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vocabulary:
nouns:
- ko: 소식
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v1.mp3
en: news
notes: |
This word does not mean the "news" that you see on TV. Rather, it is the word to describe a piece of information, that we often call "news" in English.
examples:
- ko: 나쁜 **소식**이 있어요
en: There is some bad **news**
- ko: 좋은 **소식**을 들었어요?
en: Did you hear the good **news**?
- ko: 저는 그 **소식**을 듣고 충격을 받았어요
en: I was shocked when I heard the **news**
- ko: 우리 딸이 애기를 낳을 거라는 **소식**을 들었을 때 저는 기쁨에 취했어요
en: I was filled with joy when I heard the **news** that my daughter will be having a baby
- ko: 엄마
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v2.mp3
en: mom
notes: This is a shortened form of the word "어머니"
examples:
- ko: "**엄마**도 올 거야?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-7.mp3
en: Will **mom** come too?
- ko: 저의 **엄마**는 고양이가 있어요
en: "**Mom** has a cat"
- ko: "**엄마**는 우리를 위해 점심을 집에서 만들 거예요"
en: "**Mom** will make lunch for us at home"
- ko: "**아들**은 **엄마**를 위해 박스를 들었어요"
en: The son carried the box for his **mother**
- ko: 저는 **엄마**랑 밥을 먹으러 갔어요
en: I went to go eat with (my) **mom**
- ko: 제가 어렸을 때는 **엄마**가 매일 도시락을 싸 줬어요
en: When I was young, my **mom** packed a lunch box for me everyday
- ko: 아빠
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v3.mp3
en: dad
notes: This is a shortened form of the word "아버지"
examples:
- ko: 우리 **아빠**가 최고예요
en: Our/my **dad** is the best!
- ko: 저는 **아빠**의 죽음을 잊지 않았어요
en: I didn't forget the death of my **father**
- ko: 우리 **아빠**는 저것을 싫어할 것 같아
en: "**Dad** will probably not like that"
- ko: "**아빠**가 돈을 이미 냈을 것 같아요"
en: "**Dad** probably already paid"
- ko: "**아빠**가 낚시하러 갔어요?"
en: Did **dad** go fishing?
- ko: 애기를 보자마자 **아빠**는 애기를 안기 위해 팔을 벌렸어요
en: The **father** opened up his arms to hug the baby as soon as he saw it
- ko: 결혼식
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v4.mp3
en: wedding
notes: |
Usually, by adding 식 to the end of a noun in Korean, the noun turns into some sort of a ceremony.
결혼 + 식 = marriage ceremony (wedding)
examples:
- ko: "**결혼식**은 언제예요?"
en: When is the **wedding**?
- ko: 저는 그들에게 **결혼식**에 갈 거냐고 물어봤어요
en: I asked if they were going to the **wedding**
- ko: 저는 한국의 형식적인 **결혼식**을 별로 좋아하지 않아요
en: I don't really like Korean style **weddings**
- ko: 우리는 **결혼식**의 날짜를 아직 안 정했어요
en: We still haven't set a date for the **wedding**
- ko: 우리가 한국 전통 **결혼식**을 할 거예요
en: We will have a traditional Korean **wedding**
- ko: 우표
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v5.mp3
en: postage stamp
examples:
- ko: 저는 어렸을 때부터 **우표**를 모았어요
en: I have collected **stamps** ever since I was young
- ko: 신
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v6.mp3
en: god
examples:
- ko: 옛날에 그리스인들은 여러 가지의 **신**을 믿었어요
en: A long time ago, Greek people believed in a variety of **gods**
- ko: 만화
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v7.mp3
en: comics, cartoons
examples:
- ko: 아이들은 **만화**영화를 매우 좋아해요
en: Children really like **animated** movies
- ko: 그 **만화**책은 성인들에게 인기가 많아요
en: That **comic** book is popular among adults
- ko: 만화책
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v8.mp3
en: comic book
examples:
- ko: "**만화책**을 좋아합니까?"
en: Do you like **comic books**?
- ko: "**만화책**을 왜 좋아합니까?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-35.mp3
en: Why do you like **comic books**?
- ko: 일본에서 성인들은 미국 청소년보다 **만화책**을 더 많이 읽어요
en: In Japan, adults read more **comic books** than kids do in America
- ko: 예정
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v9.mp3
en: schedule
notes: |
See Lesson 50 for more information.
examples:
- ko: 우리가 내일 도착할 **예정**이에요
en: We are **scheduled** to arrive tomorrow
- ko: 저는 내일의 **예정**을 바꿨어요
en: I changed tomorrow's **schedule**
- ko: 수업이 4시쯤에 시작될 **예정**이에요
en: The class is **scheduled** to start at about 4:00pm
- ko: 그녀는 이번 달에 애기를 낳을 **예정**이에요
en: She is **scheduled** to give birth this month
- ko: 비행기가 9시에 출발할 **예정**이지만 눈이 많이 와서 못 출발할 것 같아요
en: The plane is **scheduled** to depart at 9:00, but it probably won't because it is snowing a lot
- ko: 우리가 제주도에 내일 갈 **예정**인데 태풍이 와서 갈 수 있는지 없는지 모르겠어요
en: We are **scheduled** to go to Jeju tomorrow, but because of the typhoon we might not be able to go
- ko: 오늘 삼성과 두산은 이번 시즌 우승을 위한 마지막 승패를 다툴 **예정**입니다
en: Today, Samsung and Doosan (the sponsoring companies of two baseball teams in Korea) are **scheduled** to fight/compete (in the last game) for this season's title
- ko: 코딱지
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v10.mp3
en: booger, a small amount of something
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "코딱찌"
코딱지만큼 is an idiom to say something is really small, for example:
- 아빠가 코딱지만큼 먹었어요 = Dad only ate a little bit!
examples:
- ko: 아빠가 **코딱지만큼** 먹었어요
en: Dad only ate **a little bit**!
- ko: "**코딱지**를 먹지 마세요!"
en: Don't eat your **boogers**!
- ko: 아주머니는 저한테 고기를 **코딱지**만큼 줬어요
en: The lady only gave me a **small amount** of meat
- ko: 논
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v11.mp3
en: rice paddy
examples:
- ko: 한국에서 **논**이 진짜 예뻐요
en: "**Rice paddies** in Korea are really beautiful"
- ko: 낮잠 (자다)
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v12.mp3
en: nap
notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "낟짬"
examples:
- ko: 저는 오늘 오후에 **낮잠**을 잤어요
en: I took a **nap** in the afternoon today
- ko: 낮잠을 **언제** 잤어요?
en: "**When** did you take a nap?"
- ko: 애기들이 다 **낮잠** 자고 있어요
en: All the babies are taking a **nap**
- ko: 나는 사자를 보는 게 무서웠지만 어쨌든 우리는 사자가 있는 곳에 도착했다. 하지만 사자는 **낮잠**을 자고 있었다.
en: I was afraid of seeing the lions, but, at any rate, we arrived at the place where the lions were. However, the lions were taking a **nap**.
- ko: 의견
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v13.mp3
en: opinion, feedback
examples:
- ko: 저는 **의견**을 말할 기회가 아직 없어요
en: I still haven't had a chance to say my **opinion**
- ko: 저의 **의견**을 설명했지만 그 사람들이 제 말에 동의하지 않았어요
en: Even though I explained my **opinion**, they didn't agree with what I said
- ko: 이 **의견**에 대해 찬성을 하는 사람은 손을 들어 주세요
en: People in agreement about this **opinion**, please raise your hands
verbs:
- ko: 사라지다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v16.mp3
en: to disappear
examples:
- ko: 어느 겨울 꽃이 다 **사라졌다**
en: Some winter, all the flowers **disappeared**
- ko: 부부는 어둠으로 **사라졌어요**
en: The couple **disappeared** into the darkness
- ko: 토끼가 어두운 숲으로 **사라졌어요**
en: The rabbit **disappeared** into the dark forest
- ko: 저의 돈을 훔치고 범죄자들은 어둠으로 **사라졌어요**
en: The criminals **disappeared** into the darkness after stealing my money
- ko: 무대 위에서 노래를 부를 때마다 저의 걱정과 고민은 모두 **사라져요**
en: Whenever I sing on stage all of my worries and fears **disappear**
- ko: 지구 기온이 점점 오르면서 한국에서 사계절이 **사라진대요**
en: As the global temperatures gradually increase, they say that the "four seasons" in Korea is **disappearing**
- ko: 졸업하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v17.mp3
en: to graduate
notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "조러파다"
examples:
- ko: "**졸업**을 언제 했어요?"
en: When did you **graduate**?
