Signification
To do something incorrectly or commit an error.
Contexte culturel
Apologizing for a mistake often involves a slight bow and using 'honorifics' to show respect to the person affected. It's not just about the words, but the posture. In many Korean companies, a 'Kyun-je-seo' (letter of apology/explanation) might be required for significant '실수' to document what happened and how to prevent it. The concept of 'Sool-sil-su' (alcohol mistakes) is a common trope in K-Dramas, where characters confess feelings or act out while drunk, then apologize the next day. There is a high pressure for perfection, so 'Sil-su' on the Suneung (CSAT) exam is a nightmare for students. Teachers often emphasize 'Sil-su-do sil-lyeok' (Mistakes are also skill).
Drop the '를'
In 90% of conversations, Koreans say '실수했어요' instead of '실수를 했어요.' It sounds much more natural.
Don't over-apologize
If it's a tiny mistake, a simple '실수예요' is enough. Over-apologizing can make the situation more awkward.
Signification
To do something incorrectly or commit an error.
Drop the '를'
In 90% of conversations, Koreans say '실수했어요' instead of '실수를 했어요.' It sounds much more natural.
Don't over-apologize
If it's a tiny mistake, a simple '실수예요' is enough. Over-apologizing can make the situation more awkward.
Use with '말'
Combine it with '말' (speech) to get '말실수' (slip of the tongue). It's one of the most useful compound words in Korean.
The 'Drunk' Excuse
While '술 실수' is common, don't rely on it too much in professional settings. It's becoming less acceptable in modern Korea.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '실수를 하다'.
너무 긴장해서 면접에서 ____. (I was so nervous that I made a mistake in the interview.)
The context implies a past event (the interview happened), so the past tense '실수했어요' is correct.
Which sentence is the most natural way to apologize for a small error?
Choose the best option:
In Korean, you 'do' (하다) a mistake, not 'make' (만들다) or 'have' (가지다) one.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 보고서에 오타가 너무 많아요. B: 죄송합니다. 제가 ____.
The formal '했습니다' is appropriate for a workplace setting when admitting an error.
Match the type of mistake to the sentence.
Match: 1. 말실수 2. 계산 실수 3. 술 실수
말실수 is a slip of the tongue, 계산 실수 is a math error, and 술 실수 is a mistake made while drunk.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
실수 vs 잘못
Banque d exercices
4 exercices너무 긴장해서 면접에서 ____. (I was so nervous that I made a mistake in the interview.)
The context implies a past event (the interview happened), so the past tense '실수했어요' is correct.
Choose the best option:
In Korean, you 'do' (하다) a mistake, not 'make' (만들다) or 'have' (가지다) one.
A: 보고서에 오타가 너무 많아요. B: 죄송합니다. 제가 ____.
The formal '했습니다' is appropriate for a workplace setting when admitting an error.
Match: 1. 말실수 2. 계산 실수 3. 술 실수
말실수 is a slip of the tongue, 계산 실수 is a math error, and 술 실수 is a mistake made while drunk.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsIt is a noun (실수) combined with the verb (하다). You can use it as a single verb '실수하다'.
No, for missing a bus, use '버스를 놓쳤어요.' '실수' is for errors in action or judgment.
'실수' is a mistake (like a typo), while '실패' is a failure (like failing a business).
You can say '큰 실수를 했어요' or '치명적인 실수를 했어요' (I made a fatal mistake).
It can be, as it sounds like a command. Use it only with subordinates or in a very helpful context.
Yes, if the accident was caused by your error, like '운전 실수' (driving error).
It's a slip of the tongue—saying something you didn't mean to say.
Use '실수를 해서 대단히 죄송합니다' (I am very sorry for making a mistake).
Usually, we use '오류' (error) for computers, but if *you* caused it, you can say '제 실수예요'.
They both use the character '실' but different ones. '실수' is 失 (lose), '실력' is 實 (real/fruit).
It means 'full of mistakes' or 'a person who is a total klutz.'
Yes, you can call it a '패션 실수'.
You can say '실수해도 괜찮아요' or '실수할 수도 있죠'.
Yes, '뻘짓' (doing something stupid) or '삽질' (shoveling/wasting time on a mistake).
Expressions liées
잘못하다
similarTo do wrong / be at fault
틀리다
similarTo be incorrect
착오가 있다
specialized formThere is an error
실패하다
contrastTo fail
말실수하다
specialized formTo make a slip of the tongue
