어디 출신인지
eodi chulsin-inji
In Korean, "where you are from" is expressed as 어디 출신인지 (eodi chulsin-inji).
This phrase refers to the place where a person was born or grew up, focusing on their background or origin.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 어디 (where), 출신 (origin/background) and the connective -인지 (whether it is).
Which one should you use?
While 어디 출신인지 focuses on a person's background or origin, the phrase 어디서 왔어요? focuses more on the immediate place of arrival or travel.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 어디 출신인지 functions as a noun clause used within a larger sentence, such as 어디 출신인지 물어봤어요 (I asked where you are from).
How do you pronounce it?
eodi chulsin-inji
What mistakes should you avoid?
When asking the question directly to someone, do not use the noun clause 어디 출신인지. Instead, use the polite form 어디 출신이세요? to ask "Where are you from?"
Did you know?
- In Korean, when asking about someone's origin, you might often find that people answer with the name of their university or high school rather than their birth city.
- The word 출신 (origin) shares its Hanja roots with words used to describe 'departing' or 'leaving' a place, implying a person has 'departed' from their starting point.
- While 어디 출신인지 identifies a person's origins, using the word 출신 can sometimes feel like you are categorizing someone by their social status or school background rather than just their hometown.
Examples in context
- 저는 서울에서 왔습니다.I am from Seoul.
- 저는 도쿄에서 왔어요.I am from Tokyo.
- 한국에서 왔어.I am from Korea.
- 독일 출신이야.I'm from Germany.
- 나는 부산에서 왔어.I am from Busan.
- 나는 대전에서 왔어.I am from Daejeon.
- 나는 충청도에서께 왔어.I am from Chungcheong Province (Chungcheong dialect).
- 고향은 부산이야.My hometown is Busan.
- 그분이 어디 출신인지 궁금해요.geubuni eodi chulsininji gunggeumhaeyo.I am curious about where he is from.
- 그녀가 어디 출신인지 아세요?geunyeoga eodi chulsininji aseyo?Do you know where she is from?
- 어디 출신인지 말씀해 주실 수 있나요?eodi chulsininji malsseumhae jusil su innayo?Could you tell me where you are from?
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are meeting for the first time at a social gathering.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 혹시 어디 출신인지 물어봐도 될까요?Seoyeon ssi, hoksi eodi chulsininji mureobwado doelkkayo?Seoyeon, may I ask where you are from?
- 서연 Seo-yeon저는 부산 출신이에요.Jeoneun Busan chulsinieyo.I am from Busan.
- 민준 Min-jun아, 부산이군요! 정말 멋진 곳이에요.A, Busaningunyo! Jeongmal meotjin go-s-ieyo.Ah, Busan! That is a really wonderful place.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨는 어디 출신이에요?Minjun s-si-neun eodi chulsinieyo?Where are you from, Minjun?
