Navigating urgent requests in a professional setting requires specific language, especially in a Korean workplace. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for asking a colleague to help with a last-minute email draft, ensuring clear communication and maintaining good working relationships.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 혹시 지금 잠깐 시간 괜찮으시면, 이메일 초안 좀 같이 봐주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ji-geum jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-si-myeon, i-me-il cho-an jom ga-chi bwa-ju-sil su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: If you happen to have a moment now, could you possibly take a look at this email draft together with me?
Basic Phrases for Asking for Help
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Expression: 죄송한데, 잠깐 도와주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-han-de, jam-kkan do-wa-ju-sil su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry to bother you, but could you help me for a moment? -
Expression: 이메일 초안 작성 좀 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: i-me-il cho-an jak-seong jom do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me draft this email. -
Expression: 급하게 보내야 할 이메일이 있는데, 검토 좀 부탁드려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: geup-ha-ge bo-nae-ya hal i-me-il-i it-neun-de, geom-to jom bu-tak-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: I have an email I need to send urgently, could I ask you to review it? -
Expression: 제가 지금 좀 바빠서 그런데, 이 부분만 좀 봐주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: je-ga ji-geum jom ba-ppa-seo geu-reon-de, i bu-bun-man jom bwa-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Meaning: I’m a bit busy right now, so could you just look over this part? -
Expression: 혹시 이 표현이 괜찮은지 확인 좀 해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i pyo-hyeon-i gwaen-chan-eun-ji hwa-gin jom hae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly check if this expression is okay? -
Expression: 시간이 없어서 그런데, 빨리 좀 도와주시면 감사하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: si-gan-i eop-seo-seo geu-reon-de, ppal-li jom do-wa-ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t have much time, so I would appreciate it if you could help me quickly. -
Expression: 잠깐만 시간 내주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man si-gan nae-ju-sil su it-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you spare just a moment? -
Expression: 이메일 관련해서 여쭤볼 게 있어요.
Pronunciation: i-me-il gwal-lyeon-hae-seo yeo-jjeo-bol ge it-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have something to ask you regarding an email. -
Expression: 도움을 요청해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: do-um-eul yo-cheong-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask for your help? -
Expression: 이 이메일, 같이 한번 봐주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i i-me-il, ga-chi han-beon bwa-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you mind taking a look at this email together?
Explaining the Urgency
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Expression: 마감 기한이 임박해서요.
Pronunciation: ma-gam gi-han-i im-bak-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: The deadline is approaching. -
Expression: 최대한 빨리 보내야 하는 이메일이에요.
Pronunciation: choe-dae-han ppal-li bo-nae-ya ha-neun i-me-il-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s an email that needs to be sent as soon as possible. -
Expression: 갑자기 요청받은 거라서 좀 급해요.
Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi yo-cheong-ba-deun geo-ra-seo jom geup-hae-yo.
Meaning: I received this request suddenly, so it’s a bit urgent. -
Expression: 오늘 안으로 꼭 보내야 해서요.
Pronunciation: o-neul an-eu-ro kkok bo-nae-ya hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: Because I absolutely must send it by the end of today. -
Expression: 시간이 별로 없어요.
Pronunciation: si-gan-i byeol-lo eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: There isn’t much time. -
Expression: 지금 바로 확인하고 보내야 해요.
Pronunciation: ji-geum ba-ro hwa-gin-ha-go bo-nae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to check it and send it right now. -
Expression: 중요한 이메일이라서 빨리 처리해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: jung-yo-han i-me-il-i-ra-seo ppal-li cheo-ri-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s an important email, so it needs to be handled quickly. -
Expression: 상사분께서 빨리 보내라고 하셨어요.
Pronunciation: sang-sa-bun-kke-seo ppal-li bo-nae-ra-go ha-syeot-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My boss told me to send it quickly. -
Expression: 시간이 촉박해서 좀 서둘러야 해요.
Pronunciation: si-gan-i chok-bak-hae-seo jom seo-dul-leo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: Time is tight, so I need to hurry a bit. -
Expression: 급한 건이라서요.
Pronunciation: geup-han kkeon-i-ra-seo-yo.
Meaning: Because it’s an urgent matter.
Responding to the Request (Teammate’s Perspective)
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Expression: 네, 그럼요. 어떤 이메일인데요?
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. eo-tteon i-me-il-in-de-yo?
Meaning: Yes, of course. What email is it? -
Expression: 잠시만요, 지금 하던 것만 마무리하고 바로 볼게요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, ji-geum ha-deon geot-man ma-mu-ri-ha-go ba-ro bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment, I’ll finish what I’m doing right now and take a look immediately. -
Expression: 아, 네. 이리 주세요. 같이 봐요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. i-ri ju-se-yo. ga-chi bwa-yo.
