Korean phrase
도와드리고 싶지만요. to wa deu ri go sip jji ma nyo
Meaning
I'd like to help, but
When to use it
It politely says the speaker wants to help but cannot. The unfinished ending softens a refusal and prepares for an explanation, making it suitable for polite workplace conversations.
Example dialogue
내일까지 이 서류 정리해 주실 수 있어요? nae il kka ji i seo ryu cheong ni hae chu sil ssu i sseo yo
Could you organize these documents by tomorrow?
도와드리고 싶지만요, 지금 다른 급한 일이 있어서 못 하겠어요. to wa deu ri go sip jji ma nyo chi geum ta reun keu pan i ri i sseo seo mot ha ge sseo yo
I'd like to help, but I have another urgent task right now, so I can't.