Managing Conversation Speed
How to slow down, ask for repeats, and keep up in Korean conversations
Iru Helper Note
Asking someone to speak more slowly is completely natural in Korean. The key is to be polite and specific — say what you need, not just that you don't understand.
조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
(Could you speak just a little more slowly?)
🐢 What You'll Learn Today
Controlling the pace of a conversation is one of the most practical speaking skills for intermediate learners. In this lesson you'll learn how to ask someone to slow down, repeat something, or rephrase — and how to do it politely and naturally in Korean. You'll also learn how to signal that you understood or that you're still processing, so conversations stay smooth even when things get fast.
📌 Conversation Speed Management Expressions
Expression | Meaning | Notes |
조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Could you speak just a little more slowly? | 조금만 = just a little; very polite |
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Could you say that one more time? | 다시 = again; standard repeat request |
잘 못 들었어요 | I didn't hear that well | Honest, non-blaming reason for asking again |
조금 더 크게 말씀해 주세요 | Please speak a little louder | When the issue is volume, not speed |
무슨 뜻이에요? | What does that mean? | Direct meaning check |
다시 설명해 주시겠어요? | Could you explain that again? | For complex ideas, not just single words |
혹시 다르게 말씀해 주실 수 있어요? | Could you perhaps say it differently? | Asks for a rephrase |
잠깐만요 | Just a moment | Buys processing time |
이해했어요 | I understood | Positive signal to keep going |
아, 그 말이군요 | Ah, that's what you meant | Signals you've clicked onto the meaning |
그러니까 | So… / In other words… | Shows you're processing and continuing |
맞아요? | Is that right? / Right? | Checking your understanding |
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? | Did I understand correctly? | Formal comprehension check |
천천히 해도 괜찮아요 | It's okay to take it slow | Reassuring a nervous speaker |
계속 말씀하세요 | Please continue | Signal that you're following along |
💡 Key pattern: 조금만 + [adjustment] + 말씀해 주시겠어요? = Could you speak just a little [more ___]?
💬 Conversations in Action
Asking to slow down
지수: 저는 지금 프로젝트 마감 때문에 정말 바쁜데, 팀원들이랑 소통도 잘 안 되고... (I'm really busy right now because of a project deadline, and communication with my team isn't going well either...)
민준: 잠깐만요. 조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? 빠르게 말씀하셔서 잘 못 들었어요. (Just a moment. Could you speak just a little more slowly? You were speaking fast so I couldn't hear well.)
지수: 아, 죄송해요! 다시 말할게요. (Oh, sorry! I'll say it again.)
민준: 감사해요. 이제 잘 들려요. (Thank you. I can hear you well now.)
Checking understanding
혜진: 그러니까 그 행사는 다음 주 금요일이에요. (So the event is next Friday.)
태양: 아, 그 말이군요. 제가 이해한 게 맞아요? 금요일 오후요? (Ah, that's what you meant. Did I understand correctly? Friday afternoon?)
혜진: 네, 맞아요! 오후 3시요. (Yes, that's right! 3pm.)
태양: 이해했어요. 계속 말씀하세요. (I understood. Please continue.)
🌏 Cultural Note — Asking for Repeats in Korean
In Korean conversation, asking someone to repeat or slow down is not rude — it's considered considerate, because it shows you're taking the conversation seriously. However, the way you phrase it matters. Saying 무슨 말이에요? (What are you saying?) alone can sound blunt or dismissive. Instead, pair your request with a reason: 빠르게 말씀하셔서 잘 못 들었어요 (You were speaking fast, so I didn't catch it). Adding a reason keeps the tone collaborative and never makes the other person feel their speech is unclear.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Practice managing conversation speed. Say each response out loud in Korean.
A. Ask someone to speak a little more slowly.
<summary>Answer
조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? (Could you speak just a little more slowly?)
</summary>
B. Ask someone to repeat what they just said.
<summary>Answer
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (Could you say that one more time?)
</summary>
C. Give a reason — you didn't hear well.
<summary>Answer
잘 못 들었어요. (I didn't hear that well.)
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D. Ask someone to explain again more clearly.
