원해요?
wonhaeyo?
The Korean phrase for "do you want?" is 원해요? (wonhaeyo?)
A question used to ask if someone desires a particular object or outcome.
Which one should you use?
While 원해요? asks if someone desires an object or an abstract concept, it is less common in casual speech than using the verb 'to have/to eat/to drink' to offer something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The structure [Verb Stem] + 시겠어요? Is used for offering something politely in formal situations. The pattern [Verb Stem] + 아/어/여 드릴까요? Is a polite way to offer assistance or ask if someone wants something.
How do you pronounce it?
wonhaeyo?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 원해요? to offer a physical object (like a coffee), but in natural Korean, it is more common to use 줄까요? (Shall I give you?) or 드실래요? (Would you like to eat/drink?).
Did you know?
- The phrase 원해요? is heavily influenced by translated Western media and is far more common in dubbed movies or subtitles than in traditional spoken Korean.
- Instead of asking 'do you want' a gift, a Korean speaker might say 필요해요?, which literally means 'is it necessary?'
- In Korea, asking 원해요? to offer a drink might actually sound like you are questioning someone's deep, psychological desires rather than just offering a cup of water.
Examples in context
- 차를 마시겠어요?Do you want to drink tea?
- 도움을 드릴까요?Do you want some help?
- 먹을 거야?Do you want to eat?
- 무슨 선물을 원해요?museun seonmureul wonhaeyo?What kind of gift do you want?
- 새로운 시작을 원해요?saeroun sijageul wonhaeyo?Do you want a new start?
Example conversation
Dohyun is offering a snack to Subin.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 초콜릿 원해요?Subin ssi, chokollit wonhaeyo?Subin, do you want some chocolate?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 정말 원해요!ne, jeongmal wonhaeyo!Yes, I really want some!
- 도현 Do-hyeon여기 있어요.yeogi isseoyo.Here it is.
- 수빈 Su-bin고마워요, 도현 씨.gomawoyo, Dohyun ssi.Thank you, Dohyun.
