내가 누구야
Naega nuguya
The English phrase "who am I" is translated into Korean as 내가 누구야 (Naega nuguya).
This phrase is used as a question when a person is asking about their own identity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 내가 (I – subject form) and 누구야 (who – informal/casual form).
Which one should you use?
While 내가 누구야 is used for casual speech, you should use 제가 누구예요 for polite or formal speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 내가 누구야 is informal and used in casual settings with friends or people younger than you. For a polite or formal way to ask this, use 저는 누구입니까? or the polite form 제가 누구예요.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite, change the subject to 제가 and the verb ending to 누구예요.
How do you pronounce it?
Naega nuguya
Did you know?
- While 내가 is now the common way to say 'I' in this phrase, its origins can be traced back to the Sino-Korean word 來駕, which historically related to the arrival of a carriage.
- If you use the informal 누구야 with a stranger or a boss, it can sound unintentionally aggressive or even confrontational. The verb ending carries much more social weight than the English 'am' does.
- Because Korean often omits the subject, if you are in a conversation and someone asks 'Who is it?', you might hear just 누구야? without the 'I' being explicitly mentioned at all.
Examples in context
- 형, 나는 누구지?Brother, who am I?
- 내가 누구야, 진짜 모르겠어.naega nuguya, jinjja moreugesseo.Who am I, I really don't know.
Example conversation
Dohyun is acting confused in a role-playing game.
- 도현 Do-hyeon내가 누구야?naega nuguya?Who am I?
- 지은 Ji-eun너는 이 게임의 주인공이야.neoneun i geim-ui juingong-iya.You are the main character of this game.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말? 내가 누구야?jeongmal? naega nuguya?Really? Who am I?
- 지은 Ji-eun도현아, 정신 좀 차려.Dohyun-ah, jeongsin jom charyeo.Dohyun, snap out of it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내가, CC BY-SA 4.0.
