If you have ever heard a Korean shout “저기요!” across a restaurant or felt a tap on the shoulder from a stranger on the subway, you have already met one of the most useful — and most confusing — words in the language. Jeogiyo meaning is usually taught as a single phrase, “excuse me,” but that one translation barely scratches the surface.
Depending on the tone, the situation, and even the punctuation Koreans imagine when they say it, 저기요 can mean a dozen completely different things — from calling a waiter to teasing a friend or expressing quiet annoyance. This guide breaks down all 12 real-world uses of 저기요 so you can finally understand excuse me in Korean the way locals actually use it, not just the way textbooks teach it.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: What Does Jeogiyo Mean?
- Where You’ll Hear Jeogiyo Most in Korea
- 1. Calling a Stranger’s Attention
- 2. Stopping Someone Who Is Walking Away
- 3. Starting a Complaint
- 4. Hesitating Before You Speak
- 5. Making an Awkward Request
- 6. Getting Attention Mid-Conversation
- 7. Joking Around With Friends
- 8. When a Partner Is Quietly Annoyed
- 9. The Internet Slang Version
- 10. Expressing Shock or Disbelief
- 11. Pointing Out Someone’s Mistake
- 12. A Safe, Neutral Way to Address Anyone
- How Tone Changes Jeogiyo’s Meaning
- Watch It In Action
- Jeogiyo vs Other Korean Phrases for Foreigners
- Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
- A Simple Roleplay Script
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
Quick Answer: What Does Jeogiyo Mean?
At its core, the jeogiyo meaning is close to “excuse me” or “hey there” — literally it comes from 저기 (over there), so it originally meant something like “over there, you.” In practice, Koreans use it as an all-purpose way to get someone’s attention: a waiter, a store clerk, a taxi driver, or a stranger on the street. But because the word carries no fixed emotion of its own, the meaning shifts completely depending on tone, context, and who is speaking. That flexibility is exactly why so many foreigners find it confusing at first.
Language resources like 90 Day Korean and Migaku both confirm that 저기요 is the single most common way Korean speakers get a stranger’s attention in everyday life, well ahead of more formal alternatives. What those guides rarely cover, though, is how far the word travels beyond that first, textbook definition — which is exactly what the twelve situations below are meant to show.
Historically, 저기 simply meant “over there” or “that place,” used to point at something physically distant. Over generations of casual speech, Koreans started attaching the polite ending -요 and using the whole phrase to reach across a physical or social distance — calling someone who is not quite within arm’s reach. That small shift, from pointing at a place to pointing at a person, is why the word still feels a little indirect and gentle even when it is used firmly.
Where You’ll Hear Jeogiyo Most in Korea
Before diving into the twelve specific uses, it helps to know exactly where you’re likely to hear — or need — this phrase during a trip. It shows up constantly in ordinary tourist situations, so recognizing it will make everyday interactions feel far less overwhelming.
- Restaurants and street food stalls — the number one place you will use it yourself, almost always to call a server over.
- Convenience stores and cafes — used more softly, often just to ask a quick question about a product or price.
- Taxis — passengers use it to confirm a stop or clarify directions with the driver.
- Department stores and traditional markets — shoppers use it to flag down staff for sizes, prices, or samples.
- Crowded subway platforms and sidewalks — a quick way to stop a stranger and ask for directions.
Once you notice how often it appears in these ordinary moments, the different tones and meanings covered below will start to feel intuitive rather than confusing.
1. Calling a Stranger’s Attention (The Most Common Use)
This is the use every learner encounters first, and it is the foundation of the jeogiyo meaning most guidebooks teach. You will hear it constantly toward restaurant staff, convenience store workers, taxi drivers, or anyone whose name you do not know.
- 저기요, 물 좀 주세요. — “Excuse me, could I get some water?”
- 저기요, 계산이요. — “Excuse me, the bill please.”
- 저기요, 이 길이 맞나요? — “Excuse me, is this the right way?”
