Korean · Real conversations
Ask someone to repeat naturally in Korean
You can request a repeat, identify the part you missed, or ask for slower delivery. Explain the listening problem rather than implying the speaker's information is wrong.
Three ways to say it
죄송하지만 다시 말씀해 주실 수 있어요?joesonghajiman dasi malsseumhae jusil su isseoyo?
Sorry, could you say that again?
A polite general repeat request when you missed the whole message.
마지막 부분을 못 들었어요.majimak bubuneul mot deureosseoyo.
I didn't catch the last part.
Identify the last part as the part you did not hear clearly.
조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주실 수 있어요?jogeum deo cheoncheonhi malsseumhae jusil su isseoyo?
Could you say it a little more slowly?
Ask for a slower version when hearing the same speed again would not help.
Avoid translating word by word
In English, 'I didn't catch that' means you did not hear or understand it; 'catch' does not refer to grabbing something. The examples use a natural hearing or understanding expression for that situation.
See the difference in context
Hearing the time of a meeting
회의는 아홉 시 반에 시작해요.hoeuineun ahop si bane sijakhaeyo.
The meeting starts at half past nine.
죄송하지만 다시 말씀해 주실 수 있어요?joesonghajiman dasi malsseumhae jusil su isseoyo?
Sorry, could you say that again?
Missing the last part of directions
역 매표소 옆에서 만나요.yeok maepyoso yeopeseo mannayo.
We meet at the station, beside the ticket office.
마지막 부분을 못 들었어요.majimak bubuneul mot deureosseoyo.
I didn't catch the last part.
Your turn
Ask the person to say the message a little more slowly. Make the listening adjustment specific.
Reveal a sample reply
조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주실 수 있어요?jogeum deo cheoncheonhi malsseumhae jusil su isseoyo?
Could you say it a little more slowly?
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking Korean
Most examples use polite 해요-style endings. A more formal ending may appear when addressing staff or making a careful request. Do not switch to casual speech with a stranger simply because the English translation sounds friendly.
Hangul is the main text; romanization helps you read along. Korean often leaves a clear subject unstated. Particles and endings carry information that English may express with separate words.
