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---
vocabulary:
nouns:
- ko: 계란
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v1.mp3
en: eggs
examples:
- ko: 저는 **계란** 두 개를 그릇에 넣었어요
en: I put two **eggs** into the bowl
- ko: 자리
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v2.mp3
en: a seat, a place to put something
notes: |
<p>Incredibly common word that is used in very important situations. 자리 is some area of space, but not really 3-dimensional space. It is more space on the ground or something similar to that. For example, if somebody is standing where you are standing, you could say "get out of my place/my spot!" In that case, you can use 자리. In practice, it is very commonly used to have the meaning "seat".</p>
examples:
- ko: "**자리**가 없어요"
en: There are no **seats**/there is **nowhere to sit**
- ko: 그 책을 제**자리**에 두세요
en: Put that book back in its **place**
- ko: 각 **자리**에 번호가 쓰여 있어요
en: There is a number written on each **seat**
- ko: 중요성
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v3.mp3
en: importance, emphasis
notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "중요썽"
examples:
- ko: 한국 학생들은 영어의 **중요성을** 깨닫지 못해요
en: Korean students don't realize the **importance** of English
- ko: 벌금
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v4.mp3
en: a fine
examples:
- ko: "**벌금**은 얼마였어요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s17.mp3
en: How much was the **fine**?
- ko: 경찰관은 강아지의 주인에게 십만 원의 **벌금**을 물었어요
en: The police officers gave the owner of the dog a 100 000원 **fine**
- ko: 파일
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v5.mp3
en: file
examples:
- ko: "첨부**파일**을 확인하세요!"
en: See the attached **file**
- ko: 저는 이메일에 **파일**을 첨부했어요
en: I attached a **file** to the e-mail
- ko: 저는 **파일**을 2시쯤 보낼 거예요
en: I will send the **file** at approximately 2:00
- ko: 로션
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v6.mp3
en: lotion
examples:
- ko: 손이 부드럽지 않아서 **로션**을 발랐어요
en: I put **lotion** on my hands because they weren't soft
- ko: 습관
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v7.mp3
en: customs, habit
notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "습꽌"
examples:
- ko: 한국 사람들은 옛날 **습관**을 아직도 따라요
en: Korean people still follow old **customs**
- ko: 자기 전에 라면을 먹는 **습관**이 있어요
en: I have the **habit** of eating ramen before going to bed
- ko: 치마
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v8.mp3
en: skirt
examples:
- ko: "어떤 **치마**를 사고 싶어요?"
en: Which **skirt** do you want to buy?
- ko: 중학생들의 **치마**는 점점 짧아지고 있어요
en: Middle school students' **skirts** are getting shorter and shorter
- ko: 단계
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v9.mp3
en: step, phase, stage
examples:
- ko: 그 학생은 아직 첫 번째 **단계**에 있어요
en: That student is still at the first **stage**
- ko: 짓
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v10.mp3
en: some sort of negative act
examples:
- ko: 그 나쁜 **짓**을 왜 했어요?
en: Why did you do **that (bad action)**?
verbs:
- ko: 차지하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v11.mp3
en: to occupy a space
examples:
- ko: 그 차는 넓은 공간을 **차지하**고 있어요
en: That car **takes up** a lot of room/space
- ko: 수거하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v12.mp3
en: to collect, to come and pick up
notes: |
<p>This word is most commonly used to refer to people coming to pick up garbage (garbage collection). You would think that this word wouldn't be very common (how often do you talk about garbage collection), but it is used fairly often if you live in Korea.</p>
examples:
- ko: 쓰레기는 월요일마다 **수거된다**
en: Garbage is **collected** every Monday
- ko: 첨부하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v13.mp3
en: to attach (a file)
examples:
- ko: 저는 이메일에 파일을 **첨부했어요**
en: I **attached** a file to the e-mail
- ko: 그 파일을 **첨부했습니까**?
en: Did you **attach** the file?
- ko: "**첨부**파일을 확인하세요!"
en: See/Check the **attached** file
- ko: 찢다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v14.mp3
en: to tear, to rip
notes: |
<p>The pronunciation of this word is closer to "찓따"</p>
<p>If you want to say that you ripped a hole in your clothes, you can also use the idiom "빵구가 났다"</p>
examples:
- ko: 누가 이 옷을 **찢었어요**?
en: Who **ripped** the clothes?
- ko: 저의 여자 친구는 제가 쓴 편지를 **찢었어요**
en: My girlfriend **ripped up** the letter that I wrote for her
- ko: 다녀오다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v15.mp3
en: to go and then come back
notes: |
<p>A combination of the words 다니다 and 오다. This word is often used in greetings, to indicate that one will go, and then come back.</p>
examples:
- ko: 선생님! 미국에 잘 **다녀왔어요**?
en: Teacher! Did you **come back** well from America?
- ko: 예상하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v16.mp3
en: to expect
notes: The noun form of this word translates to "expectation"
examples:
- ko: 저는 돈을 더 많이 벌 것을 **예상했어요**
en: I **expected** to make (earn) more money
adjectives:
- ko: 올바르다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v17.mp3
en: to be correct/to be proper
notes: 올바르다 follows the 르 irregular
examples:
- ko: 저는 **올바른** 평가를 받지 않았어요
en: I didn't receive the **proper** evaluation
- ko: 복잡하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v18.mp3
en: to be complicated
notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "복짜파다"
examples:
- ko: "설명은 너무 **복잡한가요**?"
en: Is the explanation too **complicated**?
- ko: 한국으로 이민하는 과정은 **복잡해요**
en: The process of immigrating to Korea is **complicated**
- ko: 책상이 너무 **복잡해서** 책을 조금 치워 야 돼요
en: I need to clear the books a bit because my desk is very **messy/unorganized**
- ko: 짧다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v19.mp3
en: to be short, to be brief
notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "짤따"
examples:
- ko: 학생들은 **짧은** 영화를 보고 있어요
en: The students are watching a **short** film
- ko: 머리를 **짧게** 잘라 주세요
en: Cut my hair **short**, please
- ko: 손톱을 왜 이렇게 **짧게** 잘랐어요?
en: Why did you cut your nails so **short** (like this)?
- ko: 중학생들의 치마는 점점 **짧아**지고 있어요
en: Middle school students' skirts are getting **shorter** and **shorter**
adverbs:
- ko: 얼마나
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v20.mp3
en: how much
notes: |
<p>얼마나 is a very common adverb that means "how" but is very different from 어떻게. 얼마나 is a word that is placed before adjectives and adverbs to mean "how (adjective/adverb). You can also put "얼마" before 이다 to ask "how much does this cost?"</p>
examples:
- ko: 한국어를 **얼마나** 자주 공부해요?
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-56.mp3
en: "**How** often do you study Korean?"
- ko: "**얼마나** 많은 돈을 가져갈 거야?"
en: "**How much** money will you take?"
- ko: "이것은 **얼마**예요?"
en: "**How much** is this?"
- ko: 몇
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v21.mp3
en: how many ___
notes: |
<p>The pronunciation of this word is closer to "멷"</p>
<p>Used before a counter to ask how many of something. Also used to ask about one's age.</p>
examples:
- ko: 차가 **몇** 대 있어요?
en: "**How many** cars do you have?"
- ko: 친구를 **몇** 명 만났어요?
en: "**How many** friends did you meet?"
- ko: 어제 학교에 **몇** 번 갔어요?
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-49.mp3
en: "**How many** times did you go to school yesterday?"
- ko: "**몇** 살이에요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-54.mp3
en: "**How** old are you?"
- ko: 뭐
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v22.mp3
en: what
examples:
- ko: 내일 **뭐** 하고 싶어요?
en: "**What** do you want to do tomorrow?"
- ko: 전화번호는 **뭐**에요?
en: "**What** is your phone number?"
- ko: 지난 주말에 **뭐** 했어요?
en: "**What** did you do last weekend?"
- ko: 어제 학생들한테 **뭐** 가르쳤어요?
en: "**What** did you teach the students yesterday?"
- ko: 무슨
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v23.mp3
en: what
notes: The difference between 어떤, 무슨 and 어느 is discussed at length in this lesson.
examples:
- ko: "**무슨** 영화를 보고 싶어요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-22.mp3
en: "**What** movie do you want to see?"
