Korean Question Word: Complete Guide How to Make Interrogative Sentences Easily

To make a question in Korean, we can use the basic sentence pattern by adding the interrogative particle "이/가" at the end of the sentence. For example, to ask "Are you hungry?", we can say "당신은 배고파요?"

In addition, we can also use interrogative words like "뭐" (mwo) meaning "what" to specify on the question, such as "뭐를 먹고 싶어요?" meaning "What do you want to eat?".

A question sentence is a basic part of every language learning. There are several ways to make questions in Korean, one of them is by giving some words at the end of a sentence which is usually used together with adjectives or verbs.

In question sentences, the word order changes slightly to indicate a question. In Korean, the most common word order in interrogative sentences is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV).

Using Verb/Adjective Endings: ㅂ/습니까

In Korean, you can create yes-or-no questions using the word  "습니까?" (seumnikka?). How to use "습니까" in a sentence? "습니까" is added at the end of a sentence to transform a statement into a question that expects a "yes" or "no" answer.

To form a yes-or-no question using "습니까?" (seumnikka?), follow these steps:

• Begin with a declarative statement, such as "You are going to Korea," which in Korean is "당신은 한국에 가요" (Dangshineun Hanguge gayo). 

• Add the question word "습니까?" (seumnikka?) to the end of the statement, resulting in "당신은 한국에 가요 습니까?" (Dangshineun Hanguge gayo seumnikka?), meaning "Are you going to Korea?"

It's important when using the question word "습니까?" to use polite language and appropriate verb forms. This can help facilitate conversations and seek clarification or confirmation.

• 그 가방을 좋아합니까? (Do you like that bag?) 
• < span style="font-family: arial;">음식을 먹고싶습니까? (Do you want to eat food?) 

Using Verb/Adjective Endings: ~니

This interrogative term replaces the usage of 아/어 in informal sentence structures. Let us examine the subsequent illustration:

Using Verb/Adjective Endings: ~니

Using Verb/Adjective Endings: ㄴ/은가(요)

은가요 is another way to ask a question to make sure your respondent will say yes or no. Similar to the utilization of question words with 니, we may also employ interrogative expressions by appending ㄴ / 은가 (요) at the conclusion of a sentence. 

However, it is important to note that "요" cannot be utilized in informal contexts. Consider the ensuing example:

Formal

1. 비싼가요?

    Is it expensive?

Informal

2. 먼가?

    Is it far?

Using Verb/Adjective Endings: 나요

Just like the three previous question word, "나요" is used to ask a question that has the answer yes or no. This interrogative term serves as a substitute for the final syllable "다" in verbs or adjectives. Consider this illustrative instance:

Interrogative Sentence using 나요

Read this Adjective to make it easier for you to understand this chapter.

Interrogative Sentence Using Question Word

1. Why

The interrogative pronoun "why" is utilized to discover a rationale. Typically, the response to this inquiry will be articulated as "because". Consider the subsequent example:

How to ask "Why" in Korean

2. When

"When" is an interrogative word utilized to inquire about the temporal aspect of an event. This term is expressed in Korean as "언제", which can be positioned either at the onset or conclusion of a sentence. Consider the subsequent illustration:

3. Where

"Where" is an interrogative word utilized to determine the position of a subject or object, employing the term "어디," which can precede nouns or verbs. 

If an action has already been executed, words are necessary to finalize this inquiry word; the complementary term "에서" follows "어디." Let us examine the subsequent illustration:

> 의자는 어디에 있어요?
   (Where is the chair?)

> 어디에서 왔어요?
   (Where did you come from?)
> 친구는 어디야?
   (Where is my friend?)

4. Who

The interrogative pronoun employed to inquire about the subject can be placed at either the beginning or end of a sentence. In Korean, this question word is represented by 누구, which translates to "who". To illustrate its usage, consider the following example:

> 그녀는 [누구] 입니까?
   [Who] is she?
> [누가] 방울 정리할게니?
   [Who] will clean this room?
> [누구]랑 살고 있니?
   [Who] do you live with?

5. What

Interrogative pronouns are utilized to inquire about functions, forms, names, and other relevant information. In Korean language, the question "what" can be expressed using various words such as 뭐 (mwo), 무엇 (mueot), and 무슨 (museun). Consider the following example:

6. Which

Is a question word that is also part of an adjective. This question has the same meaning as "무슨". The difference between these two words is just a little. 

The words that represent these question words are "어떤" and "어느". Let's look at the following example to find out the difference:

> 무슨 색깔?
   What color? 
> 어떤 색깔이 좋니?
   Which color do you like? 
> 어느 집에 거주할?
   Where house do you live in? 
> 어떤게 더 좋아?

   Which is good? 

Based on the examples provided, it can be inferred that "어떤" is utilized to inquire about opinions, comparisons, objects, individuals, and other related subjects. While the purpose of "어느" resembles that of "어떤", the frequency at which it is employed in everyday communication is comparatively lower.

7. How

Is there a specific interrogative term utilized to inquire about procedures or methodologies? In Korean, the term "어떻게" can be employed to elicit information regarding "how." Essentially, "어떻게" functions as an adverbial modifier formed by merging the words "어떻다" and "게". Consider the following instance:

> 어떻게 해야?
   How do you do? 
> 철자가 어떻게?

   How do you spell? 
> 당신은 어떻게 생각합니까?
   How do you feel? 

8. How Much

Does the question word "얼마나" inquire about the quantity of objects, people, or other entities? This interrogative is employed before adjectives or adverbs to specify magnitude. For instance:

> 얼마나 자주?

   How often? 

> 얼마나 빨리 달리는거야?

   How fast do you run? 

> 시간이 얼마나 걸리나요?

   How much time do you need? 

> 얼마나 많은 사람들?

   How many people? 

> 얼마나 많은 관객이 왔습니까?

   How many audience were coming?