뭐 해요?
mwo haeyo?
The English phrase "what are you doing?" is translated into Korean as 뭐 해요? (mwo haeyo?)
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current activity or general state. The verb 하다 means "to do." Note that in Korean, the subject "you" is often omitted when it is clear from the context who is being addressed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 뭐 (what) and 해요 (do/doing).
Which one should you use?
While 뭐 해요? is a standard way to ask the question, other forms exist depending on the level of politeness and specific meaning. For example, 지금 무엇을 하고 계십니까? specifically asks "What are you doing right now?" and 어떤 일을 하고 계세요? translates to "What kind of work are you doing?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version 뭐 해? is used with close friends or people younger than you. For a more respectful way to ask the same question to elders or superiors, use 뭐 하세요?
How do you pronounce it?
mwo haeyo?
Did you know?
- Korean has no single word for 'you', so using a pronoun like 당신 instead of omitting it in 뭐 해요? can actually sound aggressive or confrontational.
- The verb 하다 in 뭐 해요? is one of the most productive words in the language, used to turn many nouns into verbs.
- In modern slang, the phrase 뭐 해? is frequently used as a 'ping' or 'nudge' via text message to indicate the sender is bored and wants the other person to entertain them.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 무슨 일을 하고 계세요?Teacher, what are you doing?
- 사장님, 어떤 일을 하고 계세요?Boss, what kind of work are you doing?
- 선생님, 지금 무엇을 하고 계십니까?Teacher, what are you doing right now?
- 친구야, 뭐 하고 있어?Hey friend, what are you doing?
- 오빠, 지금 뭘 하고 있어?Brother, what are you doing right now?
- 지금 뭐 해요?jigeum mwo haeyo?What are you doing right now?
- 집에서 뭐 해요?jibeseo mwo haeyo?What are you doing at home?
- 혼자 뭐 해요?honja mwo haeyo?What are you doing alone?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo calls Seoyeon to check on her.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 지금 뭐 해요?Seoyeon-ssi, jigeum mwo haeyo?Seoyeon, what are you doing right now?
- 서연 Seo-yeon그냥 책 읽고 있어요.geunyang chaek ilgo isseoyo.I am just reading a book.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그렇군요. 재미있어요?geureokunyo. jaemiisseoyo?I see. Is it interesting?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 아주 재미있어요.ne, aju jaemiisseoyo.Yes, it is very interesting.
