Level 2 · Basic Conversation
Learn to ask for help politely in Korean! Master essential phrases for requesting assistance, explaining problems, and navigating tricky situations with grace and proper etiquette.
13 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
Everyone needs help sometimes -- especially when navigating life in a foreign language. Whether you're lost in Seoul, confused by a restaurant menu, or struggling with a tricky grammar concept, knowing how to ask for help politely is one of the most important skills you can have.
In this unit, you'll learn 13 essential words for asking for help -- from 도움 (help) to 죄송하다 (to be sorry formally) -- plus two powerful grammar patterns: -(으)니까 (because/since) for explaining WHY you need help, and the past tense -았/었/했- for talking about what already happened. You'll also discover the art of Korean politeness -- how levels of formality, indirect communication, and 눈치 (social awareness) shape every request. 도움이 필요하세요? Let's learn how to ask!
help
도움이 필요해요.I need help.
💡 Memory tip: "Doum" sounds like "do" + "um" -- when you need someone to DO something and you're going "um..." trying to ask. 도움을 주다 = to give help, 도움을 받다 = to receive help.
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [도움]. The ㅜ vowel is rounded and the final ㅁ is a nasal batchim.
to request / to ask a favor
하나만 부탁해도 될까요?May I ask just one favor?
💡 Memory tip: 부탁 (request/favor) + 하다 (to do) = to make a request. "Bu-tak" sounds like "book a task" -- you're booking someone for a task you need done!
Pronunciation: 부탁하다 is pronounced [부타카다]. The ㄱ batchim of 탁 combines with the ㅎ of 하다 to create an aspirated [ㅋ] sound.
to excuse oneself
실례합니다, 길 좀 물어봐도 될까요?Excuse me, may I ask for directions?
💡 Memory tip: 실례 (rudeness/discourtesy) + 하다 (to do) = literally "to commit a rudeness." You're politely acknowledging that you might be interrupting. 실례합니다 is the go-to phrase to get a stranger's attention.
Pronunciation: 실례 is pronounced [실례]. The ㄹ in 실 flows into the ㄹ in 례 with a lateral [l] sound. Note: 실례합니다 is used like "excuse me" in English.
to be okay / to be fine
괜찮아요, 제가 도와줄게요.It's okay, I'll help you.
💡 Memory tip: "Gwaen-chan-ta" -- think "going to be chanted away" -- everything will be chanted away because it's all okay! This is one of the most versatile words in Korean.
Pronunciation: 괜찮다 is pronounced [괜찬타]. The ㅎ batchim in 찮 merges with the following ㄷ to produce the aspirated [ㅌ] sound, and the ㄴ is carried over.
problem
문제가 있어요.There is a problem.
💡 Memory tip: "Mun-je" sounds like "moon jay" -- imagine a blue jay on the moon with a big problem: how to fly back! 문제없다 (no problem) is a common reassuring phrase.
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [문제]. The ㄴ batchim in 문 is nasal before ㅈ.
method / way
다른 방법이 있어요?Is there another way?
💡 Memory tip: 방 (way/direction) + 법 (law/method) = the lawful way of doing things. "Bang-beop" -- the "bang" method -- the approach that really hits hard!
Pronunciation: 방법 is pronounced [방뻡]. The ㅂ in 법 becomes tensed [ㅃ] after the ㅇ batchim of 방, and the final ㅂ batchim is unreleased.
to explain
다시 한번 설명해 주세요.Please explain one more time.
💡 Memory tip: 설명 (explanation) + 하다 (to do) = to give an explanation. "Seol-myeong" -- think "soul meaning" -- when someone explains, they reveal the soul meaning of a topic.
Pronunciation: 설명 is pronounced [설명]. The ㄹ batchim in 설 is lateral before ㅁ. Full word: [설명하다].
to understand
이해했어요? 다시 설명할까요?Did you understand? Shall I explain again?
💡 Memory tip: 이해 (understanding/comprehension) + 하다 (to do) = to understand. "I-hae" sounds like "I hey!" -- the "aha!" moment when you finally get it.
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [이해하다]. All syllables are open and straightforward. The ㅎ sounds are clearly aspirated.
to not know
길을 몰라서 도움을 요청했어요.I asked for help because I didn't know the way.
💡 Memory tip: "Mo-reu-da" -- think "more, duh!" -- you need MORE information because, duh, you don't know! This is an irregular verb: 모르다 → 몰라요 (not 모라요).