- ko: "어느 대학교를 **졸업했어요**?"
en: Which university did you **graduate** from?
- ko: 저는 10년 전에 서울대학교를 **졸업했어요**
en: I **graduated** from Seoul University 10 years ago
- ko: 아들이 대학교를 **졸업해서** 우리는 축하를 해야 돼요
en: Now that our son has **graduated** from University, we need to congratulate him
- ko: 캐나다에서는 간호대학을 **졸업하자마자** 간호사 일자리를 잡을 수 있어요
en: In Canada, as soon as you **graduate** from nursing school/college, you can find a position as a nurse
- ko: 입원하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v18.mp3
en: to check into a hospital
notes: |
This often translates to "enter a hospital," but it actually used to say that one enters a hospital, and then gets admitted. You would not use this word if you enter a hospital to visit somebody or to do some other task there.
examples:
- ko: 어제 병원에 **입원했나요**?
en: Did you **go to/get admitted to the hospital** yesterday?
- ko: 할머니는 어제 아파서 **입원했어요**
en: Grandma **checked into the hospital** yesterday because she was sick
- ko: 저희 엄마는 어제 길에서 미끄러져서 병원에 **입원했어요**
en: Yesterday our mom slipped on the road and **went got admitted to the hospital**
- ko: 퇴원하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v19.mp3
en: to check out of a hospital
notes: |
The opposite of 입원하다, this is not used to indicate that you leave a hospital. It is used when somebody has completed their treatment and is okay to leave the hospital.
examples:
- ko: "언제 **퇴원할** 수 있어요?"
en: When will you be able to **leave the hospital**?
- ko: 이기다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v20.mp3
en: to win/to win against
notes: |
In English the words "beat" and "win" are slightly different. However, in Korean, 이기다 is used for both of these words.
examples:
- ko: 우리는 다른 팀을 농구경기에서 **이겼어요**
en: We **beat** the other team in the basketball game
- ko: 우리는 3대 2로 경기를 **이겼어요**
en: We **won** the game 3 to 2
- ko: 우리는 좋은 공격으로 그 팀을 **이겼어요**
en: We **beat** that team using good offense
- ko: 저는 형이랑 싸움에서 **이겼어요**
en: I **won** in a fight with my brother
- ko: 지다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v21.mp3
en: to lose
examples:
- ko: 우리는 결국 마지막 경기에서 **졌어요**
en: We ended up **losing** in the last game
- ko: 후회하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v22.mp3
en: to regret
examples:
- ko: 저는 그것을 말한 것을 **후회해요**
en: I **regret** saying that
- ko: 그는 자기 차를 팔고 **후회했어요**
en: He **regrets** selling his car
- ko: 타다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v23.mp3
en: to ride
notes: |
타다 is another one of those verbs that has so many meanings depending on the situation. One of the most common meanings, however, is to "ride." It can be used in a wide variety of situations where you are on something that is moving (boat, horse, taxi, subway, elevator, bus)
examples:
- ko: 저는 서울역에서 버스를 **탔어요**
en: I **got on** the bus at Seoul station
- ko: 나는 벌써 지하철을 **타고** 있어
en: I am already **riding** the subway
- ko: 급행 열차가 도착하자마자 사람들이 무리하게 **탔어요**
en: As soon as the express train arrived, people **got on** excessively
- ko: 임산부가 전철을 **탔다가** 자리가 없어서 전철에서 내렸어요
en: The pregnant woman **got on** the subway, and because there was no seat, she got off
- ko: 이 놀이기구를 **타고** 싶은데 키 제한이 있어서 저는 못 **탔어요**
en: I wanted to **go on** that ride, but because there was a height restriction, I couldn't **ride** it
adjectives:
- ko: 즐겁다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v24.mp3
en: to be pleasant
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "즐겁따"
즐겁다 follows the ㅂ irregular
examples:
- ko: 날씨가 좋아서 산책하는 것은 **즐거워요**
en: It is **pleasant** go to for a walk because the weather is so nice
- ko: 고등학교 때는 같이 있는 것이 재미있었고 학교 가는 게 **즐거웠었는데**!
en: It was very fun being together during high school time, and I **enjoyed** going to school (High school was very fun).
- ko: 여전히 친구를 만나니 **즐겁고** 행복하다.
en: I am happy and **enjoying** myself because I am still meeting my friends.
- ko: 부족하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v25.mp3
en: to not be enough, to be lacking
examples:
- ko: 그 사람의 말은 항상 진실성이 **부족해요**
en: That person's words always **lack** sincerity
- ko: 그 사람은 참을성이 **부족해서** 못 기다렸어요
en: That person is **not** patient (**lacks** patience), so he could not wait
- ko: 밧줄의 길이가 너무 **부족하다고** 했어요
en: I said that the length of this rope is **not enough (insufficient)**
- ko: 시간이 **부족**해서 모든 내용을 가르칠 수 없어요
en: I can't teach all the material because there is a **lack of** time
- ko: 돈이 **부족해**서 그것을 살 수 있는지 없는지 모르겠어요
en: I don't know if I can buy that or not because I **don't have enough** money
- ko: 시간이 **부족해**서 우리는 계획을 변경해 야 돼요
en: We need to change the plans because of the **lack** of time
- ko: 삼성이 이 축제를 후원해서 돈이 **부족할** 리가 없어요
en: Samsung is sponsoring this event, so there is no way money can **run out**
- ko: 간단하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v26.mp3
en: to be simple
examples:
- ko: 저는 학생들한테 그것을 **간단히** 설명했어요
en: I explained it **simply** to the students
- ko: 한번 머리를 염색해 보니까 염색이 생각만큼 **간단하지** 않다는 걸 알게 됐다
en: Now that I have tried/attempted to dye my hair, I realize/can assert that doing so is not as **simple** as one thinks
adverbs:
- ko: 누구
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v27.mp3
en: who
notes: |
When used as the subject of a sentence, 누구 changes to 누가.
examples:
- ko: "**누가** 내일 한국어를 공부할 거야?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-65.mp3
en: "**Who** will study Korean tomorrow?"
- ko: 왜
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v28.mp3
en: why
examples:
- ko: 만화책을 **왜** 좋아합니까?
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-35.mp3
en: "**Why** do you like comic books?"
- ko: 한국어를 **왜** 공부하고 있어요?
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-36.mp3
en: "**Why** are you studying Korean?"
- ko: "**왜** 너무 빨리 먹었어요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-37.mp3
en: "**Why** did you eat so fast?"
- ko: 어제 학교에 **왜** 안 갔어요?
en: "**Why** didn't you go to school yesterday?"
- ko: 언제
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v29.mp3
en: when
notes: |
Particles like ~부터 and ~까지, which are often used to indicate from/until when something happens can be attached to 언제 to indicate that it is unknown "from/until when" something happens.
언제 can also be attached to "이다" to ask "when" something is. In these cases as well, it replaces the noun that would normally be attached to 이다. For example:
- "결혼식은 언제야?" = "When is the wedding?"
This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video 5.
<YouTube id="wMRfpE9JdUo" />
examples:
- ko: 집에 **언제** 갔어?
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-40.mp3
en: "**When** did you go home?"
- ko: 집에 **언제** 갈 거야?
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-41.mp3
en: "**When** will you go home?"
- ko: 그 여자가 **언제** 사라졌어요?
en: "**When** did that girl disappear?"
- ko: 낮잠을 **언제** 잤어요?
en: "**When** did you take a nap?"
- ko: 아빠가 **언제** 왔나요?
en: "**When** did dad come?"
- ko: "**언제부터** 아팠어요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-45.mp3
en: "**Since when** have you been sick?"
- ko: 한국에서 **언제까지** 있을 거예요?
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-46.mp3
en: "**Until when** will you be in Korea?"
- ko: "**언제부터** 한국어를 공부했어요?"
en: "**Since when** have you been studying Korean?"
- ko: "결혼식은 **언제야**?"
en: "**When** is the wedding?"
- ko: "방학은 **언제야**?"
en: "**When** is vacation?"
