Needing a dress altered quickly for a sudden event can be stressful, especially in Korea if you’re unsure how to communicate your needs. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for explaining your situation to a tailor, asking about urgent alterations, discussing specific changes, and confirming the timeline and cost, ensuring your outfit is perfect for that last-minute occasion.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 급하게 수선하다
Pronunciation: geu-pa-ge su-seon-ha-da
Meaning: To alter/repair urgently
Explaining the Urgency
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Expression: 이 드레스 좀 급하게 수선해야 해요.
Pronunciation: i deu-re-seu jom geu-pa-ge su-seon-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to get this dress altered urgently. -
Expression: 내일 갑자기 행사가 생겼어요.
Pronunciation: nae-il gap-ja-gi haeng-sa-ga saeng-gyeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: An event suddenly came up tomorrow. -
Expression: 오늘 안에 수선이 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: o-neul an-e su-seon-i ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be possible to get it altered within today? -
Expression: 최대한 빨리 해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: choe-dae-han ppal-li hae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you do it as quickly as possible? -
Expression: 시간이 별로 없어서요.
Pronunciation: si-gan-i byeol-lo eop-seo-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because I don’t have much time. -
Expression: 이 드레스를 내일까지 꼭 입어야 해요.
Pronunciation: i deu-re-seu-reul nae-il-kka-ji kkok i-beo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I absolutely must wear this dress by tomorrow. -
Expression: 급한 부탁이라 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: geu-pan bu-ta-gi-ra joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize for the urgent request. -
Expression: 혹시 당일 수선도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si dang-il su-seon-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is same-day alteration perhaps possible? -
Expression: 정말 급해요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal geu-pae-yo.
Meaning: It’s really urgent. -
Expression: 결혼식/파티 때문에 그래요.
Pronunciation: gyeo-ron-sik/pa-ti ttae-mun-e geu-rae-yo.
Meaning: It’s because of a wedding/party.
Describing the Dress and Alterations Needed
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Expression: 길이를 좀 줄여주세요.
Pronunciation: gi-ri-reul jom ju-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please shorten the length a bit. -
Expression: 허리를 좀 줄여야 해요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri-reul jom ju-ryeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: The waist needs to be taken in a bit. -
Expression: 소매 기장을 조절해 주세요.
Pronunciation: so-mae gi-jang-eul jo-jeol-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please adjust the sleeve length. -
Expression: 여기 지퍼가 고장났어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi ji-peo-ga go-jang-nat-seo-yo.
Meaning: The zipper here is broken. -
Expression: 이 부분이 좀 찢어졌어요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-i jom jji-jeo-jeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: This part is a bit torn. -
Expression: 어깨 부분을 약간 손봐야 해요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae bu-bun-eul yak-gan son-bwa-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: The shoulder part needs a little fixing. -
Expression: 전체적으로 품을 늘려주세요.
Pronunciation: jeon-che-jeo-geu-ro pum-eul neul-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let out the overall width. -
Expression: 단추가 떨어졌어요. 달아주세요.
Pronunciation: dan-chu-ga tteo-reo-jeot-seo-yo. da-ra-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A button fell off. Please attach it. -
Expression: 안감이 보이는데 고쳐주세요.
Pronunciation: an-gam-i bo-i-neun-de go-chyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: The lining is showing, please fix it. -
Expression: 이 드레스 소재가 좀 까다로운데 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: i deu-re-seu so-jae-ga jom kka-da-ro-un-de gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: The material of this dress is a bit tricky, will it be okay?
Asking About Possibility and Timeframe
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Expression: 수선이 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: su-seon-i ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is the alteration possible? -
Expression: 언제까지 완료될 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-kka-ji wan-ryo-doel su in-na-yo?
Meaning: By when can it be completed? -
Expression: 내일 오전까지 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: nae-il o-jeon-kka-ji ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be possible by tomorrow morning? -
Expression: 시간이 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will it take? -
Expression: 오늘 저녁까지 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: o-neul jeo-nyeok-kka-ji ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I receive it by this evening? -
Expression: 가장 빠른 시간이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ppa-reun si-gan-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the earliest possible time? -
Expression: 만약 안 되면 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: man-yak an doe-myeon al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if it’s not possible. -
Expression: 급행으로 처리해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu-paeng-eu-ro cheo-ri-hae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you process it as an express service? -
Expression: 몇 시쯤 찾으러 오면 될까요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-jjeum cha-jeu-reo o-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Around what time should I come to pick it up? -
Expression: 작업이 복잡해서 오래 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: ja-geo-bi bok-ja-pae-seo o-rae geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will it take long because the work is complicated?
Discussing Cost and Payment
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Expression: 수선 비용은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: su-seon bi-yong-eun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the alteration fee? -
Expression: 급행 비용이 추가되나요?
Pronunciation: geu-paeng bi-yong-i chu-ga-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an additional charge for express service? -
Expression: 총 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: chong eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is it in total? -
Expression: 카드로 계산해도 되나요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hae-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay by card? -
Expression: 선불인가요, 후불인가요?
