Travel Phrases — Entry No. 1198
잠시만요
jam-si-man-yo · expression
잠시만요
jam-si-man-yo
[jahm-shee-mahn-yo]
expressionbeginner
Meaning
A polite request meaning “wait a moment” or “one moment please.” Literally breaks down as ‘jam-si’ (a moment) + ‘man’ (only) + ‘yo’ (polite ending). Used to ask someone to pause or wait briefly before proceeding.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Frequently heard in K-dramas like My Love from the Star and Descendants of the Sun when characters need a few seconds. IVE and NewJeans use this in interviews when collecting their thoughts. It demonstrates Korean politeness—even when asking someone to stop, the phrasing is gentle and respectful.
Example Sentences
잠시만요, 지갑을 찾고 있어요.
jam-si-man-yo, jigabseul chajgo isseoyo.
One moment, I’m looking for my wallet. (Politely asking for patience)
네, 잠시만요. 곧 도와드릴게요.
ne, jam-si-man-yo. got doawadeulgeyo.
Yes, just a moment. I’ll help you right away. (Service worker’s standard response)
잠시만요! 이 신발 아직 깎아 줄 수 있어요?
jam-si-man-yo! i sinbal ajik kkakka jul su isseoyo?
Wait a second! Can you still discount these shoes? (Stopping someone before they leave)
⚠️ Don’t use jam-si-man-yo when…
Do not use 잠깐 (jamkkan) alone with customers or those senior to you—it sounds abrupt. Always add the polite ending ‘yo’ (jam-si-man-yo) when speaking to strangers or in service contexts. Never shorten it to just 잠시 (jam-si) in formal situations.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: My Love from the Star — The FL uses 잠시만요 when Do Min-joon is about to leave her apartment, often in comedic moments of desperation.
- K-Pop: NewJeans — In their variety show appearances, they use 잠시만요 when asking the staff for time to prepare their performances or comments.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.