- ko: 어디
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v30.mp3
en: where
notes: |
The particle ~까지 is commonly attached to 어디. ~부터 is not commonly attached to 어디 for the same reason that ~부터 is not commonly attached to a place, as described in Lesson 12.
Like 언제, it can also be used as the noun before 이다 to ask where something "is." For example: "어디야?" = "Where are you?" This is really only done when speaking to a person, and you are asking him/her directly where he/she is. When asking where another person, or another thing is, it is more natural to use 있다 in the sentence.
This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video 5.
<YouTube id="wMRfpE9JdUo" />
examples:
- ko: "**어디** 가고 싶어요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-50.mp3
en: "**Where** do you want to go?"
- ko: "**어디** 살아요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-51.mp3
en: "**Where** do you live?"
- ko: 그것을 **어디**서 하고 싶어요?
en: "**Where** do you want to do that?"
- ko: "**어디**에서 왔어요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-53.mp3
en: "**Where** are you from (from where did you come?)"
- ko: "**어디까지** 가고 싶어요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-54.mp3
en: "**How far/until where** do you want to go?"
- ko: 지하철을 **어디까지** 탈 거예요?
en: "**Until where** will we ride the subway?"
- ko: 친구가 **어디**에 있어요?
en: "**Where** is your friend?"
- ko: 엄마가 **어디**에 있어요?
en: "**Where** is mom?"
- ko: 펜이 **어디**에 있어요?
en: "**Where** is the pen?"
- ko: 역시
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v31.mp3
en: also
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "역씨"
Similar to the particle ~도. However, 역시 does not get added directly to nouns.
역시 also gets placed as an adverb in sentences for feeling when the speaker says something that is "as expected."
examples:
- ko: 나 **역시** 수학을 좋아하지 않아
en: I **also** don't like math
- ko: 몇몇
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v34.mp3
en: some
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "면멷"
Usually placed before a word meaning "people" to mean "some \_\_\_\_"
examples:
- ko: "**몇몇** 사람들은 밥을 좋아하지 않아"
en: "**Some** people don't like rice"
- ko: 벌써
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v36.mp3
en: already/earlier than expected
notes: |
벌써 can be used to indicate that one action has "already" happened. These actions are usually finished when then speaker uses "벌써."
It can also be used to indicate that an action happens earlier than expected. These actions don't have to be finished for the speaker to use 벌써.
examples:
- ko: 저는 그 사실을 **벌써** 알고 있었어요
en: I **already** knew that fact
- ko: 내가 밥을 **벌써** 먹어서 지금 먹고 싶지 않아
en: Because I **already** ate, I don't want to eat now
- ko: "**벌써** 나갈 거야?"
en: You are **already** leaving?
- ko: "학교가 **벌써** 끝났어요?"
en: School is **already** finished?
- ko: 이미
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v37.mp3
en: already
notes: |
이미 can replace 벌써 in the first usage described above, but not the second one. That is, it can be used to indicate that one action has "already" happened.
examples:
- ko: 저는 그 사실을 **이미** 알고 있었어요
en: I **already** knew that fact
- ko: 내가 밥을 **이미** 먹어서 지금 먹고 싶지 않아
en: Because I **already** ate, I don't want to eat now
- ko: 저는 **이미** 여자 친구가 있어요
en: I **already** have a girlfriend
- ko: 아빠가 돈을 **이미** 낸 것 같아요
en: It seems like dad **already** paid
- ko: 부장님이 그 일을 **이미** 다 한 것 같아요
en: It seems like the boss **already** did all that work
- ko: 특히
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v38.mp3
en: especially, particularly
examples:
- ko: 학생들은 그 선생님을 **특히** 좋아해요
en: Students **especially** like that teacher
- ko: 저는 **특히** 오른발이 왼발보다 커서 신발을 살 때 불편해요
en: My right foot is **particularly** larger than my left foot, so it is hard for me to buy shoes
- ko: 하지만 시간이 흐르면서 나는 점점 더 외로움을 느꼈다. **특히** 친하게 지냈던 친구들이 각 자 자기 나라로 돌아가기 시작하자 더 외로움을 느꼈다.
en: But, as time when by, I gradually started to feel lonely. **Especially** as/when each of my close friends started to go back to their own countries, I felt lonelier.
- ko: "**특히** 내가 가장 좋아한 선물은 바로 분홍색 인형이었다. 그 인형은 너무 귀엽고 색깔도 예뻤다. 우리는 생일 축하 노래를 부르고, 선물을 교환하고 맛있는 음식을 먹었다."
en: My **particularly** favorite present of all was the pink doll. That doll was very cute and the color was pretty. We sang 'happy birthday,' exchanged presents and then ate delicious food.
- ko: 점점
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v39.mp3
en: gradually
examples:
- ko: 요즘에 날씨가 **점점** 추워져요
en: Lately, the weather is getting **gradually** colder
- ko: 중학생들의 치마는 **점점** 짧아지고 있어요
en: Middle school students' skirts are getting **shorter and shorter**
---
# Lesson 21: Asking Questions: Why, When, Where, Who
## Vocabulary
<VocabQuiz />
### Nouns
소식 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">news</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>소식을 듣다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to hear news</span>
- <TTS>좋은 소식</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">good news</span>
- <TTS>나쁜 소식</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">bad news</span>
Notes:
This word does not mean the “news” that you see on TV. Rather, it is the word to describe <span class="md spoiler">a piece of information</span>, that we often call “news” in English.
Example:
- 나쁜 **소식**이 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">There is some bad **news**</span>
- 좋은 **소식**을 들었어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Did you hear the good **news**?</span>
- 저는 그 **소식**을 듣고 충격을 받았어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I was shocked when I heard the **news**</span>
- 우리 딸이 애기를 낳을 거라는 **소식**을 들었을 때 저는 기쁨에 취했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I was filled with joy when I heard the **news** that my daughter will be having a baby</span>
</Details>
엄마 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">mom</span>
<Details>
Notes:
This is a shortened form of the word “<TTS>어머니</TTS>”
Example:
- **엄마**도 올 거야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Will **mom** come too?</span>
- 저의 **엄마**는 고양이가 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">**Mom** has a cat</span>
- **엄마**는 우리를 위해 점심을 집에서 만들 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">**Mom** will make lunch for us at home</span>
- 아들은 **엄마**를 위해 박스를 들었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The son carried the box for his **mother**</span>
- 저는 **엄마**랑 밥을 먹으러 갔어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I went to go eat with (my) **mom**</span>
- 제가 어렸을 때는 **엄마**가 매일 도시락을 싸 줬어요 = <span class="md spoiler">When I was young, my **mom** packed a lunch box for me everyday</span>
</Details>
아빠 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">dad</span>
<Details>
Notes:
This is a shortened form of the word “<TTS>아버지</TTS>”
Example:
- 우리 **아빠**가 최고예요 = <span class="md spoiler">Our/my **dad** is the best!</span>
- 저는 **아빠**의 죽음을 잊지 않았어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I didn’t forget the death of my **father**</span>
- 우리 **아빠**는 저것을 싫어할 것 같아 = <span class="md spoiler">**Dad** will probably not like that</span>
- **아빠**가 돈을 이미 냈을 것 같아요 = <span class="md spoiler">**Dad** probably already paid</span>
- **아빠**가 낚시하러 갔어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Did **dad** go fishing?</span>
- 애기를 보자마자 **아빠**는 애기를 안기 위해 팔을 벌렸어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The **father** opened up his arms to hug the baby as soon as he saw it</span>
</Details>
결혼식 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">wedding</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>결혼식을 치르다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to hold a wedding ceremony</span>
- <TTS>결혼식을 하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to hold a wedding ceremony</span>
Notes:
Usually, by adding 식 to the end of a noun in Korean, the noun turns into <span class="md spoiler">some sort of a ceremony</span>.
