어땠어?
eottaesseo?
The English phrase "how was it?" is translated into Korean as 어땠어? (eottaesseo?)
This phrase is used to ask someone for their opinion or impression of a past experience.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is derived from the adjective 어떻다, which means "to be how".
Which one should you use?
Use the present tense 어때? to ask for an opinion on something happening now, whereas 어땠어? is the past tense used to ask about something that is already finished.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 어땠어? is the informal version used with friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
eottaesseo?
Did you know?
- If you ask 어땠어? about a meal, a common response is 배불러, which means 'I am full'. In Korean culture, being full is often the highest praise for the quality of the experience.
- The adjective 어떻다 is closely related to the word 어떡해, which means 'what should I do'. Both stem from the same root of questioning a state or method.
- In Korea, people often answer 어땠어? with the word 그냥, which literally means 'just'. It functions as a polite way to say 'it was okay' or 'nothing special' without being negative.
Examples in context
- 오늘 영화 어떠셨어요?How was the movie today?
- 어제 공연 어땠어?How was the performance yesterday?
- 방학 어떻게 지냈어?How did you spend your vacation?
- 어제 영화 어땠어?eoje yeonghwa eottaesseo?How was the movie yesterday?
- 새로 생긴 식당 어땠어?saero saenggin sikdang eottaesseo?How was the new restaurant?
- 첫 수업 어땠어?cheot sueop eottaesseo?How was the first class?
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are talking about Minjun's recent trip.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준아, 제주도 여행 어땠어?Minjun-a, Jejudo yeohaeng eottaesseo?Minjun, how was your trip to Jeju Island?
- 민준 Min-jun진짜 좋았어!jinja joasseo!It was really great!
- 수빈 Su-bin음식이 맛있었어?eumsigi masisseosseo?Was the food delicious?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 정말 최고였어.eung, jeongmal choegoyeosseo.Yes, it was truly the best.