- ko: "**무슨** 일을 하고 싶어요?"
en: "**What** work do you want to do?"
- ko: "**무슨** 생각 해요?"
en: "**What** are you thinking?"
- ko: 무엇
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v24.mp3
en: what
notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "무얻"
examples:
- ko: 내일 **무엇**을 하고 싶어요?
en: "**What** do you want to do tomorrow?"
- ko: 아침으로 **무엇**을 먹었어요?
en: "**What** did you eat for breakfast?"
- ko: 어떤
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v25.mp3
en: which
notes: |
<p>The difference between 어떤, 무슨 and 어느 is discussed at length in this lesson.</p>
<p>어떤 can mean "which" as in "which sport do you like best?" But it can also mean "some." How do you differentiate if "어떤" means some or which? If the sentence is a question, it will usually mean "which." If the sentence is not a question, it will usually mean "some."</p>
examples:
- ko: 어제 **어떤** 남자가 왔어요?
en: "**Which** man came here yesterday?"
- ko: "**어떤** 소설을 읽고 있어요?"
en: "**Which** novel are you reading?"
- ko: "**어떤** 종류의 차를 원해요?"
en: "**What/which** type of car do you want?"
- ko: "**어떤** 것이 더 좋아요?"
en: "**Which** one is better?"
- ko: "**어떤** 남자는 어제 여기에 왔어"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-31.mp3
en: "**Some** man came here yesterday"
- ko: 그 학생은 **어떤** 여자와 지금 사귀고 있어요
en: That student is going out with **some** girl now
- ko: 어느
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v26.mp3
en: which
notes: The difference between 어떤, 무슨 and 어느 is discussed at length in this lesson.
examples:
- ko: "**어느** 대학교를 다녀요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-40.mp3
en: "**Which** university do you go to?"
- ko: "**어느** 집에서 살아요?"
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-37.mp3
en: "**Which** house do you live in?"
- ko: 어때?
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v27.mp3
en: How is/was … ?
notes: 어때 is placed after a noun to say "how about/what do you think about?"
examples:
- ko: "점심은 **어땠어요**?"
en: "**How was** lunch?"
- ko: 대개
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v28.mp3
en: usually
examples:
- ko: 어린 한국 사람들은 **대개** 영어로 조금 말할 수 있어요
en: Young Korean people can **usually** speak English a little bit
- ko: 바깥
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v29.mp3
en: outside
notes: |
<p>The pronunciation of this word is closer to "바깓"</p>
<p>This can be placed before a noun to describe it or to refer to the outside in general.</p>
examples:
- ko: 미친 사람이 **바깥**에서 춤을 췄어요
en: A crazy man was dancing **outside**
- ko: "**바깥** 날씨가 추워요"
en: The weather **outside** is cold
- ko: 쯤
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v30.mp3
en: approximately
notes: Usually used after nouns and numbers (very commonly time) to have the meaning "approximately."
examples:
- ko: 저는 파일을 2시**쯤** 보낼 거예요
en: I will send the file at **approximately** 2:00
- ko: 수업이 4시**쯤**에 시작될 예정이에요
en: The class is scheduled to start at **about** 4:00pm
- ko: 서로
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v31.mp3
en: reciprocally
notes: When you have two nouns as the subject, you can indicate that something was done to each other (reciprocally)
examples:
- ko: 우리는 **서로** 편지를 줬어요
en: We gave letters to **each other**
- ko: 필독
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v32.mp3
en: must read
notes: |
<p>Technically a noun, but usually the translation makes it sound like it is a verb with an emphasis attached to it.</p>
<p>This word is usually used by itself at the top of messages (or as the subject of an e-mail) to indicate that the message is a "must read"</p>
examples: []
- ko: 며칠
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v33.mp3
en: how many days
notes: |
<p>This word has three main usages:</p>
<ul>
<li>When asking somebody how many days they will do something</li>
<li>When asking what day it is</li>
<li>To say "a few days ago"</li>
</ul>
examples:
- ko: 한국에서 **며칠** 있었어요?
en: "**How many days** were you in Korea?"
- ko: 오늘은 **며칠**이에요?
en: "**What day** is it today?"
- ko: 우리는 **며칠** 전에 만났어요
en: We met **a few days ago**
- ko: 퍼센트
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v34.mp3
en: percent
examples:
- ko: 학생들의 20**퍼센트**만 시험을 합격했어요
en: Only 20 **percent** of the students passed the exam
---
# Lesson 22: Asking Questions: How, What, Which, How Many
## Vocabulary
<VocabQuiz />
### Nouns
계란 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">eggs</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- <TTS>계란찜</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">steamed egg</span>
- <TTS>계란 후라이</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">fried eggs</span>
- <TTS>계란 한 판</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">a carton of eggs (this is also sometimes used as an idiom to say that somebody is thirty years old because there are typically 30 eggs in a carton of eggs in Korea)</span>
Example:
- 저는 **계란** 두 개를 그릇에 넣었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I put two **eggs** into the bowl</span>
</Details>
자리 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">a seat, a place to put something</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 자리가 없다 = <span class="md spoiler">there is no place/nowhere to sit/no space</span>
- 자리가 있다 = <span class="md spoiler">there is a place/somewhere to sit/space</span>
- 자리를 잡다 = <span class="md spoiler">to save hold onto a seat</span>
- 일자리 = <span class="md spoiler">a position at work</span>
- 제자리 = <span class="md spoiler">the right/proper place</span>
- 자리를 뜨다 = <span class="md spoiler">to get up from a seat</span>
- 자리를 차지하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to occupy a place, seat</span>
Notes:
Incredibly common word that is used in very important situations. 자리 is some area of space, but not really 3-dimensional space. It is more space on the ground or something similar to that. For example, if somebody is standing where you are standing, you could say “get out of my place/my spot!” In that case, you can use 자리. In practice, it is very commonly used to have the meaning “seat”.
Examples:
- &NoBreak;<TTS class="md">**자리**가 없어요</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">There are no **seats**/there is **nowhere to sit**</span>
- 그 책을 제**자리**에 두세요 = <span class="md spoiler">Put that book back in its **place**</span>
- 각 **자리**에 번호가 쓰여 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">There is a number written on each **seat**</span>
</Details>
중요성 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">importance, emphasis</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “중요썽”
Common Usages:
- 중요성을 깨닫다 / 인식하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to realize the importance</span>
- 중요성을 강조하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to stress the importance</span>
Example:
- 한국 학생들은 영어의 **중요성을** 깨닫지 못해요 = <span class="md spoiler">Korean students don’t realize the **importance** of English</span>
</Details>
벌금 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">a fine</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 벌금을 내다 = <span class="md spoiler">to pay a fine</span>
- 벌금을 부과하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to impose a fine on somebody</span>
Example:
- **벌금**은 얼마였어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much was the **fine**?</span>
- 경찰관은 강아지의 주인에게 십만 원의 **벌금**을 물었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The police officers gave the owner of the dog a 100 000원 **fine**</span>
</Details>
파일 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">file</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 첨부파일 = <span class="md spoiler">attached file</span>
- 파일을 보내다 = <span class="md spoiler">to send a file</span>
- 파일을 복사하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to copy a file</span>
- 파일을 삭제하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to delete a file</span>
Example:
- 첨부**파일**을 확인하세요! = <span class="md spoiler">See the attached **file**</span>
- 저는 이메일에 **파일**을 첨부했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I attached a **file** to the e-mail</span>
- 저는 **파일**을 2시쯤 보낼 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I will send the **file** at approximately 2:00</span>
</Details>
로션 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">lotion</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 로션을 바르다 = <span class="md spoiler">to apply lotion</span>
Example:
- 손이 부드럽지 않아서 **로션**을 발랐어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I put **lotion** on my hands because they weren’t soft</span>
</Details>
습관 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">customs, habit</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “습꽌”
Common Usages:
- 식습관 = <span class="md spoiler">eating habits</span>
- 습관을 만들다 = <span class="md spoiler">to start a habit</span>
Example:
- 한국 사람들은 옛날 **습관**을 아직도 따라요 = <span class="md spoiler">Korean people still follow old **customs**</span>
- 자기 전에 라면을 먹는 **습관**이 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I have the **habit** of eating ramen before going to bed</span>
</Details>
치마 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">skirt</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 짧은 치마 = <span class="md spoiler">short skirt</span>
- 치마를 입다 = <span class="md spoiler">to put on a skirt</span>
Example:
- 어떤 **치마**를 사고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Which **skirt** do you want to buy?</span>
- 중학생들의 **치마**는 점점 짧아지고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">Middle school students’ **skirts** are getting shorter and shorter</span>
</Details>
단계 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">step, phase, stage</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 단계적으로 = <span class="md spoiler">in stages, step-by-step</span>
Example:
- 그 학생은 아직 첫 번째 **단계**에 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">That student is still at the first **stage**</span>
</Details>
짓 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">some sort of negative act</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 뭐 하는 짓이야? = <span class="md spoiler">What are you doing? (This is used when somebody is doing something weird, and you want to ask them “What the h\*ll are you doing?”)</span>
Example:
- 그 나쁜 **짓**을 왜 했어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Why did you do **that (bad action)**?</span>
</Details>
### Verbs
차지하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to occupy a space</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 자리를 차지하다 = <span class="md spoiler">to occupy a place, seat</span>
Example:
- 그 차는 넓은 공간을 **차지하**고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">That car **takes up** a lot of room/space</span>
</Details>
수거하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to collect, to come and pick up</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 분리수거 = <span class="md spoiler">to separate garbage before collection</span>
Notes:
This word is most commonly used to refer to people coming to pick up garbage (garbage collection). You would think that this word wouldn’t be very common (how often do you talk about garbage collection), but it is used fairly often if you live in Korea.
