안녕, 뭐해?
The English phrase "hi, what are you doing?" is translated into Korean as 안녕, 뭐해?
In Korean, this phrase is frequently used as a casual way to start a conversation via text or messaging apps, similar to "What's up?" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 안녕 (hi/peace) and 뭐해? (what are you doing?), where 뭐 means "what" and 해 is the informal conjugation of 하다 (to do).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The polite version of this phrase is 안녕하세요, 뭐 하세요? which should be used with strangers, elders or in formal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The question 뭐해? uses the present tense conjugation of the verb 하다 (to do) to ask about a current action.
Did you know?
- If you are texting a close friend, you might see 모해? instead of the standard 뭐해? This is a cute, stylized spelling used to sound more playful and affectionate in digital messages.
- While 안녕 is used for 'hi', it is also the standard way to say 'bye' in casual settings. The meaning of the word remains the same regardless of whether you are arriving or leaving.
- While 'hi' is a neutral start in English, using the casual 안녕, 뭐해? with someone older than you can be perceived as quite rude or even aggressive due to the lack of honorifics.
Examples in context
- Person A: 안녕하세요? 뭐 하고 계세요? | Person B: 안녕하세요! 저는 숙소를 예약하고 있어요.Person A: Hello? What are you doing? | Person B: Hello! I am making a hotel reservation.
- Person A: 안녕! 뭐 해? | Person B: 안녕! 방 청소하고 있어.Person A: Hi! What are you doing? | Person B: Hi! I am cleaning my room.
- 안녕하세요, 선생님? 뭐 하고 계세요?Hello, teacher! What are you doing?
- 안녕, 뭐해? 집이야?annyeong, mwohae? jibiya?Hi, what are you doing? Are you at home?
- 안녕, 뭐해? 나 지금 카페야.annyeong, mwohae? na jigeum kapeya.Hi, what are you doing? I'm at a cafe now.
Example conversation
Dohyeon sends a text message to Minji to check on her.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안녕, 뭐해?annyeong, mwohae?Hi, what are you doing?
- 민지 Min-ji그냥 책 읽고 있어.geunyang chaek ilgo isseo.I'm just reading a book.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 나중에 같이 놀까?geureom najunge gatchi nolkka?Then, do you want to hang out later?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 좋아!eung, joa!Yeah, sounds good!