Pronunciation: 모르다 is pronounced [모르다]. It follows the 르 (reu) irregular: 모르 + 아요 → 몰라요 (the ㅡ of 르 drops and an extra ㄹ is added to the previous syllable).
to inform / to let know
전화번호를 알려 주세요.Please let me know the phone number.
💡 Memory tip: 알리다 (to inform) + 주다 (to give) = to give information to someone. "Al-lyeo-ju-da" -- "I'll yield the juice (info) to you!" The 주다 adds a giving/favor nuance.
Pronunciation: 알려주다 is pronounced [알려주다]. The ㄹ in 알 connects with the ㄹ in 려 as a double lateral sound [ㄹㄹ].
slowly
천천히 말해 주세요.Please speak slowly.
💡 Memory tip: 천천 (slow/gradual) + 히 (adverb suffix) = slowly. "Cheon-cheon-hi" -- sounds like "churn churn he" -- imagine someone churning butter very slowly. This is one of the most useful phrases for language learners!
Pronunciation: 천천히 is pronounced [천천히]. The ㄴ batchim in both 천 syllables is nasal. The ㅎ in 히 is aspirated.
again
다시 한번 말해 주세요.Please say it one more time.
💡 Memory tip: "Da-si" sounds like "do see" -- you want to DO and SEE it again! 다시 한번 (one more time) is a lifesaver phrase when you didn't catch what someone said.
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [다시]. Simple and straightforward pronunciation with no batchim complications.
to be sorry (formal)
정말 죄송합니다.I am truly sorry.
💡 Memory tip: 죄 (sin/guilt) + 송 (send) + 하다 = literally "to feel guilty and send apologies." "Joe-song" -- Joe sings a sorry song. More formal than 미안하다 -- use this with strangers, elders, and in professional settings.
Pronunciation: 죄송하다 is pronounced [죄송하다] or [줴송하다] in fast speech. The ㅚ vowel in 죄 can sound like [웨] in casual pronunciation.
Asking for help in Korea is an art form shaped by centuries of Confucian social structure and modern communication norms. Understanding these cultural layers will make your requests not just grammatically correct, but socially graceful.
-- 존댓말 vs 반말 (Formal vs Casual Speech): Korean has distinct speech levels that change how you ask for help. With strangers, service workers, and elders, always use 존댓말 (formal/polite speech): "도와주시겠어요?" (Could you help me?). With close friends your age, you can use 반말 (casual speech): "도와줘!" (Help me!). Using the wrong level is a serious social faux pas -- when in doubt, always go formal. Foreigners who use 존댓말 are praised for their effort.
-- 실례합니다 -- The Magic Opener: Before asking a stranger for anything, always say 실례합니다 (excuse me). It signals respect and gives the person a moment to prepare. In busy areas, you might also hear 저기요 (hey there / excuse me) which is more casual but still polite. Never just launch into your question without this social buffer.
-- Indirect Communication Style: Koreans often avoid direct requests. Instead of "Tell me the answer," you might hear "혹시 알려 주실 수 있을까요?" (By any chance, would it be possible for you to let me know?). The word 혹시 (by any chance) softens requests enormously. Stacking politeness markers is common and appreciated: adding 좀 (a little/please) and 주시다 (to give, honorific) makes requests extra polite.
-- When 괜찮아요 Doesn't Mean "I'm Fine": One of the trickiest aspects of Korean culture -- someone saying 괜찮아요 (it's fine/I'm okay) doesn't always mean they're truly fine. It can be a polite refusal, a brave face, or a signal that they're being considerate. If someone says 괜찮아요 but their body language suggests otherwise, offering help one more time is considerate. The pattern of offering → refusal → offering again → acceptance is very common in Korean social interactions.
-- 눈치 (Nunchi) -- Social Awareness: Perhaps the most important Korean social concept, 눈치 literally means "eye measure" -- the ability to read the room, sense others' feelings, and respond appropriately. Having good 눈치 means knowing when someone needs help without them asking, or knowing when your request might be inconvenient. It's about sensing the unspoken. Koreans admire people with "눈치가 빠르다" (quick nunchi) -- those who pick up on social cues naturally.
-- Practical Tips for Asking Help in Korea: Start with 실례합니다 or 저기요. Add 혹시 before your question. Use 좀 to soften: "좀 도와주시겠어요?" Always thank with 감사합니다 (formal) after receiving help. If someone goes out of their way, a slight bow adds warmth to your gratitude.
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