어떻게 해야 해요?
eotteoke haeya haeyo?
The English phrase "what should I do?" is translated into Korean as 어떻게 해야 해요? (eotteoke haeya haeyo?)
This phrase is a question used to ask for advice or instructions on how to handle a situation.
Which one should you use?
While 어떻게 해야 해요? emphasizes the necessity of an action (what 'must' I do), 어떻게 해요? is a simpler way to ask "how do I do it?" or "what do I do?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of the phrase is 어떻게 해야 돼?, and the highly formal version is 어떻게 해야 합니까?
How do you pronounce it?
eotteoke haeya haeyo?
Did you know?
- If you want to ask 'what should I do?' in a way that expresses extreme distress or a crying out for help, you might hear the more emotive 어떡해! This is a contraction of 어떻게 해 and is often used as an exclamation rather than a direct question.
- While English uses 'what' to start this question, Korean uses 'how' via 어떻게. This reflects a linguistic preference for asking about the method or manner of an action rather than the object of the action itself.
- The phrase 어떻게 해야 해요? focuses on the 'right' or 'correct' path. Because Korean culture values social harmony, this question is often used to check if a certain action is socially appropriate rather than just logically possible.
Examples in context
- 저는 지금 어떻게 하면 좋을까요?What should I do now?
- 제가 어떡하면 될까요?What should I do?
- 조언이 필요해요. 어떻게 하면 좋을까요?I need advice. What should I do?
- 이 상황에서 우리 어떡하지?What should we do in this situation?
- 갑자기 비가 오는데 어떻게 해야 해요?gapjagi biga oneunde eotteoke haeya haeyo?It suddenly started raining, what should I do?
- 이 문제를 어떻게 해야 해요?i munje-reul eotteoke haeya haeyo?What should I do about this problem?
- 숙제를 어떻게 해야 해요?sukje-reul eotteoke haeya haeyo?How should I do my homework?
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are discussing a broken laptop.
- 민준 Min-jun노트북이 고장 났어요. 어떻게 해야 해요?noteubuk-i gojang nasseoyo. eotteoke haeya haeyo?My laptop is broken. What should I do?
- 민지 Min-ji수리점에 가서 보여주세요.surijeom-e gaseo boyeojuseyo.Please take it to a repair shop.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨, 고마워요.Minji ssi, gomawoyo.Thank you, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji아니에요, 민준 씨.anieyo, Minjun ssi.You're welcome, Minjun.
