뭐 해요?
mwo haeyo?
뭐 해요? (mwo haeyo?) is the Korean way to say "what are you doing?"
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current activity or their general plans. In Korean, the subject "you" is often omitted from this phrase because it is implied by the context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 뭐 (what) and 해요 (do/are doing).
Which one should you use?
Depending on the level of politeness required, you might use different forms: 뭐 해요? is the standard polite form, while 뭐하고 있어? and 지금 뭐 해? are common informal versions. For very high levels of respect, such as in professional settings, you would use 무엇을 하고 계십니까? or 지금 무엇을 하시고 계세요?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
뭐 해요? uses the polite ending -요, making it suitable for most everyday social situations with people you are not close to. For casual settings with friends or people younger than you, use the informal 뭐 해? or 뭐하고 있어? In highly formal or professional environments, use 무엇을 하고 계십니까? or 지금 무엇을 하시고 계세요?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 뭐 해요? employs the polite ending -요.
How do you pronounce it?
mwo haeyo?
Did you know?
- If you ask a stranger 뭐 해요? in Korea, they might find it intrusive or even suspicious, as the phrase can imply you are questioning their purpose for being in a specific spot.
- While 뭐 해요? asks about an activity, saying 뭐 하세요? can sound more like a polite inquiry into someone's profession or general life status.
- Korean has a specific honorific verb 계시다 used in the phrase 무엇을 하고 계십니까?, which is used exclusively for people of higher status.
Examples in context
- 뭐하고 있어?What are you doing?
- 지금 뭐 해요?jigeum mwo haeyo?What are you doing right now?
- 주말에 뭐 해요?jumare mwo haeyo?What are you doing this weekend?
- 집에서 뭐 해요?jibeseo mwo haeyo?What are you doing at home?
Example conversation
Minjun calls Subin to ask about her plans.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨, 지금 뭐 해요?Subin ssi, jigeum mwo haeyo?Subin, what are you doing right now?
- 수빈 Su-bin그냥 책 읽고 있어요.geunyang chaek ilgo isseoyo.I am just reading a book.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 같이 커피 마실래요?geureom gatchi keopi masillaeyo?Then, do you want to drink coffee together?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아요, 민준 씨!joayo, Minjun ssi!Sounds good, Minjun!
