QUESTION WORDS IN KOREAN LANGUAGE - HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS?

 QUESTION WORDS IN THE KOREAN LANGUAGE

In this chapter, we'll discuss the question words in the Korean language, and how these question words in Korean are made into a complete sentence or question. We know that, in English, there are mainly 5 Ws and 1 H, that is, Where, When, What, Why, Who, and How. 

Similarly, in the Korean language also, we have some question words, to frame questions. If you're looking to read the complete information about the Korean question words, then don't skip, make sure to read everything. 

question words in korean, what in korean, why in korean, wae, mwo, eottoke, eodi, how to make question in korean



And, by the end of this chapter, you'll learn the complete question words in Korean and their examples. 

So, let's get started!

Table of contents

  • Korean question words list

  • What (뭐 (mwo)in Korean

  • Where (어디 eodi) in Korean

  • When (언제 eonje) in Korean

  • Why (왜 wae) in Korean

  • How (어떻께 eotteokke) in Korean

  • Who (누구 nugu) in Korean

Korean question words list

What                       뭐 (mwo)
Where                     어디 (eodi)
When                      언제 (eonje)
Why                        왜 (wae)
How                        어떻게 (eotteohge)
Who                        누구 (noogoo/nugu)
Which                     어느 (eoneu)
What kind of           어떤 (eotteon)
What                       무슨 (museun)
How much              얼마 (eolma)
How long/ much     얼마나 (eolmana)
How many              몇 (myeot) Why the pronunciation is 'myeot' but not 'myeoch'?


One thing, I'm planning to split this lesson into two, because there are many question words, and also there are so many to explain. So, it'll be hard for you to read everything in one go, so just make sure to read the second part also. 

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What (뭐 (mwo)in Korean

뭐 (Mwo) in Korean means 'What'?. Even though '뭐' is commonly used by Koreans, it is actually the shortened form of 무엇. But if you want to speak like a native Korean, you can use 뭐!

Examples:

  • 뭐하고 있었어? What were you doing? (mwo-ha-go iss-eoss-eo?)
  • 이름이 뭡니까? What is your name? (ireumi mwobnikka?)
  • 뭐 먹을까요? What shall we eat? (mwo meogeulkkayo?)
See, it's just a piece of cake!

Where (어디 eodi) in Korean

The question word 'Where' in Korean is 어디 (eodi). If you want to ask 'where' in Korean, you can simply use this question word 어디. Even though it's not a complete question, Koreans can still understand that you're trying to ask where you are, or something related to 'where'. Let's look at some examples. Then it'll be easy for you.
  • 어디야? Where are you? (eodiya?)
  • 지금 어디있어요? Where are you now? (jigeum eodi-isseoyo?)
  • 어디서 왔어요? Where are you from? (eodiseo wasseoyo?)
    • Proven to Increase Reading Level in 90 Days

When (언제 eonje) in Korean

The Korean word for 'When' is 언제. This question word is very common and many of you have heard it many times in the middle of almost every conversation. So, if somebody asks, 'When'? how will you answer? In most cases, this question word is used to ask things related to date, time, day, etc. So, you should know how to reply too. Sometimes this is used together with 부터 - 까지 to ask, from when and to when? Let's look at some examples. 
  • 언제 한국에 왔어요? When did you come to Korea? (eonje hanguke wasseoyo?)
  • 시험은 언제예요? When is the exam? (siheomeun eonjeyeyo?)
  • 수업은 언제예요? When is the class? (sooeobeun eonjeyeyo?)
Also read: https://www.koreaneonnie.com/korean-particles-list-how-to-use-korean-particles 

Why (왜 wae) in Korean

The Korean word for 'Why' is 왜. You must have heard this question word in many Kdramas. The way they use this 'Wae' when they're frustrated about something is really funny, right?


Let's look at some examples!
  • 왜 공부를 안 했어? Why didn't you study? (Wae gong-bu-reul an haess-eo?)
  • 왜 전화 안 했어? Why didn't you call? (Wae jeon-hwa an haess-eo?)
  • 왜 나한테 이런 거야? Why are you doing this to me? (Wae nahante ireon geoya?

How (어떻께 eotteokke) in Korean

If you're a non-Korean Kdrama fan, then you must know how frequently you use this word in your daily life. I often use this word, from time to time, (when no one is watching) I'm just kidding! But, yes! I put this expression of being sad and say "아... 진짜... 난 어떻께 엄마?" Good thing that my mom doesn't understand Korean, but it's actually very fun doing that. 
Let's look at some examples!
  • 이제 어떻께 해야합니까? What do we do now? (ije eotteokke haeya habnikka?)
  • 어떻께 해야하지? What do we do?/ What should I do? (eotteokke haeyahaji?)
    • Proven to Increase Reading Level in 90 Days

Who (누구 nugu) in Korean

Who in Korean is 누구. You can use this question word either in the beginning or in the middle of the sentences. If you just simply use 누구 without any complete sentence to ask something, Koreans will still understand you. Also, it'll sound more like a native. Let's look at some examples below
  • 누구세요? (nuguseyo?) Who are you? 
  • 너의 Bff는 누구입니까? Who is your BFF? (neoui BFF neun nuguibnikka?)
I think everything is clear now, right? This is only the first part, and the remaining question words will be discussed in the next part. So stay tuned and don't forget to practice these! Apart from these question words, if you want to make any sentences to a question, you can use, 'ㅂ니까' or make that sentence into a question, just by adding an intonation at the end.
One more thing, if you have any doubts regarding the chapter, feel free to leave a comment below or contact me directly, through the contact form below!

Bye!

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