How to Handle Requests for a Fresh Glass in Korean

Dealing with specific customer requests, such as demanding a fresh glass, requires politeness and clear communication in any service setting. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for waiters handling situations where a customer insists on receiving a new glass, ensuring smooth and professional service.

Core Expression

• Expression: 새 잔
  Pronunciation: sae jan
  Meaning: New glass / Fresh glass

Understanding the Customer’s Request

• 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: 혹시 잔에 문제가 있으신가요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si jan-e mun-je-ga i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is there perhaps a problem with the glass?
• Expression: 잔을 바꿔 드릴까요?
  Pronunciation: jan-eul ba-kkwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall I change the glass for you?
• Expression: 어떤 점이 불편하신가요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon jeom-i bul-pyeon-ha-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is making you uncomfortable? / What seems to be the issue?
• Expression: 새 잔으로 드릴까요?
  Pronunciation: sae jan-eu-ro deu-ril-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall I give you a new glass?
• Expression: 이 잔 말씀이신가요?
  Pronunciation: i jan mal-sseum-i-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Are you referring to this glass?
• Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Yes, I understand.
• Expression: 혹시 잔이 더러운가요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si jan-i deo-reo-un-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is the glass perhaps dirty?
• Expression: 다시 한번 확인해 보겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: da-si han-beon hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will check it again.
• Expression: 손님, 잠시만 기다려 주십시오.
  Pronunciation: son-nim, jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-sip-si-o.
  Meaning: Customer, please wait just a moment.

Apologizing and Responding Politely

• Expression: 죄송합니다. 바로 새 잔으로 가져다 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: joe-song-ham-ni-da. ba-ro sae jan-eu-ro ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I apologize. I will bring you a new glass right away.
• Expression: 불편을 드려 죄송합니다.
  Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-eul deu-ryeo joe-song-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I apologize for the inconvenience.
• Expression: 네, 즉시 교체해 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, jeuk-si gyo-che-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Yes, I will replace it immediately.
• Expression: 저희가 미처 확인하지 못했습니다. 죄송합니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-hui-ga mi-cheo hwa-gin-ha-ji mot-haet-seum-ni-da. joe-song-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: We failed to check it properly. I apologize.
• Expression: 물론입니다. 새 잔으로 준비해 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: mul-lon-im-ni-da. sae jan-eu-ro jun-bi-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Of course. I will prepare a new glass for you.
• Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주시면 깨끗한 잔으로 가져오겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-si-myeon kkae-kkeu-tan jan-eu-ro ga-jyeo-o-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: If you wait just a moment, I will bring a clean glass.
• Expression: 신경 쓰이셨다면 죄송합니다.
  Pronunciation: sin-gyeong sseu-i-syeot-da-myeon joe-song-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I apologize if it bothered you.
• Expression: 다시는 이런 일이 없도록 주의하겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: da-si-neun i-reon il-i eop-do-rok ju-ui-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will be careful to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
• Expression: 손님의 요청대로 처리해 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: son-nim-ui yo-cheong-dae-ro cheo-ri-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will handle it according to your request.
• Expression: 양해해 주셔서 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: yang-hae-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you for your understanding.

Providing the New Glass

• Expression: 새 잔 가져왔습니다.
  Pronunciation: sae jan ga-jyeo-wat-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I have brought a new glass.
• Expression: 여기 새 잔입니다.
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi sae jan-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: Here is the new glass.
• Expression: 이 잔은 괜찮으신가요?
  Pronunciation: i jan-eun gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is this glass okay?
• Expression: 깨끗한 잔으로 다시 준비했습니다.
  Pronunciation: kkae-kkeu-tan jan-eu-ro da-si jun-bi-haet-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I have prepared a clean glass again.
• Expression: 이전 잔은 제가 치우겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: i-jeon jan-eun je-ga chi-u-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will clear the previous glass.
• Expression: 음료를 다시 따라 드릴까요?
  Pronunciation: eum-nyo-reul da-si tta-ra deu-ril-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall I pour the drink again for you?
• Expression: 확인 부탁드립니다.
  Pronunciation: hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
  Meaning: Please check it.
• Expression: 더 필요하신 것은 없으신가요?
  Pronunciation: deo pil-yo-ha-sin geo-seun eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is there anything else you need?
• Expression: 편하게 말씀해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: pyeon-ha-ge mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please feel free to tell me.
• Expression: 만족스러우신가요?
  Pronunciation: man-jok-seu-reo-u-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Are you satisfied?

