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jom

It shrinks the request, not the amount

The picture You fold a request or a complaint small in your palm before holding it out. The actual size hasn't changed.

Everyday expressions

Where the picture shows up in

  1. folding a request small

    주세요.

    mul jom ju-se-yo

    Could I have some water?

    Not 'only a little water'. Without 좀 it lands like an order.

  2. folding a complaint small

    이거 비싸네요.

    i-geo jom bi-ssa-ne-yo

    That's a bit pricey.

    Often it really means 'way too expensive'.

  3. lightening what you ask of someone's time

    잠깐만 기다려 주세요.

    jam-kkan-man jom gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo

    Could you wait just a moment?

  4. playing down a call for help

    도와주세요.

    jeo jom do-wa-ju-se-yo

    Could you give me a hand?

  5. playing down your own condition

    오늘 몸이 안 좋아요.

    o-neul mo-mi jom an jo-a-yo

    I'm not feeling great today.

    People say this when they feel awful too. Don't read 좀 as literally 'slightly'.

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