저기요 vs 실례합니다: Polite “Excuse Me” in Korean
저기요 vs 실례합니다: pick the right “excuse me” for cafés, taxis, and work with a fast decision tree and mini-drills—master.
A distance×urgency chooser + 12 service mini-dialogues teach 저기요 vs 실례합니다 so you get attention fast without sounding brusque.
In Korea, the hardest part isn’t vocabulary—it’s timing. The first week I tried ordering in a busy Seoul café, I waited politely… and got skipped twice because I never actually grabbed the barista’s attention. These two phrases solve that problem, but they feel different.
Quick answer
Use 저기요jeogiyo to get someone’s attention (especially when it’s urgent or they’re not looking); use 실례합니다silryehapnida when you’re interrupting or passing by and want to sound more formally considerate.
Quick cheat sheet
Expressions in this post
When it’s the right choice
Use 저기요jeogiyo when you need the other person to notice you first.
- They’re facing away (cashier, staff, taxi driver)
- The situation feels time-sensitive (you’ll miss your turn, the train is leaving)
- You’re not trying to sound formal—you’re trying to be heard without being rude
Minimal pairs (vs 실례합니다)
저기요, 주문할게요.jeogiyo, jumunhalgeyo. — Excuse me, I’d like to order.실례합니다, 주문할게요.silryehapnida, jumunhalgeyo. — More formal; it can sound like you’re politely interrupting.저기요, 여기 좀 봐 주세요.jeogiyo, yeogi jom bwa juseyo. — Excuse me, please look here.실례합니다, 여기 좀 봐 주세요.silryehapnida, yeogi jom bwa juseyo. — Polite, but slightly more “apologetic” about the interruption.저기요!jeogiyo! — Attention-grabber.실례합니다.silryehapnida. — Softer opener; less “hey, over here.”
Examples
Mini-dialogues (service situations, copy/paste):
1)
A: 저기요, 주문해도 돼요?jeogiyo, jumunhaedo dwaeyo?
B: 네, 뭐 드릴까요?ne, mwo deurilkkayo?
English:
A: Excuse me, can I order?
B: Sure—what would you like?
A: 저기요, 아이스 아메리카노 하나 주세요.jeogiyo, aiseu amerikano hana juseyo.
B: 네, 사이즈는 어떻게 드릴까요?ne, saijeuneun eotteotge deurilkkayo?
English:
A: Excuse me, one iced Americano, please.
B: Sure—what size would you like?
A: 저기요, 영수증 주세요.jeogiyo, yeongsujeung juseyo.
B: 네, 여기 있습니다.ne, yeogi itseupnida.
English:
A: Excuse me, could I get the receipt?
B: Yes—here you go.
A: 저기요, 여기서 세워 주세요.jeogiyo, yeogiseo sewo juseyo.
B: 네, 알겠습니다.ne, algetseupnida.
English:
A: Excuse me, please stop here.
B: Okay.
A: 저기요, 이거 어디에 줄 서요?jeogiyo, igeo eodie jul seoyo?
B: 저쪽 끝에 서시면 돼요.jeojjok kkeute seosimyeon dwaeyo.
English:
A: Excuse me, where do I line up for this?
B: You can line up at the end over there.
A: 저기요, 카드로 할게요.jeogiyo, kadeuro halgeyo.
B: 네, 여기 꽂아 주세요.ne, yeogi kkoja juseyo.
English:
A: Excuse me, I’ll pay by card.
B: Okay—please insert it here.
Common trap (sounds brusque):
저기요, 지나갈게요.jeogiyo, jinagalgeyo. — “Hey, I’m going through.” This can feel pushy in a tight space. Prefer실례합니다silryehapnida for squeezing past.
Collocation + ending drill (mix -요 / -습니다 + softeners):
저기요, 혹시 ___ 있어요?jeogiyo, hoksi ___ isseoyo? — Excuse me, do you happen to have ___?저기요, 죄송한데 ___ 좀 해 주세요.jeogiyo, joesonghande ___ jom hae juseyo. — Excuse me, sorry but please do ___.저기요, ___ 어디예요?jeogiyo, ___ eodiyeyo? — Excuse me, where is ___?저기요, ___ 부탁드려요.jeogiyo, ___ butakdeuryeoyo. — Excuse me, I’d like to ask ___.저기요, 확인해 주실 수 있나요?jeogiyo, hwaginhae jusil su itnayo? — Excuse me, could you check?저기요, 확인 부탁드립니다.jeogiyo, hwagin butakdeuripnida. — Excuse me, please check. (-습니다 style)
When it’s the right choice
Use 실례합니다silryehapnida when you’re “being considerate first,” especially in more formal spaces.
- You’re interrupting someone (at work, at a counter, asking a stranger)
- You’re passing through someone’s space
- You want an “apologetic” opener that sounds safe by default
Minimal pairs (vs 저기요)
실례합니다, 질문 하나 있어요.silryehapnida, jilmun hana isseoyo. — Excuse me, I have a question.저기요, 질문 하나 있어요.jeogiyo, jilmun hana isseoyo. — More “calling out”; can feel sudden in a quiet place.실례합니다, 지나가도 될까요?silryehapnida, jinagado doelkkayo? — Excuse me, may I pass?저기요, 지나가도 될까요?jeogiyo, jinagado doelkkayo? — Understandable, but less natural for squeezing by.실례합니다, 잠시만요.silryehapnida, jamsimanyo. — Excuse me, just a moment.저기요, 잠시만요.jeogiyo, jamsimanyo. — More like “hey, wait.”
