 더 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae mun-je hae-gyeol jung-i-ra si-gan-i jom deo pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We are currently solving the problem, so we need a bit more time. -
Expression: 외부 요인 때문에 작업이 늦어졌어요.
Pronunciation: oe-bu yo-in ttae-mun-e jak-eob-i neut-eo-jyeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The work was delayed due to external factors. -
Expression: 자료 수집에 시간이 예상보다 오래 걸렸습니다.
Pronunciation: ja-ryo su-jib-e si-gan-i ye-sang-bo-da o-rae geol-lyeoss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Gathering the data took longer than expected. -
Expression: 기술적인 문제로 인해 지연이 불가피했습니다.
Pronunciation: gi-sul-jeok-in mun-je-ro in-hae ji-yeon-i bul-ga-pi-haess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The delay was unavoidable due to technical issues. -
Expression: 관련 부서와의 협의가 늦어져서 그렇습니다.
Pronunciation: gwan-ryeon bu-seo-wa-ui hyeob-ui-ga neut-eo-jyeo-seo geu-reos-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s because consultation with the relevant department was delayed. -
Expression: 최대한 빨리 마무리하도록 노력하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: choe-dae-han ppal-li ma-mu-ri-ha-do-rok no-ryeok-ha-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will do my best to finish it as quickly as possible. -
Expression: 이해해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: i-hae-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your understanding. -
Expression: 변경된 일정은 다시 공유드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: byeon-gyeong-doen il-jeong-eun da-si gong-yu-deu-ri-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will share the updated schedule again.
Discussing Revised Timelines and Solutions
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Expression: 새로운 마감일은 다음 주 금요일입니다.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un ma-gam-il-eun da-eum ju geum-yo-il-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The new deadline is next Friday. -
Expression: 일정을 재조정해야 할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: il-jeong-eul jae-jo-jeong-hae-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems we need to readjust the schedule. -
Expression: 지연된 부분을 만회하기 위해 노력 중입니다.
Pronunciation: ji-yeon-doen bu-bun-eul man-hoe-ha-gi wi-hae no-ryeok jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: We are working hard to make up for the delayed part. -
Expression: 추가 인력이 필요할 수도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: chu-ga il-lyeok-i pil-yo-hal su-do iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We might need additional manpower. -
Expression: 이 문제를 어떻게 해결하면 좋을지 상의하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: i mun-je-reul eo-tteo-ke hae-gyeol-ha-myeon jo-eul-ji sang-ui-ha-go sips-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to discuss how best to solve this problem. -
Expression: 업무 우선순위를 조정해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: eop-mu u-seon-sun-wi-reul jo-jeong-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should we adjust the work priorities? -
Expression: 변경된 계획에 대해 다시 보고드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: byeon-gyeong-doen gye-hoek-e dae-hae da-si bo-go-deu-ri-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will report back on the changed plan. -
Expression: 다음 주까지는 정상 궤도에 오를 것으로 예상합니다.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju-kka-ji-neun jeong-sang gwe-do-e o-reul geo-seo-ro ye-sang-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We expect to be back on track by next week. -
Expression: 협조해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: hyeop-jo-hae ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would appreciate your cooperation. -
Expression: 진행 상황을 계속 업데이트해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: jin-haeng sang-hwang-eul gye-sok eop-de-i-teu-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will keep you updated on the progress.
Responding to Colleague’s Questions
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Expression: 네, 맞아요. 예상보다 조금 늦어지고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, maj-a-yo. ye-sang-bo-da jo-geum neut-eo-ji-go iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. It’s taking a bit longer than expected. -
Expression: 정확한 원인은 아직 파악 중입니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-han won-in-eun a-jik pa-ak jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: We are still identifying the exact cause. -
Expression: 다른 업무에 영향이 없도록 최선을 다하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: da-reun eop-mu-e yeong-hyang-i eop-do-rok choe-seon-eul da-ha-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will do my best to ensure it doesn’t affect other tasks. -
Expression: 구체적인 지연 사유는 보고서에 정리해서 공유하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gu-che-jeok-in ji-yeon sa-yu-neun bo-go-seo-e jeong-ri-hae-seo gong-yu-ha-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will summarize the specific reasons for the delay in a report and share it. -
Expression: 혹시 도움이 필요하시면 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: hok-si do-um-i pil-yo-ha-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if you need any help. (Said by the colleague) -
Expression: 걱정 끼쳐드려 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: geok-jeong kki-chyeo-deu-ryeo joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize for causing concern. -
Expression: 네, 곧 해결될 것으로 보입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, got hae-gyeol-doel geo-seo-ro bo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, it looks like it will be resolved soon. -
Expression: 자세한 내용은 잠시 후에 다시 말씀드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ja-se-han nae-yong-eun jam-si hu-e da-si mal-sseum-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll tell you the details again shortly. -
Expression: 팀 전체에 공유된 내용인가요?
