물 원해요
mul wonhaeyo
To say "I want water" in Korean, use 물 원해요 (mul wonhaeyo).
The phrase is a simple statement used to express a desire for water. In this phrase, 물 means water.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun 물 (water) followed by the verb 원해요 (want).
How do you pronounce it?
mul wonhaeyo
When do people say it?
While 물 원해요 is grammatically correct, native speakers are much more likely to use 물 주세요 (Please give me water) when requesting water in a restaurant or home.
Did you know?
- The word 물 might be a distant relative of the Japanese word for water, mizu, or the Mongolian word for river, mörön, due to ancient linguistic connections.
- In many Korean restaurants, water is provided for free in self-service stations, making the request 물 주세요 less common than in Western dining.
- Korean has many different words for water depending on its state or purpose, such as 정수 for purified water or 생수 for bottled mineral water.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are at a cafe.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 뭐 마실래요?dohyun ssi, mwo masillaeyo?Dohyun, what do you want to drink?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 그냥 물 원해요.jeoneun geunyang mul wonhaeyo.I just want water.
- 민지 Min-ji알겠어요. 제가 가져올게요.algesseoyo. jega gajyeoolgeyo.I see. I will get it.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 민지 씨.gomawoyo, minji ssi.Thank you, Minji.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 물, CC BY-SA 4.0.
