Language/Korean/Grammar/Question-Words

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Korean Grammar → Sentence Building → Question Words

As a Korean language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to teach you about interrogative words in Korean. Question words are essential in building conversations and expanding your vocabulary. In this lesson, you will learn how to form questions and give answers using common question words.

Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: How to Use Be & Comparatives and Superlatives.

Interrogative Words

Interrogative words are also known as question words. In Korean, these words start with '어떻게' (eotteohge), '어디' (eodi), '언제' (eonje), '누가' (nuga), '뭐' (mwo), '어떤' (eotteon), '왜' (wae), '몇' (myeot), and '어느' (eoneu). Memorizing these question words will help you communicate effectively in Korean.

Where

'Where' in Korean translates to '어디' (eodi). You can use the following sentences to ask where something is or where to do something:

• 여기서 어디에 가나요? (Yeogiseo eodi-e ganayo?) - Where can I go from here?
• 공항은 어디 있나요? (Gonghang-eun eodi innayo?) - Where is the airport?
• 어디에서 식사하나요? (Eodieseo Siksa hanayo?) - Where will we eat?

Use the table below to learn additional words related to location:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
집	jip	house
건물	geonmul	building
학교	haggyo	school
카페	kape	cafe
영화관	yeonghwagwan	movie theater

When

Asking about time or duration, you can use the word '언제' (eonje). Here are some examples:

• 언제랑 약속 있어요? (Eonjelang Yaksok Isseoyo?) - When do you have an appointment?
• 언제 시작합니까? (Eonje Sijakhapnikka?) - When does it start?
• 몇 시에 가나요? (Myeot sie ganayo?) - What time will you go?

Use the table below to learn additional words related to time:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
오전	ojeon	a.m
오후	ohu	p.m
이따	idda	later
어제	eoje	yesterday
내일	naeil	tomorrow

Who

The word for 'who' in Korean is '누가' (nuga). Here are some examples:

• 누가 거기 있어요? (Nuga Geogi Isseoyo?) - Who is there?
• 누가 이겼어요? (Nuga Igyeosseoyo?) - Who won?
• 누가 오늘 밤에 올 거예요? (Nuga Oneul Bame Ol Goyeyo?) - Who will come tonight?

Use the table below to learn additional words related to people:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
친구	chingu	friend
가족	gajok	family
선배	seonbae	senior
후배	hubae	junior
교수	gyosu	professor

Why

Asking about the reason, you can use the word '왜' (wae). Here are some examples:

• 왜 울고 있어요? (Wae Ulgo Isseoyo?) - Why are you crying?
• 왜 안 가나요? (Wae An Ganayo?) - Why aren't you going?
• 내일 오후에 왜 일 못 해요? (Naeil Ohue Wae Il Mot Haeyo?) - Why can't you work tomorrow afternoon?

Use the table below to learn additional words related to reasons:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
이유	iyu	reason
결과	gyehoe	result
문제	munje	problem
해결	haegyeol	solution
평균	pyeongjun	average

How

Asking about the method or manner, you can use the word '어떻게' (eotteohge). Here are some examples:

• 어떻게 공부하고 있나요? (Eotteohge Gongbu Hago Innayo?) - How are you studying?
• 어떻게 말하나요? (Eotteohge Malhanayo?) - How do you say (this)?
• 오늘 밤에 어떻게 즐기실 건가요? (Oneul Bame Eotteohge Jeulgissil Geongayo?) - How will you enjoy tonight?

Use the table below to learn additional words related to manner:

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Korean Alphabets

• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Korean Pronunciation
• Subject and Object Markers

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself
• Family and Friends

  ---

Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

  ---

Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

  ---

Daily Routine

• Daily Activities
• Means of Transportation
• Weather and Seasons

  ---

Korean Pop Culture

• Korean Dramas
• Korean Music
• Korean Cinema

  ---

Describing People and Things

• Describing People
• Describing Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks
• Cooking and Recipes

  ---

Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

  ---

Verb Tenses

• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

  ---

Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

  ---

Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Connectors
• Conditional Sentences

  ---

Health and Body

• Body Parts
• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Nature

• Korean National Parks
• Korean Folk Villages
• Korean Eco-Friendly Practices

Other Lessons

• Give your Opinion
• Connectors
• Korean Pronunciation
• Describing Things
• Nouns
• Gender
• Describing People
• Conjunctions
• Plurals
• Questions

Sources

• Korean Question Words - Vocabulary for Asking Questions
• How To Ask Questions In Korean: 3 Easy Ways - Ling App
• Lesson 21: Asking Questions in Korean: Why, When, Where, Who

◀️ Basic Verb Conjugation — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Connecting Verbs ▶️