Communicating effectively about project delays is crucial in any workplace. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for explaining a delay to a teammate, particularly during a quick, informal break, ensuring clear and professional communication even when time is short.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 늦어지다
Pronunciation: neut-eo-ji-da
Meaning: To be delayed, to become late
Explaining the Delay
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Expression: 일정이 좀 늦어지고 있어요.
Pronunciation: il-jeong-i jom neut-eo-ji-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The schedule is getting a bit delayed. -
Expression: 예상치 못한 문제가 생겨서 지연됐어요.
Pronunciation: ye-sang-chi mot-han mun-je-ga saeng-gyeo-seo ji-yeon-dwaess-eo-yo.
Meaning: It was delayed because an unexpected problem arose. -
Expression: 자료가 아직 도착하지 않아서 작업이 늦어지고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ja-ryo-ga a-jik do-chak-ha-ji an-a-seo jak-eob-i neut-eo-ji-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The work is being delayed because the materials haven’t arrived yet. -
Expression: 다른 팀의 협조가 필요해서 시간이 좀 걸리고 있어요.
Pronunciation: da-reun tim-ui hyeop-jo-ga pil-yo-hae-seo si-gan-i jom geol-li-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s taking some time because we need cooperation from another team. -
Expression: 시스템 오류 때문에 작업이 중단됐어요.
Pronunciation: si-seu-tem o-ryu ttae-mun-e jak-eob-i jung-dan-dwaess-eo-yo.
Meaning: The work stopped due to a system error. -
Expression: 제가 맡은 부분이 생각보다 오래 걸리네요.
Pronunciation: je-ga mat-eun bu-bun-i saeng-gak-bo-da o-rae geol-li-ne-yo.
Meaning: The part I’m responsible for is taking longer than expected. -
Expression: 승인 절차가 길어져서 늦어지고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: seung-in jeol-cha-ga gil-eo-jyeo-seo neut-eo-ji-go iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s being delayed because the approval process is taking longer. -
Expression: 갑자기 다른 급한 일이 생겨서요.
Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi da-reun geup-han il-i saeng-gyeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because another urgent matter suddenly came up. -
Expression: 이 부분에서 계속 막히고 있어요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-e-seo gye-sok mak-hi-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I keep getting stuck on this part. -
Expression: 수정 사항이 많아서 시간이 더 필요해요.
Pronunciation: su-jeong sa-hang-i man-a-seo si-gan-i deo pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: There are many revisions, so I need more time.
Discussing Impact and Next Steps
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Expression: 이것 때문에 다음 단계도 늦어질 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i-geot ttae-mun-e da-eum dan-gye-do neut-eo-jil geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: Because of this, the next step will probably be delayed too. -
Expression: 마감일을 맞추기 어려울 수도 있겠어요.
Pronunciation: ma-gam-il-eul mat-chu-gi eo-ryeo-ul su-do it-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: It might be difficult to meet the deadline. -
Expression: 최대한 빨리 마무리하도록 노력할게요.
Pronunciation: choe-dae-han ppal-li ma-mu-ri-ha-do-rok no-ryeok-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll try my best to finish it as quickly as possible. -
Expression: 혹시 도와주실 수 있는 부분이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si do-wa-ju-sil su iss-neun bu-bun-i iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps any part you could help with? -
Expression: 팀장님께 보고해야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: tim-jang-nim-kke bo-go-hae-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I need to report this to the team leader. -
Expression: 새로운 예상 완료 시간을 알려드릴게요.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un ye-sang wan-ryo si-gan-eul al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll let you know the new estimated completion time. -
Expression: 이 문제가 다른 업무에 영향이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i mun-je-ga da-reun eom-mu-e yeong-hyang-i iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will this problem affect other tasks? -
Expression: 일단 급한 부분부터 처리할게요.
Pronunciation: il-dan geup-han bu-bun-bu-teo cheo-ri-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll handle the urgent parts first for now. -
Expression: 상황 업데이트 계속 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: sang-hwang eop-de-i-teu gye-sok deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll keep giving you updates on the situation. -
Expression: 우리 팀 전체 일정에 차질이 생길까 봐 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: u-ri tim jeon-che il-jeong-e cha-jil-i saeng-gil-kka bwa geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried this might disrupt our entire team’s schedule.
Quick Break Conversation Phrases
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Expression: 잠깐 얘기 좀 할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan yae-gi jom hal su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can we talk for a moment? -
Expression: 커피 한잔하면서 잠깐 이야기해요.
Pronunciation: keo-pi han-jan-ha-myeon-seo jam-kkan i-ya-gi-hae-yo.
Meaning: Let’s talk for a bit while having coffee. -
Expression: 사실은, 제가 맡은 일이 좀 늦어지고 있어서요.
Pronunciation: sa-sil-eun, je-ga mat-eun il-i jom neut-eo-ji-go iss-eo-seo-yo.
Meaning: Actually, the task I’m in charge of is getting a bit delayed. -
Expression: 혹시 지금 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ji-geum si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Are you free right now, by any chance? -
Expression: 간단하게 상황 공유 좀 하려고요.
Pronunciation: gan-dan-ha-ge sang-hwang gong-yu jom ha-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: I just wanted to briefly share the situation. -
Expression: 걱정돼서 미리 말씀드려요.
Pronunciation: geok-jeong-dwae-seo mi-ri mal-sseum-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: I’m telling you in advance because I’m concerned. -
Expression: 어떻게 하면 좋을지 의견 좀 듣고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke ha-myeon jo-eul-ji ui-gyeon jom deut-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to hear your opinion on what would be best to do. -
Expression: 이따가 다시 자세히 얘기할게요.