<summary>Answer
다시 설명해 주시겠어요? (Could you explain that again?)
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E. Ask what a word or phrase means.
<summary>Answer
무슨 뜻이에요? (What does that mean?)
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F. Signal that you need a moment to process.
<summary>Answer
잠깐만요. (Just a moment.)
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G. Confirm you understood and invite them to continue.
<summary>Answer
이해했어요. 계속 말씀하세요. (I understood. Please continue.)
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H. Signal that you've now understood what they meant.
<summary>Answer
아, 그 말이군요. (Ah, that's what you meant.)
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I. Ask if what you understood was correct.
<summary>Answer
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? (Did I understand correctly?)
</summary>
J. Ask someone to rephrase it differently.
<summary>Answer
혹시 다르게 말씀해 주실 수 있어요? (Could you perhaps say it differently?)
</summary>
Expression Reference
Expression | Nuance/Key |
조금만 천천히 | Just a little slower |
다시 한번 | One more time |
잘 못 들었어요 | Didn't hear well |
다시 설명해 주세요 | Explain again |
무슨 뜻이에요? | What does it mean? |
잠깐만요 | Just a moment |
이해했어요 | I understood |
아, 그 말이군요 | Ah, that's what you meant |
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? | Did I understand correctly? |
다르게 말씀해 주세요 | Say it differently |
Pattern Tip
조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? has three key parts: 조금만 (just a little — softens), 천천히 (slowly — the actual request), 말씀해 주시겠어요? (could you please say — polite ask). You can swap 천천히 for 크게 (loudly) or 명확하게 (clearly) to adjust the request.
</summary>
Want more reps?
Next time you're listening to a Korean podcast or video, practice saying the speed-control phrases out loud as if you're in the conversation. Saying 잠깐만요 or 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? out loud — even when alone — builds the reflex so the words come naturally when you need them in real conversation.
📦 Practice Hub — Managing Conversation Speed
Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression
Pick the most natural Korean expression for each situation.
A. Someone is speaking too fast and you need them to slow down.
(1) 무슨 뜻이에요? (2) 조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? (3) 잘 모르겠어요 (4) 다시 설명해 주세요
<summary>Answer
(2) 조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? — specifically requests slower speech. (1) asks for meaning, (4) asks for re-explanation, neither addresses speed.
B. You need someone to repeat exactly what they just said.
(1) 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (2) 조금만 천천히 (3) 잠깐만요 (4) 무슨 뜻이에요?
<summary>Answer
(1) 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? — 다시 한번 = one more time. This is a direct, polite repeat request.
C. You give a reason for asking again — you didn't hear well.
(1) 이해했어요 (2) 잘 못 들었어요 (3) 무슨 말이에요? (4) 계속하세요
<summary>Answer
(2) 잘 못 들었어요 — "I didn't hear well." This is the most natural and polite reason to give when asking for a repeat.
D. You don't understand a specific word and want to know what it means.
(1) 다시 말씀해 주세요 (2) 천천히 해주세요 (3) 무슨 뜻이에요? (4) 잘 모르겠어요
<summary>Answer
(3) 무슨 뜻이에요? — directly asks for the meaning of a word or phrase. The others address speed, repetition, or general uncertainty.
E. You need a brief pause to process what was said.
(1) 이해했어요 (2) 계속 말씀하세요 (3) 잠깐만요 (4) 그러니까
<summary>Answer
(3) 잠깐만요 — "Just a moment." This is the natural pause signal to buy processing time without stopping the conversation entirely.
F. You signal you've understood and want them to continue.
(1) 잠깐만요 (2) 이해했어요. 계속 말씀하세요. (3) 다시 한번 (4) 잘 못 들었어요
<summary>Answer
(2) 이해했어요. 계속 말씀하세요. — 이해했어요 = I understood; 계속 말씀하세요 = please continue. The ideal green-light combo.
G. You understood what they meant after some processing.
(1) 맞아요? (2) 아, 그 말이군요 (3) 다시 설명해 주세요 (4) 잘 모르겠어요
<summary>Answer
(2) 아, 그 말이군요 — "Ah, that's what you meant!" This is the natural comprehension click signal in Korean.
