Welcome to your essential guide on how to ask the question “What does this mean?” in Korean. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate learner, understanding how to ask this question is crucial in expanding your Korean language skills. In this guide, we’ll explore both the formal and informal ways of asking this question, providing you with useful tips, examples, and regional variations if necessary. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways
In formal settings or when speaking to someone older or in a higher social position, it’s important to use formal language. Here are a couple of ways to ask “What does this mean?” formally:
a) 어떤 뜻인가요? (Eo-tteon tteushin-ga-yo?)
This phrase is a polite, formal way to inquire about the meaning of something. It is appropriate to use in formal conversations, professional environments, and when addressing strangers or respected individuals. When pronouncing it, emphasize the syllables “tteushin.”
Example:
Formal Situation:
Person 1: 안녕하세요. 이 문구의 뜻을 모르겠어요. (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. I mun-gu-ui tteush-eul moreu-gess-eo-yo.)
Person 2: 그 말은 “사랑”을 의미해요. (Geu mal-eun “sarang”eul ui-mi-hae-yo.)Translation:
Person 1: Hello. I don’t know the meaning of this phrase.
Person 2: That phrase means “love”.
b) 이게 무슨 의미인가요? (I-ge mu-seun ui-mi-in-ga-yo?)
This sentence structure is another formal way to ask for the meaning of something. It shows respect and politeness towards the person you are speaking to.
2. Informal Ways
When speaking to friends, family members, or peers, you can use informal language to ask the question casually. Here are a couple of informal ways to ask “What does this mean?”:
a) 이거 뜻이 뭐예요? (I-geo tteu-si mwo-ye-yo?)
This phrase is a common way to ask about the meaning of something in an informal setting. It is suitable when speaking with friends, classmates, or people of similar age.
Example:
Informal Situation:
Person 1: 이거 한국어로 뭐예요? (I-geo han-gu-geo-ro mwo-ye-yo?)
Person 2: 이건 “사과”라고 해요. (I-geon “sa-gwa”ra-go hae-yo.)Translation:
Person 1: What is this called in Korean?
Person 2: This is called “apple”.
b) 이게 뜻이 뭐야? (I-ge tteu-si mwo-ya?)
This sentence structure is a casual way to ask for the meaning of something. It is best suited for close friends or people of the same age group.
3. Regional Variations
Korean language has different regional variations that influence the way people communicate. However, when it comes to asking “What does this mean?” there are no significant regional variations. The formal and informal ways explained above are commonly understood and used throughout Korea.
Final Tips
- Remember to adjust the level of formality based on the person you are speaking to. Using formal language with friends may create unnecessary distance, while using informal language in a formal setting may be seen as disrespectful.
- To better understand the meaning, you can replace “이” (i) with the specific noun or phrase you’re asking about. For example, “이 영화” (i yeong-hwa) means “this movie.” So the question becomes “이 영화 뜻이 뭐예요?” (i yeong-hwa tteu-si mwo-ye-yo?)
- Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions if you still need clarification. Koreans are generally willing to help learners understand their language and culture better.
With these phrases and tips in mind, you’ll be able to confidently ask “What does this mean?” in Korean. Practice using them in different scenarios to become more comfortable. Keep learning and enjoy your journey towards mastering the Korean language!
