Communicating effectively about work delays is crucial in any professional setting. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for explaining a delay to a teammate over a quick call, ensuring clear and professional communication within your team.
Table Of Content
Core Expression for Delay
-
Expression: 늦어질 것 같아요
Pronunciation: neut-eo-jil geot ga-ta-yo
Meaning: It seems like it will be delayed / I think it’s going to be late.
Explaining the Reason for Delay
-
Expression: 예상치 못한 문제가 생겼어요.
Pronunciation: ye-sang-chi mot-han mun-je-ga saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: An unexpected problem came up. -
Expression: 데이터 확인하는 데 시간이 좀 걸리네요.
Pronunciation: de-i-teo hwa-gin-ha-neun de si-gan-i jom geol-li-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s taking some time to check the data. -
Expression: 다른 급한 일이 먼저 생겨서요.
Pronunciation: da-reun geu-pan il-i meon-jeo saeng-gyeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: Because another urgent matter came up first. -
Expression: 시스템 오류 때문에 작업이 중단됐어요.
Pronunciation: si-seu-tem o-ryu ttae-mun-e ja-geob-i jung-dan-dwae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The work stopped due to a system error. -
Expression: 필요한 자료를 아직 못 받았어요.
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han ja-ryo-reul a-jik mot ba-da-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I haven’t received the necessary materials yet. -
Expression: 생각보다 작업량이 많네요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-bo-da ja-geom-nyang-i man-ne-yo.
Meaning: The workload is heavier than I thought. -
Expression: 회의가 길어져서 시작이 늦어졌어요.
Pronunciation: hoe-ui-ga gil-eo-jyeo-seo si-jag-i neut-eo-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The meeting ran long, so I started late. -
Expression: 승인 절차가 지연되고 있어요.
Pronunciation: seung-in jeol-cha-ga ji-yeon-doe-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The approval process is being delayed. -
Expression: 갑자기 몸이 안 좋아서 속도가 안 나요.
Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi mom-i an jo-a-seo sok-do-ga an na-yo.
Meaning: I suddenly don’t feel well, so I’m not making good progress. -
Expression: 이전 단계 작업이 아직 안 끝났어요.
Pronunciation: i-jeon dan-gye ja-geob-i a-jik an kkeun-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The previous step’s work isn’t finished yet. -
Expression: 클라이언트 요청 사항 변경 때문에요.
Pronunciation: keul-la-i-eon-teu yo-cheong sa-hang byeon-gyeong ttae-mun-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s because of changes in the client’s requests. -
Expression: 기술적인 문제 해결에 시간이 걸리고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gi-sul-jeog-in mun-je hae-gyeol-e si-gan-i geol-li-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s taking time to resolve technical issues.
Estimating the New Timeline
-
Expression: 언제쯤 끝날 것 같아요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum kkeun-nal geot ga-ta-yo?
Meaning: Around when do you think it will be finished? (Asking for an estimate) -
Expression: 한 시간 정도 더 걸릴 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: han si-gan jeong-do deo geol-lil geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think it will take about one more hour. -
Expression: 오늘 안에는 마무리할 수 있을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: o-neul an-e-neun ma-mu-ri-hal su i-sseul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I can finish it within today. -
Expression: 내일 오전까지는 완료하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: nae-il o-jeon-kka-ji-neun wan-lyo-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will complete it by tomorrow morning. -
Expression: 정확한 시간은 다시 알려드릴게요.
Pronunciation: jeong-hwa-kan si-gan-eun da-si al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll let you know the exact time again later. -
Expression: 최소 30분은 더 필요할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: choe-so sam-sip-bun-eun deo pil-yo-hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems like I’ll need at least 30 more minutes. -
Expression: 오후 3시까지는 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: o-hu se-si-kka-ji-neun ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will it be possible by 3 PM? (Asking if a specific time is feasible) -
Expression: 상황 봐서 다시 연락드릴게요.
Pronunciation: sang-hwang bwa-seo da-si yeol-lak-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll see how things go and contact you again. -
Expression: 예상보다 시간이 더 걸릴 수도 있어요.
Pronunciation: ye-sang-bo-da si-gan-i deo geol-lil su-do i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It might take longer than expected. -
Expression: 지금 속도로는 저녁 늦게 끝날 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ji-geum sok-do-ro-neun jeo-nyeok neut-ge kkeun-nal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: At this pace, I think it will finish late in the evening. -
Expression: 일단 오후 중으로 목표하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: il-dan o-hu jung-eu-ro mok-pyo-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: For now, I’m aiming for sometime this afternoon. -
Expression: 정확히 언제라고 말씀드리기는 어렵네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-hi eon-je-ra-go mal-sseum-deu-ri-gi-neun eo-ryeom-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s difficult to say exactly when.
Apologizing and Offering Updates
-
Expression: 늦어져서 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: neut-eo-jyeo-seo joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize for the delay. (Formal) -
Expression: 미안해요, 조금 늦어질 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: mi-an-hae-yo, jo-geum neut-eo-jil geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: Sorry, I think it’s going to be a little late. (Polite, slightly less formal) -
Expression: 최대한 빨리 처리하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: choe-dae-han ppal-li cheo-ri-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will handle it as quickly as possible. -
Expression: 진행 상황 다시 공유 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: jin-haeng sang-hwang da-si gong-yu deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll share the progress update again later. -
Expression: 기다리게 해서 죄송해요.
Pronunciation: gi-da-ri-ge hae-seo joe-song-hae-yo.
Meaning: I’m sorry for making you wait. -
Expression: 혹시 도움이 필요하면 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: hok-si do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if you need any help. (Offering help to mitigate the delay’s impact) -
Expression: 다른 부분 먼저 진행하고 계세요.