H. You want to verify your understanding of what was said.
(1) 제가 이해한 게 맞아요? (2) 이해했어요 (3) 아, 그렇군요 (4) 맞죠?
<summary>Answer
(1) 제가 이해한 게 맞아요? — "Did I understand correctly?" This is the explicit comprehension check. 이해했어요 is a statement, not a check.
I. You want to ask for a different explanation using different words.
(1) 다시 말씀해 주세요 (2) 조금만 천천히 (3) 혹시 다르게 말씀해 주실 수 있어요? (4) 무슨 뜻이에요?
<summary>Answer
(3) 혹시 다르게 말씀해 주실 수 있어요? — 다르게 = differently. This asks for a rephrase, not just a repetition or a translation.
J. The problem is volume, not speed — you need them to speak louder.
(1) 천천히 말씀해 주세요 (2) 조금 더 크게 말씀해 주세요 (3) 다시 한번 (4) 잠깐만요
<summary>Answer
(2) 조금 더 크게 말씀해 주세요 — 크게 = loudly. This specifically addresses volume, unlike 천천히 which addresses speed.
Quick Reference
Expression | Meaning |
조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Could you speak a little more slowly? |
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Could you say that one more time? |
잘 못 들었어요 | I didn't hear well |
무슨 뜻이에요? | What does that mean? |
잠깐만요 | Just a moment |
이해했어요 | I understood |
아, 그 말이군요 | Ah, that's what you meant |
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? | Did I understand correctly? |
다르게 말씀해 주세요 | Say it differently |
조금 더 크게 말씀해 주세요 | Please speak a little louder |
Pitfall
Don't say 무슨 말이에요? alone — it can sound blunt or even rude in polite conversation. Always add a reason (잘 못 들었어요) or soften with 혹시 and the full polite form. Reason + request = considerate; bare question = potentially cold.
Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation
Translate each sentence naturally into English.
A. 조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
<summary>Answer
Could you speak just a little more slowly?
B. 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? 잘 못 들었어요.
<summary>Answer
Could you say that one more time? I didn't hear well.
C. 무슨 뜻이에요?
<summary>Answer
What does that mean?
D. 잠깐만요. 생각해볼게요.
<summary>Answer
Just a moment. Let me think about it.
E. 이해했어요. 계속 말씀하세요.
<summary>Answer
I understood. Please continue.
F. 아, 그 말이군요! 이제 알겠어요.
<summary>Answer
Ah, that's what you meant! I understand now.
G. 제가 이해한 게 맞아요? 금요일 오후 3시요?
<summary>Answer
Did I understand correctly? Friday at 3pm?
H. 혹시 다르게 말씀해 주실 수 있어요?
<summary>Answer
Could you perhaps say it differently?
I. 조금 더 크게 말씀해 주세요. 잘 안 들려요.
<summary>Answer
Please speak a little louder. I can't hear well.
J. 빠르게 말씀하셔서 잘 못 들었어요. 다시 말씀해 주세요.
<summary>Answer
You were speaking fast, so I didn't catch it. Please say it again.
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Word | Meaning |
조금만 | Just a little |
천천히 | Slowly |
다시 한번 | One more time |
잘 못 듣다 | Not hear well |
뜻 | Meaning |
잠깐만 | Just a moment |
이해하다 | To understand |
계속 | Continue |
크게 | Loudly |
다르게 | Differently |
Grammar Tip
조금만 천천히 has two softeners: 조금 (a little) + 만 (only/just). Together, 조금만 = just a little bit, making the request as gentle as possible. Compare: 천천히 말씀해 주세요 (please speak slowly) vs. 조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? (could you speak just a tiny bit more slowly?). The ~겠어요? ending adds another layer of politeness over ~주세요.
Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence
Fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase.
A. 조금만 ___히 말씀해 주시겠어요? (slowly)
<summary>Answer
천천 — 천천히 = slowly.
B. 다시 ___번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (one more time)
<summary>Answer
한 — 다시 한번 = one more time.
