일을 보다
To 보다 일
Literalmente: To see work / To see business
Use it to politely excuse yourself for errands or the bathroom without being too specific.
En 15 segundos
- Used for handling errands like banking or administrative tasks.
- A polite, common euphemism for using the restroom.
- Indicates you are busy with a specific, necessary matter.
Significado
A versatile phrase used to say you are handling business, running errands, or—very commonly—politely using the bathroom.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Leaving the office for an errand
잠깐 시청에 일을 보러 다녀올게요.
I'll be back after handling some business at City Hall.
Texting a friend while busy
나 지금 밖에서 일을 보고 있어서 나중에 연락할게!
I'm handling some things outside right now, so I'll call you later!
Asking a colleague if they finished a task
아까 말씀하신 그 일은 다 보셨어요?
Did you finish handling that business you mentioned earlier?
Contexto cultural
This phrase reflects the Korean cultural emphasis on 'Chemyeon' (saving face) and indirect communication. By using a vague term for errands or bodily functions, speakers avoid making others uncomfortable. It became a standard social lubricant in the mid-20th century as urban professional life became more structured.
The 'Jamkkan' Trick
Always pair this with `잠깐` (a moment) when leaving a room. It makes you sound much more natural and polite.
The Bathroom Secret
If someone says they are 'seeing work' at a restaurant, don't ask what work! They are almost certainly just going to the bathroom.
En 15 segundos
- Used for handling errands like banking or administrative tasks.
- A polite, common euphemism for using the restroom.
- Indicates you are busy with a specific, necessary matter.
What It Means
일을 보다 is a super handy Korean phrase. It literally translates to "seeing work." But don't let that confuse you! It actually means you are handling business or attending to a task. This could be a bank errand, a meeting, or a quick chore. Most importantly, it is a very polite euphemism. Koreans use it to say they are using the restroom without being graphic. It is the perfect "all-in-one" phrase for being busy with something necessary.
How To Use It
You use this when you need to step away from a situation. It sounds much more professional than saying "I have errands." Just add the specific task before it if you want to be clear. For example, 은행 일을 보다 means handling bank business. If you use it alone, people usually assume you have errands. In a bathroom context, it’s very discreet. You might say 잠깐 일을 좀 보고 올게요 to leave a table politely. You can also use it when talking about pets doing their business outside.
When To Use It
Use it when you are at the office and need to leave. It works great when you need to visit a client. Use it with friends when you need a "bio-break" at a cafe. It is perfect for texting when you are busy and can't talk. It tells the other person you are occupied with something specific. You aren't just "working" in a general sense; you are "handling things." It implies a specific task is being completed.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for your main job or career. If you are a teacher, don't say 일을 봐요 for the act of teaching. Use 일해요 for general labor or long shifts. Also, don't use it for hobbies like gaming or watching movies. It sounds too much like a chore or a necessary errand. If you are doing deep, creative focus work, avoid it. It is strictly for tasks that have a clear start and end point.
Cultural Background
Korean culture values being indirect about private matters to maintain harmony. Talking about the bathroom directly can feel a bit "too much" in social settings. This phrase provides a polite shield for everyone involved. It shows you are a person of good manners and social awareness. It’s all about maintaining "Chemyeon" or social face. Historically, it comes from "seeing to the affairs" of a household or office. It has evolved into this versatile, polite social tool that keeps conversations classy.
Common Variations
The most common variation is 볼일(이) 있다. This means "to have business to attend to." You will hear this constantly in Korean dramas when someone needs to leave a scene. Another variation is 업무를 보다 for very formal office settings or official duties. If you want to be funny or very specific with close friends, you can use 큰일 (big business) or 작은일 (small business). These specifically refer to "number two" and "number one" in the bathroom!
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral but leans toward polite discretion. When used for the bathroom, it's a 'safe' phrase for almost any social situation.
The 'Jamkkan' Trick
Always pair this with `잠깐` (a moment) when leaving a room. It makes you sound much more natural and polite.
The Bathroom Secret
If someone says they are 'seeing work' at a restaurant, don't ask what work! They are almost certainly just going to the bathroom.
Not for Hobbies
Never use this for things you enjoy, like 'seeing gaming work.' It implies a necessary, sometimes slightly annoying, task.
Ejemplos
6잠깐 시청에 일을 보러 다녀올게요.
I'll be back after handling some business at City Hall.
A professional way to announce a short absence for a task.
나 지금 밖에서 일을 보고 있어서 나중에 연락할게!
I'm handling some things outside right now, so I'll call you later!
Commonly used to explain why you can't talk at the moment.
아까 말씀하신 그 일은 다 보셨어요?
Did you finish handling that business you mentioned earlier?
Using '보다' implies the completion of a specific errand or task.
죄송하지만 잠깐 일을 좀 보고 와도 될까요?
Excuse me, but may I go handle some business for a moment?
The most polite way to excuse yourself for the bathroom.
우리 강아지는 꼭 밖에서만 일을 봐요.
My dog only does his business outside.
A clean and common way to talk about pet bathroom habits.
오늘 하루 종일 여기저기 일을 보러 다니느라 너무 힘들었어.
I'm so tired from running around handling business all day.
Expresses exhaustion from a day full of various tasks.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct particle and verb form to say 'I am handling bank business.'
지금 은행 ___ ___ 있어요.
When referring to errands like going to the bank, '일을 보다' is the natural collocation.
How would you politely say you are going to the restroom?
잠깐 ___ 좀 보고 올게요.
'일을 보다' is the standard polite euphemism for using the restroom.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality of '일을 보다'
Used with friends for bathroom or errands.
나 일 좀 보고 올게!
Standard for office errands or general tasks.
밖에서 일을 보고 왔어요.
Polite euphemism in professional settings.
잠깐 일을 좀 보고 오겠습니다.
When to use '일을 보다'
At the Bank
은행 일을 보다
Restroom Break
급하게 일을 보다
Walking the Dog
강아지가 일을 보다
General Errands
밖에서 일을 보다
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it depends on context. If you're at a bank, it means banking; if you're at a dinner table and excuse yourself, it usually means the bathroom.
Yes, it's very appropriate! It sounds professional and discreet when you need to handle personal or outside business.
No, that sounds very strange. For studying, just use 공부하다. 일을 보다 is for errands or administrative tasks.
일하다 is the general act of working a job. 일을 보다 refers to handling a specific, limited task or errand.
You can use 큰일을 보다 (seeing big business). It's a common, slightly humorous way to be specific but still polite.
Yes, 볼일 is the noun form of 'work to be seen.' 볼일을 보다 is arguably even more common than 일을 보다 in daily speech.
Yes, you can say 병원 일을 보다 if you are handling insurance or paperwork there, but usually for a checkup, you'd say 진료를 받다.
Yes, it is a standard Korean expression used across the peninsula, though regional slang for the bathroom part might differ.
Kids usually use more direct words like 쉬하다 or 응가하다. 일을 보다 sounds a bit more 'grown-up' and polite.
Using it for long-term projects. Don't say 프로젝트 일을 봐요 for a month-long task; use 프로젝트를 해요 instead.
Frases relacionadas
볼일이 있다 (To have business to attend to)
업무를 보다 (To handle official/formal work)
수속을 밟다 (To go through a formal process/errand)
용무가 있다 (To have business/errands - very formal)
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