What does “혹시” mean in Korean?

혹시 is the word Koreans put before a question when they aren’t sure the answer is yes. It means “by any chance,” and it lowers the pressure on the other person: 혹시 제로 콜라 있어요? is “do you happen to have Coke Zero?” Asking 제로 콜라 있어요? without it sounds like you expect them to have it. 혹시 also opens worries: 혹시 모르니까 means “just in case.”

The clip is a full restaurant order. After the food (김치찌개 하나랑요), the diner asks 혹시 그 제로 콜라 있어요?, gets 죄송합니다. 제로 콜라는 없어요, and takes it well: 아 그럼 그냥 물 좀 주세요 (“oh, then just water, please”). The server closes with 맛있게 드세요 (“please eat well”), and the diner’s stock reply is 잘 먹겠습니다 (“I will eat well”).