Signification
Asking for the identity or nature of an object far from the speaker.
Contexte culturel
When pointing at something to ask '저게 뭐예요?', it is considered more refined to use your whole hand rather than just your index finger, especially in formal settings. On social media, '저게 뭐야' is often used as a comment on bizarre or funny photos, often shortened to '저게뭐임' or just '??'. In the past, directly pointing at elders or their belongings while asking '저게 뭐예요?' was taboo. One would use more indirect language. Tour guides expect this question! It's one of the most helpful phrases for foreigners to learn to show interest in Korean history and architecture.
The Palm Rule
Gesture with an open palm to look more like a native speaker and show respect.
Don't use for people
Calling a person '저게' (that thing) is very rude. Use '저분' (that person) instead.
Signification
Asking for the identity or nature of an object far from the speaker.
The Palm Rule
Gesture with an open palm to look more like a native speaker and show respect.
Don't use for people
Calling a person '저게' (that thing) is very rude. Use '저분' (that person) instead.
Add '저기'
Saying '저기, 저게 뭐예요?' makes you sound much more natural and fluent.
Curiosity is good
Koreans generally appreciate it when foreigners ask questions about their culture or surroundings.
Teste-toi
You are pointing at a bird in a tree far away. Which phrase is correct?
Pointing at a distant bird:
Since the bird is far from both you and the listener, '저게' is the correct choice.
Complete the sentence to ask 'What is that?' in a polite way.
저게 ____?
'뭐예요' is the standard polite ending for this question.
Match the Korean phrase to its spatial meaning.
Match the following:
This tests the fundamental I-Geu-Jeo distinction.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: 저기 산 위에 있는 ____? B: 아, 저건 절(temple)이에요.
The context 'on top of the mountain' implies distance, requiring '저게'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesPointing at a distant bird:
Since the bird is far from both you and the listener, '저게' is the correct choice.
저게 ____?
'뭐예요' is the standard polite ending for this question.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
This tests the fundamental I-Geu-Jeo distinction.
A: 저기 산 위에 있는 ____? B: 아, 저건 절(temple)이에요.
The context 'on top of the mountain' implies distance, requiring '저게'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, '저게' literally means 'that thing'. For a person, say '저분은 누구예요?' (Who is that person?).
'저게' uses the subject marker (-이), while '저건' uses the topic marker (-은). Use '저게' for general questions and '저건' when comparing it to something else.
It is only rude if you say it to someone older or a stranger. Use it only with close friends or children.
Use the past tense: '저게 뭐였어요?'.
Yes! If you see a dish on another table far away, you can ask the waiter '저게 뭐예요?'.
If you are unsure, '그게' is often a safe middle ground, but '저게' is best for anything clearly across the room.
Yes, it is the shortened form of '무엇'.
Yes, '저것이 무엇입니까?' is the most formal version.
Because '뭐' ends in a vowel. After a vowel, we use '예요'.
Usually, you'd say '저게 무슨 소리예요?' (What is that sound?), but '저게 뭐예요?' works if you are pointing at the source.
Pointing at objects is fine, but use an open hand for better etiquette.
The Hanja is {何|하}, though '무엇' is a native Korean word.
You can say '저건 [Noun]예요' or '이건 [Noun]예요' depending on where you are.
Yes, the spatial logic is the same, though the polite endings may differ slightly.
Expressions liées
이게 뭐예요?
contrastWhat is this? (Near me)
그게 뭐예요?
contrastWhat is that? (Near you)
저분은 누구예요?
builds onWho is that person over there?
저기요
similarExcuse me
저건 얼마예요?
builds onHow much is that thing over there?