결혼 + 식 = <span class="md spoiler">marriage ceremony (wedding)</span>
Examples:
- **결혼식**은 언제예요? = <span class="md spoiler">When is the **wedding**?</span>
- 저는 그들에게 **결혼식**에 갈 거냐고 물어봤어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I asked if they were going to the **wedding**</span>
- 저는 한국의 형식적인 **결혼식**을 별로 좋아하지 않아요 = <span class="md spoiler">I don’t really like Korean style **weddings**</span>
- 우리는 **결혼식**의 날짜를 아직 안 정했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">We still haven’t set a date for the **wedding**</span>
- 우리가 한국 전통 **결혼식**을 할 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">We will have a traditional Korean **wedding**</span>
</Details>
우표 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">postage stamp</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>편지에 우표를 붙이다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to put a stamp on a letter</span>
- <TTS>우표를 모으다</TTS> / <TTS>우표를 수집하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to collect stamps</span>
Example:
- 저는 어렸을 때부터 **우표**를 모았어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I have collected **stamps** ever since I was young</span>
</Details>
신 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">god</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>식신</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">eating god – somebody who eats a lot</span>
- <TTS>신을 믿다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to believe in god</span>
Example:
- 옛날에 그리스인들은 여러 가지의 **신**을 믿었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">A long time ago, Greek people believed in a variety of **gods**</span>
</Details>
만화 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">comics, cartoons</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>만화책</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">comic book</span>
- <TTS>만화영화</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">animated movie</span>
Example:
- 아이들은 **만화**영화를 매우 좋아해요 = <span class="md spoiler">Children really like **animated** movies</span>
- 그 **만화**책은 성인들에게 인기가 많아요 = <span class="md spoiler">That **comic** book is popular among adults</span>
</Details>
만화책 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">comic book</span>
<Details>
Example:
- **만화책**을 좋아합니까? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you like **comic books**?</span>
- **만화책**을 왜 좋아합니까? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-35.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Why do you like **comic books**?</span>
- 일본에서 성인들은 미국 청소년보다 **만화책**을 더 많이 읽어요 = <span class="md spoiler">In Japan, adults read more **comic books** than kids do in America</span>
</Details>
예정 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">schedule</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- \~ㄹ/을 예정 = <span class="md spoiler">to be scheduled to do something</span> (see [Lesson 50](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-2-lower-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-2-lessons-42-50/lesson-50/ "Lesson 50: ~ㄹ/을 예정, 계획, 준비") for more information)
- <TTS>예정 대로</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">as scheduled, according to schedule</span>
Example:
- 우리가 내일 도착할 **예정**이에요 = <span class="md spoiler">We are **scheduled** to arrive tomorrow</span>
- 저는 내일의 **예정**을 바꿨어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I changed tomorrow’s **schedule**</span>
- 수업이 4시쯤에 시작될 **예정**이에요 = <span class="md spoiler">The class is **scheduled** to start at about 4:00pm</span>
- 그녀는 이번 달에 애기를 낳을 **예정**이에요 = <span class="md spoiler">She is **scheduled** to give birth this month</span>
- 비행기가 9시에 출발할 **예정**이지만 **눈**이 많이 와서 못 출발할 것 같아요 = <span class="md spoiler">The plane is **scheduled** to depart at 9:00, but it probably won’t because it is snowing a lot</span>
- 우리가 제주도에 내일 갈 **예정**인데 태풍이 와서 갈 수 있는지 없는지 모르겠어요 = <span class="md spoiler">We are **scheduled** to go to Jeju tomorrow, but because of the typhoon we might not be able to go</span>
- 오늘 삼성과 두산은 이번 시즌 우승을 위한 마지막 승패를 다툴 **예정**입니다 = <span class="md spoiler">Today, Samsung and Doosan (the sponsoring companies of two baseball teams in Korea) are **scheduled** to fight/compete (in the last game) for this season’s title</span>
</Details>
코딱지 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">booger, a small amount of something</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “코딱찌”
Common Usages:
- <TTS>코딱지만큼</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">an idiom to say something is really small</span>,
for example:
- 아빠가 **코딱지만큼** 먹었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">Dad only ate **a little bit**!</span>
Example:
- **코딱지**를 먹지 마세요! = <span class="md spoiler">Don’t eat your **boogers**!</span>
- 아주머니는 저한테 고기를 **코딱지**만큼 줬어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The lady only gave me a **small amount** of meat</span>
</Details>
논 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">rice paddy</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>논을 갈다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to plow a rice paddy</span>
Example:
- 한국에서 **논**이 진짜 예뻐요 = <span class="md spoiler">**Rice paddies** in Korea are really beautiful</span>
</Details>
&NoBreak;<TTS>낮잠</TTS> (자다) <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">nap</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “낟짬”
Common Usages:
- <TTS>낮잠을 자다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to take a nap</span>
Examples:
- 저는 오늘 오후에 **낮잠**을 잤어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I took a **nap** in the afternoon today</span>
- 낮잠을 **언제** 잤어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**When** did you take a nap?</span>
- 애기들이 다 **낮잠** 자고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">All the babies are taking a **nap**</span>
- 나는 사자를 보는 게 무서웠지만 어쨌든 우리는 사자가 있는 곳에 도착했다. 하지만 사자는 **낮잠**을 자고 있었다. = <span class="md spoiler">I was afraid of seeing the lions, but, at any rate, we arrived at the place where the lions were. However, the lions were taking a **nap**.</span>
</Details>
의견 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">opinion, feedback</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>의견을 내다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to give an opinion</span>
- <TTS>의견을 존중하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to respect an opinion</span>
- <TTS>의견을 구하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to ask for an opinion</span>
Example:
- 저는 **의견**을 말할 기회가 아직 없어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I still haven’t had a chance to say my **opinion**</span>
- 저의 **의견**을 설명했지만 그 사람들이 제 말에 동의하지 않았어요 = <span class="md spoiler">Even though I explained my **opinion**, they didn’t agree with what I said</span>
- 이 **의견**에 대해 찬성을 하는 사람은 손을 들어 주세요 = <span class="md spoiler">People in agreement about this **opinion**, please raise your hands</span>
</Details>
### Verbs
사라지다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to disappear</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>자국 없이 사라지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to disappear without a trace</span>
- <TTS>걱정이 사라지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">for worries to disappear</span>
- <TTS>눈앞에서 사라지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to disappear in-front of one’s eyes</span>
Example:
- 어느 겨울 꽃이 다 **사라졌다** = <span class="md spoiler">Some winter, all the flowers **disappeared**</span>
- 부부는 어둠으로 **사라졌어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The couple **disappeared** into the darkness</span>
- 토끼가 어두운 숲으로 **사라졌어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The rabbit **disappeared** into the dark forest</span>
- 저의 돈을 훔치고 범죄자들은 어둠으로 **사라졌어요** = <span class="md spoiler">The criminals **disappeared** into the darkness after stealing my money</span>
- 무대 위에서 노래를 부를 때마다 저의 걱정과 고민은 모두 **사라져요** = <span class="md spoiler">Whenever I sing on stage all of my worries and fears **disappear**</span>
- 지구 기온이 점점 오르면서 한국에서 사계절이 **사라진대요** = <span class="md spoiler">As the global temperatures gradually increase, they say that the “four seasons” in Korea is **disappearing**</span>
</Details>
졸업하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to graduate</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “조러파다”
Common Usages:
- <TTS>졸업생</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">a graduate</span>
- <TTS>졸업식</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">a graduation ceremony</span>
Examples:
- **졸업**을 언제 했어요? = <span class="md spoiler">When did you **graduate**?</span>
- 어느 대학교를 **졸업했어요**? = <span class="md spoiler">Which university did you **graduate** from?</span>
- 저는 10년 전에 서울대학교를 **졸업했어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **graduated** from Seoul University 10 years ago</span>
- 아들이 대학교를 **졸업해서** 우리는 축하를 해야 돼요 = <span class="md spoiler">Now that our son has **graduated** from University, we need to congratulate him</span>
- 캐나다에서는 간호대학을 **졸업하자마자** 간호사 일자리를 잡을 수 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">In Canada, as soon as you **graduate** from nursing school/college, you can find a position as a nurse</span>
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입원하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v18.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to check into a hospital</span>
<Details>
Notes:
This often translates to “enter a hospital,” but it actually used to say that one enters a hospital, and then gets admitted. You would not use this word if you enter a hospital to visit somebody or to do some other task there.
