How to Call Someone in Korean: 저기요[jeo-gi-yo]
How to Call Someone in Korean 🗣️
저기요, 선생님, 야
When you want to call someone’s attention in Korean, you can’t just say “hey” or “sir” like in English. There are different expressions depending on the situation and level of politeness.
🙋♀️ 저기요 / 여기요
- 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo) = Excuse me / Hey there
- 여기요 (yeo-gi-yo) = Over here / Excuse me
These are used when calling for someone’s attention politely, especially strangers.
Common situations:
- Calling a waiter in a restaurant
- Getting a stranger’s attention (e.g., asking for directions)
Example:
저기요, 이거 얼마예요?
jeo-gi-yo, i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
→ Excuse me, how much is this?
📝 여기요 is often used in restaurants to call a server.
→ "Over here, please."
🧑🏫 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim)
선생님 usually means “teacher.” But in real life, Koreans also use it as a polite way to address someone they don’t know — like “Sir” or “Ma’am.”
- Literal meaning: Teacher
- Used as: Polite title for older or respected strangers
Over time, the word 선생님 has expanded to be used for strangers in customer service, hospitals, shops, etc.
Example:
선생님, 여기 앉으세요.
seon-saeng-nim, yeo-gi an-jeu-se-yo
→ Sir, please sit here.
⚠️ Do not use “Mr.” or “Mrs.” literally in Korean. Use “선생님” instead, or the person’s title/name if known.
🗣 야 (ya)
야 is a very casual way to call someone, only used between close friends or to someone younger.
- Meaning: Hey!
- Usage: Informal / Between friends
- ⚠️ Warning: Sounds rude if used with strangers or older people
Example:
야, 너 뭐 해?
ya, neo mwo hae?
→ Hey, what are you doing?
📌 Summary
| Korean | Pronunciation | English Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 저기요 | jeo-gi-yo | Excuse me | Polite, with strangers |
| 여기요 | yeo-gi-yo | Over here | In restaurants |
| 선생님 | seon-saeng-nim | Sir / Ma’am | Formal, respectful |
| 야 | ya | Hey (casual) | Friends only |
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