어느
eoneu[ʌ̹nɯ]
To say which in Korean, use 어느 (eoneu). It comes before a noun to ask about one choice from a set, as in which jacket.
어느 is used to select one item from a specific set of options.
Meaning: (interrogative) what, of those mentioned or implied (det)
Which one should you use?
어느 asks which one of a known set, while 어떤 asks about the nature or type of something, meaning what kind of.
How does it change in a sentence?
어느 always comes before a noun. To say which one on its own without a following noun, use 어느 것.
How do you pronounce it?
어느 is romanized as eoneu.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 어느 on its own as a pronoun. Add a noun after it or say 어느 것.
Did you know?
- The word 어느 was first recorded in the Yongbi eocheon'ga in 1447, one of the first works written using the Korean alphabet.
- The Korean language distinguishes between asking for a specific member of a group using 어느 and asking for a general category using 어떤. This means a Korean speaker is mentally categorizing the answer as a 'choice' versus a 'description'.
- In casual spoken Korean, the phrase 어느 것을 is almost always contracted to 어느 걸. This is particularly common in shopping contexts when pointing at multiple items.
Examples in context
- 어느 자켓이 톰 꺼야?Which jacket is Tom's?어느 자켓 means which jacket, with 어느 placed directly before the noun.Tatoeba #11104808 by intertime, translation #6659652 by CK
- 어느 걸 사면 좋을 지 몰랐다.I didn't know which one would be good to buy.어느 걸 means which one, a casual way of saying which thing to buy.Tatoeba #3677092 by ssuss32, translation #3953982 by KoreanBeaver
- 너는 어느 그룹에 들어가고 싶어?Which group do you want to join?어느 그룹 means which group.Tatoeba #8306523 by ljj, translation #69853 by CK
- 어느 사과를 골라야 할까요?Which apple should I choose?
- 어느 건물에 살고 계세요?In which building do you live?
- 어떤 영화가 더 재밌을까?Which movie is more fun?
- 어떤 색깔이 제일 좋아?Which color do you like the most?
- 어떠한 방법을 사용하면 더 효과적일까요?What method would be more effective?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are looking at a menu at a restaurant.
- 서연 Seo-yeon어느 메뉴가 제일 맛있어?eoneu menyuga jeil masisseo?Which menu item is the most delicious?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo여기 비빔밥이 아주 유명해.yeogi bibimbabi aju yumyeonghae.The bibimbap here is very famous.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 그거로 주문할게.geureom geugeoro jumunhalge.Then I will order that one.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋은 선택이야, 서연아.joeun seontaegiya, Seoyeona.That's a good choice, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “which” translations and entries 어느, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 어느, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
