Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “How was it?” in Korean! Whether you want to impress your Korean friends or engage in meaningful conversations during your travels, mastering this phrase is essential. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to express this question, offer tips for regional variations, and provide numerous examples. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “How Was It?” in Korean
1. 어떠셨어요? (eotteosyeosseoyo)
This is a polite/formal way to ask someone how something was. It’s a common phrase used to show respect and maintain a formal tone. For example:
Person A: 오늘 영화 어떠셨어요? (Oneul yeonghwa eotteosyeosseoyo?)
Person B: 영화는 아주 재미있었어요! (Yeonghwaneun aju jaemiisseosseoyo!) Translation:
Person A: How was the movie today?
Person B: The movie was very interesting!
2. 어떻게 지내셨어요? (eotteoke jinaesyeosseoyo)
Another formal way to ask how someone has been is to use this phrase. It’s commonly used when you want to know how someone has been doing. Here’s an example:
Person A: 서울 여행은 어떻게 지내셨어요? (Seoul yeohaengeun eotteoke jinaesyeosseoyo?)
Person B: 너무 재미있었어요! (Neomu jaemiisseosseoyo!) Translation:
Person A: How was your trip to Seoul?
Person B: It was so much fun!
Informal Ways to Say “How Was It?” in Korean
1. 어땠어? (eottaesseo)
This is a common and casual way to ask how something went or how someone is doing. It’s suitable to use with close friends, family members, or people of a similar age group. Here’s an example:
Person A: 어제 공연 어땠어? (Eoje gongyeon eottaesseo?)
Person B: 진짜 멋있었어! (Jinjja meosisseosseo!) Translation:
Person A: How was the performance yesterday?
Person B: It was really awesome!
2. 어떻게 지냈어? (eotteoke jinaesseo)
If you’re close to someone and want to ask how they’ve been, this informal phrase is perfect. It’s commonly used among friends and peers. Have a look at the following example:
Person A: 방학 어떻게 지냈어? (Banghak eotteoke jinaesseo?)
Person B: 재밌게 놀았어! (Jaemitge norasseo!) Translation:
Person A: How did you spend your vacation?
Person B: I had a lot of fun!
Tips for Regional Variations
While Korean is generally standardized across South Korea and most regions, it’s worth noting a few regional variations:
- Seoul Dialect: In Seoul, the phrase “어땠어?” (eottaesseo) is more commonly used in informal situations instead of “어떻게 지냈어?” (eotteoke jinaesseo).
- Busan Dialect: In the Busan dialect, you might hear “어때?” (eottae) instead of “어땠어?” (eottaesseo) when asking how something was.
Keep in mind that these regional variations are more common in spoken Korean and may not be reflected in formal written language.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned various ways to say “How was it?” in Korean, you’re well-equipped to engage in conversations and connect with native speakers on a personal level. Remember to use the appropriate phrase based on your relationship with the person you’re speaking to. Practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to apply these phrases in real-life situations. Enjoy your journey to mastering Korean conversations and have fun!
