Korean word

어떡하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationeotteokada

Meaning

  • verbWhat should I do

Example

지갑을 잃어버렸어. 어떡하지?chi ga beul i reo beo ryeo sseo eo tteo ka ji

I lost my wallet. What should I do?

Illustration for 어떡하다 (What should I do)

More examples

아이가 다쳤어. 어떡해요?a i ga ta cheo sseo eo tteo kae yo

The child got hurt. What should I do?

Core concept

A troubling situation turns into an urgent question about what action could solve it.

Common phrases

  • 어떡해요eo tteo kae yo

    What should I do

  • 어떡해eo tteo kae

    What should I do

Similar words

어떻게 하다eotteoke hada: Deciding how to handle a situation and then carrying out that action.
고민하다kominhada: Turning a problem or choice over in the mind while struggling to reach a decision.
당황하다tanghwanghada: Becoming unsettled by a sudden event and finding a smooth response difficult.

Definition in Korean

갑작스러운 곤란이나 걱정을 만나 '지금 무엇을 하면 좋을지 모르겠다'고 스스로 묻거나 다른 사람에게 도움을 구할 때 쓰는 동사.kap jjak sseu reo un kol la ni na keok jjeong eul man na chi geum mu eo seul ha myeon cho eul ji mo reu get tta ko seu seu ro mut kkeo na ta reun sa ra me ge to u meul ku hal ttae sseu neun tong sa

Word origin

어떡하다 (eotteokada, "what should I do") is a fixed spoken form created by shortening the expression for how to do something.

Usage tips

  • The form is especially useful when an unexpected event has left someone without a clear plan, rather than when discussing a decision calmly in advance.

Related words

Word lists with this word