Example:
- 쓰레기는 월요일마다 **수거된다** = <span class="md spoiler">Garbage is **collected** every Monday</span>
</Details>
첨부하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to attach (a file)</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 첨부파일 = <span class="md spoiler">attached file</span>
Example:
- 저는 이메일에 파일을 **첨부했어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **attached** a file to the e-mail</span>
- 그 파일을 **첨부했습니까**? = <span class="md spoiler">Did you **attach** the file?</span>
- **첨부**파일을 확인하세요! = <span class="md spoiler">See/Check the **attached** file</span>
</Details>
찢다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to tear, to rip</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “찓따”
Common Usages:
- 찢어지다 = <span class="md spoiler">to be torn, ripped</span>
- 옷을 찢다 = <span class="md spoiler">to rip one’s clothes</span>
- 갈기갈기 찢다 = <span class="md spoiler">to rip to shreds</span>
Notes:
If you want to say that you ripped a hole in your clothes, you can also use the idiom “<TTS>빵구가 났다</TTS>”
Example:
- 누가 이 옷을 **찢었어요**? = <span class="md spoiler">Who **ripped** the clothes?</span>
- 저의 여자 친구는 제가 쓴 편지를 **찢었어요** = <span class="md spoiler">My girlfriend **ripped up** the letter that I wrote for her</span>
</Details>
다녀오다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to go and then come back</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 다녀오겠습니다! = <span class="md spoiler">Goodbye (Literally, “I will go, and then come back”)</span>
- 잘 다녀오세요! = <span class="md spoiler">Have a good time/trip (Literally, go well, and then come back)</span>
Notes:
A combination of the words 다니다 and 오다. This word is often used in greetings, to indicate that one will go, and then come back.
Example:
- 선생님! 미국에 잘 **다녀왔어요**? = <span class="md spoiler">Teacher! Did you **come back** well from America?</span>
_(I know this sounds weird in English, but Korean people will always use this format when asking if somebody had a good time on a trip)_
</Details>
예상하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to expect</span>
<Details>
The noun form of this word translates to “expectation”
Common Usages:
- 예상대로 = <span class="md spoiler">as expected</span>
- 예상치 = <span class="md spoiler">an estimate</span>
Example:
- 저는 돈을 더 많이 벌 것을 **예상했어요** = <span class="md spoiler">I **expected** to make (earn) more money</span>
</Details>
### Adjectives
올바르다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be correct/to be proper</span>
<Details>
올바르다 follows the 르 irregular
Common Usages:
- 올바른 길 = <span class="md spoiler">the right path – both figuratively and literally</span>
Example:
- 저는 **올바른** 평가를 받지 않았어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I didn’t receive the **proper** evaluation</span>
</Details>
복잡하다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v18.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be complicated</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “복짜파다”
Common Usages:
- 일이 복잡하다 = <span class="md spoiler">for work to be complicated</span>
- 길이 복잡하다 = <span class="md spoiler">for a street to be busy (usually with people)</span>
Examples:
- 설명은 너무 **복잡한가요**? = <span class="md spoiler">Is the explanation too **complicated**?</span>
- 한국으로 이민하는 과정은 **복잡해요** = <span class="md spoiler">The process of immigrating to Korea is **complicated**</span>
- 책상이 너무 **복잡해서** 책을 조금 치워 야 돼요 = <span class="md spoiler">I need to clear the books a bit because my desk is very **messy/unorganized**</span>
</Details>
짧다 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">to be short, to be brief</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “짤따”
Common Usages:
- 짧은 시간 = <span class="md spoiler">a short time</span>
- 짧은 머리 = <span class="md spoiler">short hair</span>
- 혀가 짧다 = <span class="md spoiler">to have a lisp (literally, to have a short tongue)</span>
Example:
- 학생들은 **짧은** 영화를 보고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">The students are watching a **short** film</span>
- 머리를 **짧게** 잘라 주세요 = <span class="md spoiler">Cut my hair **short**, please</span>
- 손톱을 왜 이렇게 **짧게** 잘랐어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Why did you cut your nails so **short** (like this)?</span>
- 중학생들의 치마는 점점 **짧아**지고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">Middle school students’ skirts are getting **shorter** and **shorter**</span>
</Details>
### Adverbs and Other Words
얼마나 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">how much</span>
<Details>
Notes:
얼마나 is a very common adverb that means “how” but is very different from 어떻게. 얼마나 is a word that is placed before adjectives and adverbs to mean “how (adjective/adverb). You can also put “얼마” before 이다 to ask “how much does this cost?”
Examples:
- 한국어를 **얼마나** 자주 공부해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-56.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**How** often do you study Korean?</span>
- **얼마나** 많은 돈을 가져갈 거야? = <span class="md spoiler">**How much** money will you take?</span>
- 이것은 **얼마**예요? = <span class="md spoiler">**How much** is this?</span>
</Details>
몇 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">how many \_\_\_</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “멷”
Notes:
Used before a counter to ask how many of something. Also used to ask about one’s age.
Example:
- 차가 **몇** 대 있어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**How many** cars do you have?</span>
- 친구를 **몇** 명 만났어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**How many** friends did you meet?</span>
- 어제 학교에 **몇** 번 갔어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-49.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**How many** times did you go to school yesterday?</span>
- **몇** 살이에요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-54.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**How** old are you?</span>
</Details>
뭐 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">what</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 뭐 했어요? = <span class="md spoiler">What did you do?</span>
- 뭐 하고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">What do you want to do?</span>
- 뭐라고? = <span class="md spoiler">What did you say?</span>
- 뭐 먹고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">What do you want to eat?</span>
Example:
- 내일 **뭐** 하고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What** do you want to do tomorrow?</span>
- 전화번호는 **뭐**에요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What** is your phone number?</span>
- 지난 주말에 **뭐** 했어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What** did you do last weekend?</span>
- 어제 학생들한테 **뭐** 가르쳤어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What** did you teach the students yesterday?</span>
</Details>
무슨 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">what</span>
<Details>
Notes:
The difference between 어떤, 무슨 and 어느 is discussed at length in this lesson.
Example:
- **무슨** 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**What** movie do you want to see?</span>
- **무슨** 일을 하고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What** work do you want to do?</span>
- **무슨** 생각 해요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What** are you thinking?</span>
</Details>
무엇 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">what</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “무얻”
Example:
- 내일 **무엇**을 하고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What** do you want to do tomorrow?</span>
- 아침으로 **무엇**을 먹었어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What** did you eat for breakfast?</span>
</Details>
어떤 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">which</span>
<Details>
Notes:
The difference between 어떤, 무슨 and 어느 is discussed at length in this lesson.
