나는 어때?
naneun eottae?
The English phrase "what about me?" can be translated into Korean as 나는 어때? (naneun eottae?)
This phrase is used to ask for an opinion or an evaluation of oneself.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 나 (I/me), the topic marker 는 (as for) and 어때? (how is it/how about?).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter 나 어때? in very casual speech among close friends, where the topic marker 는 is often dropped.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You should use 저는 어때요? when speaking to someone older or in a higher social position. In very casual settings with close friends, you can use the informal 나 어때?
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 어때? is in the present tense. If you are asking how you were in the past, you would use 어땠어? instead.
How do you pronounce it?
naneun eottae?
Did you know?
- If you are asking about your appearance in a new outfit, Koreans often use 나 어때? while performing a small 360-degree turn, a non-verbal cue that signals the request for a visual evaluation.
- While English speakers ask 'what' about themselves, a Korean speaker using 나 어때? is literally asking 'how' they are. This is because the phrase is derived from the adjective 어떠하다, which describes a state of being.
- In K-pop lyrics and romantic dramas, 나 어때? is frequently used as a rhetorical device to flirt, functioning more as a 'Do you find me attractive?' than a request for a critique.
Examples in context
- 친구야, 나 어때?Hey buddy, what do you think about me?
- 나는 어때?naneun eottae?What about me?
- 이 옷 입은 나는 어때?i ot ibeun naneun eottae?How do I look in these clothes?
- 친구들 말고 나는 어때?chingudeul malgo naneun eottae?Forget my friends, what about me?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo asks Jieun for her opinion on his new haircut.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo머리 잘랐는데 나는 어때?meori jallatneunde naneun eottae?I cut my hair, how do I look?
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 잘 어울려, 현우야.jeongmal jal eoullyeo, Hyunwoo-ya.It really suits you, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo다행이다, 고민 많이 했거든.dahaengida, gomin mani haetgeodeun.That's a relief, I worried a lot.
- 지은 Ji-eun멋있으니까 걱정 마.meositseunikka geokjeong ma.You look cool, so don't worry.
