What does 잠깐만 (jamkkanman) mean?
- 잠깐만jamkkanman
Wait a moment / Hold on
Casual: friends and people younger than you
잠깐만 (jamkkanman) means "Wait a moment" or "Hold on" in casual Korean. It is how you ask someone to wait, or stop a conversation to check something.
Where it comes from
잠깐 means "a short while" and 만 means "just", so it literally means "just a moment".
How to use 잠깐만
Use 잠깐만 with friends and family when you need a second, or when you suddenly notice something: 잠깐만, 이거 뭐야? (Wait, what's this?)
With strangers or older people, add 요: 잠깐만요. 잠시만요 is similar and sounds slightly more formal.
Both 잠깐만요 and 잠시만요 are also how you say "Excuse me" when squeezing past people on a crowded subway or bus.
Examples
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Your friend is about to leave without you
Getting off a crowded subway
Noticing something odd on your desk
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 잠깐만요 | Just a moment, please | Polite form. |
| 잠시만요 | One moment, please | Polite and slightly more formal. |
| 잠깐만 기다려 | Wait a sec | Casual. |
| 잠깐 | A moment | Shorter, more abrupt. |
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between jamkkanman and jamsimanyo?
They mean the same thing. 잠시만요 sounds slightly more formal, and 잠깐만 without 요 is casual.
Is jamkkanman polite?
잠깐만 is casual. Use 잠깐만요 or 잠시만요 with strangers and older people.
How do you say excuse me on the subway in Korean?
Say 잠깐만요 or 잠시만요 as you squeeze past.