잠시만요 Meaning: How Koreans Say “Just a Moment” in Real Life

Introduction

Today’s phrase is one you’ll hear everywhere in Korea: 잠시만요. From cafés and subways to busy markets, it’s a gentle, polite way to pause a moment, ask for space, or slow things down without sounding forceful.

If you’d like to create an illustration for this lesson, here’s a prompt you can use in your preferred image generator:

Ultra‑realistic 3D render of a baby girl otter mascot, standing on two legs in a modern Korean café. She is very cute with soft rounded features, big sparkling dark brown eyes, small nose, and short rounded muzzle. Her fur is plush and slightly fluffy, light brown with a cream-colored face and belly. She always has the same proportions: slightly big head, small chubby body, short limbs, and a small tail, with consistent facial features and body shape so she is clearly the same recurring character. She wears soft pastel-colored clothes: a light pastel mint T‑shirt, a pastel pink skirt, and tiny white sneakers, with a small pastel lavender backpack on her back. The clothes are simple and clean, with soft fabric folds. Her expression is friendly, helpful, and warm, with a subtle smile and attentive eyes, expressive but not exaggerated. Scene: inside a cozy real Korean café in Seoul. Bright, clean lighting with soft shadows and a warm, cozy vibe, like a Pixar × DreamWorks hybrid but slightly more realistic. Wooden tables, a real Korean-style counter in the background, glass display with

What This Phrase Means

(Example – 잠시만요, 제가 다시 확인해볼게요.)

Breakdown & Meaning

잠시만요 literally means “just a moment” or “wait a moment, please.”

It’s:

• Polite
• Soft and friendly
• Common in almost every situation

Korean speakers use it when they need someone to pause briefly, give space, or slow down. It’s appropriate with strangers, staff, coworkers, and anyone outside your close friend group.

In crowded places—like subways or shopping streets—you’ll often hear 잠시만요 from people trying to pass gently through a crowd. It adds politeness and keeps interactions smooth, which fits well with Korea’s emphasis on consideration.

How to Use It in Real Life

Use 잠시만요 when:

• You need time to find your card at a café
• You want someone to wait while you check something
• You’re trying to pass between people in a busy area
• You need to momentarily pause a conversation
• You want to say “Hold on” in text messages

Usage Examples

1. 잠시만요, 계산 좀 더 볼게요.
   Jamsimanyo, gyesan jom deo bolgeyo.
   One moment, I’ll review the bill.

2. 잠시만요, 친구랑 통화하고 있었어요.
   Jamsimanyo, chingurang tonghwahago isseosseoyo.
   Hold on, I was talking with a friend.

3. 잠시만요, 지금 가고 있어요.
   Jamsimanyo, jigeum gago isseoyo.
   Just a moment, I’m on my way.

4. 잠시만요, 자리 좀 지나갈게요.
   Jamsimanyo, jari jom jinagalgeyo.
   Excuse me, I’ll just pass through.

5. 잠시만요, 아직 준비 중이에요.
   Jamsimanyo, ajik junbi jungieyo.
   One moment, I’m still getting ready.

Related Korean Expressions

• 잠깐만요 (Jamkkanmanyo) – “Just a second”; slightly more casual yet polite
• 잠시만 기다려 주세요 (Jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo) – “Please wait a moment”; more formal
• 잠깐만 기다려 (Jamkkanman gidaryeo) – Casual “Wait a sec” for friends
• 실례합니다 (Sillyehamnida) – “Excuse me” in formal or public settings

Why This Phrase Helps You Learn Faster

잠시만요 appears constantly in everyday Korean conversation, making it perfect for beginners. It teaches both language and culture: Koreans often use gentle expressions to keep interactions smooth and respectful.

Because it’s short, polite, and fits almost any situation, it quickly becomes a confidence‑boosting phrase. Once you get used to saying 잠시만요, other polite forms start to feel more familiar too.

Closing

Try using 잠시만요 the next time you need someone to wait for a moment. It’s simple, warm, and instantly helps your Korean sound more natural. Little phrases like this build your comfort and rhythm in everyday Korean—one moment at a time.

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Learning Korean today?
Here are more helpful expressions for everyday conversation:

• “괜찮아요” – Meaning & Easy Examples
• “이거 얼마예요?” – Shopping & Price Phrases

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