Examples
Mini-dialogues (service situations, copy/paste):
1)
A: 실례합니다, 여기 자리 있나요?silryehapnida, yeogi jari itnayo?
B: 네, 저쪽에 자리 있어요.ne, jeojjoge jari isseoyo.
English:
A: Excuse me, is there a seat here?
B: Yes—there are seats over there.
A: 실례합니다, 길 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?silryehapnida, gil jom yeojjwobwado doelkkayo?
B: 네, 어디로 가세요?ne, eodiro gaseyo?
English:
A: Excuse me, may I ask for directions?
B: Sure—where are you going?
A: 실례합니다, 이거 교환 가능할까요?silryehapnida, igeo gyohwan ganeunghalkkayo?
B: 네, 영수증 있으세요?ne, yeongsujeung isseuseyo?
English:
A: Excuse me, can I exchange this?
B: Yes—do you have the receipt?
A: 실례합니다, 잠깐만 비켜 주실래요?silryehapnida, jamkkanman bikyeo jusilraeyo?
B: 아, 네. 죄송해요.a, ne. joesonghaeyo.
English:
A: Excuse me, could you step aside for a moment?
B: Oh, sure—sorry.
A: 실례합니다, 이 줄이 맞나요?silryehapnida, i juri matnayo?
B: 네, 맞아요.ne, majayo.
English:
A: Excuse me, is this the right line?
B: Yes, it is.
A: 실례합니다, 분실물 센터가 어디예요?silryehapnida, bunsilmul senteoga eodiyeyo?
B: 2층 안내 데스크에 있어요.2cheung annae deseukeue isseoyo.
English:
A: Excuse me, where is the lost-and-found?
B: It’s at the information desk on the second floor.
Common trap (too soft to “call” someone):
- If the staff is far away or not looking, starting with only
실례합니다silryehapnida may not grab attention. Add a clear request right away, or use저기요jeogiyo.
Collocation + ending drill (mix -요 / -습니다 + softeners):
실례합니다. 혹시 ___ 괜찮으세요?silryehapnida. hoksi ___ gwaenchanheuseyo? — Excuse me. Is ___ okay?실례합니다. 죄송하지만 ___ 부탁드려도 될까요?silryehapnida. joesonghajiman ___ butakdeuryeodo doelkkayo? — Excuse me. Sorry, but may I ask ___?실례합니다. 잠시 여쭤봐도 돼요?silryehapnida. jamsi yeojjwobwado dwaeyo? — Excuse me. Can I ask quickly? (-요)실례합니다. 확인 부탁드립니다.silryehapnida. hwagin butakdeuripnida. — Excuse me. Please check. (-습니다)실례합니다. 이쪽으로 지나가겠습니다.silryehapnida. ijjogeuro jinagagetseupnida. — Excuse me. I’ll pass this way.
Comparison table
| 저기요 | 실례합니다 | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Get attention / call someone | Apologetic “excuse me” to interrupt or pass |
| Tone | Direct but polite | More formal and considerate |
| Safer in workplace? | Sometimes (depends on tone) | Yes (default-safe) |
| Common mistake | Using it to squeeze past people | Using it from far away and getting ignored |
Wrong → right rewrites (café / taxi / subway / counters):
아메리카노 하나.amerikano hana. →저기요, 아메리카노 하나 주세요.jeogiyo, amerikano hana juseyo. — One Americano, please.물 줘요.mul jwoyo. →저기요, 물 좀 주세요.jeogiyo, mul jom juseyo. — Excuse me, can I have some water?여기 계산.yeogi gyesan. →저기요, 여기 계산해 주세요.jeogiyo, yeogi gyesanhae juseyo. — Excuse me, please ring this up.세워.sewo. →저기요, 여기서 세워 주세요.jeogiyo, yeogiseo sewo juseyo. — Excuse me, stop here.비켜요.bikyeoyo. →실례합니다, 지나가도 될까요?silryehapnida, jinagado doelkkayo? — Excuse me, may I pass?잠깐!jamkkan! →실례합니다, 잠시만요.silryehapnida, jamsimanyo. — Excuse me, just a moment.이거 바꿔 줘요.igeo bakkwo jwoyo. →실례합니다, 이거 교환 가능할까요?silryehapnida, igeo gyohwan ganeunghalkkayo? — Excuse me, can I exchange this?어디 줄 서요?eodi jul seoyo? →저기요, 이거 어디에 줄 서요?jeogiyo, igeo eodie jul seoyo? — Excuse me, where do I line up?기사님! 카드.gisanim! kadeu. →저기요, 카드로 할게요.jeogiyo, kadeuro halgeyo. — Excuse me, I’ll pay by card.저기요, 지나갈게요.jeogiyo, jinagalgeyo. →실례합니다, 지나갈게요.silryehapnida, jinagalgeyo. — Excuse me, I’m coming through.
Decision tree
If you mean “please notice me first” → use 저기요jeogiyo. If you mean “sorry to bother you / let me pass” → use 실례합니다silryehapnida.
Three quick branches (distance × urgency × formality):
- Close + urgent (counter not looking, taxi stop now) →
저기요jeogiyo - Close + not urgent but you’re interrupting (workplace, questions) →
실례합니다silryehapnida - Tight space / passing through (subway aisle, doorway) →
실례합니다silryehapnida
Next steps
- You’re at a café and the barista looks away. Write one line starting with
저기요jeogiyo + a -요 request. - You need to pass someone on the subway. Write one line starting with
실례합니다silryehapnida + a polite question (-요 or -습니다).