Korean for English speakers Street · Lesson 4

Asking about someone

Object particles in Korean — -을/를 — 누구를 기다려요? (Who are you waiting for?).

Conversation

  1. Pishi Pishi

    누구를 기다려요?

    Nugureul gidaryeoyo?

    Who are you waiting for?

    Tip: <누구> = who <-을/를> = object particle [Note] We conjugate this particle according to the syllable before. If it finishes by a vowel (ㅜ of 누구), we use -를. If by a final consonant, we use -을.

  2. PX296 PX296

    매지캣을 기다려요.

    Maejikaeseul gidaryeoyo.

    I'm waiting for Magicat.

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

  3. Pishi Pishi

    매지캣이 이름이에요?

    Maejikaesi ireumieyo?

    Magicat is a name?

    Tip: <이름> = name <N이에요/예요> = verb "to be"

  4. PX296 PX296

    네, 고양이 마술사예요.

    Ne, goyangi masulsayeyo.

    Yes, he is a cat magician.

    Tip: <네> = formal way to say "Yes" <고양이> = cat <마술사> = magician

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do object particles -을/를 work?

-을 after consonant: 매지캣을. -를 after vowel: 친구를. Marks the direct object.

What does 누구 mean?

'Who?'. 누구 기다려요? = 'who are you waiting for?'. Add -를 for the object: 누구를.

Korean for 'I'm waiting'?

기다려요 (polite). 기다리다 = to wait. 친구를 기다려요 = 'I'm waiting for a friend'.

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.

Next lesson in Street Asking someone's name politely →