Korean word

뭐

Pronunciation

Romanizationmwo

Meaning

  • pronounwhat

Example

그게 뭐예요?keu ge mwo ye yo

What is that?

Illustration for 뭐 (what)

More examples

이거 뭐예요?i geo mwo ye yo

What is this?

Core concept

A short question word for the unknown thing or fact someone wants to identify.

Common phrases

  • 뭐예요mwo ye yo

    What is it

  • 뭐해요mwo hae yo

    What are you doing

  • 뭐라고요mwo ra go yo

    What did you say

Similar words

무엇mueot: A complete question word for identifying an unknown thing or its content in formal speech.
뭔mwon: A shortened casual question word used in everyday conversation.

Definition in Korean

사물이나 사실에 대해 답을 모를 때 무엇인지 가리키는 대명사로, 질문이나 놀람의 뜻으로도 쓰인다.sa mu ri na sa si re tae hae ta beul mo reul ttae mu eo sin ji ka ri ki neun tae myeong sa ro chil mu ni na nol la mui tteu seu ro do sseu in da

Word origin

This everyday spoken form developed by shortening the older full Korean question word.

Usage tips

  • A short standalone question can sound surprised or incomplete, so the surrounding words often clarify the meaning.

Other meanings

  • somethingpronoun
  • anythingpronoun

Related words

Word lists with this word