뭐 하는 거 좋아해요?
mwo haneun geo joahaeyo?
The phrase "what do you like to do?" in Korean is 뭐 하는 거 좋아해요? (mwo haneun geo joahaeyo?)
This phrase is used to ask someone about their hobbies or interests.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 뭐 (what), 하는 거 (doing thing) and 좋아해요 (like).
Which one should you use?
While 뭐 하는 거 좋아해요? is a natural way to ask the question, 취미가 뭐예요? is a more direct and slightly more formal way to ask someone specifically about their hobbies.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 뭐 하는 거 좋아해요? uses the polite ending -해요, making it appropriate for acquaintances or people you are not close with. To ask a close friend or someone younger, you can use the informal 반말 style by using 뭐 하는 거 좋아해?
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 뭐 하는 거 좋아해요? is considered polite because of its verb ending.
How do you pronounce it?
mwo haneun geo joahaeyo?
Did you know?
- When answering this question, Koreans often use the English loanword 힐링 (healing) to describe a hobby that relieves stress.
- In Korean, the pronoun 'you' is frequently omitted from this question because mentioning the listener directly can sound too aggressive or blunt.
- Even when using the polite -해요 ending in this phrase, the social hierarchy of the person you are speaking to is more important than the grammar itself. If the person is significantly older or higher in status, this polite form might still feel too casual.
Examples in context
- 취미가 뭐예요? 뭐 하는 거 좋아해요?chwimiga mwoyeyo? mwo haneun geo joahayo?What is your hobby? What do you like to do?
- 시간 있을 때 뭐 하는 거 좋아해요?sigan isseul ttae mwo haneun geo joahayo?What do you like to do when you have time?
- 주말에 뭐 하는 거 좋아해요?jumare mwo haneun geo joahayo?What do you like to do on weekends?
Example conversation
Two people are getting to know each other at a cafe.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 보통 뭐 하는 거 좋아해요?Seoyeon ssi, botong mwo haneun geo joahayo?Seoyeon, what do you usually like to do?
- 서연 Seo-yeon저는 영화 보는 거 좋아해요.Jeoneun yeonghwa boneun geo joahayo.I like watching movies.
- 도현 Do-hyeon오, 저도 영화 좋아해요!O, jeodo yeonghwa joahayo!Oh, I like movies too!
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말요? 그럼 같이 영화 봐요.Jeongmallyo? Geureom gatchi yeonghwa bwayo.Really? Then let's watch a movie together.
