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How to say Excuse Me in Korean: sil lye ham ni da

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When do Koreans say "Excuse me" — 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)?

To get someone's attention politely, ask for directions, in shops, on public transport, or when passing through a crowd. Shows respect.

Q2. What's the difference between 실례합니다, 실례지만, and 실례?

실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) = polite standard. 실례지만 (sillyejiman) = polite "excuse me, but..." before a question. 실례 (sillye) = casual.

Q3. Is there another way to say excuse me?

Yes, 저기요 (jeogiyo) = Excuse me (to call someone), 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo) = Excuse me for a moment.

EPS TOPIK: How to Say "Excuse Me" in Korean

What does "실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da)" mean?

실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da) means "Excuse me." Very polite formal expression. 실례 (sil-lye) = discourtesy/rudeness, 합니다 (ham-ni-da) = I do (formal). Literally "I am being rude" → used to apologize in advance for interrupting.

Polite: 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da) - Standard formal
Formal: 실례지만 (sil-lye-ji-man) - Excuse me, but...
Casual: 실례 (sil-lye) - Short, casual

Grammar Breakdown

실례 (sil-lye) = discourtesy, rudeness (Sino-Korean)
합니다 (ham-ni-da) = I do / it is (formal polite verb ending)
실례 + 합니다 → 실례합니다 (sil-lye + ham-ni-da → sil-lye-ham-ni-da) = lit. I commit a discourtesy → Excuse me
→ 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da) = Excuse me. (Polite formal)

When to Use It

1. Asking directions: Get someone's attention.
2. Shops: Call staff politely.
3. Crowd: Pass through politely.

Real-Life Examples

실례합니다. 길 좀 물어볼게요. (sil-lye-ham-ni-da. gil jom mul-eo-bol-ge-yo.) sil-lye-ham-ni-da. gil jom mul-eo-bol-ge-yo.

Excuse me. May I ask for directions?

실례지만, 시간 좀 알려주세요. (sil-lye-ji-man, si-gan jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.) sil-lye-ji-man, si-gan jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.

Excuse me, but could you tell me the time?

실례합니다. 지나가겠습니다. (sil-lye-ham-ni-da. ji-na-ga-get-seum-ni-da.) sil-lye-ham-ni-da. ji-na-ga-get-seum-ni-da.

Excuse me. I'll pass through.

저기요, 실례지만요. (jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ji-man-yo.) jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ji-man-yo.

Excuse me (calling + softening).

Similar Expressions

• 저기요 (jeogiyo) - Excuse me (to call someone)
• 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo) - Just a moment / Excuse me a sec
• 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) - I'm sorry (more apologetic)

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