Meaning
A basic question asking for identification or information about something.
Cultural Background
When asking '뭐예요?' while pointing, it is more polite to point with your whole hand rather than just one finger, especially if pointing toward something someone is holding. In dramas, '뭐예요?' is often used as a 'soft' confrontation. If a male lead does something romantic but unexpected, the female lead might say '뭐예요?' with a smile to show she's flustered. On Korean social media (Instagram/TikTok), you'll see '이게 뭐임?' (What is this?) used as a caption for weird or funny videos. The 'im' ending is a cool, detached way of asking. In a meeting, instead of just saying '뭐예요?', it's better to say '이것은 무엇에 관한 것입니까?' (What is this regarding?) to sound more professional.
The Magic Word
If you don't know any other Korean, '이게 뭐예요?' and pointing will get you through almost any shopping or dining situation.
Watch the 'Yo'
Forgetting the 'yo' at the end turns a polite question into a blunt demand. Always keep the 'yo' with people you don't know well.
Meaning
A basic question asking for identification or information about something.
The Magic Word
If you don't know any other Korean, '이게 뭐예요?' and pointing will get you through almost any shopping or dining situation.
Watch the 'Yo'
Forgetting the 'yo' at the end turns a polite question into a blunt demand. Always keep the 'yo' with people you don't know well.
Intonation Matters
A high rising pitch makes it a curious question. A flat pitch makes it sound like you're bored or annoyed.
Softening the Blow
Add '혹시' (hok-si - by any chance) at the beginning to sound even more polite: '혹시 이게 뭐예요?'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to ask 'What is this?' politely.
이게 [ ]?
'이게' (this) combined with '뭐예요' (what is it) is the standard polite way to ask.
Which of the following is the most appropriate to ask your teacher for the meaning of a word?
선생님, 이 단어 뜻이...?
'뭐예요?' is the correct polite level for a teacher. '뭐야?' is too casual.
Complete the dialogue at a restaurant.
손님: 저기요, 이게 [ ]? 점원: 아, 이건 비빔밥이에요.
The customer is asking about an object (food), so 'what' (뭐) is required.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You see a friend holding a strange-looking gadget.
You are asking about an object, so '이게 뭐예요?' (What is this?) is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Politeness Levels of 'What'
Practice Bank
4 exercises이게 [ ]?
'이게' (this) combined with '뭐예요' (what is it) is the standard polite way to ask.
선생님, 이 단어 뜻이...?
'뭐예요?' is the correct polite level for a teacher. '뭐야?' is too casual.
손님: 저기요, 이게 [ ]? 점원: 아, 이건 비빔밥이에요.
The customer is asking about an object (food), so 'what' (뭐) is required.
Situation: You see a friend holding a strange-looking gadget.
You are asking about an object, so '이게 뭐예요?' (What is this?) is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it is perfectly polite for everyday situations. It's the standard way to ask 'What is it?' to people you aren't intimate with.
'이게' is a contraction of '이것이' (this + subject marker), while '이거' is '이것' (this). In speech, they are used interchangeably, but '이게' is slightly more common as a subject.
Technically yes, but '뭐라고요?' or '네?' is much more natural for that context.
You say '뭐였어요?' (mwo-yeot-eo-yo).
No, adults use it with each other if they are close friends or of the same age. But never use it with someone older or a stranger.
Because '뭐' ends in a vowel. '이에요' is used after consonants (e.g., '책이에요').
Yes! '직업이 뭐예요?' is the standard way to ask.
Use '무엇입니까?' (mu-eot-im-ni-ka).
You can write '뭐예요?' or the slang '뭐예여?' to sound cute, or just '머임?' with friends.
No, '뭐' is pure Korean, though it corresponds to the Hanja {何|하} (what).
Sometimes, in a frustrated context like 'What is this [behavior]?', it implies 'Why are you doing this?'.
No! That is very rude. To ask 'Who is that?', use '누구예요?'.
Related Phrases
이게 뭐예요?
specialized formWhat is this?
그게 뭐예요?
specialized formWhat is that?
저게 뭐예요?
specialized formWhat is that over there?
무슨 일이에요?
similarWhat's happening?
뭐라고요?
similarWhat did you say?
뭐 하세요?
builds onWhat are you doing?
