Oops, It’s Late! How to Explain Project Delays in Korean

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to [Everyday Hangul], where we upgrade your Korean skills one post at a time!

Today, we’re tackling a situation that can be stressful even in your native language: explaining a project delay at work. But don’t worry! With the right phrases, you can handle it professionally and smoothly. You might have noticed in Korean dramas set in offices that communication is key. Especially nowadays in Korea’s fast-paced “ppalli-ppalli” (빨리빨리) culture, being able to clearly explain a situation is a super valuable skill. Let’s learn how to do it like a pro!

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are some essential phrases for when things don’t go according to plan.

1. 일정이 지연되다 (The schedule is delayed)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: iljeong-i jiyeon-doeda
• English Meaning: For the schedule to be delayed.
• Detailed Explanation: This is a formal and neutral way to state the fact that a schedule or plan is behind. 일정 (iljeong) means ‘schedule,’ and 지연되다 (jiyeon-doeda) is the passive form of ‘to delay.’ It’s perfect for official reports or when speaking to your boss because it focuses on the situation rather than placing blame.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  The final consonant ‘ㅇ’ (ng) in 일정 (iljeong) is a nasal sound. Make sure you don’t cut it off! It should flow smoothly into the next syllable: [il-jeong-i]. It’s not “il-jeong ee,” but more like “il-jeon-gi.”

2. ~는 바람에 (Because of…)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: ~neun baram-e
• English Meaning: Because of… / As a result of… (unexpectedly)
• Detailed Explanation: This grammar pattern is a lifesaver for explaining why something went wrong. You attach it to a verb stem to indicate an unexpected, and usually negative, reason or cause. It carries the nuance that the event was sudden and out of your control. For example, 갑자기 문제가 생기는 바람에... (g 갑자기 문제가 생기는 바람에…) means “Because a problem suddenly occurred…”
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Remember that in Korean, you read syllable by syllable. So, 바람에 is not “ba-ram-e” but [ba-ra-me]. The ‘ㅁ’ (m) sound at the end of 람 (ram) naturally links to the next vowel ‘에’ (e), making the pronunciation smooth.

3. 양해 부탁드립니다 (I ask for your understanding)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: yanghae butak-deurimnida
• English Meaning: Please accept our apologies and understand the situation.
• Detailed Explanation: This is an extremely polite and essential phrase in Korean business culture. 양해 (yanghae) means ‘understanding’ or ‘excuse.’ By saying this, you are formally acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the delay and asking for the other person’s consideration. It’s much more formal than just saying 미안합니다 (mianhamnida – I’m sorry).
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Pay attention to the sound change in 부탁드립니다! The consonant ㅂ (b) in 드립니다 comes after the consonant ㄱ (k). However, when ㅂ is followed by the nasal sound ㄴ (n), it often changes to the ‘ㅁ’ (m) sound. So, 부탁드립니다 is pronounced as [butak-deurimnida]. This is called nasalization, and it makes the word flow much more easily.

Example Dialogue

Let’s see these expressions in a real conversation. Imagine employee B (사원 B) reporting a delay to their team leader A (팀장님 A).

A (팀장님): 이 대리, 신제품 출시 프로젝트는 어떻게 되어가고 있나요?
(Lee Daeri, how is the new product launch project coming along?)

B (이 대리): 팀장님, 보고 드릴 말씀이 있습니다. (1) 공급 업체에서 부품 배송이 늦어지는 바람에 (2) 전체 일정이 조금 지연되었습니다.
(Team Leader, I have something to report. (1) Because the parts shipment from the supplier was late, (2) the entire schedule has been slightly delayed.)

A (팀장님): 그렇군요. 얼마나 늦어질 것 같나요?
(I see. How long do you think it will be delayed?)

B (이 대리): 현재 파악하기로는 약 3일 정도입니다. 최대한 빨리 처리해서 일정에 차질이 없도록 하겠습니다. (3) 너그러운 양해 부탁드립니다.
(From what we’ve gathered, it will be about three days. We will handle it as quickly as possible to minimize disruption to the schedule. (3) I ask for your generous understanding.)

Culture Tip & Trend Analysis

In Korea’s “ppalli-ppalli” (빨리빨리, hurry-hurry) work culture, speed is highly valued. This might make you scared to report a delay, but the opposite is true! Reporting a problem early and clearly is seen as responsible and professional.

You can see this reflected in popular K-dramas about office life, like Misaeng (미생) or Start-Up (스타트업). The characters who succeed are not the ones who never make mistakes, but the ones who communicate issues honestly and proactively find solutions.

Using a phrase like 양해 부탁드립니다 shows that you understand the corporate hierarchy and are respectful of your superiors’ time and the project’s importance. It’s a sign of maturity in the Korean workplace. So, don’t just say “I’m sorry.” Explain the situation with ~는 바람에, state the fact with 일정이 지연되다, and ask for their understanding politely. This three-step process will make you look like a reliable team member!

Let’s Practice!

Time to check your understanding!

1. Fill in the blank:
You were late for a meeting because the subway had a problem. How would you explain this to your boss?

지하철에 문제가 (_______) 바람에 회의에 늦었습니다. 죄송합니다.
(Because the subway had a problem, I was late for the meeting. I’m sorry.)

(Answer: 생기는)

Great job today! Facing problems is a part of any job, and now you’re equipped to handle it in Korean.

Try using one of today’s expressions to make a sentence in the comments below! See you next time at [Everyday Hangul]