Signification
Asking if someone has been occupied or has much to do recently.
Contexte culturel
The 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture makes 'busyness' a default state. Saying you are 'not busy' can sometimes be interpreted as being unsuccessful or lazy, so people often say they are busy even when they aren't. In offices, asking '요즘 바쁘세요?' is a way to check if a colleague has the 'bandwidth' for a new task without directly ordering them to do it. On KakaoTalk, this phrase is the standard 'icebreaker.' It's considered more polite than just saying 'Hi' or 'Are you there?'. Historically, greetings were about food ({식사하셨어요?|食事----?}). The shift to 'busyness' reflects the industrialization of the 1970s and 80s.
The 'Busy' Buffer
Always use this before asking a favor. It makes you look much more polite and professional.
Don't be too literal
If someone says they are busy, don't ask for a detailed list of their tasks unless you are close friends.
Signification
Asking if someone has been occupied or has much to do recently.
The 'Busy' Buffer
Always use this before asking a favor. It makes you look much more polite and professional.
Don't be too literal
If someone says they are busy, don't ask for a detailed list of their tasks unless you are close friends.
The Humble Response
If someone asks you this, respond with '덕분에 바쁘네요' (I'm busy thanks to you) to sound like a native speaker.
Busyness = Success
Remember that in Korea, being busy is generally a positive sign of a full life.
Teste-toi
Choose the most appropriate phrase to start a KakaoTalk message to your Korean language teacher.
선생님, 안녕하세요! ________
'-세요' is the correct polite honorific for a teacher.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '바쁘다' to show empathy to a friend who is working hard.
요즘 프로젝트 때문에 정말 ________.
'-겠어요' is used to express supposition or empathy ('You must be...').
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 요즘 바쁘세요? B: 아니요, 요즘은 좀 ________.
'한가하다' (to be free/leisurely) is the antonym of '바쁘다'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a formal business email opening?
This is a highly formal Sino-Korean expression used in written business contexts.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels of 'Are you busy?'
Banque d exercices
4 exercices선생님, 안녕하세요! ________
'-세요' is the correct polite honorific for a teacher.
요즘 프로젝트 때문에 정말 ________.
'-겠어요' is used to express supposition or empathy ('You must be...').
A: 요즘 바쁘세요? B: 아니요, 요즘은 좀 ________.
'한가하다' (to be free/leisurely) is the antonym of '바쁘다'.
Which phrase fits a formal business email opening?
This is a highly formal Sino-Korean expression used in written business contexts.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's both! It functions like 'How are you?' but it also allows the person to talk about their current projects if they want to.
You can say '아니요, 요즘은 좀 한가해요' (No, I'm a bit free lately). It's perfectly fine!
Yes, but '요즘 많이 바쁘시죠?' (You must be very busy lately, right?) is often a better, more empathetic way to approach a boss.
'-ㄴ가요' is slightly softer and more inquisitive. '-세요' is more direct and standard.
It's part of the 'Pali-pali' culture and a way to show that they are living a productive life.
No, it's usually for people you already know or have met at least once.
Just say '나 요즘 바빠'.
Usually yes, but you can say '바쁘세요, 요즘?' in very casual spoken speech for emphasis.
The Hanja is {忙|망}, as in {다망|多忙} (very busy) or {분주|奔走} (busy/running around).
Yes, it's a very common opening sentence for a polite email.
Expressions liées
정신 없다
similarTo be hectically busy (literally: to have no mind)
한가하다
contrastTo be free/at leisure
시간이 있다
similarTo have time
번창하다
specialized formTo be flourishing (business)
어떻게 지내세요?
similarHow are you getting along?
