약속을 잡다
Yaksogeul japda
Make an appointment
Phrase in 30 Seconds
How to say 'let's set a time' like a native Korean speaker.
- Means: To finalize a specific time and place to meet someone.
- Used in: Texting friends, scheduling business meetings, or planning dates.
- Don't confuse: With just 'making a promise' (약속하다) which is more general.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
To arrange a meeting or scheduled time with someone.
Contexte culturel
The 'Empty Promise': Koreans often say 'Let's have a meal sometime' (밥 한번 먹자) as a way of saying goodbye. It's not a real {약속|約束} until someone tries to '잡다' (catch) a specific day. In Korean business, it is common to '잡다' an appointment at least a week in advance. Sudden requests are often seen as impolite unless it's an emergency. Koreans use the 'Schedule' feature in KakaoTalk to '잡다' appointments. Once a time is 'caught,' it's shared in the chat room as a formal notice. Older generations might use more formal terms like '선약' (previous engagement), while younger people simply say '약속 있어' (I have plans).
Drop the '을'
In casual conversation, Koreans almost always drop the object marker. Just say '약속 잡았어' instead of '약속을 잡았어'.
Don't say 'Make'
Avoid saying '약속을 만들다'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating literally from English.
Signification
To arrange a meeting or scheduled time with someone.
Drop the '을'
In casual conversation, Koreans almost always drop the object marker. Just say '약속 잡았어' instead of '약속을 잡았어'.
Don't say 'Make'
Avoid saying '약속을 만들다'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating literally from English.
Be Specific
If you really want to meet a Korean person, suggest a specific day immediately after they say 'Let's meet sometime'. This is how you 'catch' the appointment.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '잡다'.
우리 내일 몇 시에 {약속|約束}을 _______?
The sentence is a question asking 'Shall we...?', so the '~을까요' form is most appropriate.
Which sentence is the most natural for scheduling a meeting?
Choose the best option:
'{약속|約束}을 잡다' is the standard collocation for scheduling.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 이번 주말에 시간 있어요? 나: 미안해요. 이미 친구랑 {약속|約束}을 _______.
The speaker is explaining why they are busy now, implying the appointment was already made in the past.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to suggest a specific time to your boss.
This uses the honorific '시' and the polite '겠습니까', which is appropriate for a boss.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but '예약' (reservation) is also very common for professional services. '{약속|約束}을 잡다' is more about the act of scheduling with a person.
No, as long as you use the honorific form '잡으시다'. It is a standard professional term.
'정하다' means to decide/fix a time that was already discussed. '잡다' is the whole process of securing that time.
You can say '{약속|約束}을 다시 잡다' (catch the appointment again) or '{약속|約束}을 {변경|變更}하다' (change the appointment).
Absolutely! It's the most common way to talk about setting up a date.
No, it can also mean a 'promise' (like a vow), but in the context of '잡다', it almost always means a scheduled meeting.
'잡다' is active (I set the meeting). '잡히다' is passive (A meeting was set for me).
Use '{약속|約束}을 {취소|取消}하다'.
For a hotel, use '예약하다' (to reserve) or '방을 잡다' (to secure a room).
Yes, the Hanja roots and the verb '잡다' are common across the peninsula, though social contexts may differ.
Expressions liées
{약속|約束}을 {정|定}하다
similarTo decide on an appointment.
{시간|時間}을 내다
builds onTo make time for someone.
{약속|約束}을 {어기|違}다
contrastTo break a promise/appointment.
{선약|先約}이 있다
specialized formTo have a previous engagement.
{약속|約束}을 {미루|移}다
similarTo postpone an appointment.
Où l'utiliser
Texting a friend
Friend: 우리 언제 봐?
You: 이번 주 토요일에 {약속|約束} 잡자!
At the office
Colleague: 팀장님, 회의 언제 할까요?
Manager: 오후 3시로 {약속|約束} 잡으세요.
Dating App
Match: 커피 한잔 하실래요?
You: 좋아요. 언제로 {약속|約束} 잡을까요?
Doctor's Office
Receptionist: 진료 {약속|約束} 잡아 드릴까요?
Patient: 네, 제일 빠른 시간으로 잡아 주세요.
Declining politely
Neighbor: 오늘 저녁에 시간 돼요?
You: 죄송해요, 이미 다른 {약속|約束}을 잡았어요.
Group Chat
Leader: 다들 언제 시간 돼?
Member: 투표해서 {약속|約束} 잡자!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of an appointment as a fast-moving 'Yak' (약속). You need to 'Grab' (잡다) it before it runs away!
Visual Association
Imagine your digital calendar is a net, and you are using it to catch a flying clock that represents your friend's free time.
Rhyme
Yaksok-eul jap-da, don't let the time hop-da!
Story
Min-su wanted to see a movie. He called his friend Ji-won. He didn't just say 'let's meet,' he 'caught' (잡다) the 7 PM slot on Saturday. Now the 'Yak-sok' is in his hand, and he won't lose it.
Word Web
Défi
Open your messaging app and send a message to a Korean friend (or a language bot) asking to '잡다' a time to chat this week.
In Other Languages
To make/set an appointment
Korean uses the verb 'to catch' (잡다).
約束を取り付ける (Yakusoku o toritsukeru)
Japanese is slightly more formal; 'Yakusoku o suru' is also very common for simple plans.
Quedar / Hacer una cita
Spanish focuses on the result (meeting), Korean on the act of scheduling (catching).
Prendre rendez-vous
French uses 'take', Korean uses 'catch'.
Einen Termin vereinbaren
German is more formal and literal.
约时间 (Yuē shíjiān) / 订约 (Dìngyuē)
Chinese uses 'promise' as a verb, Korean as a noun.
تحديد موعد (Tahdid maw'id)
Arabic is more about 'defining' the time.
Marcar um compromisso
Portuguese 'marks' the calendar, Korean 'catches' the opportunity.
Easily Confused
Learners think it means 'to schedule a meeting'.
Use '{약속|約束}하다' for 'I promise to do my homework' and '{약속|約束}을 잡다' for 'I'm meeting my friend at 5 PM'.
Both involve scheduling.
Use '{예약|豫約}하다' for businesses (restaurants, hotels) and '{약속|約束}을 잡다' for people.
FAQ (10)
Yes, but '예약' (reservation) is also very common for professional services. '{약속|約束}을 잡다' is more about the act of scheduling with a person.
No, as long as you use the honorific form '잡으시다'. It is a standard professional term.
'정하다' means to decide/fix a time that was already discussed. '잡다' is the whole process of securing that time.
You can say '{약속|約束}을 다시 잡다' (catch the appointment again) or '{약속|約束}을 {변경|變更}하다' (change the appointment).
Absolutely! It's the most common way to talk about setting up a date.
No, it can also mean a 'promise' (like a vow), but in the context of '잡다', it almost always means a scheduled meeting.
'잡다' is active (I set the meeting). '잡히다' is passive (A meeting was set for me).
Use '{약속|約束}을 {취소|取消}하다'.
For a hotel, use '예약하다' (to reserve) or '방을 잡다' (to secure a room).
Yes, the Hanja roots and the verb '잡다' are common across the peninsula, though social contexts may differ.
