Learning to ask “what are those?” in Korean can be a useful phrase for various situations. Whether you’re visiting Korea or simply interested in the language, it’s important to know both the formal and informal ways to express this question. In this guide, we’ll explore different phrases, tips, and examples to help you effectively use this expression in Korean.
Table of Contents
1. Formal Way: 무엇입니까? (mueosimnikka?)
The most formal way to ask “what are those?” in Korean is by using the phrase “무엇입니까?” (mueosimnikka?). This phrase is appropriate to use when speaking to someone older or in a formal setting. Let’s break it down:
무엇 (mueot) – This means “what” in Korean.
입니까 (imnikka) – This is a formal expression used to turn “무엇” into a question phrase.
When you combine these two parts, you get “무엇입니까?” (mueosimnikka?), which literally translates to “What is it?” or “What are those?” in English.
Example:
Formal Situation:
Person A: 이 신발은 무엇입니까? (i sinbareun mueosimnikka?)
Person B: 이 신발은 나이키 운동화입니다. (i sinbareun naiki un-dong-hwa-ipnida.)
(Person A: What are these shoes? / Person B: These are Nike sneakers.)
2. Informal Way: 뭐예요? (mwoyeyo?)
In less formal situations, you can use the phrase “뭐예요?” (mwoyeyo?). This expression is suitable when talking to friends, peers, or someone younger than you. Here’s the breakdown:
뭐 (mwo) – This means “what” in a casual form.
예요 (yeyo) – This is a polite expression used to turn “뭐” into a question phrase.
When you combine these two parts, you get “뭐예요?” (mwoyeyo?), which translates to “What is it?” or “What are those?” in a less formal context.
Example:
Informal Situation:
Person A: 이거 뭐예요? (igeo mwoyeyo?)
Person B: 이거는 새 앨범이에요. (igeoneun sae aelbeumieyo.)
(Person A: What is this? / Person B: This is a new album.)
Some Additional Tips for Using “What Are Those?” in Korean
Understanding Regional Variations
Korean is spoken in different regions, and some variations in vocabulary and pronunciation can occur. However, the phrases mentioned above, both formal and informal, are widely used throughout Korea and understood by Koreans nationwide. So, you can confidently use them wherever you go.
Adding Politeness: Formal Speech Levels
When conversing in Korean, it’s essential to be mindful of the level of politeness in your speech. Koreans distinguish between formal, polite, and casual speech levels. While the phrases mentioned earlier cover the most common situations, it’s worth noting that you can modify them to match different speech levels if needed.
For instance, if you want to speak even more formally, you can use “무엇이십니까?” (mueosimnikka?) instead of “무엇입니까?” (mueosimnikka?). On the other hand, if you want to speak more casually, you can replace “뭐예요?” (mwoyeyo?) with “뭐야?” (mwoya?).
Using Non-Verbal Cues
In addition to asking “what are those?” in Korean, you can also use non-verbal cues to express curiosity or point at something you’re referring to. For example, you can combine the phrase with pointing gestures, saying “뭐예요? (mwoyeyo?)” while pointing towards the objects you want to ask about. This can help clarify your question.
Conclusion
Asking “what are those?” in Korean can open up conversations and help you expand your language skills. By learning both the formal and informal ways to express this question, you’ll be prepared to communicate with people of various ages and in different situations. Remember the phrases “무엇입니까?” (muesimnikka?) for formal situations and “뭐예요?” (mwoyeyo?) for informal ones. Combine them with non-verbal cues and adapt the speech level as necessary.
Keep practicing and take the opportunity to engage in conversations with native Korean speakers to strengthen your language skills. With time, you’ll become more comfortable and confident in using these phrases naturally.
