Saying What Are You Doing Today? In Korean

by Alex Braham 45 views

Hey guys! Learning a new language can be super exciting, and Korean is no exception. If you're trying to figure out how to ask someone, "What are you doing today?" in Korean, you've come to the right place. This is a super common and useful phrase, whether you're chatting with friends, making plans, or just being curious. Let's break down the different ways you can say this, depending on the situation and who you're talking to.

Understanding Korean Politeness Levels

Before we dive into the phrases, it's important to understand Korean politeness levels. Korean language has different levels of formality, which you'll use depending on your relationship with the person you're talking to. There are generally three main levels:

  • Informal (Banmal): Used with close friends, family members who are younger than you, and people you're very familiar with.
  • Standard Polite (Jondaemal): This is the most common level used in everyday conversations with people you don't know well, acquaintances, and people who are the same age or older than you.
  • Formal (Hapsoche): Used in very formal situations, such as in the military, in news reports, or in very respectful conversations with elders. We won't focus too much on this level for this particular phrase, but it's good to be aware of it.

Informal Way: 뭐해? (Mwo hae?)

The most basic and informal way to ask "What are you doing?" in Korean is 뭐해? (Mwo hae?). This is your go-to phrase when you're talking to close friends, younger siblings, or anyone you're on familiar terms with. Let's break it down:

  • 뭐 (Mwo): Means "what."
  • ν•΄ (Hae): Comes from the verb ν•˜λ‹€ (hada), which means "to do." It's conjugated in the informal present tense.

So, literally, 뭐해? (Mwo hae?) translates to "What do?" but in context, it means "What are you doing?" or "What's up?"

Example Conversations Using 뭐해? (Mwo hae?)

  • You: μ•Ό! 뭐해? (Ya! Mwo hae?) - Hey! What are you doing?
  • Friend: κ·Έλƒ₯ λ„·ν”Œλ¦­μŠ€ 보고 μžˆμ–΄. (Geunyang netflix bogo isseo.) - Just watching Netflix.
  • You: μ‹¬μ‹¬ν•œλ°, 뭐해? (Simsimhande, mwo hae?) - I'm bored, what are you doing?
  • Friend: μˆ™μ œν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄. (Sukje hago isseo.) - I'm doing homework.

This informal way is super useful in casual settings, making it a great starting point for your Korean conversations. Remember, though, to only use it with people you're close to, as using it with someone older or someone you don't know well could be considered impolite.

Standard Polite Way: 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Mwo hago isseoyo?)

Now, let's move on to the standard polite way of asking "What are you doing?" in Korean. This is the phrase you'll use most often in everyday situations, especially when talking to people you don't know well, someone older than you, or someone you want to show respect to. The phrase is 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Mwo hago isseoyo?).

Let's break down this slightly longer phrase:

  • 뭐 (Mwo): Still means "what."
  • ν•˜κ³  (Hago): Comes from ν•˜λ‹€ (hada), meaning "to do," but it's in a slightly more formal form.
  • μžˆμ–΄μš” (Isseoyo): This is the polite present progressive form of the verb μžˆλ‹€ (itda), which means "to be" or "to exist." In this context, it adds the "-ing" to the verb, making it "doing."

So, 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Mwo hago isseoyo?) literally translates to "What are you doing?" and is the standard polite way to ask the question.

Example Conversations Using 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Mwo hago isseoyo?)

  • You: μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš”. 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Annyeonghaseyo. Mwo hago isseoyo?) - Hello. What are you doing?
  • Someone: κ·Έλƒ₯ 쉬고 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Geunyang swigo isseoyo.) - Just relaxing.
  • You: μ§€κΈˆ 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Jigeum mwo hago isseoyo?) - What are you doing now?
  • Someone: μΌν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Ilhago isseoyo.) - I'm working.

This polite form is incredibly versatile and will help you navigate most social situations in Korea. It's always better to err on the side of politeness, especially when you're unsure of the relationship dynamics. Practice using this phrase, and you'll find it becomes second nature.

Asking About the Whole Day: 였늘 뭐 ν•΄μš”? (Oneul mwo haeyo?)

Sometimes, you might want to ask someone about their plans for the entire day, rather than just what they're doing at the moment. In this case, you can use the phrase 였늘 뭐 ν•΄μš”? (Oneul mwo haeyo?). This translates to "What are you doing today?" and is a great way to inquire about someone's daily schedule.

Let's break down this phrase:

  • 였늘 (Oneul): Means "today."
  • 뭐 (Mwo): Still means "what."
  • ν•΄μš” (Haeyo): This is the standard polite present tense form of ν•˜λ‹€ (hada), meaning "to do."