Examples:
- 어제 병원에 **입원했나요**? = <span class="md spoiler">Did you **go to/get admitted to the hospital** yesterday?</span>
- 할머니는 어제 아파서 **입원했어요** = <span class="md spoiler">Grandma **checked into the hospital** yesterday because she was sick</span>
- 저희 엄마는 어제 길에서 미끄러져서 병원에 **입원했어요** = <span class="md spoiler">Yesterday our mom slipped on the road and **went got admitted to the hospital**</span>
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퇴원하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to check out of a hospital</span>
<Details>
Notes:
The opposite of 입원하다, this is not used to indicate that you leave a hospital. It is used when somebody has <span class="md spoiler">completed their treatment</span> and is okay to leave the hospital.
Example:
- 언제 **퇴원할** 수 있어요? = <span class="md spoiler">When will you be able to **leave the hospital**?</span>
</Details>
이기다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to win/to win against</span>
<Details>
Notes:
In English the words <span class="md spoiler">“beat”</span> and <span class="md spoiler">“win”</span> are slightly different. However, in Korean, 이기다 is used for both of these words.
Example:
- 우리는 다른 팀을 농구경기에서 **이겼어요** = <span class="md spoiler">We **beat** the other team in the basketball game</span>
- 우리는 3대 2로 경기를 **이겼어요** = <span class="md spoiler">We **won** the game 3 to 2</span>
- 우리는 좋은 공격으로 그 팀을 **이겼어요** = <span class="md spoiler">We **beat** that team using good offense</span>
- 저는 형이랑 싸움에서 **이겼어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **won** in a fight with my brother</span>
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지다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to lose</span>
<Details>
Example:
- 우리는 결국 마지막 경기에서 **졌어요** = <span class="md spoiler">We ended up **losing** in the last game</span>
</Details>
후회하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to regret</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>후회 없이</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">without regrets</span>
- <TTS>행동을 후회하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to regret an action</span>
Example:
- 저는 그것을 말한 것을 **후회해요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **regret** saying that</span>
- 그는 자기 차를 팔고 **후회했어요** = <span class="md spoiler">He **regrets** selling his car</span>
</Details>
타다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to ride</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>버스를 타다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to get on/ride a bus</span>
- <TTS>전철을 타다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to get on/ride a subway/train</span>
- <TTS>엘리베이터를 타다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to get on/ride an elevator</span>
Notes:
타다 is another one of those verbs that has so many meanings depending on the situation. One of the most common meanings, however, is to “ride.” It can be used in a wide variety of situations where you are <span class="md spoiler">on something that is moving</span> (boat, horse, taxi, subway, elevator, bus)
- 저는 서울역에서 버스를 **탔어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **got on** the bus at Seoul station</span>
- &NoBreak;<TTS>나는 벌써 지하철을 **타고** 있어</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">I am already **riding** the subway</span>
- 급행 열차가 도착하자마자 사람들이 무리하게 **탔어요** = <span class="md spoiler">As soon as the express train arrived, people **got on** excessively</span>
- 임산부가 전철을 **탔다가** 자리가 없어서 전철에서 내렸어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The pregnant woman **got on** the subway, and because there was no seat, she got off</span>
- 이 놀이기구를 **타고** 싶은데 키 제한이 있어서 저는 못 **탔어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I wanted to **go on** that ride, but because there was a height restriction, I couldn’t **ride** it</span>
</Details>
### Adjectives
즐겁다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be pleasant</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “즐겁따”
즐겁다 follows the ㅂ irregular
Common Usages:
- <TTS>즐겁게</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">pleasantly</span>
Examples:
- 날씨가 좋아서 산책하는 것은 **즐거워요** = <span class="md spoiler">It is **pleasant** go to for a walk because the weather is so nice</span>
- 고등학교 때는 같이 있는 것이 재미있었고 학교 가는 게 **즐거웠었는데**! = <span class="md spoiler">It was very fun being together during high school time, and I **enjoyed** going to school (High school was very fun).</span>
- 여전히 친구를 만나니 **즐겁고** 행복하다. = <span class="md spoiler">I am happy and **enjoying** myself because I am still meeting my friends.</span>
같은 추억을 가지고 있는 친구와 여전히 친구라는 사실이 이렇게 좋은 줄은 몰랐다.
<span class="md spoiler">I didn’t know it was so good/nice to still have friends with whom I have the same (childhood) memories with.</span><br/>
<span class="md spoiler">(I am glad that I can still meet old friends with whom I share childhood memories with.)</span>
</Details>
부족하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to not be enough, to be lacking</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>돈이 부족하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be short of money</span>
- <TTS>시간이 부족하다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to be short on time</span>
Examples:
- 그 사람의 말은 항상 진실성이 **부족해요** = <span class="md spoiler">That person’s words always **lack** sincerity</span>
- 그 사람은 참을성이 **부족해서** 못 기다렸어요 = <span class="md spoiler">That person is **not** patient (**lacks** patience), so he could not wait</span>
- 밧줄의 길이가 너무 **부족하다고** 했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I said that the length of this rope is **not enough (insufficient)**</span>
- 시간이 **부족**해서 모든 내용을 가르칠 수 없어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I can’t teach all the material because there is a **lack of** time</span>
- 돈이 **부족해**서 그것을 살 수 있는지 없는지 모르겠어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I don’t know if I can buy that or not because I **don’t have enough** money</span>
- 시간이 **부족해**서 우리는 계획을 변경해 야 돼요 = <span class="md spoiler">We need to change the plans because of the **lack** of time</span>
- 삼성이 이 축제를 후원해서 돈이 **부족할** 리가 없어요 = <span class="md spoiler">Samsung is sponsoring this event, so there is no way money can **run out**</span>
</Details>
간단하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v26.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be simple</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>간단히</TTS>, <TTS>간단하게</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">simply</span>
Examples:
- 저는 학생들한테 그것을 **간단히** 설명했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I explained it **simply** to the students</span>
- 한번 머리를 염색해 보니까 염색이 생각만큼 **간단하지** 않다는 걸 알게 됐다 = <span class="md spoiler">Now that I have tried/attempted to dye my hair, I realize/can assert that doing so is not as **simple** as one thinks</span>
</Details>
### Adverbs and Other Words
누구 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v27.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">who</span>
<Details>
Notes:
When used as the subject of a sentence, 누구 changes to <TTS>누가</TTS>
- 너는 내일 한국어를 공부할 거야 = <span class="md spoiler">You will study Korean tomorrow</span>
- 너는 내일 한국어를 공부할 거야? = <span class="md spoiler">Will you study Korean tomorrow?</span>
Examples:
- **누가** 내일 한국어를 공부할 거야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-65.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Who** will study Korean tomorrow?</span>
</Details>
왜 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v28.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">why</span>
<Details>
Examples:
- 만화책을 **왜** 좋아합니까? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-35.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Why** do you like comic books?</span>
- 한국어를 **왜** 공부하고 있어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-36.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Why** are you studying Korean?</span>
- **왜** 너무 빨리 먹었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Why** did you eat so fast?</span>
- 어제 학교에 **왜** 안 갔어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Why** didn’t you go to school yesterday?</span>
</Details>
언제 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">when</span>
<Details>
As an adverb, 언제 can be used to ask “when” something happens. For example:
- 집에 **언제** 갔어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-40.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**When** did you go home?</span>
- 집에 **언제** 갈 거야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-41.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**When** will you go home?</span>
- 그 여자가 **언제** 사라졌어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**When** did that girl disappear?</span>
- 낮잠을 **언제** 잤어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**When** did you take a nap?</span>
- 아빠가 **언제** 왔나요? = <span class="md spoiler">**When** did dad come?</span>
Particles like \~부터 and \~까지, which are often used to indicate from/until when something happens can be attached to 언제 to indicate that it is unknown “from/until when” something happens. For example:
- **언제부터** 아팠어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-45.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Since when** have you been sick?</span>
- 한국에서 **언제까지** 있을 거예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-46.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Until when** will you be in Korea?</span>
- **언제부터** 한국어를 공부했어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Since when** have you been studying Korean?</span>
언제 can also be attached to “이다” to ask “when” something is. In these cases as well, it replaces the noun that would normally be attached to 이다. For example:
- 결혼식은 **언제야**? = <span class="md spoiler">**When** is the wedding?</span>
- 방학은 **언제야**? = <span class="md spoiler">**When** is vacation?</span>
[This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video 5.]
