Meaning
A polite request for someone to cease making noise.
Cultural Background
In Korean subways, there are 'silent cars' or general expectations of silence. Using your phone for calls is often met with '조용히 하세요' or a stern look. Teachers often use '모두 조용히 하세요' while clapping their hands in a specific rhythm to get students' attention. Noise between floors (층간소음) is a major social issue. Neighbors might leave polite notes saying '밤에는 조용히 하세요.' When visiting a Buddhist temple, '정숙' (silence) is expected. Signs will often say '조용히 하세요' to respect the monks' meditation.
Add '좀' for softness
Saying '조용히 좀 하세요' (Jo-yong-hi jom haseyo) makes you sound much more like a native speaker and less like a robot.
Watch your eyes
In Korea, a direct '조용히 하세요' combined with intense eye contact can be seen as very aggressive. Soften your gaze if you want to be truly polite.
Meaning
A polite request for someone to cease making noise.
Add '좀' for softness
Saying '조용히 좀 하세요' (Jo-yong-hi jom haseyo) makes you sound much more like a native speaker and less like a robot.
Watch your eyes
In Korea, a direct '조용히 하세요' combined with intense eye contact can be seen as very aggressive. Soften your gaze if you want to be truly polite.
Use with '죄송하지만'
Starting with '죄송하지만' (I'm sorry, but...) before the phrase is the gold standard for polite social intervention.
The 'Shh' sound
The Korean version of 'shh' is '쉿' (swit). You can use this with children, but never with adults you don't know.
Test Yourself
Complete the polite request for silence.
도서관에서는 (____) 하세요.
'조용히' is the correct adverbial form to use with '하세요'.
Which phrase is most appropriate when talking to a stranger on a bus?
Someone is talking loudly on their phone. What do you say?
'조용히 하세요' is the standard polite form for strangers.
Match the Korean phrase to its formality level.
Match the following:
Understanding these levels is key to Korean social interaction.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: 아기가 자고 있어요. (____) B: 아, 죄송합니다. 몰랐어요.
The context of a sleeping baby requires a request for silence.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels of 'Be Quiet'
Practice Bank
4 exercises도서관에서는 (____) 하세요.
'조용히' is the correct adverbial form to use with '하세요'.
Someone is talking loudly on their phone. What do you say?
'조용히 하세요' is the standard polite form for strangers.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Understanding these levels is key to Korean social interaction.
A: 아기가 자고 있어요. (____) B: 아, 죄송합니다. 몰랐어요.
The context of a sleeping baby requires a request for silence.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot inherently, but it is a command. To strangers, it's standard. To superiors, it's rude. To friends, it's too formal.
The most common way is '입 다물어' (Ip damureo) or '닥쳐' (Dak-chyeo), but these are very rude.
No. Use '죄송하지만 조금만 조용히 해 주시겠어요?' instead.
Both mean 'quietly,' but '조용히' is much more common in this specific phrase.
You can say '조용히 해' or '쉿!'.
In texting, people might use '쉿' or just the emoji 🤫.
It's a formal noun meaning 'silence.' You'll see it in hospitals and libraries.
It's an adverbial suffix that turns the adjective '조용하다' into the adverb '조용히'.
Yes, it's perfect for addressing a group of people politely.
The best response is '죄송합니다' (I'm sorry) and then lowering your voice.
Related Phrases
쉿
similarShh
정숙
specialized formSilence/Quietude
입 다물어
contrastShut up
목소리를 낮추다
builds onTo lower one's voice
떠들지 마세요
similarDon't make a fuss/Don't chatter