Meaning: Ah, yes. Give it here. Let’s look at it together. -
Expression: 지금 좀 바쁜데, 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum jom ba-ppeun-de, eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m a bit busy right now, how long will it take? -
Expression: 어떤 부분을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bu-bun-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Which part can I help you with? -
Expression: 제가 한번 검토해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga han-beon geom-to-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll review it once. -
Expression: 미안해요, 지금 다른 급한 일이 있어서요. 조금 있다가 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: mi-an-hae-yo, ji-geum da-reun geup-han il-i it-seo-seo-yo. jo-geum it-tta-ga gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, I have another urgent task right now. Would it be okay a little later? -
Expression: 네, 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, show it to me. -
Expression: 같이 확인해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: ga-chi hwa-gin-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s check it together. -
Expression: 어떤 내용인지 먼저 설명해주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon nae-yong-in-ji meon-jeo seol-myeong-hae-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the content first?
Korean Culture Notes
Teamwork and ‘Nunchi’ (눈치): Korean work culture often emphasizes teamwork (팀워크 – tim-weo-keu). Helping colleagues, especially with urgent tasks, is generally expected. However, it’s crucial to use ‘nunchi’ (reading the room/situation) before asking. Observe if your colleague seems overwhelmed or deeply focused before interrupting.
Hierarchy Matters (선배/후배): While teamwork is valued, hierarchy (선배 – seon-bae, senior; 후배 – hu-bae, junior) still plays a role. Asking a ‘seonbae’ for help requires more politeness and deference (e.g., using 죄송한데 – joe-song-han-de, I’m sorry but…). Asking a ‘hubae’ might be slightly more direct, but politeness is always key.
Expressing Gratitude: After receiving help, expressing sincere gratitude is very important. A simple 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) is essential. Adding specifics like 덕분에 빨리 끝낼 수 있었어요 (deok-bun-e ppal-li kkeun-nael su it-sseot-sseo-yo – Thanks to you, I could finish quickly) shows genuine appreciation.
Offering Something in Return: While not always necessary for small favors, offering a small gesture later, like buying coffee (커피 살게요 – keo-pi sal-ge-yo), can be a nice way to reciprocate and maintain a good relationship, especially if you frequently ask for help or the task was demanding.
Being Mindful of Time: Clearly stating the urgency (급해요 – geup-hae-yo) is important, but also be mindful of your colleague’s time. Frame your request as needing help with a specific part or a quick review, rather than asking them to do the entire task for you.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun needs to send an important email to a client within the hour but is unsure about some phrasing. He asks his slightly more experienced teammate, Sora, for help.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준) – Worker needing help
- B: Sora (소라) – Teammate being asked for help
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 죄송한데 혹시 지금 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: so-ra ssi, joe-song-han-de hok-si ji-geum jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Sora, sorry to bother you, but do you happen to have a moment right now? -
Expression: B: 네, 민준 씨. 무슨 일이에요?
Pronunciation: ne, min-jun ssi. mu-seun il-i-e-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, Minjun. What’s up? -
Expression: A: 제가 지금 급하게 고객사한테 이메일을 보내야 하는데, 이 표현이 좀 애매해서요. 혹시 같이 한번 봐주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga ji-geum geup-ha-ge go-gaek-sa-han-te i-me-il-eul bo-nae-ya ha-neun-de, i pyo-hyeon-i jom ae-mae-hae-seo-yo. hok-si ga-chi han-beon bwa-ju-sil su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: I need to send an email to a client urgently, but I’m a bit unsure about this phrasing. Could you possibly take a look at it together with me? -
Expression: B: 아, 그럼요. 어떤 부분인데요? 이리 주세요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reom-yo. eo-tteon bu-bun-in-de-yo? i-ri ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, of course. Which part is it? Give it here. -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 이 문장이요. 좀 더 정중하게 쓰고 싶은데 어떻게 바꾸면 좋을지 모르겠어요. 마감 시간이 거의 다 돼서 좀 급해요.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi i mun-jang-i-yo. jom deo jeong-jung-ha-ge sseu-go sip-eun-de eo-tteo-ke ba-kku-myeon jo-eul-ji mo-reu-get-sseo-yo. ma-gam si-gan-i geo-ui da dwae-seo jom geup-hae-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, this sentence here. I want to write it more politely, but I’m not sure how best to change it. The deadline is almost here, so it’s quite urgent. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 음… 이 부분은 이렇게 바꾸는 게 더 자연스러울 것 같아요. [Suggests alternative phrasing]
Pronunciation: al-get-sseum-ni-da. eum… i bu-bun-eun i-reo-ke ba-kku-neun ge deo ja-yeon-seu-reo-ul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: B: I understand. Hmm… I think changing this part like this would sound more natural. [Suggests alternative phrasing] -
Expression: A: 와, 훨씬 좋네요! 정말 감사합니다, 소라 씨. 덕분에 빨리 보낼 수 있겠어요.
Pronunciation: wa, hwol-ssin jon-ne-yo! jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da, so-ra ssi. deok-bun-e ppal-li bo-nael su it-get-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Wow, that’s much better! Thank you so much, Sora. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to send it quickly. -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 잘 마무리하세요!
Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo. jal ma-mu-ri-ha-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Don’t mention it. Finish it up well!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially with workplace communication! Try role-playing these scenarios with a study partner or even practice saying the phrases aloud by yourself~ Imagine different urgent situations and how you would politely ask for help. Pay attention to how your Korean colleagues interact in similar situations (if applicable) – observation is a great learning tool! Remember to always be polite and express gratitude clearly. Good luck! 화이팅!
