A Polite Way to Ask Favors Using 부탁하다 | Korean FAQ

[@stillwithyou7072]

I hear this expression in kdramas a lot. Especially when the actors have a special request. This has made it clearer and I’ll make sure to note the situations they use it.

[@AmbiCahira]

I know I've heard 부탁 "a million times" but having it spelled out so to speak helps with better clarity. Super useful lesson. :)

[@carikelley]

I have definitely heard this in self introductions (in Kdramas) but I will be listening for it in those different contexts that you mentioned here, thanks!

[@Fluglecheese]

One thing I find interesting is that this form doesn't seem to be used much in combination with grammar forms that turn verbs into nouns. Instead, they usually pick some (usually two-syllable) 한자어 and stick it directly before in my experience. This reinforces the formality of the expression for me (and the need to study more vocabulary...).

[@nathanhipple1555]

Just a random question....you know how singers or news reporters do vocal warm up excercises before performing? Wondering if there is the Korean speaking equivalent of that (a few memorable phrases that can be recited) to help the phsyical act of using one's voicebox and mouth to make Korean pronunciations. Also, thanks for all you do!

[@auricia201]

4:08 omg yes!! 😂😂 I really don't get why they do that

[@Jihwani_TV]

You're such a good teacher!!👍👍

[@ajamerlan]

I used this at the hospital when I requested a doctor that can speak/understand English: "Doctor, 영어로, 부탁합니다" Then the receptionist slightly chuckled in amusement. 😅 Not sure if it was correct in this context.

[@GoBillyKorean]

They definitely understood you! They probably chuckled because they were amused to hear you speak in Korean, and it still got the point across.

[@tadiwoskebede3798]

비디오는 좋아해요. 그리고 '부탁'을 토픽 in 30 days 책에 봤어요.

[@learnkoreanwithKorean]

부탁하다. 부탁드립니다. 부탁해요. 정말 많이ㅡ쓰죠.

[@Iheartseattle1]

Hi! First time viewer of this channel. Is it just me or does this guy resemble Andy Samberg from Brooklyn 99?

[@GoBillyKorean]

Not the first time I've heard it, but I don't see much resemblance myself.

[@jamesdowdle7587]

Given that this phrase in Japanese is literally the same (よろしくお願いします) and used in similar contexts (including self introductions), I wonder which one came first. Like, did Japan adopt this phrasing from longstanding Korean tradition? Or is this an example of lingering linguistic influence from 일제시대? Separate evolutions of the same phrase?

[@GoBillyKorean]

I've read one person's thoughts (a Korean teacher named "이수열") who said it is influenced from Japanese, but I can't find any evidence of it one way or the other. With only one person saying that, it seems to just be his opinion and not based on anything concrete. Could it have been influenced? Certainly, and a lot of words in Korean were influenced like that. However, its usage in Korean is not the exact same as Japanese, so it's best to not equate them. For example, from my limited studying of Japanese many years ago, it seems that it's used a lot more often in Japanese than in Korean. Therefore it could sound awkward if you were to use it in the same way and with the same frequency in Korean.

[@PaulCHa]

I have an unrelated q: did you have a recent video where you explained 멍하다 (blankly stare off into the distance)? I’ve been trying to find it.

[@GoBillyKorean]

I mentioned it in a live stream a few weeks ago, but I don't have a separate video about it.

[@caitlinm0929]

could 부탁(하다/드리다) also be used when saying you will take care of/give something? like, if someone asked for a 자기소개, could you say "자기소개를 부탁(하겠습니다/드립니다)" to mean "I will introduce myself"? Also, if that does work, would you use 하다 or 드리다 if the person you're giving something to/doing a favor for deserves respect? I think it'd be 드리다 but I'm not super sure.

[@GoBillyKorean]

부탁 would only be for requesting that, not "giving" something like that.

[@caitlinm0929]

@@GoBillyKorean i see, 감사합니다 •ᴗ•

[@aruwaTV]

재밌었네여 개꿀잼

[@sammykay2515]

I once used an app that used 제발 부탁해 as I beg you please, do me this favor..... Is this true?

[@GoBillyKorean]

That would be a casual usage (close friends), and is like begging someone to take care of something.

[@KarlShreeves]

가끔 사람은 "부탁 있어(요)"라고 하다가 그 다음에 당부해요.

[@seajames1690]

I say 부탁 있어요, I have a favour (to ask).