어디예요?
eodiyeyo?
The English phrase "where are you?" is translated into Korean as 어디예요? (eodiyeyo?)
This phrase is used to ask about a person's current physical location. In Korean, the subject "you" is often omitted from the sentence if the context makes it clear who you are addressing.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which requires a subject like "you", Korean speakers frequently omit the subject when it is understood from the context. For example, the phrase 어디야 simply asks "Where?" by dropping the verb for "to be" altogether.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default polite form 어디예요? is a standard way to ask for someone's location. In more formal settings, the honorific verb 계시다 is used to show respect to the person you are asking about.
How do you pronounce it?
eodiyeyo?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly try to include a word for "you" (such as 당신), but it is more natural in Korean to omit the subject entirely.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'you' as a neutral pronoun, using the word 당신 in 당신 어디예요? is often reserved for fighting with a stranger or speaking to a spouse.
- Korean speakers often answer 어디예요? by stating a landmark or a nearby store rather than a street address, as the culture relies more on relative landmarks than precise numbering.
- The word 어디 ('where') is used in the common phrase 어디 보자 ('let's see'), which has nothing to do with location and is used when thinking or searching for an answer.
Examples in context
- 수빈 씨, 지금 어디예요?Subin-ssi, jigeum eodiyeyo?Subin, where are you now?
Example conversation
Subin is calling Dohyeon to find him for their date.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 지금 어디예요?Dohyeon-ssi, jigeum eodiyeyo?Dohyeon, where are you now?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 지금 지하철역이에요.Jeoneun jigeum jihacheol-yeog-ieyo.I am at the subway station now.
- 수빈 Su-bin빨리 오세요.Ppalli oseyo.Please come quickly.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 금방 갈게요.Ne, geumbang galgeyo.Yes, I will be there soon.
