Dealing with specific customer requests, such as wanting a colder beer, requires both politeness and clear communication in Korean service settings. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for waiters handling customers who insist their beer isn’t cold enough, ensuring professional and effective interaction.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 맥주가 더 차가웠으면 좋으시겠어요?
Pronunciation: maek-ju-ga deo cha-ga-wot-seu-myeon jo-eu-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like the beer to be colder? (Polite inquiry)
Initial Responses and Acknowledgements
-
Expression: 네, 손님. 어떤 점이 불편하신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. eo-tteon jeom-i bul-pyeon-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, customer. What seems to be the issue? -
Expression: 맥주 온도가 만족스럽지 않으신가요?
Pronunciation: maek-ju on-do-ga man-jok-seu-reop-ji a-neu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you not satisfied with the beer’s temperature? -
Expression: 아, 그러신가요? 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-sin-ga-yo? joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Oh, is that so? I apologize. -
Expression: 맥주가 충분히 차갑지 않다고 느끼시는군요.
Pronunciation: maek-ju-ga chung-bun-hi cha-gap-ji an-ta-go neu-kki-si-neun-gun-yo.
Meaning: I see you feel the beer isn’t cold enough. -
Expression: 바로 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ba-ro hwak-in-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check it right away. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please wait a moment? -
Expression: 불편을 드려 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-eul deu-ryeo joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize for the inconvenience. -
Expression: 저희 맥주는 냉장고에서 바로 꺼내 드립니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui maek-ju-neun naeng-jang-go-e-seo ba-ro kkeo-nae deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: We serve our beer straight from the refrigerator. -
Expression: 온도를 다시 한번 체크해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: on-do-reul da-si han-beon che-keu-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check the temperature once again.
Addressing Persistent Requests
-
Expression: 손님, 다시 확인해 보았는데 현재 가장 차가운 상태입니다.
Pronunciation: son-nim, da-si hwak-in-hae bo-at-neun-de hyeon-jae ga-jang cha-ga-un sang-tae-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Customer, I’ve checked again, and this is currently the coldest state. -
Expression: 혹시 얼음잔을 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si eo-reum-jan-eul deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would you perhaps like a glass with ice? -
Expression: 저희 냉장 시스템상 이 온도가 최선입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui naeng-jang si-seu-tem-sang i on-do-ga choe-seon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Due to our refrigeration system, this temperature is the best we can offer. -
Expression: 다른 종류의 맥주를 시도해 보시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jong-nyu-ui maek-ju-reul si-do-hae bo-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to try a different kind of beer? -
Expression: 이 맥주는 원래 아주 차갑게 제공되지 않는 편입니다.
Pronunciation: i maek-ju-neun wol-lae a-ju cha-gap-ge je-gong-doe-ji an-neun pyeon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This particular beer is generally not served extremely cold. -
Expression: 더 차갑게 해드릴 수 있는 방법이 있는지 알아보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: deo cha-gap-ge hae-deu-ril su it-neun bang-beob-i it-neun-ji a-ra-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will see if there’s any way to make it colder for you. -
Expression: 정말 죄송하지만, 현재로서는 이게 가장 차가운 맥주입니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal joe-song-ha-ji-man, hyeon-jae-ro-seo-neun i-ge ga-jang cha-ga-un maek-ju-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m truly sorry, but at the moment, this is the coldest beer we have. -
Expression: 냉장고 온도는 일정하게 유지되고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: naeng-jang-go on-do-neun il-jeong-ha-ge yu-ji-doe-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The refrigerator temperature is kept constant. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 불편한 점은 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun bul-pyeon-han jeom-eun eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything else bothering you, perhaps? -
Expression: 이해해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: i-hae-hae ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would appreciate your understanding.
Offering Solutions
-
Expression: 얼음을 몇 개 넣어 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-reum-eul myeot gae neo-eo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I put some ice cubes in for you? -
Expression: 맥주잔을 차갑게 해서 다시 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: maek-ju-jan-eul cha-gap-ge hae-seo da-si deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I give you a chilled beer glass again? -
Expression: 가장 차갑게 보관된 다른 브랜드 맥주로 바꿔 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang cha-gap-ge bo-gwan-doen da-reun beu-raen-deu maek-ju-ro ba-kkwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I exchange it for a different brand of beer that is kept coldest? -
Expression: 새 병으로 다시 가져다 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: sae byeong-eu-ro da-si ga-jyeo-da deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I bring you a new bottle again? -
Expression: 냉장고 가장 안쪽에 있는 것으로 드려보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: naeng-jang-go ga-jang an-jjok-e it-neun geot-eu-ro deu-ryeo-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will try giving you one from the very back of the refrigerator. -
Expression: 혹시 선호하시는 맥주 온도가 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si seon-ho-ha-si-neun maek-ju on-do-ga i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you perhaps have a preferred beer temperature? -
Expression: 저희가 제공할 수 있는 가장 차가운 상태로 준비해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui-ga je-gong-hal su it-neun ga-jang cha-ga-un sang-tae-ro jun-bi-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We will try to prepare it in the coldest state we can provide. -
Expression: 아이스 버킷을 요청해 볼까요?
Pronunciation: a-i-seu beo-ki-seul yo-cheong-hae bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I request an ice bucket? (If applicable) -
Expression: 다른 시원한 음료는 어떠신가요?
Pronunciation: da-reun si-won-han eum-nyo-neun eo-tteo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: How about another cold beverage?
