Dictionary — Entry No. 0340
실례요
sillyeyo · expression
실례요
sillyeyo
[shil-lyeh-YOH]
expressionbeginner
Meaning
Literally ‘it is rude/impolite,’ but functions as ‘Excuse me’ or ‘Pardon me’ when getting someone’s attention or passing through a crowd. It is a colloquial shortening of the more formal 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida). Use it to approach strangers politely in everyday situations.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
In K-Dramas set in modern Seoul, characters use 실례요 when navigating crowded markets and subway stations—it anchors realistic street-level dialogue in shows like My Love from the Star. Running Man cast members use it constantly when approaching members of the public during outdoor missions, making it one of the most recognizable polite expressions on Korean variety TV. Stray Kids members can be heard using 실례요 in their SKZ Code variety show when squeezing past staff backstage, giving international fans a natural, unscripted example.
Example Sentences
실례요, 지하철역이 어디예요?
Sillyeyo, jihacheolyeogi eodiyeyo?
Excuse me, where is the subway station? (standard opener when asking a stranger for directions)
실례요, 잠깐 지나갈게요.
Sillyeyo, jamkkan jinagalgeyo.
Excuse me, I’ll just pass through. (used when squeezing past someone in a crowd—very common at K-Pop concerts)
실례요, 사진 찍어도 될까요?
Sillyeyo, sajin jjigeo do doelkkayo?
Excuse me, may I take a photo? (polite request to a stranger; essential phrase for fans visiting Korea)
⚠️ Don’t use sillyeyo when…
Don’t swap 실례요 (sillyeyo, excuse me for interrupting) with 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida, I’m deeply sorry for a mistake)—the first gets attention, the second apologizes for an offense. Also, 실례요 is polite but casual; in formal settings use the full form 실례합니다.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: My Love from the Star — Do Min-joon uses 실례요 to navigate through crowds, grounding his otherworldly character in the everyday Korean social etiquette that makes the drama feel authentic.
- K-Pop: Stray Kids — In their ‘SKZ Code’ variety show, members use 실례요 when approaching strangers during outdoor challenges, giving fans an unscripted look at the expression in real use.
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.