너야?
neoya?
In Korean, the phrase "is that you?" is expressed as 너야? (neoya?)
This phrase is a question used to ask if the person being addressed is the one who performed a specific action or is the person sought.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the pronoun 너 (you) and the informal copula 야 (to be).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter 그게 너야? in informal settings. For a formal context, use 그분이세요?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 너야? is used only with people of equal or lower social status, such as close friends or younger people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 너야? is the informal question form. The statement "it is you" is 너야 (without the rising intonation).
How do you pronounce it?
neoya?
Did you know?
- If you are asking 'Is that you?' over the phone, Koreans typically avoid 너야? and instead use phrases like 누구세요?, which literally means 'Who are you?'
- In a much more polite setting, such as at a hotel or a professional meeting, you would never use the word 'you' at all. Instead, you would omit the subject entirely and use a formal verb ending to ask if the person is the one you are looking for.
- In dramatic Korean TV shows, the phrase 너야? is often delivered with a long pause before the word 너 to create a 'reveal' moment when a secret identity is uncovered.
Examples in context
- 그분이세요?Is that you?
- 문 앞에 있는 거 너야?mun ap-e it-neun geo neo-ya?Is that you at the door?
- 지금 전화한 게 너야?ji-geum jeon-hwa-han ge neo-ya?Was it you who called just now?
- 아까 간식 먹은 거 너야?a-kka gan-sik meog-eun geo neo-ya?Was it you who ate the snack earlier?
Example conversation
Minji is looking at a person standing in the dark hallway.
- 민지 Min-ji거기 서 있는 거 너야?geo-gi seo it-neun geo neo-ya?Is that you standing there?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 나 민준이야.eung, na min-jun-i-ya.Yes, it's me, Minjun.
- 민지 Min-ji깜짝 놀랐잖아!kkam-jjak nol-lat-jan-a!You startled me!
- 민준 Min-jun미안해, 민지야.mi-an-hae, min-ji-ya.I'm sorry, Minji.
