If you’ve watched even one episode of a K-Drama or listened to a K-Pop song, you’ve likely heard this phrase: 잠깐만 (Jam-kan-man).
It is one of the most useful expressions in the Korean language, acting as a universal "pause button" for everyday life.
Simply put, 잠깐만 means "Wait a second" or "Hold on". It is a versatile phrase that can stop someone in their tracks, shift a moment, or buy you a little time.
It is important to remember that 잠깐만 is a casual (Ban-mal) expression. Because of this, you should only use it with:
- Close friends
-
Siblings or younger relatives
-
People younger than you who you are close with
If you are in a situation where you need to be polite—like talking to a stranger, a colleague, or a store clerk—simply add "요" (yo) to the end.
- Casual: 잠깐만 (Jam-kan-man)
-
Polite/Formal: 잠깐만요 (Jam-kan-man-yo)
Imagine your friend is already walking away, and you suddenly realize you forgot to give them their keys.
You: 잠깐만! (Jam-kan-man!) — Wait a second! Friend: 응? 왜? (Eung? Wae?) — Huh? Why?
By using 잠깐만, you’ve effectively hit the "pause button" on their exit so you can catch up. Once you start noticing it, you’ll hear it everywhere.
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