Greetings! If you’re interested in learning how to say “What are you doing today?” in Korean, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to express this question, providing you with plenty of tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Expression:
1. 오늘 무슨 일을 하시나요? (oneul museun ireul hasinayo?)
This is a polite and respectful way to ask “What are you doing today?” Suitable for formal situations or when talking to someone older or in a higher position of authority. It is important to add the respectful suffix “-시-” when using this expression.
Example:
Person A: 선생님, 오늘 무슨 일을 하시나요? (seonsaengnim, oneul museun ireul hasinayo?)
Person B: 저는 오늘 회의를 준비하고 있습니다. (jeoneun oneul hoeui-reul junbi-hago issseumnida.)
2. 오늘 뭐하고 계세요? (oneul mwohago gyeseyo?)
This is another polite way to inquire about someone’s activities for the day. It conveys the sense of “What are you up to today?” and still maintains a formal tone.
Example:
Person A: 사장님, 오늘 뭐하고 계세요? (sajangnim, oneul mwohago gyeseyo?)
Person B: 오늘은 회사 업무를 처리하고 있습니다. (oneureun hoesa eopmureul cheorihago itseumnida.)
Informal Expression:
1. 오늘 뭐해? (oneul mwohae?)
This is a common and casual way to ask “What are you doing today?” suitable for conversations with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances of a similar age or younger.
Example:
Person A: 현우야, 오늘 뭐해? (hyeonuya, oneul mwohae?)
Person B: 나는 영화 보러 갈 거야. (naneun yeonghwa boreo gal geoya.)
2. 오늘 뭐 할 거야? (oneul mwo hal geoya?)
This is an alternative informal expression that can be used among friends or close acquaintances. It implies a plan or intention for the day, such as “What are you planning to do today?”
Example:
Person A: 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거야? (ibeon jumare mwo hal geoya?)
Person B: 나는 여행을 갈 거예요. (naneun yeohaeng-eul gal geoyeyo.)
Tips and Regional Variations:
– In conversational Korean, it’s common to omit the subject pronoun “you” unless specified or necessary for clarity.
– If you want to sound more polite, you can add the word “저희 (jeohui)” before the question. For example, “저희는 오늘 뭐할 거예요?” (jeohuineun oneul mwohal geoyeyo?)
– In some regional dialects, the question “What are you doing today?” may have slight variations. For instance, in the Busan dialect, you can say “오늘 어케 사실라그래?” (oneul eokke sashillageurae?).
– Remember to adjust your speech level based on the person you are addressing. It’s essential to maintain respect and politeness when necessary.
Now that you have learned various ways to say “What are you doing today?” in Korean, you can confidently engage in conversations and express your curiosity about someone’s daily plans. Remember, language is a bridge that connects people, so enjoy your journey of learning Korean and have fun with it!
