A2 Expression औपचारिक

죄송하지만...

joesonghajiman...

Excuse me, but...

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite linguistic 'buffer' used to soften requests, interruptions, or disagreements in formal social settings.

  • Means: 'I am sorry, but...' or 'Excuse me, but...'
  • Used in: Asking for help, interrupting someone, or declining an offer.
  • Don't confuse: Use with strangers or superiors; use '미안하지만' with close friends.
🙇‍♂️ (Apology) + ✋ (Interruption) = ✅ (Successful Request)

Explanation at your level:

This is a very polite way to say 'Excuse me' or 'I'm sorry, but...' in Korean. Use it when you want to ask a question to a stranger, like asking for directions or the time. It makes you sound very nice and respectful. Just say the phrase, then ask your question.
At this level, you use '죄송하지만' to connect two ideas. The first part is an apology for bothering someone, and the second part is what you need. It is essential for polite daily life in Korea. It uses the '-지만' grammar which means 'but'. Use it with teachers, bosses, or people you don't know well.
This expression functions as a 'discourse marker.' It signals that a request or a potentially negative statement is coming. It is more formal than '미안하지만' and is the standard for professional environments. Understanding the nuance between this and '실례지만' (Excuse me) is key for intermediate learners navigating social boundaries.
In upper-intermediate Korean, '죄송하지만' is recognized as a strategic politeness strategy. It serves to mitigate the 'face-threatening act' of making a request or declining an invitation. Learners should focus on the intonation—a slight trailing off at the '만...'—which invites the listener to be receptive to the following clause.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, '죄송하지만' embodies the Korean cultural value of self-effacement. It is a pragmatic particle that manages the interpersonal distance between speakers. Advanced learners should analyze its use in complex negotiations where it functions as a 'softener' for counter-arguments, allowing for disagreement without direct confrontation.
At the mastery level, one observes '죄송하지만' within the broader framework of honorific synchrony. It is not merely a lexical choice but a component of a larger 'deference' performance that includes posture, gaze, and speech level. Its usage in high-level diplomatic or legal discourse often precedes a 'but' that fundamentally alters the preceding context, requiring a nuanced understanding of 'Chemyeon' dynamics.

मतलब

A polite way to get someone's attention or introduce a request.

🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

Using '죄송하지만' is a sign of 'Inseong' (character). People who skip the buffer and go straight to the request are often seen as 'rude' or 'uneducated'. In emails, '죄송하지만' is often replaced by '죄송하오나' or '바쁘시겠지만' (You must be busy, but...) to show even more respect. Waiters and clerks will often use this phrase to you before telling you something is out of stock. It's a way of protecting the customer's feelings. In the crowded Seoul subway, saying '죄송하지만 좀 지나갈게요' is much more effective than just pushing through.

🎯

The 'Trailing Off' Technique

In spoken Korean, you can just say '죄송하지만...' and trail off. The listener will understand you have a request or a refusal without you even saying it.

⚠️

Don't use with family

Using this with your parents or siblings makes you sound like you're angry or being sarcastic.

मतलब

A polite way to get someone's attention or introduce a request.

🎯

The 'Trailing Off' Technique

In spoken Korean, you can just say '죄송하지만...' and trail off. The listener will understand you have a request or a refusal without you even saying it.

⚠️

Don't use with family

Using this with your parents or siblings makes you sound like you're angry or being sarcastic.

💬

Body Language

Always give a small nod or bow when saying this to a stranger. The words alone are only half the politeness.

खुद को परखो

Fill in the blank to politely ask for the menu.

__________, 메뉴판 좀 주시겠어요?

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 죄송하지만

'죄송하지만' is the most appropriate formal buffer for a request to a waiter.

Match the phrase to the correct situation.

You need to tell your boss you can't attend a meeting.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 죄송하지만 참석하기 어렵습니다.

This uses the correct formality and the 'but' buffer for a refusal.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 저기요... B: 네? A: __________, 사진 한 장만 찍어주실 수 있나요?

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: 죄송하지만

Asking a favor from a stranger requires '죄송하지만'.

🎉 स्कोर: /3

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

4 सवाल

Yes, it is the perfect phrase to use before asking a teacher a question or explaining why you missed class.

