Signification
Asking politely about someone's destination.
Contexte culturel
Asking '어디 가세요?' is a form of 'Phatic Communication'—speech used to perform a social function rather than convey information. It's similar to asking 'How are you?' in English. In a company, if you see a superior leaving, you might not ask '어디 가세요?' directly as it can seem like you are monitoring them. Instead, you say '다녀오세요' (Please go and come back safely). Historically, this phrase was a way to check if someone needed help or if they were heading to a shared community event like a market or a festival. With the rise of 'Hon-bab' (eating alone) and 'Hon-sul' (drinking alone) culture, some younger Koreans find this question slightly intrusive, though it remains a standard polite greeting.
Don't be too specific
When answering, you don't need to give your full address. '잠깐 나갔다 와요' (I'm just going out for a bit) is a perfect answer.
Watch the honorifics
Always use '-세요' with people you don't know well, even if they look younger than you, to remain polite.
Signification
Asking politely about someone's destination.
Don't be too specific
When answering, you don't need to give your full address. '잠깐 나갔다 와요' (I'm just going out for a bit) is a perfect answer.
Watch the honorifics
Always use '-세요' with people you don't know well, even if they look younger than you, to remain polite.
The 'Rising Yo'
Make sure the '요' at the end goes up in pitch. If it goes down, it sounds like a command: 'Go somewhere!'
It's not prying
If a Korean person asks you this, they aren't being nosy. They are being friendly! Don't feel pressured to give a detailed answer.
Teste-toi
Complete the polite question you would ask your neighbor.
안녕하세요! 어디 _______?
'-세요' is the most appropriate polite honorific for a neighbor.
Which response is the most natural and polite when someone asks '어디 가세요?' and you are just going for a walk?
A: 어디 가세요? B: ________.
Starting with '네' and giving a brief, polite answer is the standard way to respond.
Match the phrase to the correct person you are talking to.
1. 어디 가? | 2. 어디 가세요? | 3. 어디 가십니까?
Informal for family, polite for neighbors, very formal for bosses.
Fill in the missing part of the office dialogue.
민수: 김 대리님, 퇴근하세요? 어디 가세요? 김 대리: 네, 민수 씨. 저는 지금 _______ 가요.
The context '퇴근하세요?' (Are you leaving work?) suggests the destination is '집' (home).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels
Banque d exercices
4 exercices안녕하세요! 어디 _______?
'-세요' is the most appropriate polite honorific for a neighbor.
A: 어디 가세요? B: ________.
Starting with '네' and giving a brief, polite answer is the standard way to respond.
1. 어디 가? | 2. 어디 가세요? | 3. 어디 가십니까?
Informal for family, polite for neighbors, very formal for bosses.
민수: 김 대리님, 퇴근하세요? 어디 가세요? 김 대리: 네, 민수 씨. 저는 지금 _______ 가요.
The context '퇴근하세요?' (Are you leaving work?) suggests the destination is '집' (home).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsGenerally, yes. It's best used with people you have at least a slight acquaintance with, like neighbors or colleagues.
Just say '네, 좀 나갔다 올게요' (Yes, I'm going out for a bit) or '그냥 좀요' (Just because/Just somewhere).
'가세요' includes the honorific '-시-', making it more respectful. '가요' is polite but more casual.
Yes, it's very common in KakaoTalk messages to friends (usually as '어디 가?' or '어디 가요?').
Yes, but in some contexts like '어디 보자', it can mean 'Let's see'. In this phrase, it's strictly 'where'.
Yes: '어디 다녀오셨어요?' (Where have you been?).
It's a polite way to acknowledge the question before providing the information.
Yes, it's a very common and polite way to greet a teacher you see outside the classroom.
Yes, the basic structure is the same, though the intonation and some vocabulary might differ.
Just mention the first one or say '여기저기요' (Here and there).
Expressions liées
어디 다녀오세요?
similarWhere are you coming back from?
어디 가는 길이에요?
similarWhere are you on your way to?
뭐 하세요?
similarWhat are you doing?
잘 다녀오세요
builds onGo and come back safely.
어디 가십니까?
specialized formWhere are you going? (Very formal)