<YouTube id=wMRfpE9JdUo />
</Details>
어디 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v30.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">where</span>
<Details>
어디 can be used to ask “where” something happened if the place is unknown. For example:
- **어디** 가고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-50.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Where** do you want to go?</span>
- **어디** 살아요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-51.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Where** do you live?</span>
- 그것을 **어디**서 하고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Where** do you want to do that?</span>
- **어디**에서 왔어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-53.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Where** are you from (from where did you come?)</span>
The particle \~까지 is commonly attached to 어디. \~부터 is not commonly attached to 어디 for the same reason that \~부터 is not commonly attached to a place, as described in Lesson 12. For example:
- **어디까지** 가고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-54.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**How far/until where** do you want to go?</span>
- 지하철을 **어디까지** 탈 거예요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Until where** will we ride the subway?</span>
Like 언제, it can also be used as the noun before 이다 to ask where something “is.” For example:
- 어디야? = <span class="md spoiler">Where are you?</span>
This is really only done when speaking to a person, and you are asking him/her directly where he/she is. When asking where another person, or another thing is, it is more natural to use 있다 in the sentence. For example:
- 친구가 **어디**에 있어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Where** is your friend?</span>
- 엄마가 **어디**에 있어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Where** is mom?</span>
- 펜이 **어디**에 있어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Where** is the pen?</span>
[This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video 5.]
<YouTube id=wMRfpE9JdUo />
</Details>
역시 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v31.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">also</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “역씨”
Notes:
Similar to the particle \~도. However, 역시 does not get added directly to nouns.
역시 also gets placed as an adverb in sentences for feeling when the speaker says something that is “<span class="md spoiler">as expected</span>.”
- &NoBreak;<TTS class="md">나 **역시** 수학을 좋아하지 않아</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">I **also** don’t like math</span>
</Details>
몇몇 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v34.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">some</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “면멷”
Common Usages:
- <TTS>몇몇 사람</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">some people</span>
- <TTS>몇몇 학생</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">some students</span>
Notes:
Usually placed before a word meaning <span class="md spoiler">“people”</span> to mean <span class="md spoiler">“some \_\_\_\_”</span>
Example:
- &NoBreak;<TTS class="md">**몇몇** 사람들은 밥을 좋아하지 않아</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">**Some** people don’t like rice</span>
</Details>
벌써 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v36.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">already/earlier than expected</span>
<Details>
벌써 can be used to indicate that one action <span class="md spoiler">has “already” happened</span>. These actions are usually finished when then speaker uses “벌써.” For example:
- 저는 그 사실을 **벌써** 알고 있었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I **already** knew that fact</span>
- 내가 밥을 **벌써** 먹어서 지금 먹고 싶지 않아 = <span class="md spoiler">Because I **already** ate, I don’t want to eat now</span>
It can also be used to indicate that an action <span class="md spoiler">happens earlier than expected</span>. These actions don’t have to be finished for the speaker to use 벌써. For example:
- **벌써** 나갈 거야? = <span class="md spoiler">You are **already** leaving?</span>
- 학교가 **벌써** 끝났어요? = <span class="md spoiler">School is **already** finished?</span>
</Details>
이미 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">already</span>
<Details>
이미 can replace 벌써 in the first usage described above, but not the second one. That is, it can be used to indicate that one action <span class="md spoiler">has “already” happened.</span> For example:
- 저는 그 사실을 **이미** 알고 있었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I **already** knew that fact</span>
- 내가 밥을 **이미** 먹어서 지금 먹고 싶지 않아 = <span class="md spoiler">Because I **already** ate, I don’t want to eat now</span>
- 저는 **이미** 여자 친구가 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I **already** have a girlfriend</span>
- 아빠가 돈을 **이미** 낸 것 같아요 = <span class="md spoiler">It seems like dad **already** paid</span>
- 부장님이 그 일을 **이미** 다 한 것 같아요 = <span class="md spoiler">It seems like the boss **already** did all that work</span>
</Details>
특히 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v38.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">especially, particularly</span>
<Details>
Example:
- 학생들은 그 선생님을 **특히** 좋아해요 = <span class="md spoiler">Students **especially** like that teacher</span>
- 저는 **특히** 오른발이 왼발보다 커서 신발을 살 때 불편해요 = <span class="md spoiler">My right foot is **particularly** larger than my left foot, so it is hard for me to buy shoes</span>
- 하지만 시간이 흐르면서 나는 점점 더 외로움을 느꼈다. **특히** 친하게 지냈던 친구들이 각 자 자기 나라로 돌아가기 시작하자 더 외로움을 느꼈다.
= <span class="md spoiler">But, as time when by, I gradually started to feel lonely. **Especially** as/when each of my close friends started to go back to their own countries, I felt lonelier.</span>
- **특히** 내가 가장 좋아한 선물은 바로 분홍색 인형이었다. 그 인형은 너무 귀엽고 색깔도 예뻤다. 우리는 생일 축하 노래를 부르고, 선물을 교환하고 맛있는 음식을 먹었다. = <span class="md spoiler">My **particularly** favorite present of all was the pink doll. That doll was very cute and the color was pretty. We sang ‘happy birthday,’ exchanged presents and then ate delicious food.</span>
</Details>
점점 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson21v39.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">gradually</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>점점 나빠지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to gradually get worse</span>
- <TTS>점점 좋아지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to gradually get better</span>
- <TTS>점점 추워지다</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">to gradually get colder</span>
Example:
- 요즘에 날씨가 **점점** 추워져요 = <span class="md spoiler">Lately, the weather is getting **gradually** colder</span>
- 중학생들의 치마는 **점점** 짧아지고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">Middle school students’ skirts are getting **shorter and shorter**</span>
</Details>
For help memorizing these words, try using our [mobile app](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/app/).
## Asking Questions
Asking questions in Korean, at first glance, is very easy. For the most part, asking questions in Korean without the use of a “question” word (who/what/when/where/why/how/how much/how many) is incredibly simple.
Asking questions in English is unnecessarily complicated. If I asked you the question “Do you like sports?” In English, what is the meaning of the word “do” in that sentence? In English, whenever we ask a question (without a question word), we need to include the words did/do/will to make the listener know that we are asking a question.
- Did you go to the park?
- Do you like sports?
- Will you eat with us?
It is so confusing in English, and my two sentence explanation doesn’t really explain it very well. Luckily, this is not an English learning website! You are here to learn how to ask questions in Korean. Enough of this English nonsense.
In Korean, if you are asking a question that does not require the use of a question word (one more time: who/what/when/where/why/how/how much/how many) you don’t need to do anything structurally to make that sentence a question. All you need to do is raise the intonation of the end of the sentence to make it sound like a question. For example, if you want to say “My mother ate” you already know that you can say:
- 엄마는 먹었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">My mom ate</span>
But if you want to ask somebody “did you eat?” You just <span class="md spoiler">raise the intonation of the end of the sentence</span> to make it sound like a question:
- 엄마는 먹었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">(literally means “did mom eat?”)</span>
Remember that Korean people rarely say the word “you,” so if you ask a question to the person you are talking to _about_ the person you are talking to, you can just omit the subject of the sentence.
- 밥을 먹었어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did (you) eat?</span>
- 집에 갔어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did (you) go home?</span>
- 소식을 들었어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did (you) hear the news?</span>
If you are talking to somebody and the subject of the sentence is not the person who you are talking to, you can just use the subject as normal. Also notice that regardless of the tense of the sentence (past/present/future) you don’t need to do anything special other than raise the intonation at the end of the sentence:
- 남동생은 울었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did your brother cry?</span>
- 한국은 좋은 나라야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is Korea a good country?</span>
- 엄마도 올 거야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Will mom come too?</span>
As I said, you don’t need to change anything structurally in these sentences to make them questions. There are, however, a few ways that you can change the structure of a sentence to make the sentence a question (if you want).
### \~ㅂ/습니까
The formal high respect \~습니다 is never used as a question. When asking a question in this form, instead of using \~습니다 you must use \~ㅂ/습니까. \~ㅂ니까 gets added directly to stems ending in a vowel, and \~습니까 gets added after a stem ending in a consonant. You can do this with all tenses:
- 방학 동안 집에 안 갔습니까? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">You didn’t go home during vacation?</span>
- 그 사람을 만나고 싶습니까? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to meet that person?</span>
- 내일 학교에 갈 겁니까? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Are you going to school tomorrow?</span>
- 내일 학교에 갈 것입니까? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Are you going to school tomorrow?</span>
I work at a school in Seoul. In the bathrooms, there are charts on the walls that the cleaning staff is supposed to check once per day. Written on these charts is a list of questions about the state of the bathroom.
