Dining out in Korea is a wonderful experience, but sometimes noisy surroundings can make conversation difficult. Knowing how to politely ask others to lower their voices is a useful skill. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for requesting quiet in a restaurant setting, ensuring you can handle the situation gracefully.
Table Of Content
Core Polite Request
This is the most standard and polite way to ask someone to be quieter in Korean.
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Expression: 조용히 좀 해주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi jom hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you please be a little quieter? (Polite and slightly indirect)
Basic Polite Requests
Here are several ways to make a polite request for quiet, varying slightly in nuance.
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Expression: 죄송하지만, 조금만 조용히 해 주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jo-geum-man jo-yong-hi hae ju-sil su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, but could you please be a little quieter? (Very polite) -
Expression: 목소리를 조금만 낮춰 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: mok-so-ri-reul jo-geum-man nat-chwo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you please lower your voice a little? (Specific request) -
Expression: 실례지만, 조금 시끄러워서요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ji-man, jo-geum si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, but it’s a bit loud. (Indirect statement implying a request) -
Expression: 저희 대화가 잘 안 들려서요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui dae-hwa-ga jal an deul-lyeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because we can’t hear our conversation well. (Explaining the reason) -
Expression: 조금만 신경 써 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man sin-gyeong sseo ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would appreciate it if you could be a little more mindful. (Very polite and indirect) -
Expression: 혹시 조금만 조용히 해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si jo-geum-man jo-yong-hi hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, could you possibly be a little quieter? (Softens the request) -
Expression: 너무 시끄러워서 그런데, 조금만 조용히 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo geu-reon-de, jo-geum-man jo-yong-hi bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s very loud, so I ask that you please be a little quieter. (More direct but still polite) -
Expression: 양해 좀 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: yang-hae jom bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: I ask for your understanding. (Often used after explaining the situation) -
Expression: 말씀 중에 죄송합니다만…
Pronunciation: mal-sseum jung-e joe-song-ham-ni-da-man…
Meaning: Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but… (Polite way to interject)
Explaining the Situation Gently
Providing a brief reason can make your request seem less confrontational.
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Expression: 저희가 이야기하는 게 잘 안 들려서요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui-ga i-ya-gi-ha-neun ge jal an deul-lyeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because we can’t hear ourselves talking very well. -
Expression: 아기가 자고 있어서요.
Pronunciation: a-gi-ga ja-go i-sseo-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because the baby is sleeping. (If applicable) -
Expression: 중요한 이야기를 하고 있어서요.
Pronunciation: jung-yo-han i-ya-gi-reul ha-go i-sseo-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because we are having an important conversation. -
Expression: 조금만 배려해 주시면 좋겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man bae-ryeo-hae ju-si-myeon jo-ke-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: It would be nice if you could be a little considerate. -
Expression: 옆 테이블 소리 때문에 집중이 잘 안 돼서요.
Pronunciation: yeop te-i-beul so-ri ttae-mun-e jip-jung-i jal an dwae-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because I can’t concentrate well due to the noise from the next table. -
Expression: 전화 통화를 해야 해서요.
Pronunciation: jeon-hwa tong-hwa-reul hae-ya hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because I need to make a phone call. -
Expression: 머리가 좀 울려서요.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga jom ul-lyeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because it’s making my head ring a bit / giving me a headache. -
Expression: 서로 잘 들리도록 조금만 신경 써 주세요.
Pronunciation: seo-ro jal deul-li-do-rok jo-geum-man sin-gyeong sseo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please be a little mindful so we can hear each other well. -
Expression: 다른 손님들도 계시니까요.
Pronunciation: da-reun son-nim-deul-do gye-si-ni-kka-yo.
Meaning: Because there are other customers here too. (Appealing to general etiquette)
Asking Restaurant Staff for Help
In many cases, Koreans prefer asking staff to handle the situation rather than confronting others directly.
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Expression: 저기요, 옆 테이블이 너무 시끄러운데 조용히 해달라고 말씀 좀 전해주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, yeop te-i-beul-i neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-un-de jo-yong-hi hae-dal-la-go mal-sseum jom jeon-hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, the next table is very loud, could you please ask them to be quiet? -
Expression: 옆 테이블 때문에 너무 시끄러워서요. 조치를 좀 취해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeop te-i-beul ttae-mun-e neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo-yo. jo-chi-reul jom chwi-hae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: It’s too loud because of the next table. Could you please take some action? -
Expression: 다른 조용한 자리로 옮길 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jo-yong-han ja-ri-ro om-gil su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could we possibly move to another quieter table? -
Expression: 사장님/매니저님, 잠시 와주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: sa-jang-nim/mae-ni-jeo-nim, jam-si wa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Owner/Manager, could you please come here for a moment? -
Expression: 저쪽 손님들께 조용히 해달라고 부탁 좀 드려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok son-nim-deul-kke jo-yong-hi hae-dal-la-go bu-tak jom deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be alright to ask you to request those customers over there to be quiet? -
Expression: 식사하기가 좀 불편할 정도로 시끄럽습니다.
Pronunciation: sik-sa-ha-gi-ga jom bul-pyeon-hal jeong-do-ro si-kkeu-reop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s loud to the point where it’s a bit uncomfortable to eat. -
Expression: 혹시 주의를 좀 주실 수 있는지 여쭤봅니다.