Pronunciation: tim jeon-che-e gong-yu-doen nae-yong-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Has this been shared with the entire team? (Asked by the colleague) -
Expression: 네, 팀장님께는 보고드렸습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, tim-jang-nim-kke-neun bo-go-deu-ryeoss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I have reported it to the team leader.
Korean Culture Notes
Timeliness and ‘Palli-Palli’ Culture: Korea is known for its ‘palli-palli’ (빨리빨리, hurry-hurry) culture, which emphasizes speed and efficiency. Delays can sometimes be viewed negatively, so it’s important to communicate them proactively and clearly.
Saving Face (Che-myeon): When explaining a delay, avoid placing direct blame on individuals if possible. Focus on the situation or external factors. Framing the issue constructively helps everyone involved save face (체면, che-myeon).
Importance of Reporting (Bogo): Regularly reporting progress (보고, bogo) and issues is standard practice. Informing relevant parties, especially superiors and affected colleagues, about delays promptly is crucial for maintaining trust.
Team Harmony (Hwahap): Emphasize teamwork and collective effort in overcoming the delay. Phrases showing commitment to resolving the issue and minimizing impact on others contribute to team harmony (화합, hwahap).
Indirect Communication: While directness is increasing, sometimes reasons for delays might be communicated slightly indirectly or softened, especially when internal errors are involved. Using phrases like “조금 늦어질 것 같아요” (it seems it will be a bit delayed) is common.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun needs to inform his colleague, Sora, that the report they are collaborating on will be delayed because of issues with data collection.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준) – Explaining the delay
- B: Sora (소라) – Curious colleague
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Expression: B: 민준 씨, 다음 주 발표 자료 준비는 잘 되어가요?
Pronunciation: min-jun ssi, da-eum ju bal-pyo ja-ryo jun-bi-neun jal doe-eo-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Minjun, how is the preparation for next week’s presentation materials going? -
Expression: A: 아, 소라 씨. 사실 드릴 말씀이 있어요. 자료 수집에 예상보다 시간이 걸려서 보고서 완료가 조금 늦어질 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a, so-ra ssi. sa-sil deu-ril mal-sseum-i iss-eo-yo. ja-ryo su-jib-e ye-sang-bo-da si-gan-i geol-lyeo-seo bo-go-seo wan-ryo-ga jo-geum neut-eo-jil geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: A: Ah, Sora. Actually, there’s something I need to tell you. Data collection took longer than expected, so it looks like the report completion will be a bit delayed. -
Expression: B: 아, 정말요? 얼마나 지연될 것 같은데요?
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal-lyo? eol-ma-na ji-yeon-doel geot gat-eun-de-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, really? How long do you think it will be delayed? -
Expression: A: 죄송해요. 아마 하루 이틀 정도 더 필요할 것 같습니다. 최대한 빨리 마무리하려고 노력 중이에요.
Pronunciation: joe-song-hae-yo. a-ma ha-ru i-teul jeong-do deo pil-yo-hal geot gat-seum-ni-da. choe-dae-han ppal-li ma-mu-ri-ha-ryeo-go no-ryeok jung-i-e-yo.
Meaning: A: I’m sorry. It will probably take about one or two more days. I’m trying my best to finish it as quickly as possible. -
Expression: B: 그렇군요. 알겠습니다. 혹시 제가 도울 일 있을까요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo. al-gess-seum-ni-da. hok-si je-ga do-ul il iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: I see. Understood. Is there anything I can help with? -
Expression: A: 괜찮아요. 거의 다 됐으니 곧 공유 드릴게요. 이해해 주셔서 감사합니다, 소라 씨.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a-yo. geo-ui da dwaess-eu-ni got gong-yu deu-ril-ge-yo. i-hae-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da, so-ra ssi.
Meaning: A: It’s okay. It’s almost done, so I’ll share it soon. Thank you for your understanding, Sora. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 업데이트 기다릴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-gess-seum-ni-da. eop-de-i-teu gi-da-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Okay, understood. I’ll wait for the update.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect! Try role-playing scenarios with a language partner where you have to explain a delay~. Focus on using polite language (-요/-ㅂ니다 endings) and clearly stating the situation and expected timeline. Listen to how native speakers handle similar situations in Korean dramas or workplace vlogs. Remember to be apologetic but also proactive in suggesting solutions or revised plans. Good luck! 화이팅!