Pronunciation: i-tta-ga da-si ja-se-hi yae-gi-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll talk about it in more detail later. -
Expression: 네, 알겠습니다. 알려줘서 고마워요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. al-lyeo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. Thanks for letting me know. (Response from teammate) -
Expression: 제가 도울 일 있으면 언제든 말해주세요.
Pronunciation: je-ga do-ul il iss-eu-myeon eon-je-deun mal-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: If there’s anything I can help with, please tell me anytime. (Response from teammate) -
Expression: 너무 걱정 마세요. 같이 해결해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: neo-mu geok-jeong ma-se-yo. ga-chi hae-gyeol-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: Don’t worry too much. Let’s figure it out together. (Response from teammate)
Korean Culture Notes
Timeliness and ‘Palli-Palli’ Culture: Korean work culture often emphasizes speed and efficiency (빨리빨리 – palli-palli). Delays can be viewed negatively, so explaining them promptly and clearly is important to manage expectations.
Importance of Team Harmony (Nunchi): Maintaining good relationships with colleagues is vital. Informing teammates about delays proactively shows consideration and helps maintain team harmony. Using 눈치 (nunchi – the subtle art of reading situations and people’s feelings) helps determine the best time and way to deliver the news.
Reporting Structure: While you might inform a teammate informally during a break, significant delays usually require a formal report to the team leader (팀장님 – tim-jang-nim) or manager. Teammates often appreciate being kept in the loop beforehand.
Offering Solutions: When explaining a delay, it’s generally good practice to also suggest potential solutions or outline the steps you’re taking to resolve the issue. This demonstrates responsibility and proactiveness.
Indirect Communication: Sometimes, Koreans might use softer or more indirect language when delivering potentially negative news like a delay, especially to seniors. Phrases like ~ㄹ 것 같아요 (~l geot gat-a-yo – it seems like…) or ~ㄹ 수도 있겠어요 (~l su-do it-gess-eo-yo – it might be…) are common.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are taking a short coffee break.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 잠깐 시간 괜찮아요? 커피 마시면서 잠깐 얘기 좀 해요.
Pronunciation: So-ra ssi, jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-a-yo? Keo-pi ma-si-myeon-seo jam-kkan yae-gi jom hae-yo.
Meaning: Sora, do you have a moment? Let’s talk for a bit while having coffee. -
Expression: B: 네, 민준 씨. 무슨 일 있어요?
Pronunciation: Ne, Min-jun ssi. Mu-seun il iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, Minjun. Is something wrong? -
Expression: A: 아, 네. 사실 제가 맡은 보고서 작업이 좀 늦어지고 있어서요. 예상치 못한 데이터 오류가 계속 나와서요.
Pronunciation: A, ne. Sa-sil je-ga mat-eun bo-go-seo jak-eob-i jom neut-eo-ji-go iss-eo-seo-yo. Ye-sang-chi mot-han de-i-teo o-ryu-ga gye-sok na-wa-seo-yo.
Meaning: Ah, yes. Actually, the report I’m working on is getting a bit delayed. Unexpected data errors keep popping up. -
Expression: B: 아, 정말요? 그래서 시간이 더 걸리는군요. 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: A, jeong-mal-lyo? Geu-rae-seo si-gan-i deo geol-li-neun-gun-yo. Gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? So that’s why it’s taking more time. Are you okay? -
Expression: A: 네, 해결하려고 노력 중인데, 아무래도 오늘까지 마무리하기는 어려울 것 같아요. 내일 오전까지는 가능할 것 같은데, 팀 일정에 영향이 있을까 봐 걱정돼서 미리 말씀드려요.
Pronunciation: Ne, hae-gyeol-ha-ryeo-go no-ryeok jung-in-de, a-mu-rae-do o-neul-kka-ji ma-mu-ri-ha-gi-neun eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-a-yo. Nae-il o-jeon-kka-ji-neun ga-neung-hal geot gat-eun-de, tim il-jeong-e yeong-hyang-i iss-eul-kka bwa geok-jeong-dwae-seo mi-ri mal-sseum-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’m trying to fix it, but it seems unlikely I’ll finish by today. I think I can probably do it by tomorrow morning, but I was worried it might affect the team schedule, so I wanted to let you know in advance. -
Expression: B: 알려줘서 고마워요, 민준 씨. 너무 걱정 마세요. 혹시 제가 도울 일 있으면 바로 말해주세요. 팀장님께는 말씀드렸어요?
Pronunciation: Al-lyeo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo, Min-jun ssi. Neo-mu geok-jeong ma-se-yo. Hok-si je-ga do-ul il iss-eu-myeon ba-ro mal-hae-ju-se-yo. Tim-jang-nim-kke-neun mal-sseum-deu-ryeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Thanks for letting me know, Minjun. Don’t worry too much. If there’s anything I can help with, just tell me right away. Have you told the team leader? -
Expression: A: 아직요. 이따 오후에 상황 보고 드리려고요.
Pronunciation: A-jik-yo. I-tta o-hu-e sang-hwang bo-go deu-ri-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: Not yet. I plan to report the situation later this afternoon. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 힘내세요!
Pronunciation: Ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. Him-nae-se-yo!
Meaning: Okay, I understand. Hang in there! (Cheer up!)
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially with workplace communication! Try role-playing these scenarios with a language partner or friend~ Imagine different reasons for delays and practice explaining them concisely. Pay attention to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks! You can also try writing short dialogues similar to the example conversation. Using these phrases confidently will help you navigate work situations smoothly in Korea! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
