Greetings! Learning how to ask “What did you do today?” in Korean is a great way to spark conversations and establish connections with Korean speakers. In this guide, we will cover both the formal and informal ways of asking this question. While regional variations exist, we will focus on the standard Korean language. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Expression: 오늘 무엇을 했습니까? (on-eul mu-eo-seul haet-seup-ni-kka?)
The formal expression is commonly used in professional settings, with people older than you, or when showing respect. Here’s a breakdown of the sentence:
오늘 (on-eul) – today
무엇을 (mu-eo-seul) – what
했습니까 (haet-seup-ni-kka?) – did you do?
Imagine meeting your Korean boss at the end of the day:
Boss: 안녕하세요? 오늘 무엇을 했습니까? (Hello? What did you do today?)
You: 오늘은 문서 작업을 마쳤고, 회의에 참석했습니다. 그리고 업무 보고서를 작성했어요. (Today, I finished the paperwork, attended a meeting, and wrote a business report.)
Informal Expression: 오늘 뭐 했어? (on-eul mwo haet-sseo?)
The informal expression is suitable for use with close friends, family, peers, or people younger than you. It allows for a more casual and friendly conversation. Let’s break down the sentence:
오늘 (on-eul) – today
뭐 (mwo) – what (informal version of 무엇)
했어 (haet-sseo?) – did you do? (informal version of 했습니까)
Imagine meeting your friend after school:
Friend: 안녕! 오늘 뭐 했어? (Hey! What did you do today?)
You: 학교가 끝난 후에 카페에 가서 친구들과 모임을 가졌어. 그리고 영화를 보고 왔어. (After school, I went to a cafe and had a gathering with friends. Then we watched a movie.)
Some Additional Tips
1. Politeness matters: When using the formal expression, make sure to maintain polite language and honorifics appropriate for the situation and the person you are addressing. Respecting seniors and people in higher positions is an essential aspect of Korean culture.
2. Non-verbal cues: Koreans often show respect through non-verbal cues such as bowing slightly, maintaining eye contact, and using polite body language. Remember, it’s not just about the words, but also about the overall attitude and demeanor.
3. Elaborate your response: If you want to engage in a more detailed conversation, you can expand on your activities by using conjunctions like “and” (그리고 – geu-ri-go) or “then” (그럼 – geu-reom). This will showcase your Korean language skills and provide more context.
4. Active listening: When someone asks you about their day, actively listen and show genuine interest in their response. You can use phrases like “정말요?” (Really?) or “궁금해요” (I’m curious) to encourage them to share.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to ask “What did you do today?” in Korean, you can confidently engage in conversations with both formal and informal language. Remember to adapt your speech based on the situation and the person you’re speaking to. Practice these phrases regularly to improve your Korean language skills. Enjoy your language journey, and have fun connecting with native Korean speakers!