So, 였늘 뭐 ν•΄μš”? (Oneul mwo haeyo?) directly translates to "What do you do today?" or, more naturally, "What are you doing today?"

Example Conversations Using 였늘 뭐 ν•΄μš”? (Oneul mwo haeyo?)

  • You: 였늘 뭐 ν•΄μš”? (Oneul mwo haeyo?) - What are you doing today?
  • Friend: νŠΉλ³„ν•œ κ³„νšμ€ μ—†μ–΄μš”. (Teukbyeolhan gyehoegeun eopseoyo.) - I don't have any special plans.
  • You: 였늘 뭐 ν•΄μš”? 같이 μ˜ν™” λ³ΌκΉŒμš”? (Oneul mwo haeyo? Gachi yeonghwa bolkkayo?) - What are you doing today? Shall we watch a movie together?
  • Friend: μ’‹μ•„μš”! (Joayo!) - Sounds good!

This phrase is perfect for making plans or simply showing interest in someone's day. It’s polite and friendly, making it a valuable addition to your Korean vocabulary. Remember, context is key, and this phrase is generally used when you’re interested in someone's overall schedule for the day, not just their current activity.

Combining for Clarity: 였늘 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Oneul mwo hago isseoyo?)

For even more clarity, especially if you want to know what someone is doing today specifically, you can combine the phrases we've learned so far. Asking 였늘 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Oneul mwo hago isseoyo?) is a great way to inquire about someone's activities for the entire day while still using the polite form. This is particularly useful if you're trying to make plans or coordinate schedules.

Breaking it down:

  • 였늘 (Oneul): Means "today."
  • 뭐 (Mwo): Means "what."
  • ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš” (Hago isseoyo): The polite present progressive form of "to do," meaning "doing."

So, 였늘 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Oneul mwo hago isseoyo?) translates to "What are you doing today?" in a polite and clear way.

Example Conversations Using 였늘 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Oneul mwo hago isseoyo?)

  • You: 였늘 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? μ‹œκ°„ 있으면 같이 컀피 λ§ˆμ‹€λž˜μš”? (Oneul mwo hago isseoyo? Sigan isseumyeon gachi keopi masillaeyo?) - What are you doing today? If you have time, would you like to get coffee together?
  • Friend: 였늘 λ°”λΉ μš”. 내일은 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? (Oneul bappayo. Naeireun eottaeyo?) - I'm busy today. How about tomorrow?
  • You: 였늘 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? ν˜Ήμ‹œ 저녁 같이 먹을 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Oneul mwo hago isseoyo? Hoksi jeonyeok gachi meogeul su isseoyo?) - What are you doing today? By any chance, can we have dinner together?
  • Friend: μ’‹μ•„μš”, λͺ‡ μ‹œμ— λ§Œλ‚ κΉŒμš”? (Joayo, myeot sie mannalkkayo?) - Great, what time should we meet?

Using this combined phrase is a fantastic way to be both polite and specific, making your intentions clear and fostering better communication. It shows you're interested in the person's day as a whole, which can lead to more meaningful conversations and stronger connections.

Key Takeaways and Practice Tips

Okay, guys, we've covered a lot! Here's a quick recap to help you remember:

  • 뭐해? (Mwo hae?) – Informal, use with close friends and family.
  • 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Mwo hago isseoyo?) – Standard polite, use in most situations.
  • 였늘 뭐 ν•΄μš”? (Oneul mwo haeyo?) – What are you doing today? (polite).
  • 였늘 뭐 ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Oneul mwo hago isseoyo?) – What are you doing today? (very polite and clear).

To really nail these phrases, practice is key. Here are some tips:

  1. Use them in real conversations: The best way to learn is by actually using the phrases. Try striking up a conversation with a Korean-speaking friend or language partner.
  2. Write them down: Writing helps reinforce what you've learned. Try writing out example conversations or scenarios where you might use these phrases.
  3. Listen to Korean media: Watch Korean dramas, listen to K-pop, or tune into Korean podcasts. Pay attention to how native speakers use these phrases in different contexts.
  4. Use language learning apps: Apps like Memrise, Duolingo, and HelloTalk can be great for practicing new vocabulary and grammar.

Learning to ask "What are you doing today?" in Korean is a fantastic step in your language journey. It's a versatile phrase that will help you connect with people and navigate everyday situations. Keep practicing, and you'll be chatting away in Korean in no time! ν™”μ΄νŒ…! (Hwaiting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)