Examples:
- 어제 **어떤** 남자가 왔어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Which** man came here yesterday?</span>
- **어떤** 소설을 읽고 있어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Which** novel are you reading?</span>
- **어떤** 종류의 차를 원해요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What/which** type of car do you want?</span>
- **어떤** 것이 더 좋아요? = <span class="md spoiler">**Which** one is better?</span>
</Details>
어떤 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">some</span>
<Details>
Notes:
어떤 can mean “which” as in “which sport do you like best?” But it can also mean “some.” How do you differentiate if “어떤” means some or which? If the sentence is a question, it will usually mean “which.” If the sentence is not a question, it will usually mean “some.”
Examples:
- **어떤** 남자는 어제 여기에 왔어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-31.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Some** man came here yesterday</span>
- 그 학생은 **어떤** 여자와 지금 사귀고 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">That student is going out with **some** girl now</span>
</Details>
어느 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v26.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">which</span>
<Details>
Notes:
The difference between 어떤, 무슨 and 어느 is discussed at length in this lesson.
Example:
- **어느** 대학교를 다녀요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-40.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Which** university do you go to?</span>
- **어느** 집에서 살아요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">**Which** house do you live in?</span>
</Details>
어때? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v27.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How is/was … ?</span>
<Details>
Notes:
어때 is placed after a noun to say “how about/what do you think about?”
Example:
- 점심은 **어땠어요**? = <span class="md spoiler">**How was** lunch?</span>
</Details>
대개 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v28.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">usually</span>
<Details>
Example:
- 어린 한국 사람들은 **대개** 영어로 조금 말할 수 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">Young Korean people can **usually** speak English a little bit</span>
</Details>
바깥 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">outside</span>
<Details>
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “바깓”
Notes:
This can be placed before a noun to describe it or to refer to the outside in general.
Examples:
- 미친 사람이 **바깥**에서 춤을 췄어요 = <span class="md spoiler">A crazy man was dancing **outside**</span>
- **바깥** 날씨가 추워요 = <span class="md spoiler">The weather **outside** is cold</span>
</Details>
쯤 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v30.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">approximately</span>
<Details>
Usually used after nouns and numbers (very commonly time) to have the meaning “approximately.”
- 언제쯤 = <span class="md spoiler">Around when? Around what time?</span>
- 몇 시쯤? = <span class="md spoiler">Around what time?</span>
Example:
- &NoBreak;<TTS class="md">저는 파일을 2시**쯤** 보낼 거예요</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">I will send the file at **approximately** 2:00</span>
- 수업이 4시**쯤**에 시작될 예정이에요 = <span class="md spoiler">The class is scheduled to start at **about** 4:00pm</span>
</Details>
서로 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v31.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">reciprocally</span>
<Details>
Notes:
When you have two nouns as the subject, you can indicate that something was done to each other (reciprocally)
Example:
- &NoBreak;<TTS class="md">우리는 **서로** 편지를 줬어요</TTS> = <span class="md spoiler">We gave letters to **each other**</span>
</Details>
필독 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v32.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">must read</span>
<Details>
Notes:
Technically a noun, but usually the translation makes it sound like it is a verb with an emphasis attached to it.
Example:
This word is usually used by itself at the top of messages (or as the subject of an e-mail) to indicate that the message is a “must read”
</Details>
며칠 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v33.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">how many days</span>
<Details>
This word has three main usages:
- When asking somebody how many days they will do something
- When asking what day it is
- To say “a few days ago”
Examples:
- 한국에서 **며칠** 있었어요? = <span class="md spoiler">**How many days** were you in Korea?</span>
- 오늘은 **며칠**이에요? = <span class="md spoiler">**What day** is it today?</span>
- 우리는 **며칠** 전에 만났어요 = <span class="md spoiler">We met **a few days ago**</span>
</Details>
퍼센트 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson22v34.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">percent</span>
<Details>
Common Usages:
- 백 퍼센트 = <span class="md spoiler">100 percent</span>
Example:
- 학생들의 20**퍼센트**만 시험을 합격했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">Only 20 **percent** of the students passed the exam</span>
</Details>
For help memorizing these words, try using our [mobile app](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/app/).
## Introduction
In the previous lesson, you learned about how to make question sentences in Korean. In this lesson, you will build on what you learned in [Lesson 21](./21-why-when-where-who.md) by learning more ways to ask questions in Korean. Specifically, you will learn how to ask questions using the following words: how, what, which and how many.
## 어떻게
어떻게 is the easiest of the words that you will learn today. The word 어떻게 is actually 어떻다 (a word you don’t know yet) turned into an adverb by adding \~게 to the stem (어떻 + 게). Though 어떻다 and 어떻게 are technically the same word, don’t think of them that way. Just remember that 어떻게 means “how.” You can use 어떻게 to ask how somebody does a _verb_, but it can not be placed before an adjective or adverb in Korean to mean “how (adjective/adverb).” For example:
“Learn” is a verb, so you can use 어떻게 in the following sentence:
- How did you learn?
“Beautiful” is an adjective. “Often” is an adverb. Which means you can _not_ use 어떻게 in the following sentences:
- How beautiful is your girlfriend?
- How often do you go to school?
You will learn another word (얼마나) later in this lesson to use in those sentences.
어떻게 is an adverb, so you can place it in sentences very freely. You can use it to ask questions in the past, present or future tense. For example:
- 그것을 어떻게 해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How do you do that?</span>
- 한국어를 어떻게 배웠어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How did you learn Korean?</span>
- 그 자리를 어떻게 찾았어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How did you find that seat?</span>
- 그 파일을 어떻게 보낼 거예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How are you going to send that file?</span>
One thing that is different between English and Korean is when you ask “what do you think about…” If you want to say that in Korean, you have to use _the equivalent of “how do you think about…”_:
- 그 여자에 대해 어떻게 생각해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-5.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What do you think about that girl?</span>
That’s pretty much all you need to know with regards to ‘어떻게,’ but there is still more that you should know about the word 어떻다.
### 어때?
The word 어떻다 is rarely used as 어떻다 in sentences. Actually, if you asked Korean people if they thought that ‘어떻다’ and 어떻게’ are the same word, they would probably say that the two are completely different words.
In addition to 어떻게, there is another way that you can use 어떻다 in sentences. Through conjugation, 어떻다 can change to ‘어때.” I’ll show you how 어떻다 changes to 어때, but you really don’t need to worry about how it is changed (there are only a few other words in Korean that can take on a similar transformation).
1. 어떻다 is an adjective
2. \~아/어하다 can be added to _some_ adjectives (You already know about 좋다 + \~아/어하다 = 좋아하다)
3. The addition of \~아/어하다 causes the ㅎ to drop (you will learn more about this in the [next lesson](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit1/unit-1-lessons-17-25-2/lesson-23/ "Lesson 23: ㅎ Irregular: Korean Colors, 이렇다, 그렇다 and 저렇다"))
4. 어떠하다 can conjugate to 어떠해
5. Say 어떠해 fast enough and it comes out as “어때”
어때 is used to say “how is/was the…?” or “what do/did you think about…?” It is used when you want to ask somebody’s opinion/evaluation of something. It sounds more natural in Korean for the thing you are asking about with “어때” to not have a particle. For example:
- 남자 친구 어때? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How is your boyfriend? (is he good/bad/handsome/etc..?)</span>
It is also very commonly used in the present tense to say “how about… ?/what do you think of…?” For example:
- 점심 어때? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How about lunch? / What do you think about lunch?</span>
Think of this example. You and I are searching through a bunch of pictures, trying to find the best one for my profile picture on Facebook. I find one that I like, but I want to ask you <span class="md spoiler">“what do you think about this picture/how about this picture?”</span> In that case, I can say:
- 이 사진(이) 어때? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How about this picture?</span>
In fact, 어때 is probably _the_ most commonly mistranslated word by Korean speakers learning English. If you ask a Korean person what ‘어때’ means, they will all say it means “how about.” Sometimes, this is true, but 어때 can only be used as “how about” in a limited number of cases. In the example I just gave about choosing a good picture, 어때 can be translated to “how about.” But what about in example with the boyfriend?:
- How about your boyfriend?
Sounds weird, and most English-speaking people probably couldn’t even understand the meaning of this sentence.