Pronunciation: seon-bul-in-ga-yo, hu-bul-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it prepaid or postpaid? -
Expression: 영수증 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 예상 비용을 알려주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ye-sang bi-yong-eul al-lyeo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you tell me the estimated cost? -
Expression: 생각보다 비싸네요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-bo-da bi-ssa-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s more expensive than I thought. -
Expression: 혹시 할인이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ha-rin-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a discount perhaps possible? (Use cautiously) -
Expression: 지금 바로 결제할게요.
Pronunciation: ji-geum ba-ro gyeol-je-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay right now.
Cultural Tips
Politeness Pays Off: When making an urgent request (급한 부탁 – geu-pan bu-tak), being extra polite is crucial. Start with an apology like 죄송하지만… (joe-song-ha-ji-man… – I’m sorry but…) and clearly explain your situation. Tailors are more likely to help if you are respectful of their time and skill.
Express Fees are Common: Don’t be surprised if the tailor charges an extra fee (급행료 – geu-paeng-nyo or 추가 비용 – chu-ga bi-yong) for rush jobs. This compensates them for prioritizing your item over others or working outside normal hours. Always confirm the total cost beforehand.
‘Setakso’ vs. ‘Suseonjip’: While many neighborhood laundromats (세탁소 – se-tak-so) offer basic alterations like hemming, more complex tasks or work on delicate fabrics like dresses are best handled by a dedicated tailor shop (수선집 – su-seon-jip or 양장점 – yang-jang-jeom for more specialized tailoring).
Be Specific and Realistic: Clearly show the tailor exactly what needs to be altered. Try on the garment if possible. Understand that complex alterations take time, and even skilled tailors might not be able to perform miracles overnight, especially if they are busy.
Manage Expectations: While Korean service can be very fast (‘ppalli-ppalli’ culture), high-quality alterations take time. If a tailor says they cannot meet your deadline, accept it gracefully and perhaps ask if they know another tailor who might be able to help.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) rushes into a tailor shop (B) the day before a wedding, needing a dress altered.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 죄송하지만, 정말 급하게 드레스 수선을 좀 맡겨야 해서요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. joe-song-ha-ji-man, jeong-mal geu-pa-ge deu-re-seu su-seon-eul jom mat-gyeo-ya hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: Hello. I’m sorry, but I really need to get a dress altered urgently. -
Expression: B: 어서 오세요. 어떤 드레스인데요? 얼마나 급하신데요?
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon deu-re-seu-in-de-yo? eol-ma-na geu-pa-sin-de-yo?
Meaning: Welcome. What kind of dress is it? How urgent is it? -
Expression: A: 이 드레스인데요, 내일 친구 결혼식에 입어야 해요. 길이가 너무 길어서 좀 줄여야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i deu-re-seu-in-de-yo, nae-il chin-gu gyeo-ron-si-ge i-beo-ya hae-yo. gi-ri-ga neo-mu gi-reo-seo jom ju-ryeo-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It’s this dress, I need to wear it to a friend’s wedding tomorrow. The length is too long, so I think it needs to be shortened. -
Expression: B: 아, 내일이요? 잠시만요. (드레스를 살펴본다) 네, 길이 줄이는 건 가능해요. 얼마나 줄여드릴까요?
Pronunciation: a, nae-il-i-yo? jam-si-man-yo. (deu-re-seu-reul sal-pyeo-bon-da) ne, gi-ri ju-ri-neun geon ga-neung-hae-yo. eol-ma-na ju-ryeo-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Ah, tomorrow? Just a moment. (Examines the dress) Yes, shortening the length is possible. How much should I shorten it? -
Expression: A: 한 이 정도요. (손으로 길이를 가리킨다) 내일 오전까지 가능할까요? 제가 오전에 찾아가야 해서요.
Pronunciation: han i jeong-do-yo. (son-eu-ro gi-ri-reul ga-ri-kin-da) nae-il o-jeon-kka-ji ga-neung-hal-kka-yo? je-ga o-jeon-e cha-ja-ga-ya hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: About this much. (Indicates length with hands) Would it be possible by tomorrow morning? I need to pick it up in the morning. -
Expression: B: 네, 급하시니까 최대한 빨리 해 드릴게요. 내일 오전 11시까지 오시면 됩니다. 급행 비용 포함해서 2만 원입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-pa-si-ni-kka choe-dae-han ppal-li hae deu-ril-ge-yo. nae-il o-jeon yeol-han-si-kka-ji o-si-myeon doem-ni-da. geu-paeng bi-yong po-ham-hae-seo i-man won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, since you’re in a hurry, I’ll do it as quickly as possible. You can come by 11 AM tomorrow. Including the express fee, it’s 20,000 won. -
Expression: A: 아, 정말 감사합니다! 그럼 내일 11시에 찾으러 올게요. 지금 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! geu-reom nae-il yeol-han-si-e cha-jeu-reo ol-ge-yo. ji-geum gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Oh, thank you so much! Then I’ll come to pick it up at 11 AM tomorrow. I’ll pay now.
Practice Tips
Getting clothes altered, especially last-minute, requires clear communication! Practice these phrases out loud, imagining you’re talking to a tailor~. If you have a garment needing alteration, bring it with you when you practice describing the problem. Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner can be super helpful! Remember to always be polite (공손하게 – gong-son-ha-ge) and express gratitude (감사 표현하기 – gam-sa pyo-hyeon-ha-gi), especially when asking for urgent help. Good luck getting that perfect fit! 화이팅!
