어떤
eotteon[ʌ̹t͈ʌ̹n]
The English phrase "any" is translated into Korean as 어떤 (eotteon).
어떤 is used to mean at least one kind of something. Depending on the context, it can also be translated as "some" or "a certain" when referring to an unspecified person or thing rather than a universal "any".
Meaning: at least one (kind) (det)
Which one should you use?
While 어떤 can mean "any", it is also used to mean "some" or "a certain" when describing an unspecified entity. For more emphasis when you mean "anything" or "whatever it is", you can use the phrase 어떤 것이든.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 어떤 to mean "any" in an exhaustive or negative sense, it is often paired with the particle 도 on the following noun. This combination (어떤… 도) emphasizes the totality of the negation, similar to saying "any … at all" or "even any".
How do you pronounce it?
eotteon
Did you know?
- The earliest written record of the ancestor of 어떤 appears in the 1447 text 석보상절, a Buddhist work written to celebrate the life of Buddha.
- In Korean, asking 어떤 followed by a noun is the standard way to ask 'what kind of' something, rather than using a separate word for 'kind'.
- When 어떤 is used to describe a person, it can subtly imply a 'certain' person whose identity is being intentionally kept secret.
Examples in context
- 운좋게도 나는 어떤 중대한 오류도 없이 일을 끝마칠 수 있었어.Fortunately I was able to finish my work without any serious errors.This sentence shows how to use 어떤 in a negative context with the particle 도 to mean "any… at all".Tatoeba #8363491 by Eunhee, translation #240775 by CM
- 어떤 것이든 투자에는 위험 요소가 수반된다.Any investment involves an element of risk.This sentence uses the phrase 어떤 것이든 to express "anything".
- 어떠한 문제가 있으신가요?Is there any issue?
- 아무 곳에나 앉으세요.Please sit anywhere.
- 아무거나 먹을래?Do you want to eat anything?
- 날씨가 좋으면 뭐든지 할 수 있어.If the weather is good, we can do anything.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are discussing what to eat for lunch.
- 지훈 Ji-hun어떤 음식이라도 다 괜찮아?eotteon eumsik-irado da gwaenchana?Is any kind of food okay with you?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 나는 다 좋아.eung, naneun da joa.Yes, I like everything.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 어떤 메뉴를 고를까?geureom eotteon menyureul goreulkka?Then which menu should we pick?
- 민지 Min-ji매콤한 게 먹고 싶어.maekomhan ge meokgo sipeo.I want to eat something spicy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “any” translations and entries 어떤, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
