Question words — 누구, 뭐, 어디, 언제, 왜
A Korean question word stays in the place where the answer goes. In 이름이 뭐예요?, 뭐 sits in the same place as the name in the answer.
01누구nugu
who · asks about a person.
Note Before 이/가, 누구 changes to 누가. Say 누가 왔어요?, not 누구가 왔어요?.
Examples 누구예요? (who is it?) · 누구와 가요? (who are you going with?) · 누가 왔어요? (who came?)
저 사람은 누구예요?
Who's that? | 저 = that, over there | Notice that the question word comes at the end
02뭐(무엇)mwo (mueot)
what · asks about a thing or an action.
Note People use 뭐 in speech. 무엇 is more common in writing and in formal situations.
Examples 뭐예요? (what is it?) · 뭐를 해요? (what are you doing?) · 뭐 먹을까요? (what shall we eat?)
이름이 뭐예요?
What is your name? | 이름 = name | This is the most common question when you meet someone new
03어디eodi
where · asks about a place.
Note The particle (a small word added after a noun) depends on the job of the place. Use 어디에 for a location. Use 어디에서 for the place of an action. Use 어디로 for the place you are going to.
Examples 어디예요? (where is it?) · 어디에서 만나요? (where shall we meet?)
화장실이 어디에 있어요?
Where is the restroom? | 화장실 = restroom | You can use this sentence just as it is to ask for directions
04언제eonje
when · asks about a time.
Note 언제 does not take 에: 언제 가요? You can still add other particles, as in 언제까지 (until when).
Examples 언제 가요? (when are you going?) · 언제까지예요? (until when?)
시험이 언제예요?
When is the exam? | 시험 = exam | Use 언제 시간 있어요? when you make plans
05왜wae
why · asks about a reason.
Note Answers often use -아/어서 or 때문에: 아파서요 (because I was ill), 일 때문에요 (because of work).
Examples 왜 그래요? (what's wrong?) · 왜 안 왔어요? (why didn't you come?)
어제 왜 안 왔어요?
Why didn't you come yesterday? | 안 adds the meaning not to the verb | This question can sound sharp. Use a gentle tone to stay polite
Quick check3 questions
Fill in each blank in Korean. Every answer appears above.
- 이름이 __________예요? (______ is your name?)
- 화장실이 __________에 있어요? (______ is the restroom?)
- 어제 __________ 안 왔어요? (______ didn't you come?)
Show answers
1. 뭐 2. 어디 3. 왜
Study tip
Korean question words stay in the place of the answer. In 이름이 뭐예요?, put the answer in place of 뭐 to make a statement: 이름이 민수예요. Use this pattern to practice questions and answers together.