While you will not understand most of the words on this list, _notice that all of the sentences (except for the last one) has the ending \~ㅂ/습니까?_
[![Bathroomchart|282x349](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Bathroomchart-Copy.jpeg)](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Bathroomchart-Copy.jpeg)
Some of the words provided in the 10 sentences above are fairly difficult. However, I would like to translate it for you:
1. <span class="md spoiler">Is the bathroom floor clean?</span>
2. <span class="md spoiler">Is the sink clean?</span>
3. <span class="md spoiler">Has the mirror been wiped clean?</span>
4. <span class="md spoiler">Is there extra soap?</span>
5. <span class="md spoiler">Is the toilet paper ready?</span>
6. <span class="md spoiler">Is the bathroom’s garbage can empty?</span>
7. <span class="md spoiler">Are there no toilets that haven’t been flushed?</span>
8. <span class="md spoiler">Are any lights broken?</span>
9. <span class="md spoiler">Is there any smell?</span>
10. <span class="md spoiler">Are there any places, the doorknob, the faucet, etc that are broken?</span>
There are other ways you can change a sentence to make it a question. \~ㅂ/습니까 is typically the most formal. We will talk about the others in the upcoming sections.
### \~니
When asking a question, instead of ending your sentences with \~아/어, _you can end them with \~니_. This is an informal way to ask a question, and you can do this in all tenses. For example:
- Past tense: 했니, 먹었니, 갔니, 이었니
- Present tense: 하니, 먹니, 가니, 이니
- Future tense (\~겠): 하겠니, 먹겠니, 가겠니
- Future tense (\~ㄹ 것이다): 할 거니, 할 것이니, 먹을 거니, 먹을 것이니
However, note that using this form gives the sentence a slightly <span class="md spoiler">feminine</span> feel to it (I’ve never once used \~니). However, I work at a Korean high school, and I hear female Korean teachers use this form all the time when asking questions to a student.
- 시험을 잘 봤니? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did you write the exam well (did you do well on the exam)?</span>
- 서울에 가겠니? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Are you going to go to Seoul?</span>
- 몇 반이니? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What class are you in?</span>
- 이미 졸업했니? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did you already graduate?</span>
—————–
In [Lesson 7](./07-irregulars.md), you learned how irregular words change as a result of adding different additions. This is the first time you have been introduced to adding \~니.
_The ㄹ irregular applies when adding \~니. When you add \~니 to a stem of a word that ends in ㄹ, you must drop the ㄹ from the stem_, and attach the grammatical principle to the remainder of the word. For example:
- 열다 + \~니 = 여니
As you know, some additions require the speaker to choose between two possible options – for example, choosing between \~아 and \~어 when adding \~아/어. Notice that when adding \~니 there is no choice. I call this a “solid ㄴ.” That is, there is only one choice, and it starts with ㄴ.
In later lessons, you will learn other grammatical additions that have a solid ㄴ. For example:
- \~나 ([later in this lesson](#%E1%84%82%E1%85%A1-%E1%84%8B%E1%85%AD))
- \~는 ([Lesson 26](../unit-2/26-describing-nouns-with-verbs.md))
- \~는데 ([Lesson 76](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/upper-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-4-lessons-76-83/lesson-76/))
- \~네 ([Lesson 83](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/upper-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-4-lessons-76-83/lesson-83/))
- \~나 ([Lesson 109](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-5/lessons-109-116/lesson-109/))
All grammatical additions where a solid ㄴ is attached to a word follow the same rule as when \~니 is added. Below are some examples of \~니 in use with the ㄹ irregular:
- 뭐 만드니? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What are you making?</span>
- 마음에 드니? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Do you like it?</span>
- 어디 사니? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where do you live?</span>
_\~니 also affects the ㅎ irregular,_ which is introduced in [Lesson 23](./23-ㅎ-irregulars-colors.md).
### \~ㄴ/은가(요)
Just like ‘\~니’ you can also end your questions with \~ㄴ/은가(요). Adding “요” to the end makes it more formal. This form is less formal than the high-respect \~ㅂ/습니까 form.
\~ㄴ/은가(요) gets added to the stem of adjectives. Using this form makes a question a little bit softer than using the forms described previously. The exact difference cannot be translated perfectly, but sort of like how “<span class="md spoiler">would it be okay if I go into the park?</span>” sounds slightly softer than “can I go into the park.”
You add \~ㄴ/은 to adjective stems just like you would when conjugating it to describe a noun:
- 예쁘다 + ㄴ/은 = 예쁜
- 작다 + ㄴ/은 = 작은
And then attach “가(요)” after that construction:
- 예쁜가(요)?
- 작은가(요)?
It is only conjugated into the present tense and therefore usually only used to ask about some sort of present situation. For example:
- 그 여자는 예쁜가? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is that girl pretty?</span>
- 이것은 너무 작은가요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is this too small?</span>
- 그 학교가 좋은가? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is that school good?</span>
- 일이 너무 복잡한가요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is this work/task too complicated?</span>
\~ㄴ/은가(요) is commonly added to 이다 as well. For example:
- 그 사람이 선생님인가? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is that person a teacher?</span>
- 그 사람이 우리 엄마인가? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is that person our mom? (Is that our mom?)</span>
아닌가(요)? Is very commonly used at the end of a full sentence to say “no?” when you are asking yourself a question as if you are doubting yourself. For example:
- 그 여자는 한국에서 가장 예쁜 여자야. 아닌가? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">That girl is the most beautiful girl in Korea… no?/isn’t she?</span>
- 너무 복잡해! 아닌가? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">This is too complicated. Isn’t it?</span>
### \~나(요)
Using \~나(요) at the end of a sentence to ask a question has the same function of \~ㄴ/은가(요). That is, it can be used to make a question sound slightly softer than the other ways to ask a question. However, \~나(요) is more often used with verbs and with 있다 and 없다. For example:
_Notice that the_ ㄹ _irregular needs to be applied in appropriate situations again:_
- 밥이 있나? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is there rice?</span>
- 사과도 여기서 파나요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Do you sell apples here too?</span>
- 소녀시대 콘서트를 여기서 하나요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Is the Girl’s Generation concert here?</span>
- 지하철을 타고 있나요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Are you on (riding) the subway now?</span>
This form can be used in the past tense as well. For example:
- 교통카드가 있었나요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-18.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did you have your bus (transportation) card?</span>
- 그 소식을 들었나요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did you hear that/the news?</span>
- 만화책을 샀나요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did you buy the comic book?</span>
- 어제 병원에 입원했나요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did you go to the hospital yesterday?</span>
It is possible to use this in the future tense, but it only sounds natural when applying it to the \~겠다 future conjugation. Adding \~나(요) to 이다 is typically not done, and therefore adding it to words that are conjugating using \~ㄹ/을 것이다 is unnatural. For example:
- ~~내일 퇴원할 거나요?~~ – unnatural
- ~~내일 퇴원할 것이나요?~~ – unnatural
## Using Question Words
Depending on which question word you are using, building a question can be really easy or really confusing. I will teach you the easy examples in this lesson (who, when, where, why) and the more confusing examples in the next lesson (what, how, how much/how many).
### 왜
Why (왜) is probably the easiest question word in Korean. ‘왜’ is an adverb, which means it can be used/placed as an adverb in sentences. Many of the question words that you will learn in this lesson (and the following lesson) are adverbs. As you know, adverbs can be used very freely in sentences and do not have any specific location that they need to be used. However, the most common position for these adverb-question words is before the verb. If there are other adverbs in the sentence (including the negative “안”) the question word is usually placed first.
With these adverb-question words, you can typically just take a statement and change it into a question by inserting the word into the sentence. For example:
- 만화책을 좋아합니까? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you like comic books?</span>
- 만화책을 왜 좋아합니까? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-35.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Why do you like comic books?</span>
---
- (저는) 한국어를 공부하고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I am studying Korean</span>
- 한국어를 왜 공부하고 있어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-36.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Why are you studying Korean?</span>
---
- (저는) 너무 빨리 먹었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I ate really fast</span>
- 왜 너무 빨리 먹었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Why did you eat so fast?</span>
---
- (저는) 어제 학교에 안 갔어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I didn’t go to school yesterday</span>
- 어제 학교에 왜 안 갔어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Why didn’t you go to school yesterday?</span>
왜 is also used to respond when somebody calls your name (because they want you for some reason). In English, we would say “what,” but in Korean, they say “왜.” For example:
- Person 1: 슬기야! <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Seulgi!</span>
- Person 2: 왜? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Why/what do you want?</span>
Notice that saying “why” in English is unnatural. This is how they say it in Korean.
