Learn How to Set Appointments, Make Plans, and Stay Polite in Korean (약속 & 예약)

Whether you’re scheduling a haircut, doctor’s visit, business meeting, or just meeting friends, making an appointment or plan (약속 or 예약) in Korean requires the right vocabulary and etiquette. Let’s explore the must-know Korean appointment-related words, phrases, and tips to avoid misunderstandings and sound natural!

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🗓️ Must-Know Appointment Vocabulary in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
약속	yak-ssok	Appointment / Promise / Plan
예약	ye-yak	Reservation / Booking
일정	il-jeong	Schedule
시간	si-gan	Time
날짜	nal-jja	Date
장소	jang-so	Place
미팅	mi-ting	Meeting
면접	myeon-jeop	Interview
병원 예약	byeong-won ye-yak	Doctor’s appointment
미용실 예약	mi-yong-sil ye-yak	Salon reservation
상담	sang-dam	Consultation
회의	hwae-ui	Business meeting
변경	byeon-gyeong	Change / Modification
취소	chwi-so	Cancellation

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⏰ Useful Verbs & Phrases for Scheduling in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
약속하다	yak-ssok-ha-da	To make an appointment
예약하다	ye-yak-ha-da	To make a reservation
약속이 있다	yak-ssok-i it-da	To have plans
약속을 잡다	yak-ssok-eul jap-da	To schedule a meeting
시간을 정하다	si-gan-eul jeong-ha-da	To set a time
날짜를 바꾸다	nal-jja-reul ba-kku-da	To change the date
약속을 취소하다	yak-ssok-eul chwi-so-ha-da	To cancel an appointment
다시 예약하다	da-si ye-yak-ha-da	To reschedule
늦을 것 같아요	neut-eul geot gat-a-yo	I think I’ll be late
시간을 맞추다	si-gan-eul mat-chu-da	To adjust/sync time

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📞 Common Appointment Expressions in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
몇 시에 약속이 있어요?	myeot si-e yak-ssok-i iss-eo-yo?	What time is your appointment?
언제 시간이 괜찮으세요?	eon-je si-gan-i gwaen-chanh-eu-se-yo?	When are you available?
내일 오후 3시는 어때요?	nae-il o-hu sam-si-neun eo-ttae-yo?	How about 3 PM tomorrow?
그때는 약속이 있어요.	geu-ttae-neun yak-ssok-i iss-eo-yo	I have plans at that time.
이번 주 토요일에 시간 돼요?	i-beon ju to-yo-il-e si-gan dwae-yo?	Are you free this Saturday?
약속을 다시 잡을 수 있을까요?	yak-ssok-eul da-si jap-eul su iss-eul-kka-yo?	Can we reschedule?
예약하고 싶어요.	ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo	I’d like to make a reservation.
예약 확인 문자 주세요.	ye-yak hwak-in mun-ja ju-se-yo	Please send a confirmation text.

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📌 Cultural Tips for Making Appointments in Korea

⏳ Punctuality is Important

• Being on time (시간 엄수) is a sign of respect, especially in professional settings.

📲 Confirm Plans

• It’s common to send a KakaoTalk message the day before to confirm: 내일 약속 괜찮으세요? (Is our plan okay for tomorrow?)

💬 Inform If You’re Late

• If you’re running late, message or call right away: 조금 늦을 것 같아요. 죄송합니다. (I think I’ll be a bit late. Sorry.)

📍 Places Matter

• Common places to meet include:
  • 카페 (café)
  • 지하철 출구 (subway exit)
  • 회사 (office)
  • 식당 (restaurant)

🚫 No Show? Not Cool

• Skipping an appointment without notice is considered rude—always cancel in advance!

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🎯 Quick Quiz

1. What does “약속을 잡다” mean?
2. How do you say “I’d like to make a reservation” in Korean?
3. Translate: “Can we reschedule?”

💬 Drop your answers in the comments and challenge a friend to test their vocabulary too!

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📚 Want to Learn More?

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