American Learns Korean Day13: Fix Order Mistakes in 3 Sentences

Day12 was about customizing your drink (ice, sweetness, size). American Learns Korean Day13 is the skill that makes you fearless in real life: recovering smoothly after a mistake.

The scary part isn’t the mistake. The scary part is freezing afterward—saying “uh… um…” while the line grows and your stress doubles. Today, we do not explain. We do not over-talk. We use a simple structure:

One polite opener + one request + one choice.

Your entire Day13 toolkit is these three sentences:

죄송한데요, 다시 말해 주세요.
이거 말고, 저걸로 주세요.
주문 변경 가능해요?

American Learns Korean Day13 Today’s Goals

If you didn’t understand: reset with 다시 말해 주세요
If you chose the wrong item: switch with 이거 말고 저걸로
If you already ordered/paid: recover with 주문 변경 가능해요?

10 Recovery Phrases (core + optional add-ons)

Core (must know)

죄송한데요, 다시 말해 주세요. — Sorry, could you say that again?
죄송한데요, 천천히 말해 주세요. — Sorry, please speak slowly.
이거 말고, 저걸로 주세요. — Not this—give me that one.
주문 변경 가능해요? — Can I change my order?

Optional (very useful)
5) 방금 주문한 거 취소할게요. — I’ll cancel what I just ordered.
6) 다시 주문할게요. — I’ll order again.
7) 그대로 주세요. — Just keep it as is.
8) 제가 잘못 말했어요. — I said it wrong.
9) 제가 잘못 눌렀어요. — I pressed the wrong thing.
10) 감사합니다. — Thank you.

Tone Rule: Politeness removes friction

Start with 죄송한데요 (softener), then make your request.
This single opener often “cleans the air” instantly in Korean service situations.

Situation 1: You didn’t understand (most common)

Staff: 사이즈 업 하실까요?
You: 죄송한데요, 다시 말해 주세요.
Staff: 사이즈 크게 해드릴까요?
You: 아, 네. 그대로 주세요. (or 네, 해 주세요.)

Key: Don’t jump into English explanations. Reset, listen again, answer short.

Situation 2: You said hot instead of iced (real-life #1)

Staff: 아이스로 드릴까요, 따뜻하게 드릴까요?
You: 따뜻한 걸로 주세요.
Staff: 네, 따뜻한 걸로요.
You: (realize immediately) 죄송한데요, 주문 변경 가능해요?
Staff: 네, 가능해요.
You: 아이스로 바꿔 주세요.

You don’t need a story.
Change request + simple correction is perfect.

Situation 3: Kiosk/app mistake (pressed the wrong button)

You: 제가 잘못 눌렀어요. 주문 변경 가능해요?
Staff: 네, 어떤 걸로 바꾸실까요?
You: 이거 말고, 저걸로 주세요.

This combo is extremely effective because it’s clear and honest.

Situation 4: You already paid but want to change it

Option A (direct):

죄송한데요, 방금 주문한 거 취소할게요.
다시 주문할게요.

Option B (lighter):

죄송한데요, 주문 변경 가능해요?
이거 말고, 저걸로 주세요.
If it’s not possible: 그대로 주세요.

Avoid debating. Give one clean request, then accept the result.

Situation 5: “This / That” without stress

이거 = the one selected / the one in your hand
저거(저걸로) = the other one you want instead

Best real-life hack: point while you say it. Short sentences + pointing = high success.

Drill 1: Reset lines (20 seconds)

죄송한데요, 다시 말해 주세요. × 5
죄송한데요, 천천히 말해 주세요. × 5

Drill 2: Switching items (20 seconds)

이거 말고, 저걸로 주세요. × 10

Drill 3: Changing the order (20 seconds)

주문 변경 가능해요? × 10
Keep a question tone at the end (가능해요↗).

Drill 4: 3-line Recovery Combo (automation)

Repeat this set 5 times:

죄송한데요, 주문 변경 가능해요?
아이스로 바꿔 주세요.
감사합니다.

This combo sounds calm, polite, and “closed”—it ends the situation cleanly.

Homework (2 minutes, 반드시 녹음 / Must record)

죄송한데요, 다시 말해 주세요 × 10
이거 말고, 저걸로 주세요 × 10
주문 변경 가능해요? × 10
(optional) 방금 주문한 거 취소할게요 / 다시 주문할게요 × 5 each

Playback checklist:

Is 죄송한데요 clear (not too small/weak)?
Does 가능해요? sound like a question?
Do you say 이거/저거 without hesitation?

Day14 Preview

Day14 will train “asking for help” (polite but confident):

어떻게 하면 돼요? — What should I do? / How do I do it?
추천해 주세요. — Please recommend something.
가장 인기 있는 거 뭐예요? — What’s the most popular?

That’s when you stop sounding like you’re surviving—and start sounding conversational.

Americans learns korean – Day 12 (Review)

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