Learning to express yourself in another language is a fascinating experience. In this guide, we will explore how to say “What about me?” in Korean, both formally and informally. Additionally, we will provide useful tips, examples, and discuss regional variations where necessary. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “What About Me?” in Korean:
1. “나에 대해서 어떻게 생각하세요?” (Nae-e daehaeseo eotteohge saenggakhaeyo?)
Example: 선생님, 제 입학 신청서에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요? (Seonsaengnim, je ibhak sincheongseo-e daehae eotteohge saenggakhaseyo?) – Teacher, what do you think about my college application?
2. “나에게 어떻게 생각하세요?” (Nae-ege eotteohge saenggakhaeyo?)
Example: 회사 동료, 저에게 어떻게 생각하세요? (Hwasa dongryo, jeo-ege eotteohge saenggakhaseyo?) – Colleague, what do you think about me?
Informal Ways to Say “What About Me?” in Korean:
1. “나 어때?” (Na eottae?)
Example: 친구야, 나 어때? (Chinguya, na eottae?) – Hey buddy, what do you think about me?
2. “내가 어때?” (Naega eottae?)
Example: 여자친구, 난 내가 어때? (Yeojachingu, nan naega eottae?) – Girlfriend, how am I in your opinion?
Additional Tips and Usage:
– When using the formal expressions, it is important to show respect to the person you are addressing. This is particularly crucial when speaking with elders or superiors.
– In Korean culture, maintaining harmony and avoiding confrontation are highly valued. Therefore, when asking “What about me?” it is important to consider the context and tone of the conversation to ensure it doesn’t come across as confrontational.
– Adding formal speech endings like “-요” (-yo) and “-까요” (-kkayo) can make your question more polite and respectful.
– It’s common for Koreans to use indirect expressions or contextually implied questions instead of directly asking “What about me?” For example:
Contextual Implied Question: 어떻게 생각하시나요? (Eotteohge saenggakhansinayo?) – How do you think about it?
– Regional variations in Korea may influence the way people ask “What about me?”. However, the formal and informal expressions mentioned earlier are widely understood throughout the country.
Examples in Dialogue:
1. Formal:
Person A: 제 발표가 어떻게 생각하세요? (Je balpyoga eotteohge saenggakhaseyo?) – What do you think about my presentation?
Person B: 정말 훌륭하셨어요! (Jeongmal hullunghasyeosseoyo!) – It was truly outstanding!
2. Informal:
Person A: 친구야, 나 어때? (Chinguya, na eottae?) – Hey buddy, what do you think about me?
Person B: 음, 어떻게 말해야 좋을까? (Eum, eotteohge malhaeya joeulkka?) – Hmm, how should I put it?
Learning a new language is a journey that requires practice and patience. As you become more comfortable expressing yourself in Korean, these phrases will greatly help you navigate conversations and understand how others perceive you. Remember to adapt your speech according to the formality of the situation and always maintain a warm and respectful tone. Happy learning!
