Are you ready to delve deeper into the world of Korean question words? Today, we’re going to explore the meaning and usage of “who” in Korean. This essential vocabulary will help you communicate effectively and naturally, so let’s not waste any time!
How to Express “Who” in Korean
The word “who” can be used in various ways in the Korean language. Not only does it function as a simple question word, but it can also be used in indirect questions and other types of sentences. It can serve as both the subject and object of a sentence.
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In total, there are six different ways to express “who” in Korean.
Pronouncing “Who” in Korean
To say “who” in Korean, you use the term “누구” (nugu). This is the word you would use when asking a question about someone’s identity.
While you can initially rely on romanization to learn its pronunciation, keep in mind that romanizations aren’t always entirely accurate. So, it’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with the Korean alphabet and pronunciation rules to truly grasp the language.
How and When to Use “Who” in Korean Sentences
Let’s explore the different versions of “who” in Korean, which will provide clarity on when and how to use it in a sentence.
Typically, “who” is the first word in a sentence, although its placement can vary depending on the context. However, it rarely appears as the final word of a sentence.
The fundamental term for “who” in Korean is “누구” (nugu). In question sentences like “Who are you?”, you can use it as is. However, in other cases, you may need to use a suffix with the word. We’ll cover how to use “who” in detail later in this lesson.
“Who” as an Object vs. “Who” as a Subject
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As mentioned earlier, “who” in Korean can function as both the subject and object of a sentence.
When used as the subject, you would say “누가” (nuga).
This is a shortened form of “누구가” (nuguga), which is not commonly used. As you may remember from basic grammar lessons, the subject of a sentence indicates who or what is performing the action.
On the other hand, when “who” is the object of a sentence, you express it as “누구를” (nugureul).
To use “who” as an object, ensure that it is followed by a verb that can take a direct object. The verb in the sentence directly affects the object, and in the case of a “who” sentence or question, it must do so directly. Other verbs or terms won’t fit the context.
Let’s look at some example sentences to better understand:
- 오늘 우리 집에 누가 올 거예요? (Who is coming to our home today?)
- 가수 중에 누구를 제일 좋아해요? (Among the singers, who do you like best?)
“To Whom” in Korean
To express “to whom” in Korean, you use the term “누구에게” (nuguege) in written language. However, in spoken language, you can also say “누구한테” (nuguhante).
When translating “to whom” into English, it often becomes simply “who.” This is because “to whom” is primarily used to convey the act of giving something to someone. Here are a few example sentences:
- 누구한테 내 비밀을 말했어? (To whom did you tell my secret?)
- 누구에게 도움을 줄 수 있을까요? (To whom could I offer my help?)
“From Whom” in Korean
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If you’re already familiar with “to whom,” understanding how to express “from whom” in Korean should be a breeze. You simply add “-서” (-seo) to the word to change it from “to whom” to “from whom.”
The structure remains the same, with the written form being “누구에게서” (nuguegeseo) and the spoken form being “누구한테서” (nuguhanteseo). As with “to whom,” the same translation rules apply. Here are some example sentences:
- 누구한테서 이 선물을 받았어요? (From whom did you receive this gift?)
- 누구에게서 그 소식을 들었어요? (From whom did you receive that news?)
“Whose” in Korean
When you want to express “whose” in Korean, you’re referring to possession. To form the word, you combine “누구” (nugu) with the possessive particle “의” (ui). This results in “누구의” (nuguui).
When using it in a sentence, you can either combine it with the Korean word “것” (geot), which means “thing,” or with any noun that signifies possession. Take a look at these sample sentences:
- 이건 누구의 구두예요? (Whose shoes are these?)
- 저건 누구의 것이에요? (Whose stuff is that?)
“Who are you?” in Korean
When asking “Who are you?” in Korean, you’ll usually use formal language or even honorifics. In most cases, you can simply say “누구세요?” (Who are you?).
Occasionally, you might want to use the more formal phrasing “누구입니까?” (Who are you?) to show utmost formality.
With close friends or those much younger than you, it’s possible to speak informally by saying “누구야?” (Who are you?). However, keep in mind that using the informal sentence implies a different context than what the traditional meaning of “Who are you?” suggests.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it! Asking someone about their identity will no longer be a challenge. Additionally, we have comprehensive articles on other question words in Korean to make the process of asking questions even easier. You can find the resources here:
- “What” in Korean
- “When” in Korean
- “Where” in Korean
- “Which” in Korean
- “Why” in Korean
- “How” in Korean
If you’re not yet ready to stop, you might want to explore Korean time expressions next. Happy learning!
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHO
