영어 할 줄 아세요?
yeongeo hal jul aseyo?
The English phrase "do you know english?" is translated into Korean as 영어 할 줄 아세요? (yeongeo hal jul aseyo?)
This phrase is used to inquire about a person's linguistic proficiency and ability to speak or use the English language. Using 영어 할 줄 아세요? specifically asks if someone has the skill to use the language, which is more natural than simply asking if they are acquainted with the concept of English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 영어 (English) and 할 줄 아세요? (do you know how to do/use).
Which one should you use?
While 영어 아세요? literally means "Do you know English?", the phrase 영어 할 줄 아세요? is the more natural way to ask about someone's ability to use the language. For the question "Are you familiar with English?", you can use the formal 영어를 압니까?
How does it change in a sentence?
There are several levels of politeness for this phrase. 영어 할 줄 알아요? is an informal polite version that is slightly less formal than the default form but still remains polite by using the -아요 ending instead of the honorific -세요. The version 영어 할 줄 알아? is the casual or intimate version used when speaking with friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
yeongeo hal jul aseyo?
Did you know?
- There is a completely different word also spelled 영어 that refers to 'prison' or 'incarceration'.
- The word 영어 uses the character 英, which is also the first character in the word for 'hero' or 'excellent' in many East Asian contexts.
- In Korean culture, asking if someone 'can' speak a language is often a polite way to gauge their status or education level without asking directly.
Examples in context
- Ji-Hoon: 영어 알아? (Yeong-eo ara?) Jin: 응, 영어 할 줄 알아. (Eung, yeong-eo hal jul ara.)Ji-Hoon: Do you know English? Jin: Yeah, I can speak English.
- 혹시 영어 할 줄 아세요?hoksi yeongeo hal jul aseyo?By any chance, do you know English?
- 저기요, 영어 할 줄 아세요?jeogiyo, yeongeo hal jul aseyo?Excuse me, do you know English?
- 선생님은 영어 할 줄 아세요?seonsaengnim-eun yeongeo hal jul aseyo?Do you know English, teacher?
Example conversation
Ji-eun is asking Hyeon-u for help with a foreign tourist.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 영어 할 줄 아세요?hyeon-u ssi, yeongeo hal jul aseyo?Hyeon-u, do you know English?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 조금 할 줄 알아요.ne, jogeum hal jul arayo.Yes, I know a little.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 다행이에요. 도와주세요!jeongmal dahaeng-ieyo. dowa-juseyo!That's a relief. Please help!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 제가 도와줄게요.ne, jega dowa-julgeyo.Yes, I will help.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 영어, 줄, 할, CC BY-SA 4.0.
