What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down literally as 'this (이거) Korean-in (한국어로) how (어떻게) say (말해요)?'
Which one should you use?
Using 이거 한국어로 뭐라고 해요? (what do you call it) instead of 이거 한국어로 어떻게 말해요? (how do you say it) is a very common and natural alternative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The ending -해요 makes this a polite, standard way to ask a stranger or someone you are not close with. You can also use 이걸 한국어로 어떻게 말해요? as a formal version. For close friends or people younger than you, you may use the informal forms 어떻게 말해?, 한국어로 어떻게 말하지? or 이거 한국어로 어떻게 말해?
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle -로 in 한국어로 indicates the medium or method, meaning "by way of" or "in" the Korean language. Adding -요 at the end of a sentence makes it more polite.
How do you pronounce it?
igeo hangugeoro eotteoke malhaeyo?
Did you know?
- The particle -로 in the phrase 한국어로 can also describe a tool or weapon. In this context, it treats the Korean language as the instrument used to express a thought.
- If you use the informal version 말해 instead of the polite 말해요 with a stranger, you might unintentionally commit 'banmal', which can be seen as a social transgression.
- The adverb 어떻게 is derived from an old root that asks about the 'state' of something. It essentially asks in what 'state' a word should be uttered.
Examples in context
- 한국어로 'delicious'라고 어떻게 말해요?How do you say 'delicious' in Korean?
- 이거 한국어로 어떻게 말해요? 손가락으로 가리킬게요.igeo hangugeoro eotteoke malhaeyo? songarak-euro gari-kilgeyo.How do you say this in Korean? I will point to it.
- 죄송하지만, 이거 한국어로 어떻게 말해요?joesonghajiman, igeo hangugeoro eotteoke malhaeyo?I'm sorry, but how do you say this in Korean?
Example conversation
A student is asking a friend for help with a Korean word.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 이거 한국어로 어떻게 말해요?subin ssi, igeo hangugeoro eotteoke malhaeyo?Subin, how do you say this in Korean?
- 수빈 Su-bin음, '사과'라고 말해요.eum, 'sagwa'rago malhaeyo.Um, you say 'sagwa'.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 수빈 씨!gomawoyo, subin ssi!Thank you, Subin!
- 수빈 Su-bin아니에요, 도현 씨.anieyo, dohyeon ssi.You're welcome, Dohyeon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 어떻게, 이거, CC BY-SA 4.0.
