Korean phrase
처음에 못 알아봤어요. cheo eu me mot a ra bwa sseo yo
Meaning
I didn't recognize you at first
When to use it
It means the speaker did not recognize someone at first. It can be a mild apology or explanation when a mask or another change in appearance makes someone harder to recognize.
Example dialogue
오랜만이에요! 마스크 쓰셨네요. o raen ma ni e yo ma seu keu sseu syeon ne yo
It's been a long time! You have a mask on.
아, 죄송해요, 처음에 못 알아봤어요. 마스크 때문이에요. a choe song hae yo cheo eu me mot a ra bwa sseo yo ma seu keu ttae mu ni e yo
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you at first. It's because of the mask.