누가 알아
nuga ara
In Korean, "who knows" is translated as 누가 알아 (nuga ara).
This phrase is used as a rhetorical question to express that one doesn't know.
Meaning: rhetorical question: one doesn't know (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 누가 (who) and 알아 (knows/know).
Which one should you use?
You can use 누가 알겠어 to add the presumptive suffix -겠-, which more strongly conveys the rhetorical nuance of "who could possibly know?" Alternatively, you can use 아는 사람 있어? to say "Is there someone who knows?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite way to say "Who knows" in formal situations, use 누가 아시겠어요.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite for use with strangers or elders, you can add the suffix -요 to the end, resulting in 누가 알아요.
How do you pronounce it?
nuga ara
Did you know?
- The word 누가 in this phrase is a homonym with the word for 'nougat' in Korean. While the phrase means 'who knows', the same sound refers to the French confection made of nuts and honey.
- If you want to sound more skeptical or dismissive when saying 'who knows', you might use a sharper, more downward intonation on the final syllable of 누가 알아.
- Because Korean is a high-context language, omitting the subject entirely and just saying 알아? can sometimes function as 'who knows?' depending on the conversational flow.
Examples in context
- 누가 알아?Who knows?This sentence shows how to use the phrase 누가 알아 as a question.Tatoeba #8363292 by Eunhee, translation #276369 by CK
- 전혀 모르겠습니다I have no idea.
- 내일 날씨가 어떨지 누가 알아?naeil nalssiga eotteolji nuga ara?Who knows how the weather will be tomorrow?
- 그 일이 어떻게 될지 누가 알아.geu iri eotteoke doelji nuga ara.Who knows how that matter will turn out.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are discussing their future plans.
- 민준 Min-jun우리가 나중에 다시 만날 수 있을까?uriga najunge dasi mannall su isseulkka?Will we be able to meet again later?
- 서연 Seo-yeon누가 알아? 미래는 알 수 없잖아.nuga ara? miraeneun al su eopjana.Who knows? We can't know the future.
- 민준 Min-jun그래도 희망을 버리면 안 돼.geuraedo huimangeul beorimyeon an dwae.Still, we shouldn't give up hope.
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 민준아. 힘내자.eung, minjuna. himnaeja.Yes, Minjun. Let's stay strong.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 누가, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
