글쎄요

When you watch Korean dramas, you’ll notice that when a character gets a tricky question, they often don’t answer with a straight “네 (ne, yes)” or “아니요 (aniyo, no)” right away. Instead, they pause for a moment and let out one particular word: 글쎄요 (geulsseyo). When a boss asks, “Do you think this project will work out?” or a friend asks, “How do you feel about our relationship?”—in any moment where they aren’t sure or find it awkward to answer on the spot, Koreans habitually pull out this word first. Today, let’s take a deep dive into this short but incredibly versatile expression.

글쎄요 (geulsseyo) is an interjection used to show an unclear or noncommittal attitude toward someone’s question or request. It carries three core nuances.

First, uncertainty. It gently conveys a feeling of “I’m not really sure” or “It’s hard to say for certain.” Second, a soft refusal or reservation. When it feels too blunt to come right out and say “싫어요 (sireoyo, I don’t want to)” or “안 돼요 (an dwaeyo, no way),” 글쎄요 lets you take a beat. Third, buying time to think. It works as a cushion, filling the silence while you mull over your answer.

The ending -요 (-yo) is a suffix that makes speech polite, so 글쎄요 is a courteous form you can safely use even with someone older than you or someone you’ve just met.

Checking with the National Institute of Korean Language Dictionary

글쎄요 「Interjection」 A word used to express an unclear attitude toward someone’s question or demand. [en] well; hm — An exclamation used when showing an uncertain attitude toward someone’s question or demand. [es] pues — Exclamación para expresar que la petición o pregunta del otro no es precisa. [zh] 也许吧，或许吧，难说 — 对于对方所提出的问题或要求，表现出不确定的态度。 — National Institute of Korean Language, Basic Korean Dictionary (krdict.korean.go.kr)

Let’s look at a few real usage examples the dictionary provides.

글쎄요. 투표 결과를 지켜봐야 알 수 있을 것 같습니다. (geulsseyo. tupyo gyeolgwareul jikyeobwaya al su isseul geot gatseumnida.) “Well, I think we’ll have to wait and see the voting results to know.” — National Institute of Korean Language, Basic Korean Dictionary (krdict.korean.go.kr)

Here, when asked to predict an election result, the speaker holds off on judgment, saying they can’t be certain right now.

글쎄요. 아마도 검열관들이 승인하지 않을 것 같은데요. (geulsseyo. amado geomyeolgwandeuri seunginhaji aneul geot gateundeyo.) “Well, I don’t think the censors will approve it, probably.” — National Institute of Korean Language, Basic Korean Dictionary (krdict.korean.go.kr)

This is a case where, without being certain, the speaker cautiously adds a pessimistic outlook. You can see how 글쎄요 is often followed by a guessing expression like “-것 같다 (-geot gatda, it seems/I think).”

글쎄요. 워낙 고령이신 데다가 건강도 좋지 않으셔서 어려울 것 같습니다. (geulsseyo. wonak goryeongisin dedaga geongangdo joji aneusyeoseo eoryeoul geot gatseumnida.) “Well, he’s quite elderly and his health isn’t good either, so I think it’ll be difficult.” — National Institute of Korean Language, Basic Korean Dictionary (krdict.korean.go.kr)

Rather than flatly saying “안 됩니다 (an doemnida, it can’t be done),” the speaker cushions the disappointing fact with 글쎄요 and then explains the reason.

글쎄요, 재미는 있겠지만 교육적 기능은 별로 없을 것 같습니다. (geulsseyo, jaemineun itgetjiman gyoyukjeok gineungeun byeollo eopseul geot gatseumnida.) “Well, it might be fun, but I don’t think it has much educational value.” — National Institute of Korean Language, Basic Korean Dictionary (krdict.korean.go.kr)

This is a classic reserved way of speaking—acknowledging one side while giving an overall skeptical assessment.

(Note: This dictionary provides only English, Spanish, and Chinese translations—there is no Portuguese translation. For Portuguese-speaking learners, if we add our own translation, 글쎄요 corresponds roughly to “bem…” or “sei lá.” Please note that this is our own translation, not dictionary material.)

