KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Travel, lodging & emergencies › 한국어를 조금만 해요
How to Say “I only speak a little Korean” in Korean
한국어를 조금만 해요
hangugeoreul jogeumman haeyo
Meaning
I only speak a little Korean.
Usage note
조금 means “a little” and 만 means “only.” Follow it with 천천히 말해 주세요 (“please speak slowly”) when you need a slower pace.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
How to pronounce it
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 한국어를 | ||
| 한 | ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄴ | han |
| 국 | ㄱ+ㅜ+ㄱ | [구] gu |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [거] geo |
| 를 | ㄹ+ㅡ+ㄹ | reul |
| 조금만 | ||
| 조 | ㅈ+ㅗ | jo |
| 금 | ㄱ+ㅡ+ㅁ | geum |
| 만 | ㅁ+ㅏ+ㄴ | man |
| 해요 | ||
| 해 | ㅎ+ㅐ | hae |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 국어 → [구거]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in this phrase
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 하다 | verb | to do | TOPIK level 1 |
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “한국어를”
- 한국어를 공부하고 있어요I’m studying Korean
- 한국어를 아직 잘 못해요I can’t speak Korean well yet
- 학교에서 한국어를 배워요I study Korean at school
- 한국어를 배운 지 얼마나 됐어요?How long have you been learning Korean
Phrases with “해요”
- 오늘 뭐 해요?What are you doing today
- 커피 한 잔 해요Shall we have a coffee
- 몇 정거장 가야 해요?How many stops do I need to go
- 공항에 가려면 어떻게 가야 해요?How do I get to the airport
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “한국어를 조금만 해요” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: I only speak a little Korean
Question 2 How do you say “I only speak a little Korean” in Korean?
Show the answer
Answer: 한국어를 조금만 해요 hangugeoreul jogeumman haeyo
Learn this phrase by playing: typing drills and quizzes help it stick.
Practice in the gameMore phrases for this situation
- 택시를 불러 주세요Could you call a taxi for me
- 약국이 어디에 있어요?Where’s the pharmacy
- 배가 너무 아파요My stomach hurts a lot
- 여행 중이에요I’m traveling
- 지도를 보여 주세요Could you show me the map
- 입장료가 얼마예요?How much is the admission fee
Read this page in: 日本語 简体中文 繁體中文 Tiếng Việt Bahasa Indonesia Oʻzbekcha Монгол Français Español (México) ไทย