What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 어디 (where), the particle 에 (at/in) and 있어요 (exists/is). Literally, it translates to "where at exists".
Which one should you use?
While 어디에 있어요 asks for the location of an object or person, 어디예요? is used when asking for the identity of a place, such as "Where is this place?" For even more specific inquiries regarding a location, you can use 어디에 위치하고 있습니까?, which means "Where is it located?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the social setting. 어디에 있어요? is the polite, standard version suitable for speaking to strangers or people you are not close with. For professional settings or news broadcasts, use the highly formal 어디에 있습니까? or the formal 어디에 위치하고 있습니까? In informal situations with friends or people younger than you, you can use 어디에 있어? or the even more casual, shortened form 어딨어?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 어디에 있어요? is the standard polite way to ask for a location. Note the distinction that 어디에 있어요 asks where something is, whereas 어디예요? asks what a place is.
How do you pronounce it?
eodie isseoyo
Did you know?
- When asking for the location of a person of high status, you should avoid the standard verb 있어요. Instead, you must use the honorific verb 계시다 to show proper respect to the individual you are looking for.
- When asking 어디에 있어요?, Koreans may omit the subject entirely if it is obvious from the context, making the sentence grammatically complete without mentioning what is being sought.
- In Korean, the word 어디 can be used to ask 'where', but if you are asking about a specific choice among a limited set of options, you might use 어느 instead.
Examples in context
- 그 은행은 어디에 있어요?Where is the bank?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the bank using 어디에 있어요.Tatoeba #4965175 by rainbow4us, translation #48623 by CK
- 교실은 어디에 있습니까?Where is the classroom?
- 박물관은 어디에 위치하고 있습니까?Where is the museum located?
- 학교 어디 있어?Where is the school?
- 극장 어딨어?Where is the theater?
- 화장실이 어디에 있어요?hwajang-siri eodie isseoyo?Where is the bathroom?
- 제 지갑이 어디에 있어요?je jigabi eodie isseoyo?Where is my wallet?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo is looking for a cafe in a busy area.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨, 스타벅스가 어디에 있어요?Jieun ssi, seutabakseuga eodie isseoyo?Jieun, where is Starbucks?
- 지은 Ji-eun저기 건물 옆에 있어요.Jeogi geonmul yeope isseoyo.It is next to that building over there.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 저기 있군요!A, jeogi itgunyo!Ah, there it is!
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 빨리 가요.Ne, ppalli gayo.Yes, let's go quickly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
