Understanding how to politely handle specific customer requests is crucial in the service industry, especially when cultural nuances are involved. This guide focuses on the Korean phrases and etiquette a waiter needs when dealing with a customer who requests a fresh napkin, ensuring smooth and professional service even in slightly unusual situations.
Table Of Content
Core Expression: Providing a New Napkin
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Expression: 여기 새 냅킨 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi sae naep-kin it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is a new napkin. (Polite and direct way to provide the requested item)
Initial Interaction Phrases
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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: 필요하신 것 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-ha-sin geot i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything you need? -
Expression: 냅킨 필요하십니까?
Pronunciation: naep-kin pil-yo-ha-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: Do you need a napkin? (Formal) -
Expression: 혹시 뭐 불편하신 점 있으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si mwo bul-pyeon-ha-sin jeom i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps anything making you uncomfortable? -
Expression: 말씀하세요, 손님.
Pronunciation: mal-sseum-ha-se-yo, son-nim.
Meaning: Please tell me, customer. (Inviting the customer to state their need) -
Expression: 네, 잠시만 기다려 주십시오.
Pronunciation: ne, jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-sip-si-o.
Meaning: Yes, please wait just a moment. -
Expression: 어떤 것이 필요하신가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon geo-si pil-yo-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What item do you need? -
Expression: 제가 뭘 가져다 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga mwol ga-jyeo-da deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What can I bring for you? -
Expression: 냅킨 말씀이신가요?
Pronunciation: naep-kin mal-sseu-mi-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you referring to the napkin?
Acknowledging and Providing the Napkin
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Expression: 네, 새 냅킨 바로 가져다 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, sae naep-kin ba-ro ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I will bring you a new napkin right away. -
Expression: 알겠습니다. 새 것으로 교체해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: al-ge-sseum-ni-da. sae geo-seu-ro gyo-che-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Understood. I will replace it with a new one for you. -
Expression: 여기 새 냅킨 준비했습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi sae naep-kin jun-bi-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is the new napkin I prepared. -
Expression: 더 필요하시면 언제든지 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: deo pil-yo-ha-si-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: If you need more, please let me know anytime. -
Expression: 냅킨 여기 있습니다. 편하게 사용하세요.
Pronunciation: naep-kin yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. pyeon-ha-ge sa-yong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Here is the napkin. Please use it comfortably. -
Expression: 혹시 냅킨이 더러워졌나요? 새것 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: hok-si naep-ki-ni deo-reo-wo-jyeon-na-yo? sae-geot deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Perhaps the napkin got dirty? I’ll give you a new one. (Polite way to acknowledge without questioning) -
Expression: 네, 물론이죠. 바로 가져오겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, mul-lon-i-jyo. ba-ro ga-jyeo-o-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, of course. I’ll bring it right away. -
Expression: 손님, 요청하신 새 냅킨입니다.
Pronunciation: son-nim, yo-cheong-ha-sin sae naep-kin-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Customer, here is the new napkin you requested. -
Expression: 이 냅킨 사용하시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: i naep-kin sa-yong-ha-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: You can use this napkin.
Additional Service Phrases
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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? -
Expression: 물수건도 필요하시면 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: mul-su-geon-do pil-yo-ha-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: If you also need a wet towel (mul-sugeon), please let me know. -
Expression: 식사는 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: sik-sa-neun gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is your meal okay? -
Expression: 불편하신 점 있으시면 언제든 불러주세요.
Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-ha-sin jeom i-sseu-si-myeon eon-je-deun bul-leo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: If there’s anything uncomfortable, please call me anytime. -
Expression: 냅킨은 이쪽에 더 준비되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: naep-kin-eun i-jjok-e deo jun-bi-doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: More napkins are prepared over here. (Pointing to a dispenser, if applicable) -
Expression: 쓰신 냅킨은 이쪽에 두시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: sseu-sin naep-kin-eun i-jjok-e du-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: You can place the used napkin over here. -
Expression: 깨끗한 식기 필요하시면 교체해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: kkae-kkeu-tan sik-gi pil-yo-ha-si-myeon gyo-che-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: If you need clean tableware, I will replace it for you. -
Expression: 저희가 바로 처리해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui-ga ba-ro cheo-ri-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: We will take care of it right away. -
Expression: 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Enjoy your meal. (Bon appétit)
Korean Culture Notes
In Korean dining culture, providing good service (서비스 – seo-bi-seu) is highly valued. Waitstaff are generally expected to be attentive and responsive to customer needs.
While napkins (냅킨 – naep-kin or 휴지 – hyu-ji for tissue-like napkins) are readily available, often in dispensers on the table or nearby, accommodating a specific request for a fresh one, even if the reason isn’t obvious, is part of good service. Questioning the customer’s request is generally avoided.
Using polite and formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) with customers (손님 – son-nim) is standard practice in restaurants. Phrases ending in -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-m-ni-da / -seum-ni-da) or -아요/어요 (-a-yo / -eo-yo) coupled with honorifics are essential.
Promptness is also key. Responding quickly with phrases like 바로 가져다 드리겠습니다 (ba-ro ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da – I’ll bring it right away) shows efficiency and care.
Sometimes customers might prefer a wet wipe (물티슈 – mul-ti-syu) or a steamed wet towel (물수건 – mul-su-geon), especially before or after meals involving hands-on eating. Being aware of these different items can be helpful.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer at a Korean restaurant signals the waiter. Their current napkin appears clean, but they want a new one.
Roles: A = Customer (손님 – son-nim), B = Waiter (종업원 – jong-eo-bwon)
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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: 여기 냅킨 좀 새것으로 바꿔주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi naep-kin jom sae-geo-seu-ro ba-kkwo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please change this napkin here for a new one? -
Expression: B: (Glancing briefly at the napkin) 아, 네. 알겠습니다. 새 냅킨 바로 가져다 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: a, ne. al-ge-sseum-ni-da. sae naep-kin ba-ro ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, yes. Understood. I will bring you a new napkin right away. -
Expression: B: (Returning quickly with a fresh napkin) 손님, 요청하신 새 냅킨입니다. 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: son-nim, yo-cheong-ha-sin sae naep-kin-im-ni-da. yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Customer, here is the new napkin you requested. Here you go. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. -
Expression: B: 네. 더 필요하신 것 있으시면 언제든지 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: ne. deo pil-yo-ha-sin geot i-sseu-si-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: You’re welcome. If you need anything else, please let me know anytime.
Practice Tips
Practice saying these phrases out loud, focusing on the correct pronunciation and intonation! Pay close attention to the syllable breaks we’ve provided~
Role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. One person can be the customer, and the other can be the waiter. Try variations, like asking for a wet towel instead!
Next time you’re at a Korean restaurant (or even imagining it!), try to mentally rehearse how you would handle this situation using the Korean phrases. Consistent practice is key to sounding natural and professional. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
