What does it mean word for word?
뭐야 is a contraction of 뭐, which means "what" and 야, which means "is".
Which one should you use?
뭐야 is used for direct questions. To ask about the nature of a specific thing in a more descriptive way, you might use the formal expression 어떤 것입니까?, which translates to "What kind of thing is it?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
뭐야 is an informal form. It should only be used with friends or people younger than you. If you want to be polite, use the polite version 뭐예요? In very formal situations, you should use 무엇입니까? For example, when asking for someone's name or occupation, you would use the formal 성함이 무엇입니까? or 직업이 무엇입니까? respectively.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 뭐야? ends in a question mark and is used to ask for identification. In highly informal digital contexts, you may also see the form 뭐임? used to express "what is".
How do you pronounce it?
mwoya
Did you know?
- If you say 뭐야 to a stranger or a superior, it is not just 'impolite' but can be perceived as an active confrontation or a challenge to their authority.
- In Korean pop culture and dramas, 뭐야 is often stretched into 뭐야아~ with a trailing vowel to express a playful or flirting kind of disbelief.
- When spoken with a rising intonation at the end, 뭐야 is a question, but with a sharp falling intonation, it becomes a expression of disgust or dismissal.
Examples in context
- 가장 좋아하는 음식이 뭐야?What is your favorite food?This sentence is useful for asking about a favorite food using 뭐야.Tatoeba #8362178 by Eunhee, translation #5797546 by Eccles17
- e^x의 도함수가 뭐야?What is the derivative of eˣ?This sentence is useful for asking about a mathematical derivative using 뭐야.Tatoeba #8358555 by Eunhee, translation #8072220 by deniko
- 사랑이 뭐야?What is love?This sentence is useful for asking about the concept of love using 뭐야.Tatoeba #510227 by orzage, translation #515085 by tamsanh
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are looking at a strange object on the table.
- 수빈 Su-bin이게 뭐야?ige mwoya?What is this?
- 지훈 Ji-hun그냥 내 선물이야.geunyang nae seonmuriya.It is just my present.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 신기한 물건이네.jeongmal singihan mulgeonne.It is a really interesting object.
- 지훈 Ji-hun마음에 들어?maeume deureo?Do you like it?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
