한국어 알아요?
hangugeo arayo?
To ask "do you know korean?" in Korean, use 한국어 알아요? (hangugeo arayo?)
This phrase is used to inquire whether a person possesses the ability to understand or speak the Korean language. While asking if someone "knows" the language is common, it is often more natural to ask if they "do" (speak) the language by using 한국어 하세요?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 한국어, meaning Korean language and 알아요?, which means "do [you] know?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 한국어 알아요? uses the polite -아요 ending and is suitable for speaking to strangers or people you are not close with. For a formal setting, you can use 한국어를 아십니까? If you are speaking to close friends or someone younger than you, use the informal 한국어를 알아?
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 한국어를 아십니까?, the word 한국어를 uses the object particle 를 to indicate that Korean is the object of the verb. While adding the object marker 를 makes the sentence more grammatically complete, it is often omitted in casual speech, as seen in the default form 한국어 알아요?
How do you pronounce it?
hangugeo arayo?
Did you know?
- When answering 한국어 알아요?, a learner might say 조금요 (a little). In Korean culture, modesty is highly valued, so even proficient speakers often downplay their skills by saying they only know 'a little'.
- In many social situations, instead of asking about the language, Koreans often ask about your 'nationality' or 'where you are from' to gauge your language ability.
- The term 한국어 is often used in academic or formal contexts, whereas in daily conversation, people frequently just say 한국말 to refer to the Korean language.
Examples in context
- 저에게 한국어를 가르칠 수 있습니까?Can you teach me Korean?
- 혹시 한국어 알아요?hoksi hangugeo arayo?By any chance, do you know Korean?
Example conversation
Subin meets Minjun at a global language exchange cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin안녕하세요, 혹시 한국어 알아요?annyeonghaseyo, hoksi hangugeo arayo?Hello, do you know Korean by any chance?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 조금 알아요.ne, jogeum arayo.Yes, I know a little.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 반가워요, 민준 씨!jeongmalyo? bangawoyo, Minjun ssi!Really? Nice to meet you, Minjun!
- 민준 Min-jun저도 반가워요, 수빈 씨.jeodo bangawoyo, Subin ssi.Nice to meet you too, Subin.
