여기가 어디예요?
The English phrase "where is this?" translates to Korean as 여기가 어디예요?
In some contexts, 여긴 can be used to mean "here" and 어디야? can be used to ask "where is it?" or "where is this?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Is here where?" (here + subject marker + where + polite verb). The word 어디 means "where".
Which one should you use?
While English uses "this" (this place), the Korean phrase literally translates to "Is here where?" (here + subject marker + where + polite verb).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 여기가 어디예요? uses the polite ending -예요, making it appropriate for speaking to strangers or people you are not close with. The informal version 여기가 어디야? is used with close friends or people younger than you. The highly formal version 여기가 어디입니까? is used in very formal settings like news reports or military contexts.
Did you know?
- The word 어디 can be used in the phrase 어디 보자, which means 'let me see' or 'let's see'. In this context, it has nothing to do with a physical location.
- Korean has a concept called 정 that emphasizes emotional bonds, and asking 여기가 어디예요? to a local often leads to the stranger giving you a long tour of the area rather than just a direction.
- In dramatic Korean cinema or TV shows, a character waking up from unconsciousness often says 여기가 어디지? This uses the -지 ending to indicate they are talking to themselves.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요. 여기는 어디인가요? 여기는 광화문입니다.Hello. Where is this? This is Gwanghwamun.
- 여기가 어디입니까? 여기는 서울역입니다.Where is this? This is Seoul Station.
- 여긴 어디야? 여긴 강남이야.Where is this? This is Gangnam.
- 여기 어딘데? 여기는 홍대야.Where is this? This is Hongdae.
- 여기가 어디예요?yeogiga eodiyeyo?Where is this place?
- 지도를 봤는데, 여기가 어디예요?jidoreul bwatneunde, yeogiga eodiyeyo?I looked at the map, but where is this?
- 죄송하지만, 여기가 어디예요?joesonghajiman, yeogiga eodiyeyo?Excuse me, but where is this?
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon get off at the wrong subway station.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨, 여기가 어디예요?Seoyeon ssi, yeogiga eodiyeyo?Seoyeon, where is this?
- 서연 Seo-yeon잠시만요, 지도를 볼게요.jamsimanyo, jidoreul bolgeyo.Hold on, let me look at the map.
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리가 내릴 곳이 아니에요.uriga naeril gosi anieyo.This isn't where we were supposed to get off.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요. 다시 돌아가야 해요.majayo. dasi doragaya haeyo.You're right. We have to go back.
