Master Korean Office Talk: Let’s Reconfirm That Decision!

Hello! It’s your favorite Korean booster, [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Have you ever been in a meeting, nodded along, and then walked away thinking, “…wait, what did we actually decide?” Don’t worry, it happens to everyone! Today, we’re going to learn some essential Korean phrases to politely reconfirm decisions with your colleagues.

Lately in Korea, especially in fast-paced industries like IT and marketing (just like in the K-dramas!), things move incredibly fast. Decisions are made quickly, and a small misunderstanding can lead to a big problem. Mastering how to double-check information will not only save you from mistakes but also make you look like a responsible and detail-oriented team member. Let’s get started!

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are three key phrases to help you confirm details like a pro.

1. 확인차 다시 여쭤봅니다 (Hwag-incha dashi yeojjwobomnida)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Hwag-in-cha da-shi yeo-jjwo-bom-ni-da
• English Meaning: I’m asking again just to confirm.
• Detailed Explanation: This is a very polite and professional phrase.
  • 확인차 (hwagin-cha) means “for the purpose of confirmation.”
  • 다시 (dashi) means “again.”
  • 여쭤봅니다 (yeojjwobomnida) is the humble and formal way of saying “I ask.” You use this when speaking to a superior or in a formal setting. It’s the perfect way to start your question without sounding like you weren’t paying attention.

2. 그럼 …-로 이해하면 될까요? (Geureom …-ro ihaehamyeon doelkkayo?)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Geu-reom …-ro i-hae-ha-myeon doel-kka-yo?
• English Meaning: So, should I understand it as…? / So, is it correct to assume…?
• Detailed Explanation: This is a fantastic way to paraphrase what you heard and check if your understanding is correct.
  • 그럼 (geureom) means “Then / In that case…”
  • -로 이해하면 될까요? (-ro ihaehamyeon doelkkayo?) combines “to understand as…” (-로 이해하다) with the grammar pattern for asking permission or seeking agreement, “-면 될까요?”. It’s a soft and collaborative way to confirm information.

3. 최종 결정된 내용이 맞는지요? (Choejong gyeoljeongdoen naeyong-i matneunjiyo?)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Choe-jong gyeol-jeong-dwen nae-yong-i mat-neun-ji-yo?
• English Meaning: Is this the correct final decision?
• Detailed Explanation: This phrase is direct, formal, and very useful for finalizing important matters.
  • 최종 (choejong) means “final” or “last.”
  • 결정된 내용 (gyeoljeongdoen naeyong) means “the decided content” or “the decision.”
  • 맞는지요? (matneunjiyo?) is a polite and slightly soft way to ask “Is it correct?”. Use this when you want to confirm the absolute final plan before taking action.

Example Dialogue

Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation. Imagine two colleagues, Min-jun (a junior employee) and Ji-hye (his team leader), after a marketing meeting for a new vegan snack.

민준 (Min-jun): 팀장님, 방금 회의 내용에 대해 확인차 다시 여쭤봅니다.
(Timjang-nim, banggeum hoeui naeyong-e daehae hwagincha dashi yeojjwobomnida.)
Team Leader, I’d like to ask again just to confirm the details from the meeting.

지혜 (Ji-hye): 네, 민준 씨. 물어보세요.
(Ne, Min-jun ssi. Mureoboseyo.)
Of course, Min-jun. Go ahead.

민준 (Min-jun): 그럼 최종 시안 제출 마감일은 다음 주 수요일까지로 이해하면 될까요?
( Geureom choejong sian jechul magamireun daeum ju suyoilkkaji-ro ihaehamyeon doelkkayo?)
* So, should I understand that the deadline for the final design submission is next Wednesday?*

지혜 (Ji-hye): 맞아요. 수요일 오후 3시까지요. 그게 최종 결정된 내용이 맞는지요? 라고 물어보셨다면, 네 맞습니다!
(Majayo. Suyoil ohu sesi-kkajiyo. Geuge choejong gyeoljeongdoen naeyong-i matneunjiyo? rago mureobosyeotdamyeon, ne matseumnida!)
That’s right. By 3 PM on Wednesday. If you’re asking, “Is this the final decision?” then yes, it is!

Cultural Tip & Trend Deep Dive

You’ve probably heard of Korea’s “빨리빨리” (ppalli-ppalli) or “hurry, hurry” culture. While it makes things efficient, it can sometimes lead to miscommunication. That’s why being 꼼꼼하다 (kkomkkomhada – meticulous, detail-oriented) is a highly valued trait in the Korean workplace.

Using phrases like “확인차 다시 여쭤봅니다” shows that you are 꼼꼼하다. It tells your boss and colleagues, “I care about getting this right.” In recent K-dramas set in competitive workplaces like Agency or Start-Up, you’ll often see the most successful characters constantly double-checking facts and figures. They know that one small mistake can jeopardize a huge project. So, when you use these phrases, you’re not just practicing Korean; you’re practicing a key skill for success in a Korean company!

Let’s Practice!

Great job making it this far! Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test.

1. Fill in the Blank:
You want to confirm that the meeting location is the main conference room. How would you ask?

그럼 회의 장소는 본사 대회의실로 ___________ 될까요?
(Geureom hoeui jangso-neun bonsa daehoeuisil-ro ___________ doelkkayo?)

2. Make a Sentence:
Your team leader just told you the project budget is 10 million won. You want to politely confirm this final number. What would you say using 최종?

You’ve learned some incredibly useful phrases today! Now you can confidently navigate your Korean workplace without any confusion.

Why not try making your own sentence in the comments below? I’d love to see what you come up with!