### 언제
The usage of ‘when’ (언제) is very similar to the usage of ‘왜’ in Korean. As an adverb, it can be used to ask “when” something happens. For example:
- 집에 갔어? = <span class="md spoiler">Did you go home?</span>
- 집에 언제 갔어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-40.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">When did you go home?</span>
---
- 집에 갈 거야? = <span class="md spoiler">Will you go home?</span>
- 집에 언제 갈 거야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-41.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">When will you go home?</span>
---
- 그 여자가 사라졌어요 = <span class="md spoiler">That girl disappeared</span>
- 그 여자가 언제 사라졌어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">When did that girl disappear?</span>
---
- 낮잠을 잤어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Did you take a nap?</span>
- 낮잠을 언제 잤어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">When did you take a nap?</span>
---
- 아빠가 왔어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Did dad come?</span>
- 아빠가 언제 왔나요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-26.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">When did dad come?</span>
Particles like \~부터 and \~까지, which are often used to indicate from/until when something happens can be attached to 언제 to indicate that it is unknown “<span class="md spoiler">from/until when</span>” something happens. For example:
- 어제부터 아팠어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I have been sick since yesterday</span>
- 언제부터 아팠어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-45.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Since when have you been sick?</span>
_Notice that_ 어제 _and_ 언제 _are not the same word._
- 한국에서 내년까지 있을 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I will be in Korea until next year</span>
- 한국에서 언제까지 있을 거예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-46.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Until when will you be in Korea?</span>
---
- 작년부터 한국어를 공부했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I have been studying Korean since last year</span>
- 언제부터 한국어를 공부했어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-27.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Since when have you been studying Korean?</span>
언제 can also be attached to “이다” to ask “when” something is. In these cases as well, it replaces the noun that would normally be attached to 이다. For example:
- 결혼식은 내일이야 = <span class="md spoiler">The wedding is tomorrow</span>
- 결혼식은 언제야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-28.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">When is the wedding?</span>
---
- 방학은 다음 주야 = <span class="md spoiler">Vacation is next week</span>
- 방학은 언제야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">When is vacation?</span>
The grammatical principle \~든지 is commonly attached to 언제 to form 언제든지. For now, you can think of this simply as a word that means “whenever.” When you learn about the function of \~든지 in [Lesson 106](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-5/lessons-101-108/lesson-106/ "Lesson 106: Listing Possibilities/Outcomes: ~든지 (간에)"), you will understand how this meaning is formed.
### 어디
어디 works very much like 언제. It can be used to ask “where” something happened if the place is unknown. For example:
- 집에 가고 싶어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I want to go home</span>
- 어디 가고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-50.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where do you want to go?</span>
---
- 한국에 살아요 = <span class="md spoiler">I live in Korea</span>
- 어디 살아요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-51.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where do you live?</span>
_Just like_ 여기, \~에 _is often omitted from_ “어디.” 어디에서 _is often contracted to_ 어디서.
More examples:
- 그것을 집에서 하고 싶어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I want to do that at home</span>
- 그것을 어디서 하고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-30.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where do you want to do that?</span>
---
- 한국에서 왔어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I came from Korea</span>
- 어디에서 왔어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-53.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where are you from (from where did you come?)</span>
The particle \~까지 is commonly attached to 어디. \~부터 is not commonly attached to 어디 for the same reason that \~부터 is not commonly attached to a place, as described in [Lesson 12](./12-more-particles.md). For example:
- 부산까지 가고 싶어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I want to go until Busan</span>
- 어디까지 가고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-54.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How far/until where do you want to go?</span>
---
- 지하철을 서울역까지 탈 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">We will take/ride the Subway until Seoul Station</span>
- 지하철을 어디까지 탈 거예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-31.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Until where will we ride the subway?</span>
Like 언제, it can be used as the noun before 이다 to ask where something “is.”
Placing 어디 before 이다 is really only done if asking somebody directly where they are:
- 어디야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-32.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where are you?</span>
Or when asking where a place is:
- 너의 집이 어디야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-33.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where is your house?</span>
- 그곳이 어디야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-34.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where is that place?</span>
- 학교가 어디예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-35.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where is the/your school?</span>
When asking where another person, or an object is, it is more natural to use 있다 in these sentence. For example:
- 친구가 어디에 있어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-36.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where is your friend?</span>
- 엄마가 어디에 있어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where is mom?</span>
- 펜이 어디에 있어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-38.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where is the pen?</span>
- 아빠가 어디에 있어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-39.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where is dad?</span>
- 그 만화책이 어디에 있어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-21-40.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Where is that comic?</span>
These would be unnatural:
- ~~아빠가 어디야?~~
- ~~그 만화책이 어디야?~~
Just like 언제, there are of course more complicated ways that 어디 can be used. For now, this is good enough.
### 누구
In Korean, 누구 has the function of a pronoun.
_Actually, some of the ways you use 언제 and 어디 in Korean are pronouns. I chose not to explain this to you because the definition of a pronoun in Korean and English is not exactly the same._ 언제 _and_ 어디 _can act as pronouns in Korean, but this same usage would be called an adverb in English. I actually had an explanation typed out, but decided not to include it into this lesson because it makes things more confusing than they actually are. However, knowing that_ 누구 _is a pronoun in English and Korean is helpful (if you know what pronouns are)._
As a pronoun, 누구 can be used in the place of a noun in a sentence – that is, it can be used to replace the object, the subject or as a noun before 이다.
This is the same in English – as you can see in the following three examples:
- Who will study Korean tomorrow? – ‘who’ is the subject of the sentence
- Who will you meet tomorrow? – ‘who’ is the object of the sentence -“you” is the subject
- Who is that person? – ‘who’ is ‘that person’ in the sentence
However, this is confusing in English because in all three cases “who” is the first word of the sentence regardless of its role.
In Korean, instead of always placing ‘who’ at the start of the sentence, it should be placed in the location of the subject (usually the start of the sentence), the object (usually somewhere in the middle of the sentence) or before 이다. I will show you an example of each:
In the third sentence below you can see an example of 누구 being used as a subject. The subject is underlined in each case. When 누구 is used as the subject of a sentence, it is changed to 누가.
- 너는 내일 한국어를 공부할 거야 = <span class="md spoiler">You will study Korean tomorrow</span>
- 너는 내일 한국어를 공부할 거야? = <span class="md spoiler">Will you study Korean tomorrow?</span>
- 누가 내일 한국어를 공부할 거야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-65.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Who will study Korean tomorrow?</span>
In the third sentence below you can see an example of 누구 being used as an object. The object is underlined in each case. The object particles can be used if 누구 is the object.
- 너는 내일 친구를 만날 거야 = <span class="md spoiler">You will meet a friend tomorrow</span>
- 너는 내일 친구를 만날 거야? = <span class="md spoiler">Will you meet a friend tomorrow?</span>
- 너는 내일 누구(를) 만날 거야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-66.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Who will you meet tomorrow?</span>
In the third sentence below you can see an example of 누구 being used before 이다:
- 그 사람은 너의 아버지야 = <span class="md spoiler">That person is your dad</span>
- 그 사람은 너의 아버지야? = <span class="md spoiler">Is that person your dad?</span>
- 그 사람은 누구야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson21-67.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Who is that person?</span>
That’s it for this lesson, but there is still lots for you to know about asking questions in Korean! This lesson covered the first half of what you need to know, and the following lesson ([Lesson 22](./22-how-which-what-how-many.md)) will cover the rest!
[Okay, I got it! Take me to the next lesson!](./22-how-which-what-how-many.md) Or
[Click here for a workbook to go along with this lesson.](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/workbooks/#Unit1725 "Workbooks")
## Summary
<YouTube id=jv1rUM3l9aE />
Want to practice your listening skills?
This YouTube video will prompt you with Korean sentences to dictate using the concepts from this lesson.
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