Polite Explanations and Refusals
-
Expression: 죄송하지만, 저희 맥주는 모두 동일한 온도로 관리됩니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jeo-hui maek-ju-neun mo-du dong-il-han on-do-ro gwal-li-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize, but all our beers are managed at the same temperature. -
Expression: 이보다 더 차갑게 해 드리기는 어렵습니다. 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: i-bo-da deo cha-gap-ge hae deu-ri-gi-neun eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da. joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: It is difficult to make it colder than this. I apologize. -
Expression: 맥주 맛을 위해 적정 온도를 유지하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: maek-ju ma-seul wi-hae jeok-jeong on-do-reul yu-ji-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We maintain an appropriate temperature for the taste of the beer. -
Expression: 얼음을 넣으면 맥주 맛이 변할 수 있습니다. 괜찮으시겠어요?
Pronunciation: eo-reum-eul neo-eu-myeon maek-ju ma-si byeon-hal su it-seum-ni-da. gwaen-cha-neu-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Adding ice might change the taste of the beer. Would that be alright? -
Expression: 저희 매장 규정상 추가 냉각은 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui mae-jang gyu-jeong-sang chu-ga naeng-gag-eun eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: According to our store policy, additional cooling is difficult. -
Expression: 손님의 기대를 충족시켜 드리지 못해 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: son-nim-ui gi-dae-reul chung-jok-si-kyeo deu-ri-ji mo-tae joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize that we couldn’t meet your expectations. -
Expression: 현재 제공되는 온도가 저희 표준입니다.
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae je-gong-doe-neun on-do-ga jeo-hui pyo-jun-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The currently provided temperature is our standard. -
Expression: 양해 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: yang-hae bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: We ask for your understanding. -
Expression: 다른 필요한 것은 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: da-reun pil-yo-han geo-seun eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything else you need?
Korean Culture Notes
In Korea, maintaining politeness (예의 – ye-ui) is crucial in service interactions. Even when dealing with a complaint or a persistent request, staff are expected to remain calm, respectful, and apologetic, often using phrases like 죄송합니다 (joe-song-ham-ni-da – I’m sorry) frequently.
Customers generally expect prompt service and for their requests to be addressed seriously. While staff should try to accommodate requests, it’s also acceptable to politely explain limitations, such as standard serving temperatures or equipment constraints. Offering alternatives, like ice or a different product, shows willingness to help even if the original request cannot be fully met.
Directly saying “no” can sometimes be perceived as impolite. It’s often better to explain *why* something isn’t possible (e.g., “Due to our system…”) rather than giving a blunt refusal. Using softening language and expressing regret helps maintain a positive customer relationship.
While most customers will accept a polite explanation, some may be more insistent. In such cases, remaining consistently polite but firm in explaining the situation is key. Escalating to a manager might be necessary in rare, difficult situations.
Offering ice (얼음 – eo-reum) with beer is not standard practice in Korea as it dilutes the taste, but offering it as a solution shows flexibility in addressing the customer’s desire for a colder drink.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer at a restaurant feels their beer is not cold enough and asks the waiter for a colder one.
Roles: A: Waiter (직원 – jik-won), B: Customer (손님 – son-nim)
-
Expression: B: 저기요, 이 맥주 별로 안 시원한데요. 더 차가운 걸로 바꿔주세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, i maek-ju byeol-lo an si-won-han-de-yo. deo cha-ga-un geol-lo ba-kkwo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, this beer isn’t very cold. Please exchange it for a colder one. -
Expression: A: 아, 그러신가요? 죄송합니다. 바로 확인해 보겠습니다. 저희 맥주는 냉장고에서 바로 꺼내 드리는 건데요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-sin-ga-yo? joe-song-ham-ni-da. ba-ro hwak-in-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. jeo-hui maek-ju-neun naeng-jang-go-e-seo ba-ro kkeo-nae deu-ri-neun geon-de-yo.
Meaning: Oh, is that so? I apologize. I’ll check right away. We serve our beer straight from the refrigerator. -
Expression: B: 그래도 미지근해요. 정말 시원한 걸로 주세요. 얼음장 같이 차가운 거요.
Pronunciation: geu-rae-do mi-ji-geun-hae-yo. jeong-mal si-won-han geol-lo ju-se-yo. eo-reum-jang ga-chi cha-ga-un geo-yo.
Meaning: Still, it’s lukewarm. Please give me a really cold one. One that’s ice-cold. -
Expression: A: 손님, 죄송하지만 저희 냉장 시스템상 현재 이 온도가 가장 차가운 상태입니다. 혹시 얼음잔을 따로 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: son-nim, joe-song-ha-ji-man jeo-hui naeng-jang si-seu-tem-sang hyeon-jae i on-do-ga ga-jang cha-ga-un sang-tae-im-ni-da. hok-si eo-reum-jan-eul tta-ro deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Customer, I apologize, but due to our refrigeration system, this is currently the coldest temperature. Would you perhaps like a separate glass with ice? -
Expression: B: 얼음 넣으면 맛없잖아요. 그냥 제일 차가운 병으로 다시 가져다주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-reum neo-eu-myeon mat-eop-jan-a-yo. geu-nyang je-il cha-ga-un byeong-eu-ro da-si ga-jyeo-da-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: It doesn’t taste good if you add ice. Just bring me the coldest bottle again. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 냉장고 가장 안쪽에 있는 것으로 확인해서 다시 가져다 드리겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. naeng-jang-go ga-jang an-jjok-e it-neun geot-eu-ro hwak-in-hae-seo da-si ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. I will check for one from the very back of the refrigerator and bring it to you again. Please wait just a moment.
Practice Tips
Handling customer requests effectively takes practice! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend, taking turns being the waiter and the customer~ Focus on using polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) even when explaining limitations. Pay attention to the nuances in phrases like offering alternatives versus explaining constraints. Listen carefully to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks, to sound natural and clear. Good luck with your practice!
