왜 그랬어요?
wae geuraesseoyo?
The English phrase "why did you do that?" is translated into Korean as 왜 그랬어요? (wae geuraesseoyo?)
This phrase is used to ask for the reason behind someone's past action. Depending on the speaker's tone, it can be used to seek a genuine reason or to express shock or disapproval.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 왜 (why) and 그랬어요 (the past tense of 'to do so/to be like that').
Which one should you use?
The form 왜 그랬어요? uses the past tense to ask about a completed action, whereas the present tense form 왜 그래요? Asks "why are you being like that?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the question more respectful when addressing an elder or superior, you can add the honorific marker '시' to create the polite form 왜 그러셨어요?
How do you pronounce it?
wae geuraesseoyo?
Did you know?
- The word 왜 has a completely different meaning depending on its pronunciation and Hanja. While it is the common question 'why', when pronounced with a different sense, it can refer to 'Japan' or 'Japanese' in certain historical contexts.
- In very informal settings among close friends, you might drop the 요 and simply say 왜 그랬어? Using the full polite version 왜 그랬어요? with a close friend might actually make you sound cold or distant.
- If you ask 왜 그랬어요? with a rising intonation and a soft tone, you might sound like you are comforting someone who is upset. However, a sharp, falling tone can immediately turn the phrase into a confrontation or an accusation.
Examples in context
- 왜 그랬냐?Dude, why did you do that?
- 갑자기 왜 그랬어요?gapjagi wae geuraesseoyo?Why did you do that so suddenly?
- 그때 왜 그랬어요?geuttae wae geuraesseoyo?Why did you do that then?
- 도대체 왜 그랬어요?dodaeche wae geuraesseoyo?Why on earth did you do that?
Example conversation
Seoyeon asks Hyunwoo about a mistake he made during a game.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 아까 왜 그랬어요?Hyunwoo-ssi, akka wae geuraesseoyo?Hyunwoo, why did you do that just now?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo실수였어요. 미안해요.silsuyeosseoyo. mianhaeyo.It was a mistake. I am sorry.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 왜 그랬어요?jeongmal wae geuraesseoyo?Really, why did you do that?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo너무 긴장했어요.neomu ginjanghaesseoyo.I was too nervous.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 왜, CC BY-SA 4.0.