C. 잘 못 ___었어요. (didn't hear)
<summary>Answer
들 — 듣다 → 잘 못 들었어요 = didn't hear well.
D. 무슨 ___이에요? (meaning)
<summary>Answer
뜻 — 무슨 뜻이에요? = what does it mean?
E. ___만요. 잠깐 생각할게요. (just a moment)
<summary>Answer
잠깐 — 잠깐만요 = just a moment.
F. 이해___어요. 계속 말씀하세요. (understood)
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했 — 이해했어요 = I understood.
G. 아, 그 ___이군요! (that's what you meant)
<summary>Answer
말 — 아, 그 말이군요 = ah, that's what you meant.
H. 제가 이해한 게 ___아요? (correct)
<summary>Answer
맞 — 맞아요? = is that right? / correct?
I. 혹시 ___게 말씀해 주실 수 있어요? (differently)
<summary>Answer
다르 — 다르게 = differently.
J. 조금 더 ___게 말씀해 주세요. (louder)
<summary>Answer
크 — 크게 = loudly.
Sentence Starters
Pattern | Use |
조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Slow-down request |
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Repeat request |
잘 못 들었어요 | Reason: didn't hear |
무슨 뜻이에요? | Meaning check |
잠깐만요 | Processing pause |
이해했어요 / 계속 말씀하세요 | Green light: continue |
아, 그 말이군요 | Comprehension click |
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? | Comprehension check |
다르게 말씀해 주세요 | Rephrase request |
조금 더 크게 말씀해 주세요 | Volume request |
Production Tip
When you need to slow a conversation down, pair the request with a reason: 빠르게 말씀하셔서 + 잘 못 들었어요 + 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요? (You were speaking fast + I didn't catch it + Could you say it again?). Three-part structure: context → reason → request. This always lands as polite and collaborative.
Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion
Complete B's response in each exchange.
A. A: 그래서 회의 시간이 월요일 오전 10시에... / B: 잠깐요. 조금만 천천히 주시겠어요?
<summary>Answer
잠깐만요. 조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? (Just a moment. Could you speak just a little more slowly?)
B. A: 죄송해요, 더 천천히 말할게요. / B: 감사해요. 잘 못 ___ 었어요.
<summary>Answer
감사해요. 잘 못 들었어요. (Thank you. I didn't hear well.)
C. A: 저는 그 프로젝트를 취소했어요. / B: 다시 ___번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
<summary>Answer
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (Could you say that one more time?)
D. A: '취소'가 무슨 뜻이에요? / B: 아, 취소는 영어로 '___'이에요.
<summary>Answer
아, 취소는 영어로 'cancel'이에요. (Ah, 취소 means 'cancel' in English.) [Note: B answers the meaning-check question from A]
E. A: 알겠어요? / B: 네, ___ 했어요. 계속 말씀하세요.
<summary>Answer
네, 이해했어요. 계속 말씀하세요. (Yes, I understood. Please continue.)
F. A: 즉, 이 방법이 더 효율적이라는 거예요. / B: 아, 그 ___이군요! 이제 알겠어요.
<summary>Answer
아, 그 말이군요! 이제 알겠어요. (Ah, that's what you meant! I understand now.)
G. A: 그러니까 이 서류를 내일까지 제출해야 해요. / B: 제가 이해한 게 ___아요? 내일까지요?
<summary>Answer
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? 내일까지요? (Did I understand correctly? By tomorrow?)
H. A: 설명이 이해됐어요? / B: 조금 어려웠어요. 혹시 ___게 말씀해 주실 수 있어요?
<summary>Answer
조금 어려웠어요. 혹시 다르게 말씀해 주실 수 있어요? (It was a little difficult. Could you perhaps say it differently?)
I. A: 잘 들려요? / B: 조금 안 들려요. 조금 더 ___게 말씀해 주세요.
<summary>Answer
조금 안 들려요. 조금 더 크게 말씀해 주세요. (I can't hear very well. Please speak a little louder.)
