Korean for English speakers Street · Lesson 3

Asking What are you doing here?

Subject omission in Korean — 이게 뭐지? (What is this?) — Korean often omits known subjects.

Conversation

  1. Pishi Pishi

    어? 이게 뭐지?

    Eo? ige mwoji?

    Oh? What is this?

    Tip: <어?> = interjection to express surprise with curiosity <이게 뭐지?> = expression to say "What is this?" (saying to oneself)

  2. PX296 PX296

    안녕하세요. 반갑습니다. 저는 로봇이에요.

    Annyeonghaseyo. Bangapseumnida. Jeoneun robosieyo.

    Hello. Nice to meet you. I am a robot.

    Tip: <안녕하세요> = formal way to say "Hello" <반갑습니다> = very formal way to say "Nice to meet you" <저는 N이에요/예요> = "I'm N" <로봇> = robot

  3. Pishi Pishi

    우와~ 여기에서 뭐 해요?

    Uwa~ Yeogieseo mwo haeyo?

    Wow! What are you doing here?

    Tip: <우와~> = "Wow!" <여기에서> = "here" with particle -에서 for a location where an action is taking place <뭐> = what <해요> = verb "to do" (in present tense) [Note] In Korean, words like 'you' or 'your' are omitted in sentences, when it's clear that in this situation "I'm talking to you".

  4. PX296 PX296

    기다려요.

    Gidaryeoyo.

    I'm waiting.

    Tip: <친구> = friend <기다려요> = verb "to wait" (in present tense)

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Why does Korean omit subjects?

When the subject is clear from context, it's often dropped. 학교에 가요 = '(I/you/he/she) go to school'. Context decides.

What is 이게?

Contracted form of 이것이 ('this thing is...'). Common in casual speech.

What does 반갑습니다 mean?

'Nice to meet you' (very formal). Casual: 반가워요. Friendly: 반가워.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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