뭐해?
In Korean, "what are you doing?" is expressed as 뭐해?
The phrase 뭐해? is used to ask what someone is doing and can also function as a casual way to start a conversation, much like saying "What's up?" or "Are you busy?" in English. More specific ways to ask this include: – 무엇을 하고 계세요? is a formal way to ask "What are you doing?" – 지금 어떤 일을 하고 계십니까? is a formal way to ask "What kind of work are you doing right now?" – 뭐 하고 있어? is an informal way to ask "What are you doing?" – 지금 뭐 해? is an informal way to ask "What are you doing right now?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 뭐해? is composed of 뭐 (what) and 해 (the informal conjugation of 하다, meaning "to do").
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
– 뭐 하세요? should be used instead of 뭐해? when speaking to someone older, a stranger or someone in a higher social position. – 무엇을 하고 계세요? is a formal way to ask "What are you doing?"
Did you know?
- When sent as a text message without any other context, 뭐해? is frequently used as a subtle 'I miss you' or a way to signal that the sender wants the other person's attention.
- In digital texting culture, 뭐해? is often shortened to 머해? to sound cuter or more playful and casual.
- The verb 하다 in 뭐해? is a 'chameleon' verb that can be attached to almost any noun to turn it into an action, making it much more versatile than the English 'do'.
Examples in context
- A: 김 선생님, 무엇을 하고 계세요? B: 저는 회의를 준비하고 있어요.A: Mr. Kim, what are you doing? B: I am preparing for a meeting.
- A: 이사장님, 지금 어떤 일을 하고 계십니까? B: 저는 보고서를 작성하고 있어요.A: Mr. Lee, what kind of work are you doing right now? B: I am writing a report.
- A: 민지야, 뭐 하고 있어? B: 방 청소를 하고 있어.A: Hey Minji, what are you doing? B: I'm cleaning the room.
- A: 현우야, 지금 뭐 해? B: 게임을 하고 있어.A: Hey Hyeonu, what are you doing right now? B: I'm playing a game.
- 지금 뭐해?jigeum mwohae?What are you doing now?
- 집에서 뭐해?jib-eseo mwohae?What are you doing at home?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking on the phone.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연아, 뭐해?Seoyeon-ah, mwohae?Seoyeon, what are you doing?
- 서연 Seo-yeon그냥 영화 보고 있어.geunyang yeonghwa bogo isseo.I'm just watching a movie.
- 지훈 Ji-hun나중에 같이 놀자.najunge gatchi nolja.Let's hang out later.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래, 좋아.geurae, joa.Okay, sounds good.
