Textbook아니요, 할 수 없습니다a-ni-yo, hal su eop-seum-ni-daNo, I cannot do it
Real좀 어려울 것 같은데요...jom eo-ryeo-ul geot ga-teun-de-yo...That might be a bit difficult...🏷️ Any casual setting
좀 어려울 것 같은데요 IS a no in Korean. If someone says this to you, they're declining. Don't push further. The trailing ... is part of the refusal.
Softness of refusal (direct → Korean)
안 됩니다 (absolutely not — very direct)좀 힘들 것 같아요 (might be hard)좀 어려울 것 같은데요 (might be difficult...)생각해볼게요 (let me think about it = probably no)다시 확인해보겠습니다 (let me check = stalling)일정을 한번 봐야 할 것 같아요 (I need to check my schedule = soft no)
Textbook그 제안은 거절합니다geu je-an-eun geo-jeol-ham-ni-daI decline that proposal
Real취지는 좋은데, 현실적으로 좀...chwi-ji-neun jo-eun-de, hyeon-sil-jeok-eu-ro jom...The intention is good, but realistically...🏷️ Daily conversation
Korean rejection ALWAYS starts with a positive: 취지는 좋은데 (the intent is good but), 좋은 아이디어인데 (it's a good idea but). Never start with no.
If a Korean colleague says 생각해볼게요 (I'll think about it), 80% chance it's a no. The remaining 20% is genuine thinking. Context clues: did they look away? Change the subject after? Then it's definitely a no.
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