In this context, 저기요 functions exactly like excuse me in Korean when you need to speak first in a public setting.
2. Stopping Someone Who Is Walking Away
저기요 is also the reflex word Koreans use when someone is about to leave without noticing something important, or when they are doing something they should not be doing.
- 저기요! 지갑 두고 가셈어요! — “Excuse me! You forgot your wallet!”
- 저기요! 줄 서셔야 합니다. — “Excuse me! You need to line up.”
- 저기요! 여기 주차하시면 안 됩니다. — “Excuse me! You can’t park here.”
Here the closest English equivalents are “Excuse me!”, “Hey!”, or “Sir/Ma’am!” — sharper and more urgent than a simple greeting.
3. Starting a Complaint or Objection
Depending on the tone, 저기요 can open a polite complaint or a fairly pointed one. This is one of the trickiest parts of the phrase for foreigners, because the words themselves stay the same while the emotional temperature rises sharply.
- 저기요, 이거 주문이 잘못 나왔는데요. — “Excuse me, this order came out wrong.”
- 저기요, 너무 시끄러운데요. — “Excuse me, it’s really loud.”
- 저기요, 계산이 틀린 것 같습니다. — “Excuse me, I think the bill is wrong.”
In these cases it reads less like a soft “Excuse me…” and more like “Excuse me, there’s a problem.” — a signal that something needs to be fixed.
4. Hesitating Before You Speak
Sometimes 저기요 is not aimed at anyone at all. Instead, it is a verbal cushion Koreans use to buy a second before saying something awkward, similar to how English speakers say “Um…” or “Well…”
- 저기요…
- 저기…
This filler use is close to English “Um…”, “Well…”, or “Actually…” — it signals hesitation rather than a request for attention.
5. Making an Awkward or Shy Request
When Koreans need to ask a favor that feels a little embarrassing, they often soften the request by opening with 저기요 instead of jumping straight to the ask.
- 저기요… 사진 한 장만 부탁드려도 될까요? — “Excuse me… could I ask for one photo?”
- 저기요… 화장실 좀 써도 될까요? — “Excuse me… could I use the restroom?”
Used this way, it is a gentle warm-up rather than a direct demand — a small courtesy before an awkward ask.
6. Getting Someone’s Attention Mid-Conversation
If someone is distracted, looking at their phone, or simply not listening, 저기요 works as a way to pull their focus back to the conversation.
- 저기요, 제 말 좀 들어보세요. — “Excuse me, please listen to what I’m saying.”
- 저기요, 아직 안 끝났습니다. — “Excuse me, I’m not finished yet.”
It is less about politeness here and more about re-establishing that you still have the floor.
7. Joking Around With Friends
Even though 저기요 sounds formal on paper, close friends use it playfully all the time — often stretched out with a trailing “~” to sound cute or teasing.
- 저기요~ 누구세요? — “Excuse me~ and who are you?”
- 저기요~ 제 커피는요? — “Excuse me~ where’s my coffee?”
- 저기요~ 약속 안 지키셨는데요? — “Excuse me~ you broke your promise, remember?”
The tone decides everything: the same syllables that sound like a stranger’s greeting can sound adorable or sarcastic between friends.
8. When a Partner Is Quietly Annoyed
In relationships, 저기요 sometimes appears when one partner is a little upset but does not want to say it outright. Instead of a full sentence, they lean entirely on tone.
- 저기요.
- 저기요?
- 저기요~~?
The words barely change, but the meaning behind them is closer to “I’m a little hurt right now, you know” than an actual request for attention.
9. The Internet Slang Version (저기요ㄱㄱ)
Online, 저기요 has picked up a new life as internet slang, usually written 저기요ㄱㄱ. It works as a lighthearted way to interrupt someone’s story or push back on a claim.
Example exchange:
- A: 나 하루에 치탰 세 마리 먹음 — “I eat three whole chickens a day.”