Pronunciation: hok-si ju-ui-reul jom ju-sil su it-neun-ji yeo-jjwo-bom-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m asking if you could possibly give them a warning/reminder. -
Expression: 계속 너무 시끄러우면 저희가 나가야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gye-sok neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-u-myeon jeo-hui-ga na-ga-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: If it continues to be this loud, I think we might have to leave. (Use as a last resort when speaking to staff) -
Expression: 조용한 분위기에서 식사하고 싶어서요.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-han bun-wi-gi-e-seo sik-sa-ha-go si-peo-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because we want to dine in a quiet atmosphere.
Korean Culture Notes
Indirectness is Key: Direct confrontation is generally avoided in Korean culture to prevent causing discomfort or loss of face (체면 – che-myeon). Polite, indirect requests are usually preferred over blunt demands.
Nunchi (눈치): This concept refers to the subtle art of sensing others’ feelings and the social atmosphere. People are often expected to have *nunchi* and adjust their behavior accordingly without being explicitly told. Making a polite request appeals to the other party’s *nunchi*.
Restaurant Atmosphere: Korean restaurants, especially casual ones or those serving alcohol, can naturally be quite lively and noisy. While extreme loudness might warrant a request, having moderate background noise is often considered normal.
Involving Staff: Asking restaurant staff (종업원 – jong-eo-bwon, or 사장님 – sa-jang-nim for the owner) to intervene is a very common and socially acceptable approach. It avoids direct confrontation and places the responsibility on the establishment to maintain a comfortable environment.
Saving Face (체면 – che-myeon): Your polite approach helps the other party “save face” by not embarrassing them publicly. Similarly, asking staff allows them to handle it discreetly, preserving everyone’s dignity.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun and Sora are trying to have a conversation at a restaurant, but the group at the next table is talking and laughing very loudly.
Roles: A: Minjun, B: Sora, C: Person at the next table, D: Restaurant Staff
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Expression: A (Minjun): 아, 옆 테이블 너무 시끄럽다. 소라 씨 목소리가 잘 안 들려요.
Pronunciation: a, yeop te-i-beul neo-mu si-kkeu-reop-da. so-ra ssi mok-so-ri-ga jal an deul-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: Ah, the next table is so loud. Sora, I can barely hear your voice. -
Expression: B (Sora): 그러게요. 우리 이야기하기가 좀 힘드네요. 민준 씨가 가서 조용히 해달라고 말해볼래요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ge-yo. u-ri i-ya-gi-ha-gi-ga jom him-deu-ne-yo. min-jun ssi-ga ga-seo jo-yong-hi hae-dal-la-go mal-hae-bol-lae-yo?
Meaning: I know. It’s a bit hard for us to talk. Minjun, do you want to go ask them to be quiet? -
Expression: A (Minjun): 음… 직접 말하기는 좀 그런데. 잠깐만요. (Minjun politely approaches the next table) 저기, 죄송하지만, 목소리를 조금만 낮춰 주시겠어요? 저희 대화가 잘 안 들려서요.
Pronunciation: eum… jik-jeop mal-ha-gi-neun jom geu-reon-de. jam-kkan-man-yo. (jeo-gi, joe-song-ha-ji-man, mok-so-ri-reul jo-geum-man nat-chwo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? jeo-hui dae-hwa-ga jal an deul-lyeo-seo-yo.)
Meaning: Hmm… It feels a bit awkward to say it directly. Just a moment. (Excuse me, I’m sorry, but would you please lower your voices a little? It’s because we can’t hear our conversation well.) -
Expression: C (Person at next table): 아, 네! 죄송합니다. 저희가 너무 신났네요. 조심할게요.
Pronunciation: a, ne! joe-song-ham-ni-da. jeo-hui-ga neo-mu sin-nan-ne-yo. jo-sim-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Oh, yes! We’re sorry. We got a bit too excited. We’ll be careful. -
Expression: A (Minjun): 네, 감사합니다. (Returns to his table)
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. (Returns to his table) -
Expression: B (Sora): 잘했어요. 그래도 안 조용해지면 직원분께 말씀드려요.
Pronunciation: jal-hae-sseo-yo. geu-rae-do an jo-yong-hae-ji-myeon ji-gwon-bun-kke mal-sseum-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: Good job. If they still don’t quiet down, let’s tell the staff. -
Expression: A (Minjun): (If the noise continues) 저기요, 옆 테이블이 계속 시끄러운데, 혹시 말씀 좀 전해주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: (jeo-gi-yo, yeop te-i-beul-i gye-sok si-kkeu-reo-un-de, hok-si mal-sseum jom jeon-hae-ju-sil su i-sseul-kka-yo?)
Meaning: (To staff, if noise continues) Excuse me, the next table is still loud, could you possibly relay a message to them? -
Expression: D (Staff): 아, 네. 불편하셨군요. 제가 가서 말씀드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: a, ne. bul-pyeon-ha-syeot-gun-yo. je-ga ga-seo mal-sseum-deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, yes. You were inconvenienced. I will go and speak to them.
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases involves more than just memorization! Try practicing the pronunciation carefully, paying attention to the polite endings like ~주시겠어요? (-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?) and ~주실 수 있을까요? (-ju-sil su i-sseul-kka-yo?).
Role-play the situation with a friend or language partner~. One person can pretend to be loud while the other practices making the polite request. Remember to use a gentle tone and appropriate body language (like a slight bow or nod) when making the request in person!
Observe interactions in Korean dramas or movies – you might see examples of how people handle these situations, sometimes directly, sometimes by asking staff. Good luck, and enjoy your meals in Korea! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
