Introduction
Korean, a fascinating language with its own distinct features, provides various ways to ask everyday questions. One such common phrase is “What are you doing?” which translates to “뭐 해?” (mwo hae?) or “뭐 하는 중이야?” (mwo haneun jungiya?) in Korean. Learning this phrase can greatly improve your Korean communication skills.
Simple Translation and Usage
In Korean, “What are you doing?” can be said as “뭐 해?” (mwo hae?). This phrase is used informally, mainly among friends, family, or people of similar age or status. It’s a casual way to ask about someone’s current activity.
More Polite Expression
For formal situations, such as speaking to someone older or in a professional setting, you can use “뭐 하는 중이야?” (mwo haneun jungiya?), which means “What are you doing?” This form is more polite and respectful.
Different Situations to Use the Phrase
- Casual Chats: In informal settings, like chatting with friends, you can use “뭐 해?” (mwo hae?) to ask what someone is doing.
- Example: “Hey, what are you doing?” can be said as “야, 뭐 해?”
- Checking In: When you want to check on someone’s progress or activity, you can say “뭐 하는 중이야?” (mwo haneun jungiya?).
- Example: “Just checking in, what are you doing?” can be expressed as “그냥 확인하는 거야, 뭐 하는 중이야?”
- Expressing Surprise: If you’re surprised by someone’s unexpected action, you can ask “뭐 하는 거야?” (mwo haneun geoya?).
- Example: “What are you doing here?” can be asked as “여기서 뭐 하는 거야?”
Using Different Levels of Politeness
In Korean, the level of politeness in your speech can vary depending on the person you’re talking to. When speaking to someone older or in a formal setting, it’s important to use polite language. In such cases, you can ask “뭐 하는 중이세요?” (mwo haneun jungiseyo?) to mean “What are you doing?”
Conclusion
Understanding how to ask “What are you doing?” in Korean can improve your conversations with native speakers. Whether you’re using the casual form “뭐 해?” (mwo hae?) or the more formal “뭐 하는 중이세요?” (mwo haneun jungiseyo?), knowing this phrase can help you in various social situations.
BrainTech and COFL Korean Language Course
To delve deeper into Korean language and culture, consider enrolling in a Korean language course. Both BrainTech and COFL offer comprehensive courses designed to help you learn the language. Contact us today at +91 99994 17228 for more information and to start your Korean language journey!
