무슨 문제 있어요?
museun munje isseoyo?
The English phrase "what is your problem?" is translated into Korean as 무슨 문제 있어요? (museun munje isseoyo?)
This phrase is used as a question to ask someone if they are experiencing a difficulty or a trouble.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase can be broken down into 무슨, which means "what" or "what kind of" and 문제, which means "problem" or "issue".
Which one should you use?
The formal way to say 'what is your problem?' is 문제가 무엇인가요? For informal situations, you can use 문제 뭐야? or 무슨 문제야?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 무슨 문제 있어요? literally translates to "Is there what kind of problem?" rather than "What is your problem?"
How do you pronounce it?
museun munje isseoyo?
Did you know?
- While 무슨 문제 있어요? asks about a difficulty, saying 문제 있어? with a sharp tone can be a confrontational challenge similar to the English 'You got a problem with me?'
- In Korean culture, asking 무슨 문제 있어요? to a superior can be perceived as questioning their judgment or competence rather than offering help.
- The modern spelling of 무슨 resulted from a historical 'hypercorrection' where speakers tried to make the word sound more formal by altering its ending.
Examples in context
- 컴퓨터에 무슨 문제 있어요?keompyuteoe museun munje isseoyo?Is there a problem with the computer?
- 기계에 무슨 문제 있어요?gigye-e museun munje isseoyo?Is there a problem with the machine?
- 계획에 무슨 문제 있어요?gyehoek-e museun munje isseoyo?Is there a problem with the plan?
Example conversation
Minjun notices Jieun looking worried at her computer.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨, 무슨 문제 있어요?Jieun ssi, museun munje isseoyo?Jieun, is there a problem?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 인터넷이 갑자기 안 돼요.ne, inteonesi gapjagi an dwaeyo.Yes, the internet suddenly stopped working.
- 민준 Min-jun제가 한번 도와줄까요?jega hanbeon dowajulkkayo?Shall I try to help you?
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워요, 민준 씨.gomawoyo, Minjun ssi.Thank you, Minjun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 무슨, 문제, CC BY-SA 4.0.