Try it sometime. If you have a Korean friend (one that can’t speak 100% perfect English), ask him how to say “<TTS>한국 어때?</TTS>” in English. I guarantee he will say “How about Korea?” But really, this should be translated to <span class="md spoiler">“what do you think about Korea?/How is Korea?”</span>
\~요 can be added to 어때 to make it more formal. Also, 어때 can be put into the past-tense to ask about something in the past. But note that even if you are asking about the past, it is not 100% necessary to use 어때 in the past tense:
- 시험 어땠어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How was the exam?/What did you think about the exam? (was it hard/easy?)</span>
- 점심 어땠어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How was the lunch?/What did you think about the lunch? (was it delicious?)</span>
## 뭐/무엇/무슨
Now that you’ve learned all the easy ways to ask questions, let’s work on the hard ways. Figuring out how to ask “what” in Korean is probably the hardest thing you will come across (grammatically) for a while. Essentially, there are three ways to say “what:”
- 뭐 – which is a pronoun
- 무엇 – which is a pronoun
- 무슨 – which is a word that <span class="md spoiler">can be placed before nouns to describe them</span>
Let me explain how each one is used.
### 뭐/무엇
These two essentially have the same meaning and function. Let me introduce 뭐 first.
뭐 can be used similar to 언제, 어디 and 누구. That is, to represent an unknown thing in a sentence. For example:
- 밥을 먹었어 = <span class="md spoiler">I ate rice</span>
- 뭐 먹었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Lesson-25-1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What did you eat?</span>
---
- 계란을 샀어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I bought eggs</span>
- 뭐 샀어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What did you buy?</span>
Like 누구 (as you learned in the [previous lesson](./21-why-when-where-who.md)), “뭐” and “what” act as a pronouns in their respective sentences. More examples:
- 파일을 첨부했어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I attached the file</span>
- 뭐 첨부했어요? = <span class="md spoiler">What did you attach?</span>
---
- 치마를 입었어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I put on a skirt</span>
- 뭐 입었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What did you put on/wear?</span>
Particles are not usually attached to 뭐 when asking a question like this. For example, these would be unnatural:
- ~~뭐를 먹었어요?~~
- ~~뭐를 첨부했어요?~~
- ~~뭐를 입었어요?~~
One of the times it is possible to attach a particle to 뭐 is when asking somebody what they are referring to in a previous sentence where a noun was omitted. For example, if you look at this dialogue:
- Person 1: 저는 많이 먹었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I ate a lot</span>
- Person 2: 뭐를? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">what? (you ate a lot of what?)</span>
Here, the first person didn’t specifically indicate what he/she ate. The second person is asking for clarification of what was eaten, and can use “뭐를.” Here, “뭐” essentially acts as the noun that was omitted in the previous sentence.
무엇 is very similar to 뭐. However, it is more common to attach \~을 to 무엇 than with 뭐. For example:
- 점심을 먹었어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Did you eat lunch?</span>
- 무엇을 먹었어? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What did you eat?</span>
- 무엇을 입었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What did you put on/wear?</span>
- 무엇을 샀어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What did you buy?</span>
When used before 이다 to ask what something “is,” it is more common to use 뭐 than to use 무엇. For example:
- 이것이 뭐야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What is this?</span>
- 이름이 뭐예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What is your name?</span>
- 점심이 뭐야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What is (for) lunch?</span>
Instead of:
- ~~이것이 무엇이야?~~
- ~~이름이 무엇이야?~~
- ~~점심이 무엇이야?~~
### 무슨
무슨 also translates to “what” but it is instead placed before nouns to describe them.
For example:
- 그 영화를 보고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to see that movie?</span>
- 무서운 영화를 보고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to see a scary movie?</span>
- 무슨 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What movie do you want to see?</span>
The dictionary form of 무슨 _is_ 무슨. Although it looks like an adjective with \~ㄴ/은 attached to it, the word itself is 무슨, and thus, is not actually an adjective. However, it looks and feels like an adjective because of how it is used in sentences.
무슨 is used when the speaker doesn’t know what an object is, and is asking about what it may be. The most common situations you will see 무슨 used are the following:
- 그것이 무슨 냄새야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What is that smell?</span>
- 무슨 생각(을) 해? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What are you thinking?</span>
- 그것이 무슨 소리야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What is that sound?</span>
- 무슨 말이야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What do you mean?</span>
_(The last two examples are often used to ask “what do you mean” or “I can’t understand what you are trying to say”)_
One way I like to think of 무슨 and how it can be distinguished from 어떤 and 어느 (which you will learn next in the lesson), is that 무슨 is used when the speaker is asking a question and has no idea what the answer will be. The answer could be almost an unlimited choice of options. For example, if I ask:
- 무슨 냄새야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What is that smell?</span>
I might use that if I just walk into a room and smell something for the first time. Because of this, I would not know the source of the smell and would have no idea what the answer to my question might be. The answer could be anywhere from “my fart” to “the toaster.”
Likewise, if I ask:
- 무슨 생각(을) 해? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-14.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What are you thinking?</span>
I might be looking at somebody and seeing them staring into space. In this case, I would not be able to even guess what that person is thinking, so I have no idea what the answer to my question might be. The answer could be anywhere from “my future” to “eating pizza.”
Sounds simple enough, right? Let’s talk about other words that are often confused with 무슨.
## 어떤/어느
### 어떤
어떤 is another one of these words that, although not an adjective, we can place before a noun to describe it. For example:
- 그 영화를 보고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to see that movie?</span>
- 무서운 영화를 보고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to see a scary movie?</span>
- 무슨 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What movie do you want to see?</span>
- 어떤 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which movie do you want to see?</span>
Or
- 그 차를 사고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to buy that car?</span>
- 비싼 차를 사고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to buy an expensive car?</span>
- 무슨 차를 사고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">What car do you want to buy?</span>
- 어떤 차를 사고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-19.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which car do you want to buy?</span>
The first question every learner has when learning about 어떤 is how it can be differentiated from 무슨. 어떤 usually translates to “which” and 무슨 usually translates to “what.” Their meanings are very similar and their respective English translations don’t really give any hints as to what the differences between the two are.
The difference is subtle, and at this point you don’t really need to fully understand how they are different. The difference is even hard for Korean people to understand, and using one of them in place of the other usually creates a sentence with essentially the exact same meaning. That being said, let me give you a brief introduction of how they are different.
In the case of asking questions, 어떤 is used for two main reasons.
- _To choose from a selection of options_
- For example, in: “<TTS>어떤 차를 사고 싶어요?</TTS>” Maybe you are selling cars and giving a person a selection of cars to choose from. Here, although you technically don’t know the answer to the question, you can assume that it will be from a limited number of choices given.
- _To ask about the type of properties or characteristics related to a person/object_
- For example, in: “<TTS>어떤 차를 사고 싶어요?</TTS>” Maybe you are asking your friend about the type of car he wants to buy based on the characteristics of it. Here, you could be asking if he wants to buy a van, an SUV, a truck, etc…
By looking at those two main usages, you can see how 어떤 should not be used to replace 무슨 in most situations. For example, in the examples earlier with 무슨, I showed you this sentence:
- 무슨 냄새야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What is that smell?</span>
Here, “무슨 냄새야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-17.mp3" />” would be used when the person doesn’t know the source of the smell, and has no idea what the smell could be. Like I said earlier, the answer to the question would likely indicate the source of the smell and could literally be anything from “farts” to “the toaster.”
However saying “어떤 냄새야?” in most situations would be ridiculous. It could only really be used if you are asking a person to tell you about the characteristics of a smell they are smelling. For example, imagine if you had a bouquet of flowers and put the flowers to your friend’s nose. In this case, you want your friend to describe the characteristics of the smell – “Is it a nice smell? A fresh smell? A rosy smell?” The answer to this question would likely be describing (the characteristics) of the smell.