Pronunciation: da-reun bu-bun meon-jeo jin-haeng-ha-go gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Please proceed with other parts first. -
Expression: 끝나는 대로 바로 연락드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: kkeun-na-neun dae-ro ba-ro yeol-lak-deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will contact you immediately as soon as it’s finished. -
Expression: 양해 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: yang-hae bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your understanding. / Please understand. -
Expression: 제가 책임지고 마무리하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga chae-gim-ji-go ma-mu-ri-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will take responsibility and finish it. -
Expression: 업데이트 되는 대로 알려드릴게요.
Pronunciation: eop-de-i-teu doe-neun dae-ro al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll let you know as soon as there are updates. -
Expression: 일정 차질 없도록 노력하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: il-jeong cha-jil eop-do-rok no-ryeok-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will try my best to avoid disrupting the schedule.
Korean Culture Notes
Timeliness (시간 엄수): While flexibility exists, punctuality and meeting deadlines (마감일 준수 – ma-gam-il jun-su) are generally valued in Korean workplaces. Informing teammates about delays proactively is considered professional courtesy.
Indirect Communication: Sometimes, reasons for delays might be explained slightly indirectly, using phrases like “좀 시간이 걸리네요” (jom si-gan-i geol-li-ne-yo – It’s taking a bit of time) rather than overly detailed excuses, especially for minor issues. However, for significant delays, a clear reason is expected.
Apology and Responsibility: A clear apology (죄송합니다 – joe-song-ham-ni-da or 미안해요 – mi-an-hae-yo) is important when announcing a delay. Taking responsibility and assuring completion (최대한 빨리 하겠습니다 – choe-dae-han ppal-li ha-ge-sseum-ni-da) helps maintain trust.
Teamwork Emphasis (‘우리’ 문화): The concept of ‘uri’ (we/us) is strong. Delays can impact the team, so keeping colleagues informed shows consideration for the collective effort. Offering updates is part of this collaborative spirit.
Using Polite Language (존댓말): Even with close teammates, using polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal), especially the ‘-yo’ (요) or ‘-seumnida/bnida’ (습니다/ㅂ니다) endings, is standard in most professional phone calls or formal updates about work status.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Worker A (Minjun) calls his teammate B (Sujin) to inform her about a delay in preparing a report they both need.
-
Expression: A (민준): 수진 씨, 저 민준인데요. 잠시 통화 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: su-jin ssi, jeo min-jun-in-de-yo. jam-si tong-hwa gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Sujin, it’s Minjun. Is it okay to talk for a moment? -
Expression: B (수진): 네, 민준 씨. 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?
Pronunciation: ne, min-jun ssi. gwaen-chan-a-yo. mu-seun il-i-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, Minjun. It’s fine. What’s up? -
Expression: A (민준): 다름이 아니라, 제가 맡은 보고서 파트가 조금 늦어질 것 같아서 미리 연락드렸어요.
Pronunciation: da-reum-i a-ni-ra, je-ga ma-teun bo-go-seo pa-teu-ga jo-geum neut-eo-jil geot ga-ta-seo mi-ri yeol-lak-deu-ryeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s about the report section I’m in charge of; I called to let you know in advance that it seems like it will be a bit delayed. -
Expression: B (수진): 아, 그래요? 혹시 무슨 문제라도 생겼어요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-rae-yo? hok-si mu-seun mun-je-ra-do saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? Did some kind of problem arise? -
Expression: A (민준): 네, 어제 받은 데이터에 오류가 좀 있어서 확인하는 데 예상보다 시간이 더 걸리네요. 죄송해요.
Pronunciation: ne, eo-je ba-deun de-i-teo-e o-ryu-ga jom i-sseo-seo hwa-gin-ha-neun de ye-sang-bo-da si-gan-i deo geol-li-ne-yo. joe-song-hae-yo.
Meaning: Yes, there were some errors in the data I received yesterday, so checking it is taking longer than expected. I’m sorry. -
Expression: B (수진): 괜찮아요. 알려줘서 고마워요. 언제쯤 마무리될 것 같아요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a-yo. al-lyeo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo. eon-je-jjeum ma-mu-ri-doel geot ga-ta-yo?
Meaning: It’s okay. Thanks for letting me know. Around when do you think it will be finished? -
Expression: A (민준): 음… 아마 한 시간 정도 더 필요할 것 같아요. 최대한 빨리 해서 넘겨 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: eum… a-ma han si-gan jeong-do deo pil-yo-hal geot ga-ta-yo. choe-dae-han ppal-li hae-seo neom-gyeo deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Hmm… I think I’ll probably need about one more hour. I’ll finish it as quickly as possible and pass it over to you. -
Expression: B (수진): 네, 알겠습니다. 그럼 기다리고 있을게요. 다른 도움이 필요하면 말해주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. geu-reom gi-da-ri-go i-sseul-ge-yo. da-reun do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon mal-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I understand. I’ll be waiting then. Let me know if you need any other help. -
Expression: A (민준): 네, 감사합니다! 곧 다시 연락드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da! got da-si yeol-lak-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, thank you! I’ll contact you again soon.
Practice Tips
Communicating delays clearly is a vital workplace skill! Try practicing these phrases by role-playing with a study partner or even just saying them aloud~ Imagine different scenarios – a technical issue, waiting for information, or just having too much work – and practice explaining the situation using the expressions above. Pay close attention to the politeness level and choose phrases appropriate for your relationship with your teammate!
Remember to always provide a reason (even a brief one), give a realistic estimate if possible, apologize sincerely, and offer updates. This shows professionalism and respect for your colleagues’ time. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
