Korean phrase
제 말은 ~예요. che ma reun ~ ye yo
Meaning
What I mean is ___
When to use it
It introduces a clarification of what the speaker means. It gently corrects a misunderstanding or adds a more precise explanation.
Example dialogue
제 말은 안 가는 게 아니라 시간이 좀 필요한 거예요. che ma reun an ka neun ke a ni ra si ga ni chom pi ryo han keo ye yo
What I mean is, it's not that I'm not going; I just need some time.
아, 알겠어. 언제면 괜찮아? a al ge sseo eon je myeon kwaen cha na
Oh, I see. When would be okay?