Despite this distinction, there are many situations where 어떤 and 무슨 could basically be used interchangeably. For example, ask a Korean person if they can describe the differences between the two sentences:
- 무슨 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What movie do you want to see?</span>
_(In theory, the speaker would have no idea what the answer to the question would be)_
- 어떤 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which movie do you want to see?</span>
_(In theory, the speaker would have given the listener a choice to choose from, or would be asking about the type of movie the listener wants to see \[for example, a comedy, a horror movie, or a love story\])._
---
Another usage of 어떤 that is completely unrelated to asking questions can be seen in this sentence:
- 어떤 남자는 어제 여기에 왔어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-31.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Some man came here yesterday</span>
Here, 어떤 is used to show that the speaker knew a man came, but is unsure of specifically who he was. This can be applied to other nouns as well when the speaker is aware of some object, but is unsure of what specific object is in question. For example
- 저는 어떤 책을 읽고 있었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-20.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I was reading some book</span>
_(the speaker doesn’t know exactly what book he was reading)_
- 저는 어떤 건물에 들어갔어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-21.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I went into some building</span>
_(the speaker doesn’t know exactly what building he went into)_
---
Just when you thought you might actually be understanding this confusion, we have to look at another word with a similar meaning.
### 어느
Another way you can ask this type of question is with the word 어느. Like 무슨 and 어떤, 어느 is placed immediately before nouns.
Unfortunately for your brain, 어느 translates to “which.” For example:
- 그 영화를 보고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to see that movie?</span>
- 무서운 영화를 보고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Do you want to see a scary movie?</span>
- 무슨 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What movie do you want to see?</span>
- 어떤 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which movie do you want to see?</span>
- 어느 영화를 보고 싶어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-22.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which movie do you want to see?</span>
In the case of asking questions, 어느 is used in a similar way to the first explanation I gave of 어떤 from above. That is, <span class="md spoiler">“to choose from a selection of options.”</span> It would not be used to refer to the type of characteristics or properties of an object, and it would not be used to refer to something unknown.
Here, you can see that the usages of 무슨, 어떤 and 어느 overlap on multiple levels. Although this overlap leads to confusion, it also allows each word to be used interchangeably in most cases, which makes using them easier than you think. In my opinion, it is just as important to realize how _not_ to use each of these words when asking a question. Let me brief that for you:
무슨:
- Don’t use this when asking about the type of characteristics or properties of something
- Don’t use this when giving somebody options to choose from
- However,
- Do use this when you can’t expect what the answer will be at all
어떤:
- Don’t use this when asking about something that you can’t expect the answer for
- However,
- Do use this when asking about the type of characteristics or properties of something
- Do use this when giving somebody options to choose from
어느:
- Don’t use this when asking about the type of characteristics or properties of something
- Don’t use this when asking about something that you can’t expect the answer for
- However,
- Do use this when giving somebody options to choose from
Here are a bunch of similar examples which each word being used:
- 무슨 집에서 살아요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What house do you live in?</span>
- 어떤 집에서 살아요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which house do you live in?</span>
- 어느 집에서 살아요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which house do you live in?</span>
---
- 무슨 대학교를 다녀요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s4.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What university do you go to?</span>
- 어떤 대학교를 다녀요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Lesson33sn1.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which university do you go to?</span>
- 어느 대학교를 다녀요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-40.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which university do you go to?</span>
---
- ~~무슨 쪽으로 가고 싶어요?~~ _– This would generally not be said in Korean. You would most likely say this when standing on a street (or somewhere similar), where you have a selection of options to choose from. Therefore, one of the following would be used instead:_
---
- 어떤 쪽으로 가고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Which way do you want to go?</span>
- 어느 쪽으로 가고 싶어요? = <span class="md spoiler">Which way do you want to go?</span>
- 무슨 치마를 샀어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s6.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What skirt did you buy?</span>
- 어떤 치마를 샀어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which skirt did you buy?</span>
- 어느 치마를 샀어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-23.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">Which skirt did you buy?</span>
This table is equally confusing, but it helped me organize my thoughts, so I thought I would present it here as well. I have attempted to organize the main usages of 무슨, 어떤 and 어느.
| | 무슨 | 어떤 | 어느 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Object is unknown | 무슨 냄새야?<br><span class="md spoiler">What is that smell?</span> | 어떤 냄새야?<br>_Could be okay, but it would be referring to the characteristics of the smell, not the source._ | ~~어느~~ ~~소리야?~~<br>Awkward |
| Characteristics | ~~그~~ ~~사람이~~ ~~무슨~~ ~~사람이야?~~<br>Awkward | 그는 어떤 사람이야?<br><span class="md spoiler">What type of person is he?</span> | ~~그~~ ~~사람이~~ ~~어느~~ ~~사람이야?~~<br>Awkward |
| Choosing among options<br>More in [Lesson 33](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-2-lower-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-2-lessons-26-33/lesson-33/ "Lesson 33: ~중 (하는 중), (~중에)") | 무슨 차를 사고 싶어요?<br><span class="md spoiler">What car do you want to buy?</span><br>_(This fits in with the “object is unknown” usage)_ | 어떤 차를 사고 싶어요?<span class="md spoiler"><br>Which car do you want to buy?</span><br>_(This could also be referring to the characteristics/type of car)_ | 어느 차를 사고 싶어요?<br><span class="md spoiler">Which car do you want to buy?</span> |
| Unsure of specifics | ~~나는~~ ~~무슨~~ ~~책을~~ ~~읽었어~~<br>Awkward | 나는 어떤 책을 읽었어<br><span class="md spoiler">I read some book</span> | ~~나는~~ ~~어느~~ ~~책을~~ ~~읽었어~~<br>Awkward |
This is a good start, but there are other specific situations when you might use one of these words. For example, 어느 has other usages as well. You will learn about some of the other usages of 어느 in [Lesson 25](./25-anybody-everybody.md) and [Lesson 72](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-3-intermediate-korean-grammar/lessons-67-75/lesson-72/ "Lesson 72: As much as: ~만큼, 정도").
In addition, as 어떤 and 어느 are used when options are given, we will continue to talk about these words in [Lesson 33](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-2-lower-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-2-lessons-26-33/lesson-33/ "Lesson 33: ~중 (하는 중), (~중에)") when you learn how to give options to people.
## 몇\_\_\_
Before I explain how to ask somebody “how many \_\_\_\_?” as in “how many cars do you have?” let’s review how to say “I have # cars.” Remember that you need to use counters in these types of sentences:
- 저는 차 두 대가 있어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-24.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I have 2 cars</span>
- 나는 어제 친구 다섯 명을 만났어 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Lesson10-Feb-10-3.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I met five friends yesterday</span>
- 저는 그 영화를 다섯 번 봤어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-46.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I saw that movie five times</span>
If you want to ask “how many \_\_\_?” you must include “몇” before the counter:
- 차가 몇 대 있어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-25.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How many cars do you have?</span>
- 친구를 몇 명 만났어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-26.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How many friends did you meet?</span>
- 어제 학교에 몇 번 갔어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-49.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How many times did you go to school yesterday?</span>
- 파일을 몇 개 보냈어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s8.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How many files did you send?</span>
- 치마를 몇 개 샀어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s9.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How many skirts did you buy?</span>
- 그 종이를 몇 번 찢었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s10.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How many times did you rip that paper?</span>
Notice the difference in the placement of the particles. When you say “몇 번” or “몇 대” or “몇 명” you have essentially created a question word. Just like most other question words, particles are not typically attached. Nonetheless, if you placed the particles after “몇 \_\_\_”, your questions would still be understood, but to me it is more natural to place them after the noun that you are asking about, and not after the counter. Just to show you, these would be understandable, and it probably just depends on the speaker who says them:
- 차 몇 대가 있어요? = <span class="md spoiler">How many cars do you have?</span>
- 친구 몇 명을 만났어요? = <span class="md spoiler">How many friends did you meet?</span>
Also make sure not to confuse these types of sentences with these similar sentences you learned in a previous lesson:
- (저는) 차 몇 대가 있어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I have some cars</span>
- (저는) 어제 학교에 몇 번 갔어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I went to school some times (a few times) yesterday</span>
- (저는) 친구를 몇 명 만났어요 = <span class="md spoiler">I met some friends</span>
The difference between the first three sentences and the last three sentences is the first three are questions and the last three are statements. Remember when you are asking a question that the intonation needs to rise at the end of the sentence.
