어때요
eottaeyo
In Korean, "how is it" is expressed as 어때요 (eottaeyo).
A question used to ask for someone's opinion or impression of something.
Which one should you use?
Use 어때 for a straightforward, informal way to ask "how is it" among friends. Use 어떠세요 when you want to use an honorific form to show high respect to the subject of your question.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of the phrase is 어때.
How do you pronounce it?
eottaeyo
Did you know?
- When asking 어때요 about a new haircut or piece of clothing, it is common to receive a positive response even if the person dislikes it, as maintaining 'chemyeon' or 'social face' is culturally important.
- In texting, Koreans often shorten the informal 어때 to just 어때? or even use variations like 어떰? to save time, which functions like 'how is it?' in internet slang.
- The phrase 어때요 can be used rhetorically to suggest something, similar to saying 'How about this?' or 'Wouldn't it be great if…?', rather than seeking a genuine critique.
Examples in context
- 이 음식 어때요?i eum-sik eo-ttae-yo?How is this food?
- 한국 날씨 어때요?han-guk nal-ssi eo-ttae-yo?How is the weather in Korea?
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are at a cafe discussing a new drink.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 이 커피 어때요?hyeon-u ssi, i keo-pi eo-ttae-yo?Hyunwoo, how is this coffee?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 맛있어요.jeong-mal mas-it-eo-yo.It is really delicious.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이네요.da-haeng-i-ne-yo.I am glad to hear that.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨도 한 입 마셔봐요.su-bin ssi-do han ip ma-syeo-bwa-yo.Subin, you should try a sip too.
