What Does 저기요 (Jeogiyo) Mean in Korean?
10-Second Answer
저기요 (jeogiyo) is Korea's all-purpose "excuse me!" — the polite way to get the attention of a stranger, waiter, or passerby. Literally "over there," it solves a real problem: Korean has no safe 'you' or universal title for strangers, so you point at the space instead. In restaurants, 여기요 ("over here!") works the same way.
Quick Examples
저기요, 이거 얼마예요?
jeogiyo, igeo eolmayeyo?
Excuse me, how much is this?
여기요! 물 좀 주세요.
yeogiyo! mul jom juseyo.
Over here! Some water, please.
Calling a waiter — loud and normal in Korean restaurants.
저기요, 지갑 떨어뜨리셨어요!
jeogiyo, jigap tteoreotteurisyeosseoyo!
Excuse me, you dropped your wallet!
Why Korean Needs This Word
You can't safely say 'you' (당신 can sound confrontational) or guess a title (아줌마 risks offense — see that page). 저기요 sidesteps every trap: no age guess, no relationship claim, just polite attention-getting.
| Calling… | Best word | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A stranger on the street | 저기요 | The universal safe choice |
| A waiter (from your table) | 여기요 / 저기요 | 'Over here!' — calling loudly is normal, not rude |
| Restaurant staff, warmly | 이모님/사장님 | Regulars' warmth — optional, learners can stay with 저기요 |
| Getting past someone | 잠시만요 | 'Just a moment' — the moving-through-a-crowd phrase |
Culture note: many Korean restaurants have a table call button (호출벨). If there's a bell, press it — no shouting needed at all.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Waiting silently for the waiter
Korean servers don't hover — they come when called. 여기요! isn't rude; whispering and waving vaguely just doesn't work.
Mistake #2 — Using 저기요 as 'sorry'
It gets attention; it doesn't apologize. Bumped into someone? That's 죄송합니다.
Mini Quiz
1. You need the waiter in a busy Seoul restaurant. You:
2. Why is 저기요 safer than guessing a title like 아줌마?
3. You're squeezing past people on the subway. Best phrase?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
What Does 어서 오세요 (Eoseo Oseyo) Mean?
You've learned to call staff — now decode the phrase they shout at you the moment you walk in.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.