By using 몇 \_\_\_ you can also ask “how old are you?” and “what time is it?”:
- 몇 시예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-53.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">What time is it?</span>
- 몇 살이에요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-54.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How old are you?</span>
- 너의 남동생은 몇 살이야? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-55.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How old is your younger brother?</span>
## 얼마나
The word “얼마나” can be placed before adjectives and adverbs to mean “how.” In these cases, the speaker is asking to what extent something occurs. For example:
Adjectives
- 얼마나 짧다 = <span class="md spoiler">how short</span>
- 얼마나 예쁘다 = <span class="md spoiler">how pretty</span>
- 얼마나 많다 = <span class="md spoiler">how much/many</span>
Adverbs
- 얼마나 자주 = <span class="md spoiler">how often</span>
- 얼마나 빨리 = <span class="md spoiler">how quickly</span>
- 얼마나 잘 = <span class="md spoiler">how well</span>
For example:
- 한국어를 얼마나 자주 공부해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-56.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How often do you study Korean?</span>
- 여자 친구는 얼마나 예뻐요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-57.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How pretty is your girlfriend?</span>
- 축구를 얼마나 잘 해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-58.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How well do you play soccer?</span>
It can also be used before verbs when the speaker is not making a distinction between countable objects in his/her question. Instead, the speaker’s inquiry falls within an uncountable continuum. For example, notice the difference between these two questions:
- How many pieces did you eat?
_Speaker is making a distinction between countable objects_
- How much did you eat?
_Speaker is not making a distinction between countable objects. Here, the speaker’s inquiry falls within an uncountable continuum._
When used like this with a verb, the most common translation for “얼마나” is “how much.” For example:
- 빵을 얼마나 먹었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-27.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much bread did you eat?</span>
- 그 여자를 얼마나 사랑해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-28.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much do you love that girl?</span>
- 돈을 얼마나 가져갈 거예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-29.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much money will you take?</span>
- 물을 얼마나 마셨어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-30.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much water did you drink?</span>
- 그 책상은 자리를 얼마나 차지해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s11.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much space does that desk take up?</span>
The adverb 많이 is sometimes used in these sentences, and creates essentially the same meaning. In fact, the translation usually would not change when using 많이 in these types of sentences. For example:
- 빵을 얼마나 많이 먹었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-31.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much bread did you eat?</span>
- 그 여자를 얼마나 많이 사랑해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-32.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much do you love that girl?</span>
- 돈을 얼마나 많이 가져갈 거예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-33.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much money will you take?</span>
- 물을 얼마나 많이 마셨어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-34.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much water did you drink?</span>
- 그 책상은 자리를 얼마나 많이 차지해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s12.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much space does that desk take up?</span>
Using 많이 in the sentences above just stresses that the speaker knows that the answer is “<span class="md spoiler">a lot</span>” (remember, the meaning of 많이 is “<span class="md spoiler">a lot</span>” or “<span class="md spoiler">many</span>”), and is sort of asking “<span class="md spoiler">okay, I know it is a lot, but _how much_ a lot?</span>” (I realize that sentence is grammatically incorrect).
—————–
많이 (the adverb) can also be used as 많다 (the adjective) in these sentences. The meaning is still the same, but the structure of the sentence changes so 많다 describes the noun in question. For example:
- 얼마나 많은 빵을 먹었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s13.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much bread did you eat?</span>
- 얼마나 많은 돈을 가져갈 거예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s15.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much money will you take?</span>
- 얼마나 많은 물을 마셨어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s16.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much water did you drink?</span>
Although correct and understandable, I highly suggest you refrain from using this style of sentence. It sounds much more natural to say “<TTS>빵을 얼마나 먹었어요?</TTS>” or “<TTS>빵을 얼마나 많이 먹었어요?</TTS>” instead of “얼마나 많은 빵을 먹었어요?”
—————–
When the speaker _is_ making a distinction between countable objects, the counter should be used as you learned in the previous section. For example:
- 빵을 몇 개 먹었어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-35.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How many pieces of bread did you eat?</span>
- 몇 명의 여자를 사랑해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-36.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How many girls do you love?</span>
Note that although “얼마나” translates to “how” in all of these usages above. This is different from the usage of 어떻게 which also translates to “how” in English.
Notice the difference between the use of “how” in the sentences below:
- 한국어를 얼마나 자주 공부해요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-56.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How often do you study Korean?</span>
- 한국어를 어떻게 배웠어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson22-2.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How did you learn Korean?</span>
The word “얼마” can be used to ask <span class="md spoiler">how much something costs</span>.
_얼마나 and 얼마 are technically not the same word. However, I am presenting 얼마 in this form here because it is very common and it is in the form of a question._
For example:
- 그 로션이 얼마예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-38.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much is that lotion?</span>
- 저 바지가 얼마예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-39.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much are those pants?</span>
- 벌금은 얼마였어요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-22-s17.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much was the fine?</span>
- 이게 얼마예요? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-37.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">How much is this?</span>
_Remember,_ 이게, 그게 _and_ 저게 _are contractions of_ 이것이, 그것이 _and_ 저것이 _respectively._
———————-
I just want to point out that it is possible to use most of these question words by themselves to ask for more information about a situation. If somebody is talking, and you want more information about who, what, when, where, why or how something occurs, you can use 누구, 뭐, 언제, 어디, 왜 or 어떻게 by themselves as questions. I don’t show this, but you can also add “요” after any of these words if you are speaking in a more formal situation. For example:
<ins>왜</ins>
In [Lesson 21](./21-why-when-where-who.md), you saw that you can use this when somebody calls you, 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>
It can also be used by itself to ask “why” something occurs. For example:
- Person 1: 저는 내일 캐나다에 갈 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">Tomorrow, I will go to Canada</span>
- Person 2: 왜? = <span class="md spoiler">Why (will you go to Canada tomorrow)?</span>
<ins>언제</ins>
- Person 1: 저는 캐나다에 갈 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I will go to Canada</span>
- Person 2: 언제? = <span class="md spoiler">When (will you go to Canada)?</span>
<ins>어디</ins>
- Person 1: 저는 내일 갈 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I will go tomorrow</span>
- Person 2: 어디? = <span class="md spoiler">Where (will you go tomorrow)?</span>
<ins>누구</ins>
- Person 1: 내일 그 사람을 만날 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I will meet that person tomorrow</span>
- Person 2: 누구(를)? = <span class="md spoiler">Who(m) (will you meet)?</span>
You can use 누가 by itself when asking about the acting agent of a sentence. For example:
- Person 1: 내일 어떤 사람이 여기 올 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">Tomorrow, some person will come here</span>
- Person 2: 누가? = <span class="md spoiler">Who (will come here)?</span>
<ins>어떻게</ins>
- Person 1: 저는 공항에 갈 거예요 = <span class="md spoiler">I will go to the airport</span>
- Person 2: 어떻게? = <span class="md spoiler">How (will you go to the airport)?</span>
<ins>뭐</ins>
You saw this already in this lesson:
- Person 1: - 저는 많이 먹었어요 <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">I ate a lot</span>
- Person 2: - 뭐(를)? <AudioButton src="https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lesson-22-7.mp3" /> = <span class="md spoiler">what? (you ate a lot of what?)</span>
———————-
That’s it for asking questions in Korean! There was a _lot_ of content in this lesson and the one before it ([Lesson 21](./21-why-when-where-who.md)). Make sure you review those concepts a lot, because they are very important!
Before we move on to the next lesson, though, we need to revisit \~는/은 and \~이/가 again.
## \~는/은 and \~이/가 Revisited
Now that you have continued to increase your understanding of Korean grammar over the past few lessons – and specifically learned how to ask questions in Korean, I can continue to explain the nuances between \~이/가 and \~는/은.
Assuming that the situation is not set up in a way that would be grammatically appropriate to compare yourself with somebody else, it would be very awkward for you to say the following:
- 내가 밥을 먹었어
If you just walked into a room without anybody saying anything to you, or without any prior back-story, and simply said “내가 밥을 먹었어” (despite being able to understand you perfectly) it would sound very awkward to Korean people.
When you use \~이/가 over \~는/은, the speaker is putting an enormous amount of stress on the fact that it was that particular subject that did the action. The speaker isn’t comparing anything, but specifically stressing that it was the subject who/that does the action in the sentence (or has the properties described by the adjective, or “is” the thing attached to 이다). Again, this is just a nuance, and cannot be expressed in translation to English. The only way it can be explained is through descriptions.
The reason why “내가 밥을 먹었어” sounds weird is because it is just like walking into a room and saying:
- “I am the one who ate rice!”
