Dealing with specific customer requests is a common scenario in the service industry. This guide focuses on Korean phrases a waiter can use when a customer finds their iced tea isn’t cold enough and asks for it to be colder. You’ll learn how to understand the request, acknowledge it politely, and offer solutions effectively in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Request Phrasing
Understanding the customer’s core request is the first step. They might express their need for colder iced tea in several ways.
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Expression: 아이스티가 좀 덜 시원해요.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-ti-ga jom deol si-won-hae-yo.
Meaning: The iced tea is a bit less cold (than expected). -
Expression: 얼음 좀 더 넣어 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: eo-reum jom deo neo-eo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you put in some more ice? -
Expression: 더 차갑게 해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: deo cha-gap-ge hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you make it colder?
Initial Waiter Responses
When a customer expresses dissatisfaction or makes a request, a polite initial response is crucial.
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Expression: 네, 손님. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, customer. How may I help you? -
Expression: 아이스티 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-ti gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the iced tea okay? -
Expression: 아, 그러신가요? 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-sin-ga-yo? joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Oh, is that so? I apologize. -
Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주십시오.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-sip-si-o.
Meaning: Please wait just a moment. -
Expression: 어떻게 해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What would you like me to do? / How can I help you with that?
Addressing the Temperature Issue
Specifically acknowledge the customer’s concern about the iced tea’s temperature.
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Expression: 아이스티가 덜 시원하시군요.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-ti-ga deol si-won-ha-si-gun-yo.
Meaning: Ah, the iced tea isn’t cold enough for you. -
Expression: 더 차갑게 해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: deo cha-gap-ge hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I make it colder for you? -
Expression: 얼음을 더 넣어 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-reum-eul deo neo-eo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I put more ice in for you? -
Expression: 새로 만들어 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: sae-ro man-deu-reo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I make a new one for you? -
Expression: 죄송합니다. 바로 조치해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ham-ni-da. ba-ro jo-chi-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize. I will take care of it right away. -
Expression: 원하시는 만큼 시원하게 해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: won-ha-si-neun man-keum si-won-ha-ge hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will make it as cold as you like.
Offering Solutions
Clearly state how you will resolve the issue for the customer.
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Expression: 네, 얼음 더 가져다 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, eo-reum deo ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I will bring you more ice. -
Expression: 아이스티를 새로 만들어서 가져다 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-ti-reul sae-ro man-deu-reo-seo ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will make a new iced tea and bring it to you. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주시면 더 차갑게 준비해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-si-myeon deo cha-gap-ge jun-bi-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: If you wait just a moment, I will prepare it colder for you. -
Expression: 얼음 가득 채워 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-reum ga-deuk chae-wo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I fill it up with ice? -
Expression: 불편을 드려 죄송합니다. 바로 해결해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-eul deu-ryeo joe-song-ham-ni-da. ba-ro hae-gyeol-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize for the inconvenience. I will resolve it immediately. -
Expression: 이제 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: i-je gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay now? (After providing the solution)
Korean Service Culture Notes
Understanding Korean service culture helps in handling customer interactions smoothly. Politeness is paramount; always use formal language endings like -요 (yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (mnida/seumnida) when addressing customers (손님 – son-nim).
Korean customers generally expect prompt attention and quick solutions to problems. Acknowledging the issue immediately (아, 그러신가요? – a, geu-reo-sin-ga-yo?) and offering a solution without delay is considered good service.
Apologizing (죄송합니다 – joe-song-ham-ni-da) even for minor inconveniences shows respect and a commitment to customer satisfaction. It’s often better to offer a concrete action (like adding ice or remaking the drink) rather than just apologizing.
Confirming satisfaction after addressing the issue (이제 괜찮으신가요? – i-je gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?) is a good final step to ensure the customer feels heard and cared for.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer at a cafe signals to a waiter because their iced tea isn’t cold enough.
Roles: A = Customer (손님 – son-nim), B = Waiter (종업원 – jong-eop-won)
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Expression: A: 저기요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 부르셨어요? 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. bu-reu-syeo-sseo-yo? mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, customer. Did you call? How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 이 아이스티가 좀 덜 시원한 것 같아요. 얼음 좀 더 넣어 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i a-i-seu-ti-ga jom deol si-won-han geot ga-ta-yo. eo-reum jom deo neo-eo ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: I think this iced tea is a bit less cold. Can you put in some more ice? -
Expression: B: 아, 그러신가요? 죄송합니다. 네, 그럼요. 얼음 더 넣어 드릴까요, 아니면 새로 만들어 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-sin-ga-yo? joe-song-ham-ni-da. ne, geu-reom-yo. eo-reum deo neo-eo deu-ril-kka-yo, a-ni-myeon sae-ro man-deu-reo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Oh, is that so? I apologize. Yes, of course. Shall I add more ice, or would you prefer I make a new one? -
Expression: A: 얼음만 더 넣어 주시면 될 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: eo-reum-man deo neo-eo ju-si-myeon doel geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: Just adding more ice should be fine. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려 주십시오. 바로 가져다 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-sip-si-o. ba-ro ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. Please wait just a moment. I will bring it right away. -
Expression: (Waiter returns with more ice added)
Pronunciation: (Waiter returns with more ice added)
Meaning: (Waiter returns with more ice added) -
Expression: B: 손님, 얼음 더 넣어 드렸습니다. 이제 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: son-nim, eo-reum deo neo-eo deu-ryeo-sseum-ni-da. i-je gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Customer, I’ve added more ice. Is it okay now? -
Expression: A: 네, 훨씬 낫네요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, hwol-ssin nan-ne-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, it’s much better. Thank you. -
Expression: B: 아닙니다. 맛있게 드세요!
Pronunciation: a-nim-ni-da. ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo!
Meaning: Not at all. Enjoy your drink!
Practice and Application
Handling customer requests politely is key in any service role! Practice these phrases until they feel natural~. Try role-playing the conversation with a friend, taking turns being the customer and the waiter. Pay attention to the politeness levels and the specific vocabulary for temperature and solutions.
Listen for similar interactions if you visit cafes or restaurants in Korea or watch Korean dramas featuring service scenes. The more you expose yourself to real-life usage, the more comfortable you’ll become! Remember, promptness and politeness go a long way in Korean service culture. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