- B: 저기요ㄱㄱㄱㄱ — “Hold on, lol” / “wait, no” / “that’s a bit much lol”
This is a good reminder that the meaning keeps evolving — even a decades-old phrase can pick up new slang uses in group chats and comment sections.
10. Expressing Shock or Disbelief
Said sharply, with a rising tone and a question mark, 저기요 can express genuine surprise or offense at something someone just said.
- 저기요? — “Excuse me?”
- 지금 뭐라고 하셨어요? — “What did you just say?”
In English this maps almost perfectly onto “Excuse me?”, “What?”, or “Seriously?” — a short, sharp reaction rather than a request.
11. Pointing Out Someone’s Mistake
저기요 also shows up when someone has accidentally taken your seat, your order, or your belongings — a polite but firm correction.
- 저기요, 제 커피 가져가셈어요. — “Excuse me, you took my coffee.”
- 저기요, 제 자리인데요. — “Excuse me, that’s my seat.”
The goal is to fix the mix-up without starting a real conflict, so the tone usually stays calm even if the words are direct.
12. A Safe, Neutral Way to Address Anyone
Korean has age- and status-based titles like 아저씨 (older man), 아주머니 (older woman), or 학생 (student), but guessing wrong can feel awkward or even rude. That is exactly why 저기요 remains the safest option for foreigners and locals alike when addressing a stranger of unknown age or status.
- 저기요, 잠시만요. — “Excuse me, just a moment.”
- 저기요, 혹시 시간 있으세요? — “Excuse me, do you have a moment?”
For anyone building a list of practical Korean phrases for foreigners, this neutral, no-risk usage is one of the most valuable to memorize first.
How Tone Changes Jeogiyo’s Meaning
Because 저기요 has almost no fixed emotional weight of its own, tone and punctuation do most of the work. The table below summarizes how the exact same two syllables can land in completely different ways.
| Expression | Feeling |
|---|---|
| 저기요! | Calling someone |
| 저기요…? | Cautious, careful question |
| 저기요. | Mild complaint or annoyance |
| 저기요?? | Shock, disbelief |
| 저기요~~ | Playful, cute teasing |
| 저기… | Hesitation, trailing off |
| 저기요ㄱㄱ | Internet-style teasing pushback |
Watch It In Action
Reading about tone only goes so far — hearing 저기요 used in real conversation makes the meaning click much faster. This short video shows the phrase used naturally, with the kind of tone shifts described above.
Jeogiyo vs Other Korean Phrases for Foreigners
저기요 is not the only way to say “excuse me” in Korean, and knowing when to switch between them is part of sounding natural. Here is how it compares to two close relatives.
- 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) — more formal and businesslike than 저기요; a safer choice with elders, officials, or in professional settings.
- 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo) — literally “just a moment”; best used when squeezing past someone in a crowd rather than starting a conversation.
- 여기요 (yeogiyo) — a close cousin meaning “over here” instead of “over there”; used the same way to call a server, just slightly more direct.
Pronunciation-wise, all three phrases are forgiving of a foreign accent — Koreans are used to hearing them said a little stiffly by travelers, and context almost always makes your intent clear even if a syllable or two lands slightly off.
Understanding these small differences is one of the fastest ways to sound more natural, and it belongs on any serious list of Korean phrases for foreigners preparing for a trip to Korea. If you want to see how a completely different Korean phrase went viral worldwide, our breakdown of the Kany Korean Challenge on TikTok is a fun follow-up read.
Common Mistakes Foreigners Make With Jeogiyo
Even travelers who have studied a little Korean tend to trip over the same handful of habits when they first try 저기요 in real life. Knowing these ahead of time will save you a few awkward moments.
- Using it with elders or superiors. 저기요 is casual-polite, not formal-polite. With a much older person, a boss, or a government official, 실례합니다 sounds more respectful and shows you understand Korea’s age-based manners.
- Shouting it from far away. Volume matters less than you’d think — a normal speaking voice with eye contact works better than yelling across a restaurant, which can come across as demanding rather than polite.
