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YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
Posted by Renddy Rose Rodriguez
on
3/11/2009 02:43:00 PM
People from English-speaking countries often require more verbal feedback than Koreans. Silence in response to a question can result in the person becoming annoyed or frustrated. Silence can mean that the person didn’t understand the question, thinks the person is an idiot, is dreaming about his future spouse, or thinking about his answer. Therefore, it’s important to let the person know which of the above situations is true.
Target Phrases
In case you don’t know the answer
I don’t know.
I don’t know anything about that
I haven’t thought about that.
It’s very acceptable to be honest that you don’t know something.
If the question is too broad or too vague
I’m sorry, could you be more specific?
What do you mean exactly?
Is there anything in particular you want to know?
Try to narrow down the topic or the range of the question(s).
If you need time to think
Hmm. Let me see…
Let me think about that.
Weeell…
Good question.
If you don’t understand
Pardon me?
Could you please repeat that?
I didn’t hear what you said. Could you explain what you mean?
What does that mean?
Don’t be embarrassed; just tell the other person, so they can help you understand.
If you feel your English is not good enough
I know what you’re talking about, but it’s difficult for me to explain in English.
But let me see…
Let me try again.
Try to explain in simple words; your simple description may even be clearer than the exact translation.
If the question is too personal
I’m sorry I’d rather not say.
That’s a little personal.
I’d rather not talk about it.
It’s none of your business.
Try to avoid sounding rude when using the next phrases, especially the last one.
CONVERSATION
Using the Target Phrases
DIALOGUE 1
A: Why is Hye Yeon so upset?
B: I don’t know. Why do you ask?
A: No reason. She just looks like she’s upset about something.
B: Why don’t you ask for yourself?
DIALOGUE 2
A: So what do you think of the political situation in Korea?
B: Hmm, that’s a big question. Is there anything in particular you want to know?
A: Well, I heard there were a few demonstrations last week and I want to know what they were about and what you think about them.
B: Oh, I see. Well, first of all…
DIALOGUE 3
A: What do you think about the current government scandal?
B: Weeeell… let me think about that.
A: What’s there to think about?
B: Just give me some time, will you?
DIALOGUE 4
A: When I came home, there was an open jar of jam on the kitchen counter.
B: I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said. Could you please repeat that?
A: Sure. I said that there was an open jar of jam on the kitchen counter.
B: Oh, I see. Thanks for repeating.
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Target Phrases
In case you don’t know the answer
I don’t know.
I don’t know anything about that
I haven’t thought about that.
It’s very acceptable to be honest that you don’t know something.
If the question is too broad or too vague
I’m sorry, could you be more specific?
What do you mean exactly?
Is there anything in particular you want to know?
Try to narrow down the topic or the range of the question(s).
If you need time to think
Hmm. Let me see…
Let me think about that.
Weeell…
Good question.
If you don’t understand
Pardon me?
Could you please repeat that?
I didn’t hear what you said. Could you explain what you mean?
What does that mean?
Don’t be embarrassed; just tell the other person, so they can help you understand.
If you feel your English is not good enough
I know what you’re talking about, but it’s difficult for me to explain in English.
But let me see…
Let me try again.
Try to explain in simple words; your simple description may even be clearer than the exact translation.
If the question is too personal
I’m sorry I’d rather not say.
That’s a little personal.
I’d rather not talk about it.
It’s none of your business.
Try to avoid sounding rude when using the next phrases, especially the last one.
CONVERSATION
Using the Target Phrases
DIALOGUE 1
A: Why is Hye Yeon so upset?
B: I don’t know. Why do you ask?
A: No reason. She just looks like she’s upset about something.
B: Why don’t you ask for yourself?
DIALOGUE 2
A: So what do you think of the political situation in Korea?
B: Hmm, that’s a big question. Is there anything in particular you want to know?
A: Well, I heard there were a few demonstrations last week and I want to know what they were about and what you think about them.
B: Oh, I see. Well, first of all…
DIALOGUE 3
A: What do you think about the current government scandal?
B: Weeeell… let me think about that.
A: What’s there to think about?
B: Just give me some time, will you?
DIALOGUE 4
A: When I came home, there was an open jar of jam on the kitchen counter.
B: I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said. Could you please repeat that?
A: Sure. I said that there was an open jar of jam on the kitchen counter.
B: Oh, I see. Thanks for repeating.
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