Attending a performance in Korea is exciting, but sometimes your assigned seat isn’t ideal. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for requesting a seat change at a concert hall, theater, or other performance venue, ensuring you can communicate your needs clearly and politely to the staff.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 좌석 변경 요청
Pronunciation: jwa-seok byeon-gyeong yo-cheong
Meaning: Seat change request (This noun phrase describes the action itself)
Basic Phrases for Requesting a Change
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Expression: 저기요, 죄송하지만 좌석을 좀 바꿀 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, joe-song-ha-ji-man jwa-seo-geul jom ba-kkul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, I’m sorry, but would it be possible to change my seat? -
Expression: 좌석 변경이 가능한지 여쭤보고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: jwa-seok byeon-gyeong-i ga-neung-han-ji yeo-jjwo-bo-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to ask if changing seats is possible. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 빈 자리가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun bin ja-ri-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there perhaps any other empty seats? -
Expression: 제 자리를 다른 곳으로 옮기고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: je ja-ri-reul da-reun go-seu-ro om-gi-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to move my seat to a different location. -
Expression: 좌석 문제로 문의드릴 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jwa-seok mun-je-ro mun-ui-deu-ril geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have an inquiry regarding my seat. -
Expression: 실례합니다, 좌석 관련해서 도움을 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, jwa-seok gwal-lyeon-hae-seo do-u-meul ba-deul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, could I get some help regarding my seat?
Explaining Reasons for Changing Seats
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Expression: 여기서는 무대가 잘 안 보여요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo-neun mu-dae-ga jal an bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t see the stage well from here. -
Expression: 시야가 가려져서 다른 자리로 옮기고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: si-ya-ga ga-ryeo-jyeo-seo da-reun ja-ri-ro om-gi-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: My view is obstructed, so I’d like to move to a different seat. -
Expression: 기둥 때문에 시야 방해가 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gi-dung ttae-mu-ne si-ya bang-hae-ga it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There’s a pillar obstructing the view. -
Expression: 옆 사람이 너무 시끄러워서 집중하기 어려워요.
Pronunciation: yeop sa-ra-mi neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo jip-jung-ha-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: The person next to me is too noisy, making it hard to concentrate. -
Expression: 이 자리는 너무 앞쪽/뒤쪽인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i ja-ri-neun neo-mu ap-jjok/dwit-jjok-in geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: This seat feels too close to the front / too far back. -
Expression: 스피커가 너무 가까워서 소리가 너무 커요.
Pronunciation: seu-pi-keo-ga neo-mu ga-kka-wo-seo so-ri-ga neo-mu keo-yo.
Meaning: The speaker is too close, so the sound is too loud. -
Expression: 아이와 함께 앉기에는 이 자리가 불편합니다.
Pronunciation: a-i-wa ham-kke an-gi-e-neun i ja-ri-ga bul-pyeon-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: This seat is inconvenient for sitting with a child. -
Expression: 일행과 떨어져 앉게 되었어요. 혹시 붙어 있는 자리가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: il-haeng-gwa tteo-reo-jyeo an-ge doe-eot-seo-yo. hok-si bu-teo it-neun ja-ri-ga it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I got separated from my companion(s). Are there perhaps seats together?
Asking About Available Seats
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Expression: 혹시 비어 있는 다른 좌석이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si bi-eo it-neun da-reun jwa-seo-gi in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other available seats? -
Expression: 어느 구역에 빈 자리가 있습니까?
Pronunciation: eo-neu gu-yeo-ge bin ja-ri-ga it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: In which section are there empty seats? -
Expression: 조금 더 뒤쪽/앞쪽/가운데 좌석으로 변경 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo dwit-jjok/ap-jjok/ga-un-de jwa-seo-geu-ro byeon-gyeong ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be possible to change to a seat a bit further back/forward/center? -
Expression: 통로 쪽 좌석으로 바꿀 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: tong-no jjok jwa-seo-geu-ro ba-kkul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I change to an aisle seat? -
Expression: 시야가 좋은 자리가 남아 있나요?
