무슨 말이야
museun mariya
In Korean, "what you mean" is expressed as 무슨 말이야 (museun mariya).
This phrase is used to ask for clarification when you are confused by the content or the intent of what someone has just said.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 무슨 (what/what kind of), 말 (word/speech/talk) and 이야 (is/it is).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for use with strangers or people older than you, add the suffix -에요 to the end to form 무슨 말이에요.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to use "what you mean" as a clause within a larger sentence, such as "I don't know what you mean", use the form 무슨 말인지.
How do you pronounce it?
museun mariya
Did you know?
- The word 말 for 'speech' or 'word' is a homonym with the word for 'horse'. In context, 무슨 말이야 clearly refers to language, but the two words are spelled and pronounced identically.
- The word 무슨 actually originated as a linguistic mistake. It was likely a 'hypercorrection' of the older form 므슴, created by people trying to follow grammatical rules more strictly than they actually were.
- Depending on the intonation, 무슨 말이야 can shift from a genuine request for clarification to an expression of disbelief or outrage, similar to saying 'What on earth are you talking about!'
Examples in context
- 그게 무슨 말이야?geuge museun mariya?What do you mean by that?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are discussing a sudden change in plans.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나 내일부터 휴학할 거야.na naeilbuteo hyu-hak-hal geoya.I am going to take a leave of absence from tomorrow.
- 민지 Min-ji갑자기 무슨 말이야?gapjagi museun mariya?What are you talking about all of a sudden?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo너무 힘들어서 좀 쉬려고.neomu himdeureoseo jom swiryeogo.I'm so tired that I want to rest a bit.
- 민지 Min-ji그랬구나, 많이 힘들었구나.geuraetguna, mani himdeureotguna.I see, you must have been very tired.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 무슨, CC BY-SA 4.0.
