어디서 오셨어요?
eodiseo osyeosseoyo?
The English phrase "where are you from?" is translated into Korean as 어디서 오셨어요? (eodiseo osyeosseoyo?)
This phrase is commonly used when meeting someone for the first time to ask about their nationality or hometown.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 어디서 (where from), 오다 (to come) and the honorific marker -시-.
Which one should you use?
The form 어디에서 오셨어요? is a polite way to ask someone where they are from. The form 어디서 왔어요? is a less formal version that removes the honorific marker -시- found in the default form. Finally, 어디서 왔어? is used in informal situations and among friends.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 어디서 왔어? is used in casual settings with people of the same age or younger.
How do you pronounce it?
eodiseo osyeosseoyo?
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, asking 어디서 오셨어요? is often a prelude to establishing a social hierarchy, as the answer helps the speaker decide which level of politeness to use for the rest of the conversation.
- If you are asked 어디서 오셨어요? in a business setting, it is common to name your company or organization instead of your city or country.
- In many contexts, instead of asking 'where are you from', Koreans might ask about your 'hometown' using the word 고향 (gohyang), which carries a much more nostalgic and emotional weight than the English 'hometown'.
Examples in context
- 죄송합니다. 어디에서 오셨어요?Excuse me, where are you from?
- 야, 어디서 왔어?Hey, where are you from?
- 어디서 오셨어요?eodiseo osyeosseoyo?Where are you from?
- 실례지만, 어디서 오셨어요?sillyejiman, eodiseo osyeosseoyo?Excuse me, but where are you from?
- 그럼, 어디서 오셨어요?geureom, eodiseo osyeosseoyo?Then, where are you from?
Example conversation
At a networking event, Ji-eun meets Do-hyeon for the first time.
- 지은 Ji-eun안녕하세요, 이름이 뭐예요?annyeonghaseyo, ireumi mwoyeyo?Hello, what is your name?
- 도현 Do-hyeon도현이라고 합니다.dohyeonirago hamnida.My name is Do-hyeon.
- 지은 Ji-eun반가워요. 어디서 오셨어요?bangawayo. eodiseo osyeosseoyo?Nice to meet you. Where are you from?
- 도현 Do-hyeon미국에서 왔어요.migugeseo wasseoyo.I am from America.
