What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 기분, which means mood or feeling and the particle 이 which marks 기분 as the subject of the sentence. The word 어때요? is the polite way to ask how something is.
Which one should you use?
While 기분이 어때요? focuses on emotional mood, 건강하십니까? is used in formal situations to inquire specifically about someone's health.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several levels of formality for this question. 기분이 어떠십니까? is a highly formal version used in professional or very respectful settings. 기분이 어떠세요? is a formal way to ask how someone feels regarding their emotions. The default 기분이 어때요? is polite, while 기분이 어때? is the casual, informal version used with close friends or younger people. For a very informal way to ask if someone is feeling good, you can use 좋아?
How do you pronounce it?
gibuni eottaeyo?
Did you know?
- While 기분 refers to an internal emotional state, Koreans often use the word 컨디션 (condition) to describe a general mix of physical and mental readiness for the day.
- The phrase 기분이 좋다 ('feeling good') can be used to describe not just a person's mood but also the pleasant atmosphere of a place or the weather.
- In many social contexts, answering 기분이 어때요? with a direct description of a negative emotion can be seen as too blunt or burdensome to the listener.
Examples in context
- 오늘 기분이 어때?How are you feeling today?
- 지금 기분이 어때요?jigeum gibuni eottaeyo?How are you feeling right now?
- 여행 가니까 기분이 어때요?yeohaeng ganikka gibuni eottaeyo?How are you feeling about going on a trip?
Example conversation
Minji asks Dohyun how he is feeling after his exam.
- 민지 Min-ji시험 끝나니까 기분이 어때요?siheom kkeutnanikka gibuni eottaeyo?How are you feeling now that the exam is over?
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 홀가분해요.jeongmal holgabunhaeyo.I feel really relieved.
- 민지 Min-ji다행이네요.dahaengineyo.That's a relief.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨도 기분 좋죠?Minji ssido gibun jochyo?You're in a good mood too, Minji, right?
