어떻게 말해요
eotteoke malhaeyo
The English phrase "how to say" is translated into Korean as 어떻게 말해요 (eotteoke malhaeyo).
A phrase used to ask for the correct way to express something in another language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 어떻게 (how) and 말해요 (to speak/say).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 어떻게 말해요 uses the polite -요 ending, making it appropriate for speaking to strangers or people you don't know well. 어떻게 말하나요? is a common phrase used to ask how to say something in a formal setting. 한국말로 어떻게 해요? is a formal phrase used to ask how to say something in Korean.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding a question mark and rising intonation at the end turns the statement into a question used to ask for a translation.
How do you pronounce it?
eotteoke malhaeyo
Did you know?
- Korean speakers may use a slightly different intonation for 어떻게 말해요 to imply 'How could you possibly say such a thing!' as a expression of shock.
- The word 어떻게 is often confused with 어떡해, which sounds similar but actually means 'what should I do?' in an emergency or distressful situation.
- In Korean, the word 말 for 'speech' or 'word' is a homonym for the word meaning 'horse'.
Examples in context
- "Delicious"는 한국말로 어떻게 해요?How do you say "delicious" in Korean?
- "Happy"는 한국어로 어떻게 해?How do you say "happy" in Korean?
- 이것을 한국어로 어떻게 말해요?igeoseul hangugeoro eotteoke malhaeyo?How do you say this in Korean?
- 영어로 'apple'을 어떻게 말해요?yeong-eoro 'apple'eul eotteoke malhaeyo?How do you say 'apple' in English?
- 그 말을 일본어로 어떻게 말해요?geu mareul ilboneoreo eotteoke malhaeyo?How do you say that in Japanese?
Example conversation
Jihoon asks Minji for help with a Korean expression.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 'thank you'를 한국어로 어떻게 말해요?Minji ssi, 'thank you'reul hangugeoro eotteoke malhaeyo?Minji, how do you say 'thank you' in Korean?
- 민지 Min-ji'감사합니다'라고 말해요.'gamsahamnida'rago malhaeyo.You say 'gamsahamnida'.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아, 감사합니다!a, gamsahamnida!Ah, thank you!
- 민지 Min-ji아니에요, 지훈 씨.anieyo, Jihoon ssi.You're welcome, Jihoon.