They are interchangeable, but '죄송하지만' feels slightly more humble and sincere.

Use '정말 죄송하지만...' (I'm really sorry, but...).

Absolutely. It's very common in KakaoTalk messages to colleagues or people you aren't close with.

संबंधित मुहावरे

🔗

실례지만

similar

Excuse me, but...

🔗

미안하지만

informal

Sorry, but...

🔗

부탁인데

similar

It's a favor, but...

🔗

다름이 아니라

builds on

It's nothing else, but...

🔗

송구하오나

specialized form

I am terribly sorry, but...

कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें

🗺️

Asking for directions

Traveler: 죄송하지만, 명동역이 어디예요?

Local: 아, 저쪽으로 쭉 가시면 돼요.

formal
💼

Interrupting a meeting

Employee: 죄송하지만, 지금 급한 전화가 왔습니다.

Manager: 네, 나가서 받으세요.

formal
🍲

Ordering at a restaurant

Customer: 죄송하지만, 메뉴판 좀 다시 보여주세요.

Waiter: 네, 여기 있습니다.

formal
💔

Declining a date

Person A: 이번 주말에 영화 볼까요?

Person B: 죄송하지만, 제가 이번 주말에는 선약이 있어요.

formal
🚶

Asking someone to move

Commuter: 죄송하지만, 좀 지나가겠습니다.

Passenger: 아, 죄송합니다. 비켜드릴게요.

formal
✏️

Correcting a mistake

Student: 죄송하지만, 이 부분 설명이 잘 이해가 안 돼요.

Teacher: 그래요? 다시 설명해 줄게요.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Joesong' as 'Joe's Song'. Joe sings a song to apologize before he asks for a favor.

Visual Association

Imagine a person slightly bowing (the 'Joesong' part) while holding a bridge (the 'hajiman' part) that leads to a gift box (the request).

Rhyme

Joesong-hajiman, I'm your biggest fan, but help me if you can!

Story

You are at a crowded K-Pop concert. You need to get to the front. You tap someone on the shoulder and say '죄송하지만...' (I'm sorry, but...). They see your polite face and let you through. The 'but' is the magic word that opens the path.

Word Web

죄송합니다미안합니다실례합니다부탁합니다하지만그런데죄송구

चैलेंज

Go to a Korean cafe (or a virtual one) and ask for a napkin using '죄송하지만, 휴지 좀 주실 수 있나요?'

In Other Languages

Japanese high

すみませんが (Sumimasen ga)

The Japanese root 'sumi' refers to a feeling of 'not being finished' with an obligation.

Chinese moderate

不好意思 (Bù hǎoyìsi)

Focuses more on the speaker's embarrassment than a literal apology.

English high

I'm sorry, but...

In Korean, it is almost purely a politeness marker, whereas in English, it can be a precursor to a 'but' that negates the apology.

Spanish moderate

Perdón, pero...

Spanish speakers might use 'Perdón' more casually than Koreans use '죄송'.

French moderate

Je suis désolé, mais...

French 'désolé' feels slightly heavier/more emotional than the functional '죄송하지만'.

German moderate

Entschuldigung, aber...

The German word literally means 'to remove the guilt'.

Arabic partial

آسف ولكن (Asif walakin)

Arabic relies more on 'permission' phrases than 'apology' phrases for requests.

Portuguese moderate

Desculpe, mas...

Often shortened to 'Desculpa' in casual speech, which Korean '죄송' rarely is.

Easily Confused

죄송하지만... बनाम 죄송합니다

Learners use the full stop version when they should use the 'but' version.

If you have more to say after the apology, use '하지만'.

죄송하지만... बनाम 미안하지만

Using the 'Mian' root with strangers.

If you don't know them, 'Joesong' is always safer.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (4)

Yes, it is the perfect phrase to use before asking a teacher a question or explaining why you missed class.

They are interchangeable, but '죄송하지만' feels slightly more humble and sincere.

Use '정말 죄송하지만...' (I'm really sorry, but...).

Absolutely. It's very common in KakaoTalk messages to colleagues or people you aren't close with.

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