J. A: 빠르게 말했나요? / B: 네, 빠르게 말씀하셔서 잘 못 ___어요. 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요?
<summary>Answer
네, 빠르게 말씀하셔서 잘 못 들었어요. 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요? (Yes, you were speaking fast so I didn't catch it. Could you say it again?)
Useful Phrases
Phrase | Meaning |
잠깐만요 | Just a moment |
조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Could you slow down a bit? |
잘 못 들었어요 | I didn't hear well |
다시 한번 | One more time |
이해했어요 | I understood |
계속 말씀하세요 | Please continue |
아, 그 말이군요 | Ah, that's what you meant |
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? | Did I understand correctly? |
다르게 말씀해 주세요 | Say it differently |
크게 말씀해 주세요 | Please speak louder |
Conversation Tip
After someone slows down and repeats, always acknowledge: 감사해요 (thank you) before continuing. This small acknowledgment shows respect for their effort and keeps the conversation warm. Then once you understand, say 이해했어요 and invite them to go on with 계속 말씀하세요.
Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice
Answer each prompt out loud in Korean using lesson expressions.
A. Ask someone to slow down because they're speaking too fast.
<summary>Sample Answer
혹시 조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? 빠르게 말씀하셔서 잘 못 들었어요. (Could you perhaps speak just a little more slowly? You were speaking fast so I didn't catch it.)
B. Ask for a repeat and give the reason.
<summary>Sample Answer
죄송한데요, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? 잘 못 들었어요. (I'm sorry, could you say that one more time? I didn't hear well.)
C. Ask what a specific expression means.
<summary>Sample Answer
'이해했어요'가 무슨 뜻이에요? ('이해했어요' — what does that mean?)
D. Signal you need a moment to process and then give the green light.
<summary>Sample Answer
잠깐만요... 네, 이해했어요! 계속 말씀하세요. (Just a moment... Yes, I understood! Please continue.)
E. Signal the comprehension click — you've just understood what they meant.
<summary>Sample Answer
아, 그 말이군요! 이제 알겠어요. 감사해요. (Ah, that's what you meant! I understand now. Thank you.)
F. Check your comprehension of a specific detail.
<summary>Sample Answer
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? 이 서류를 내일 오전까지 드리면 돼요? (Did I understand correctly? Do I just need to give you this document by tomorrow morning?)
G. Ask them to rephrase because the first explanation was hard to follow.
<summary>Sample Answer
조금 이해하기 어려웠어요. 혹시 다르게 설명해 주실 수 있어요? (It was a little hard to understand. Could you perhaps explain it differently?)
H. The issue is volume — ask them to speak louder.
<summary>Sample Answer
조금 안 들려요. 혹시 조금 더 크게 말씀해 주시겠어요? (I can't quite hear. Could you perhaps speak a little louder?)
I. Handle the full slow-down → understood → continue flow.
<summary>Sample Answer
잠깐만요. 조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? 빠르게 말씀하셔서 잘 못 들었어요. [Repeat] 아, 그 말이군요! 이해했어요. 계속 말씀하세요. (Just a moment. Could you speak just a little more slowly? You were speaking fast so I didn't catch it. [After repeat] Ah, that's what you meant! I understood. Please continue.)
J. Reassure a nervous speaker that they can take it slow.
<summary>Sample Answer
천천히 해도 괜찮아요. 편하게 말씀하세요. (It's okay to take it slow. Please speak comfortably.)
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use |
조금만 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Slow-down request |
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? | Repeat request |
잘 못 들었어요 | Reason |
무슨 뜻이에요? | Meaning check |
잠깐만요 | Processing pause |
이해했어요 / 계속 말씀하세요 | Green light |
아, 그 말이군요 | Comprehension click |
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? | Verify understanding |
다르게 말씀해 주세요 | Rephrase |
천천히 해도 괜찮아요 | Reassure speaker |
Speaking Challenge
Simulate a real exchange: play both roles. As the listener: ask to slow down with a reason, ask for clarification with 무슨 뜻이에요?, signal the comprehension click with 아, 그 말이군요, and verify with 제가 이해한 게 맞아요? Try the whole sequence without stopping.
대화 속도를 조절하는 것도 말하기 실력이에요. ✨
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