- Repeating it too many times in a row. Saying 저기요, 저기요, 저기요! rapidly can come across as impatient or rude, even if that’s not the intent behind it.
- Ignoring the tone entirely. Because so much of the meaning lives in pitch and pacing, a flat, robotic delivery can accidentally sound cold or confrontational, even when you mean nothing by it.
- Forgetting the softer alternatives. In hushed spaces like temples, libraries, or fine-dining restaurants, 잠시만요 is usually the gentler, more appropriate choice for getting someone’s attention.
None of these mistakes are serious — Koreans are generally forgiving toward foreigners still learning the ropes — but avoiding them will make your Korean phrases for foreigners toolkit feel a lot more natural in daily situations.
A Simple Roleplay Script to Practice Jeogiyo
The fastest way to make any new phrase stick is to say it out loud in a realistic scene. Try reading both sides of this short restaurant exchange, swapping roles once you’ve got it down.
- You: 저기요! — “Excuse me!”
- Server: 네, 손님! — “Yes, coming!”
- You: 여기 물 좀 주세요. — “Could I get some water here, please?”
- Server: 네, 잠시만요. — “Sure, just a moment.”
- You (later): 저기요, 계산이요! — “Excuse me, the bill please!”
Notice how naturally 저기요 opens the exchange and reappears at the end — that repetition is exactly how the phrase is used in real Korean restaurants, cafes, and shops every single day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeogiyo
Is jeogiyo rude?
No, not by itself. 저기요 is a completely normal, everyday way to get someone’s attention. It only reads as rude if it’s shouted, repeated aggressively, or aimed at someone who deserves more formal language, like an elder or a superior at work.
Can I use jeogiyo with my Korean friends?
Yes — among close friends, 저기요 often becomes a playful, teasing expression rather than a literal request for attention, especially when stretched out as “저기요~”.
What’s the difference between jeogiyo and yeogiyo?
저기요 literally points “over there,” while 여기요 points “over here.” In practice both are used the same way to call a server or clerk, so the choice mostly comes down to personal habit rather than strict grammar rules.
Is there a more formal version of jeogiyo?
Yes. 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) is the more formal cousin of 저기요, and it’s the safer pick around elders, in business settings, or any situation that calls for extra politeness.
How do I know if someone is annoyed when they say jeogiyo?
Listen for a flat, drawn-out tone, a pause before the word, or a question mark at the end without a clear question attached. Combined with body language like crossed arms or an unimpressed expression, that’s usually a sign of mild irritation rather than a genuine request.
Do Korean children use jeogiyo too?
Yes, though less often than adults. Children tend to use more direct titles or simply say 저기요 when talking to an unfamiliar adult, such as a shop worker, and they usually pick up the appropriate tone naturally by watching parents and older siblings use it.
Is jeogiyo used the same way outside of Seoul?
Yes — while accents and speech rhythm shift from region to region across Korea, 저기요 itself is understood and used everywhere, from busy Seoul neighborhoods to smaller towns and coastal cities, making it one of the safest phrases to rely on nationwide.
Key Takeaways for Foreigners Visiting Korea
The jeogiyo meaning is never fixed — it bends to fit calling a waiter, stopping a stranger, complaining, joking, flirting, or expressing shock, all with the same two syllables. Learning to read the tone is more useful than memorizing a single translation.
- Use 저기요 confidently to call staff at restaurants and cafes — see our Korean dining etiquette guide for more restaurant tips.
- Keep your tone flat and polite in formal or unfamiliar situations.
- Save the playful, drawn-out “저기요~~” for friends, not strangers or elders.
- If you are booking a table in advance, our guide to Korean restaurant reservation services pairs well with this phrase.
Once you get comfortable with excuse me in Korean in all of its forms, ordering food, asking directions, and small daily interactions in Korea become dramatically less intimidating. Practice the roleplay script above a few times, keep an ear out for tone, and this small, flexible phrase will quickly become one of the most useful things you know how to say in the country.