Pronunciation: si-ya-ga jo-eun ja-ri-ga na-ma in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any seats left with a good view? -
Expression: 변경 가능한 좌석들을 보여주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: byeon-gyeong ga-neung-han jwa-seok-deu-reul bo-yeo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you show me the available seats for changing? -
Expression: 추가 요금이 발생하나요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga yo-geu-mi bal-saeng-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an additional charge?
Confirming and Thanking
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Expression: 네, 그 자리로 옮기겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, geu ja-ri-ro om-gi-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I will move to that seat. -
Expression: 감사합니다. 도와주셔서 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. do-wa-ju-syeo-seo go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. Thank you for your help. -
Expression: 덕분에 공연을 잘 볼 수 있겠어요.
Pronunciation: deok-bu-ne gong-yeo-neul jal bol su it-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I’ll be able to watch the performance well. -
Expression: 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you very much! -
Expression: 친절하게 응대해주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge eung-dae-hae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your kind response.
Korean Culture Notes
Seat Change Policies Vary: Whether you can change seats often depends on the venue’s policy and how sold-out the performance is. It’s generally easier to request a change if there are many empty seats, but not guaranteed. High-demand shows might have stricter rules.
Approach Staff Politely: Always approach venue staff (usually ushers or ticket booth personnel) politely using formal language (저기요, -요, -ㅂ니다/습니다 endings). Clearly and calmly explain your reason for wanting to change.
Timing Matters: It’s best to request a seat change either before the performance starts or during an intermission, if possible. Trying to change seats mid-performance can be disruptive to others.
Be Prepared for “No”: Understand that sometimes a seat change might not be possible due to a full house or venue regulations. Accept the staff’s decision gracefully if they cannot accommodate your request.
Ticket Price Differences: If you are moved to a seat in a significantly better section (e.g., from balcony to orchestra), there might be a price difference. Be prepared to ask about or potentially pay the difference, although this is less common for simple swaps within the same price tier due to issues like obstructed views.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A concert-goer (A) finds their view blocked by a pillar and approaches an usher (B) to request a seat change.
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Expression: A: 저기요, 죄송한데 문의 좀 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, joe-song-han-de mu-nui jom deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, sorry, but I have an inquiry. -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 제 자리가 여기인데요, 기둥 때문에 무대가 전혀 안 보여서요. 혹시 다른 자리로 바꿀 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: je ja-ri-ga yeo-gi-in-de-yo, gi-dung ttae-mu-ne mu-dae-ga jeon-hyeo an bo-yeo-seo-yo. hok-si da-reun ja-ri-ro ba-kkul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: My seat is here, but because of the pillar, I can’t see the stage at all. Would it be possible to change to a different seat? -
Expression: B: 아, 그러시군요. 잠시만요, 빈 좌석이 있는지 확인해 보겠습니다. (잠시 후) 네, 다행히 같은 등급의 좌석 중에 몇 자리가 비어 있네요. 저쪽 통로 쪽 자리는 어떠세요? 시야는 훨씬 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. jam-si-man-yo, bin jwa-seo-gi it-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. (jam-si hu) ne, da-haeng-hi ga-teun deung-geu-bui jwa-seok jung-e myeot ja-ri-ga bi-eo in-ne-yo. jeo-jjok tong-no jjok ja-ri-neun eo-tteo-se-yo? si-ya-neun hwol-ssin jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Ah, I see. Just a moment, I’ll check if there are any empty seats. (After a moment) Yes, fortunately, there are a few empty seats in the same price category. How about that aisle seat over there? The view is much better. -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요! 그 자리로 옮기겠습니다. 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! geu ja-ri-ro om-gi-get-seum-ni-da. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Yes, that’s great! I’ll move to that seat. Thank you so much! -
Expression: B: 네, 편하게 관람하세요.
Pronunciation: ne, pyeon-ha-ge gwal-lam-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, please enjoy the performance comfortably.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner. Imagine different scenarios – maybe the first seat they offer isn’t good either, or maybe there are no seats available. Thinking through these variations will help you feel more prepared! Listen to the pronunciations carefully and try mimicking the sounds. Don’t be afraid to use these phrases next time you’re at a performance in Korea if needed. Good luck! 화이팅!