_Note here that I wouldn’t actually translate_ “내가 밥을 먹었어” _to “I am the one who ate rice.” I would still translate it to “I ate.” I am using the translation “I am the one who ate” to show how the stress can be on the subject._
Nobody would ever say that without anything prompting a person to say it. Instead, you would just say:
- 나는 밥을 먹었어 = <span class="md spoiler">I ate rice</span>
Note that here, you are not comparing anything. You are also not stating a general fact. You are just indicating the subject of the sentence. How can I know that nothing is being compared? How can I know that this isn’t just a general fact? How can I know that \~는/은 is just acting as a plain old subject marker?
I am going to reiterate what I said in Lesson 17:
This is precisely what causes the confusion amongst foreigners when trying to distinguish the difference between \~이/가 and \~는/은. Both of them can be used to express more than one nuance. The _only_ way you can distinguish between the particular nuances being used is by understanding the situation in which they are used.
The whole process of distinguishing \~이/가 from \~는/은 is incredibly confusing. I want to share an important phrase that I came up with that you should always think about when trying to learn the purposes of these particles:
“It’s not about understanding them – it’s about understanding when to use them.”
At this point I would like to dive a little bit deeper into this purpose of stressing the subject of a sentence. Like I said, to have this purpose, it would need some sort of back-story indicating why the speaker would need to stress the subject.
It would be weird in most situations to just say the following as a one-off sentence:
- 내가 학생이야
… this is just like walking into a room and saying “It is me who is a/the student!”
However, imagine two students in a class arguing about who gets to sit in the front row (the best seats in the class). After arguing for a few minutes, the class president can come in and say:
- 내가 반장이야! = <span class="md spoiler">I am the class president!</span> (반장 = <span class="md spoiler">class president</span>)
In this situation, the speaker is stressing that it is he/she that is the class president, and therefore has the power to solve the situation.
I waited until Lesson 22 to talk about this usage because now you know how to ask questions. The particle \~이/가, in its usage as a subject stressor, is used when somebody specifically asks “_who_” did a particular action.
For example, in the following dialogue:
- 누가 밥을 먹었어? = <span class="md spoiler">Who ate the rice?</span>
- 내가 밥을 먹었어 = <span class="md spoiler">I ate the rice</span>
This could also be shortened to only include the subject:
- 내가 = <span class="md spoiler">“I did”, or “me”</span>
Another example:
- 누가 피자를 만들었어? = <span class="md spoiler">Who made the pizza?</span>
- 내가 만들었어 = <span class="md spoiler">I made it (me)</span>
Notice here that just because (in English) somebody asks a “who” question doesn’t mean that \~이/가 must be used on the subject. This is only relevant when the speaker is asking “who” the subject was – and not who the object was (in effect, when “who” translates to 누가 and not to 누구”).
- 누가 그녀를 좋아해? = <span class="md spoiler">Who likes her?</span>
- 내가 그녀를 좋아해 = <span class="md spoiler">I like her</span>
Notice above the question is asking who the subject is
- 너는 누구를 좋아해? = <span class="md spoiler">Who do you like?</span>
- 나는 그녀를 좋아해 = <span class="md spoiler">I like her</span>
Notice above the question is asking who the object is. The use of “는” on the subject takes the stress off of the subject and “는” just acts as a subject marker.
The same thing can be done with other question words, as long as the question is asking for the subject. For example:
- 어떤 것이 더 좋아요? = <span class="md spoiler">Which one is better?</span>
- 이것이 더 좋아요 = <span class="md spoiler">This one is better</span>
I can’t stress enough that all of these nuances are all situational.
A particular sentence with \~는/은 can make sense in one situation, but could be awkward in another situation. That same sentence might be awkward with \~이/가 in one situation, but appropriate in another situation. In some situations, they could be exactly the same. Ask a Korean person to distinguish between the following:
- 내 친구가 밥을 먹었다
- 내 친구는 밥을 먹었다
They will tell you that – depending on the situation – they could be exactly the same. It entirely depends on the nuance that the speaker is trying to make.
Before we finish, I would like to organize everything that we’ve done and try to describe the usages of \~는/은 and \~이/가 very quickly. Notice that I say “try.” It is almost impossible to do this in any form, let alone in just a few sentences. Korean people literally write their doctoral theses on this topic. Nonetheless, here we go:
\~는/은:
1. To denote a subject of a sentence. For example:
- 나는 밥을 먹었다 = <span class="md spoiler">I ate rice</span>
- 내 친구는 밥을 먹었다 = <span class="md spoiler">My friend ate rice</span>
- 나는 그녀를 좋아해 = <span class="md spoiler">I like her</span>
- This may or may not have an overlapped meaning with the following purposes:
2. To compare something. For example:
- 이 산은 높다 = <span class="md spoiler">This mountain is high (but maybe another mountain is low)</span>
- 사과는 빨갛다. 바나나는 노랗다 = <span class="md spoiler">Apples are red. Bananas are yellow.</span>
3. To state a general fact. For example:
- 로키산은 높다 = <span class="md spoiler">The Rocky Mountains are high</span>
- 여름 날씨는 좋다 = <span class="md spoiler">Summer weather is good (nice)</span>
- 다이아몬드는 딱딱하다 = <span class="md spoiler">Diamonds are hard</span>
- 사과는 빨갛다 = <span class="md spoiler">Apples are red</span>
\~이/가:
1. To denote a subject of a sentence. For example:
- 고양이가 집 뒤에 있다 = <span class="md spoiler">The cat is behind the house</span>
- This may or may not have an overlapped meaning with the following purposes:
2. To indicate something based on a recent experience/observation. For example:
- 날씨가 좋다 = <span class="md spoiler">The weather is nice!</span>
- 비가 와요 = <span class="md spoiler">It’s raining!</span>
- 사과가 파랗다 = <span class="md spoiler">The apple is blue</span>
3. To stress that the subject does the action (or is the adjective). For example:
- 누가 그녀를 좋아해? = <span class="md spoiler">Who likes her?</span>
- – 내가 그녀를 좋아해 = <span class="md spoiler">I like her</span>
- 내가 반장이야! = <span class="md spoiler">I am the class president!</span>
4. Placed on objects in sentences that are predicated by adjectives. For example:
- 나는 학교가 싫다 = <span class="md spoiler">I don’t like school</span>
- 나는 그것이 좋다 = <span class="md spoiler">I like that</span>
- 나는 펜이 있다 = <span class="md spoiler">I have a pen</span>
5. Placed on the object before 아니다 to indicate what something is not. For example:
- 나는 학생이 아니다 = <span class="md spoiler">I am not a student</span>
- 나는 의사가 아니다 = <span class="md spoiler">I am not a doctor</span>
6. Placed on the object predicated by “되다” to indicate what something becomes. For example:
- 나는 의사가 되고 싶다 = <span class="md spoiler">I want to become a doctor</span>
- 나는 선생님이 되고 싶다 = <span class="md spoiler">I want to become a teacher</span>
In [Lesson 14](./14-passive.md) you also learned about creating passive sentences with verbs that act in the “state” of something. For example:
- 문이 열려 있다 = <span class="md spoiler">The door is open</span>
In that lesson, I told you that you should use \~이/가 on the object that is in the state of something. I can only assume that the purpose of this is what is described in number 2 above. That is, “the door being open” is not some general statement because (obviously) not all doors are open. Rather, the speaker is referring to a particular door in a particular situation that is open, and thus, requires the use of \~이/가. Adding \~는/은 to “문” (or any other object in that situation) would only be acceptable in a comparison situation.
One last time before we put this to bed for a while:
Your understanding of this will progress along with your understanding of Korean in general. Through Lesson 2, 17 and 22 I hope you have a better understanding of this. However, I know that you will still be confused. Don’t worry, that is normal, and I promise your understanding will evolve as you keep progressing with your Korean.
In our later lessons, you will continue to be introduced to when it is more appropriate to use either \~는/은 or \~이/가. For now, focus on what we have learned so far.
[Okay, I got it! Take me to the next lesson!](./23-ㅎ-irregulars-colors.md) Or,
[Click here for a workbook to go along with this lesson.](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/workbooks/#Unit1725 "Workbooks")
## Summary
<YouTube id=VeahsIlwDao />
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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