Korean Culture Notes

Emphasis on Politeness (예의): Korean service culture places a high value on politeness and respect (예의 – ye-ui). Using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) and apologetic tones, even if you don’t feel entirely at fault, is standard practice when addressing customer complaints or requests.

Speed and Efficiency (빨리빨리): Customers often expect quick responses and solutions. Acknowledge the request promptly and act fast to replace the glass. The “ppalli-ppalli” (빨리빨리 – ppal-li-ppal-li, meaning ‘quickly, quickly’) culture influences service expectations.

Saving Face (체면): Both the customer and the staff want to maintain ‘face’ (체면 – che-myeon). Handle the situation discreetly and professionally to avoid causing embarrassment to either party. A calm and accommodating attitude helps preserve everyone’s dignity.

Implicit Communication (눈치): Sometimes customers might not directly state the problem but show dissatisfaction through non-verbal cues. Being observant (눈치 있다 – nun-chi it-da, meaning ‘to have tact/be perceptive’) helps anticipate needs, like offering a new glass before being explicitly asked if you notice a customer inspecting it closely.

Service as Standard (서비스): In many Korean establishments, small extra services (서비스 – seo-bi-seu) are common. While a new glass is a basic expectation, handling the request smoothly and perhaps offering a small complimentary item (if appropriate and allowed) can turn a potential complaint into a positive experience.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A customer at a restaurant signals the waiter, pointing at their water glass with a slight frown.

Characters:

• A: Waiter (종업원 – jong-eop-won)
• B: Customer (손님 – son-nim)

• Expression: A: 네, 손님. 부르셨습니까?
  Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. bu-reu-syeot-seum-ni-kka?
  Meaning: A: Yes, customer. Did you call me?
• Expression: B: 네. 이 잔 좀 바꿔 주시겠어요? 뭔가 묻어 있는 것 같아서요.
  Pronunciation: ne. i jan jom ba-kkwo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? mwon-ga mu-deo it-neun geot ga-ta-seo-yo.
  Meaning: B: Yes. Could you please change this glass? It seems like something is on it.
• Expression: A: 아, 죄송합니다. 제가 미처 확인하지 못했습니다. 바로 새 잔으로 가져다 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: a, joe-song-ham-ni-da. je-ga mi-cheo hwa-gin-ha-ji mot-haet-seum-ni-da. ba-ro sae jan-eu-ro ga-jyeo-da deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: A: Oh, I apologize. I failed to check it properly. I will bring you a new glass right away.
• Expression: B: 네, 부탁합니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, bu-tak-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: B: Yes, please.
• Expression: A: (잠시 후 새 잔을 가져와서) 새 잔 가져왔습니다. 여기 있습니다. 이전 잔은 치워드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: (jam-si hu sae jan-eul ga-jyeo-wa-seo) sae jan ga-jyeo-wat-seum-ni-da. yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. i-jeon jan-eun chi-wo-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: A: (After a moment, bringing a new glass) I’ve brought the new glass. Here you are. I will clear the previous glass.
• Expression: B: 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: B: Thank you.
• Expression: A: 불편을 드려 다시 한번 죄송합니다. 더 필요하신 것 있으시면 말씀해 주십시오.
  Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-eul deu-ryeo da-si han-beon joe-song-ham-ni-da. deo pil-yo-ha-sin geot i-sseu-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae ju-sip-si-o.
  Meaning: A: Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience. Please let me know if you need anything else.

Practice Tips

Handling customer requests smoothly is key to good service! Practice these phrases so they come naturally~. Try role-playing the conversation with a friend, taking turns being the waiter and the customer. Pay attention to using polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) consistently. Listening to how service staff interact in Korean dramas or restaurants can also be very helpful! Remember, a quick, polite response makes all the difference. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)