Example Sentences by Situation

① In a meeting (when you’re not sure about a schedule)

A: 다음 주 금요일까지 끝낼 수 있을까요? (daeum ju geumyoilkkaji kkeutnael su isseulkkayo?) “Can we finish it by next Friday?” B: 글쎄요 (geulsseyo), 지금 진행 속도로는 조금 빠듯할 것 같습니다. (jigeum jinhaeng sokdoroneun jogeum ppadeuthal geot gatseumnida.) “Well, at our current pace, I think it might be a bit tight.”

This is an essential way of speaking for working professionals—not blindly saying “네 (ne, yes)” to an unreasonable deadline, but softly signaling that it’ll be difficult.

② Chatting with a friend (when asked about your taste)

A: 이 카페 분위기 진짜 좋지 않아? (i kape bunwigi jinjja jochi ana?) “Isn’t the vibe of this café really nice?” B: 글쎄, 난 좀 시끄러운 것 같은데? (geulsse, nan jom sikkeureoun geot gateunde?) “Hmm, I feel like it’s kind of noisy, though?”

In casual (반말, banmal) situations, you drop the -요 (-yo) and just use 글쎄 (geulsse). It’s a signal for gently bringing up an opinion that differs from the other person’s.

③ In an interview or variety show (when an immediate answer is awkward)

Host: 두 분, 사귀는 사이 맞죠? (du bun, sagwineun sai matjyo?) “You two are dating, right?” Guest: 글쎄요 (geulsseyo)… 그건 상상에 맡길게요. (geugeon sangsange matgilgeyo.) “Well… I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

This is a scene you’ll often see on broadcasts—dodging the question while still coming across as polite rather than rude.

Comparing Polite/Casual Forms and Similar Expressions

글쎄요 (geulsseyo) — Polite. For people older than you or strangers.
글쎄 (geulsse) — Casual. For friends or those younger than you.
그러게요 (geureogeyo) — Used when you empathize and chime in agreement with what someone said. If 글쎄요 is “reserving judgment,” 그러게요 is closer to “agreeing.”
잘 모르겠어요 (jal moreugesseoyo) — Directly conveys the fact that you “don’t know.” It admits ignorance more definitively than 글쎄요.

In the same situation, 글쎄요 leaves a lingering sense of “still thinking,” while 잘 모르겠어요 gives the clarity of “no conclusion.”

Cultural Background — Why Do Koreans Love 글쎄요?

In Korean conversation, a direct refusal or flat assertion can often feel rude. That’s why cushioning expressions that briefly postpone a conclusion have developed, and 글쎄요 is the leading example. In workplace dramas, the scene where a subordinate, faced with a boss’s unreasonable demand, wears a troubled expression and pulls out this word shows—to paraphrase the situation—a classic bit of Korean social savvy: “not being able to bring yourself to say no, so buying time first.” This single word contains a thoughtfulness that tries to protect both the other person’s face and your own position at the same time.

Closing Quiz

A close friend asks, “How’s my new hairstyle? Cute, right?”—but honestly, you’re not sure it suits them. Which of the following is the most natural response?

글쎄요, 잘 어울리세요. (geulsseyo, jal eoullisyeoyo.)
글쎄, 좀 더 봐야 알 것 같은데? (geulsse, jom deo bwaya al geot gateunde?)
그러게요, 정말 안 어울려요. (geureogeyo, jeongmal an eoullyeoyo.)

The answer is number 2. Since you’re speaking with a friend, you use the casual 글쎄 (geulsse), and you naturally carry on the uncertain attitude. (Number 1 mixes polite speech into a casual situation, and the 그러게요 in number 3 is an expression of agreement, so it doesn’t fit the context.)

Definitions and example sentences are from the National Institute of Korean Language’s Basic Korean Dictionary (krdict.korean.go.kr); that portion of this post, including our translations, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.