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어때요

A1 adjective #1,000 most common 14 min read

어때요

eottaeyo Top 1,000

At the A1 level, your primary goal is to memorize '어때요?' as a fixed phrase meaning 'How is it?' or 'How about it?'. You do not need to worry about the complex grammar behind it yet. Just learn to attach it to the end of nouns to ask for an opinion. For example, if you want to know if someone likes the food, point to the food and say '이거 어때요?' (How is this?). If you want to ask about the weather, say '날씨 어때요?' (How is the weather?). It is a magical phrase that allows you to start conversations and get feedback even with a very limited vocabulary. Practice using it with simple everyday items like clothes, food, and time. Remember to raise your intonation at the end to make it a clear question. Also, learn the casual form '어때?' for your close friends. Do not try to attach it directly to verbs yet; stick to nouns. This single word will be your best friend in your early days of speaking Korean, helping you navigate shopping, dining, and basic scheduling with ease.

At the A2 level, you are ready to expand your use of '어때요?' beyond simple nouns. The most important new skill to acquire is making suggestions using verbs. You must learn the pattern 'Verb + 는 거 어때요?'. This allows you to say things like '영화 보는 거 어때요?' (How about watching a movie?) or '내일 만나는 거 어때요?' (How about meeting tomorrow?). This structure is essential for making plans and inviting people to do things. You should also start practicing the past tense form, '어땠어요?' (How was it?), to ask people about their weekend, a trip they took, or a meal they ate. For example, '주말 어땠어요?' (How was your weekend?). Furthermore, begin to distinguish between '어때요' (asking for an opinion) and '어떻게' (asking how to do something). Mixing these two up is a common A2 mistake, so focus on keeping them separate in your mind. By mastering these new patterns, your ability to interact socially and make plans in Korean will improve dramatically.

At the B1 level, your understanding of '어때요' should become more nuanced. You are no longer just making simple suggestions; you are navigating social situations with greater politeness and tact. You should comfortably use the honorific form '어떠세요?' when speaking to elders, superiors, or customers. For example, '사장님, 이 일정 어떠세요?' (Boss, how is this schedule?). You should also master the future/guessing form '어떨까요?' (How might it be? / What do you think?). This is highly useful for proposing hypothetical situations or softening your suggestions even further. For instance, '색깔을 바꾸면 어떨까요?' (What if we change the color?). Additionally, you should be able to understand and use '어때요' as a conversational filler or a prompt for someone to continue their story, showing active listening. Your vocabulary of responses should also grow; instead of just saying '좋아요' (good), you should be able to give detailed reasons why something is good or bad when someone asks you '어때요?'.

At the B2 level, '어때요' becomes a tool for sophisticated communication and reading the room. You should understand the subtle pragmatic differences between various suggestion forms. You know exactly when to use '어때요?' (neutral suggestion), '괜찮아요?' (checking comfort), '-(으)ㄹ래요?' (asking intention), and '어떻게 생각해요?' (asking for deep analysis). You can use '어때요' in complex sentences with multiple clauses, such as '제가 먼저 가고 나중에 오시는 건 어때요?' (How about I go first and you come later?). You are also aware of the sociolinguistic implications of dropping the '요' to '어때?'—you know it signals intimacy but can be offensive if used prematurely. In professional settings, you use '어떠십니까?' or '어떠신가요?' to project a highly formal and respectful tone. You can seamlessly integrate these variations into your speech without hesitation, adapting your language to the specific social hierarchy and context of the conversation.

At the C1 level, your grasp of '어때요' and its base verb '어떻다' is near-native. You understand its role in idiomatic expressions and complex grammatical structures. You can use phrases like '어찌 된 영문인지' (how on earth it happened) or '어찌할 바를 모르다' (not knowing what to do), which share the same etymological root. You can effortlessly comprehend rhetorical questions using this word in literature, news broadcasts, and formal debates. You understand how '어때요' can be used sarcastically or rhetorically. For example, if someone is complaining about a minor inconvenience, a speaker might say '그게 어때서요?' (So what? / What is wrong with that?), turning the question into a defensive statement. You are fully capable of explaining the grammatical mechanics of the ㅎ-irregular conjugation to a lower-level learner. Your use of the word is no longer just functional; it is expressive, culturally attuned, and deeply integrated into your overall fluency.

At the C2 level, you possess a comprehensive, academic, and historical understanding of '어때요'. You are aware of its evolution from older Korean forms and its dialectical variations across the Korean peninsula (e.g., how it might be expressed in the Gyeongsang or Jeolla dialects). You can analyze its sociolinguistic impact in modern Korean society, discussing how the heavy reliance on indirect suggestion (using '어때요' instead of direct commands) reflects broader cultural values of nunchi (reading the room), harmony, and face-saving. You can easily navigate the most complex, high-stakes negotiations or diplomatic conversations, using the precise level of formality and indirectness required. You understand the subtle psychological difference between asking '어떠신지요?' in a formal email versus '어떠신가요?'. At this level, the word is not just vocabulary; it is a lens through which you understand Korean psychology, social structure, and interpersonal dynamics.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

어때요 in 30 Seconds

Means 'How is it?' or 'How about it?'
Used to ask for opinions on things.
Used to suggest doing something together.
Polite form; drop '요' for casual speech.

The Korean word 어때요 is one of the most fundamental, versatile, and frequently used expressions in the Korean language. At its core, it translates to 'How is it?' or 'How about it?' in English. It is an adjective derived from the base form 어떻다, which means 'to be how' or 'to be in what state'. When conjugated into the polite informal level (해요체), it becomes 어때요. This word serves multiple critical functions in daily conversation, making it an absolute necessity for anyone learning Korean, regardless of their current proficiency level. Primarily, 어때요 is used to ask for someone's opinion, check on a situation, suggest an idea, or inquire about someone's well-being. Because Korean culture places a heavy emphasis on consensus, harmony, and mutual agreement, directly stating what you want or commanding someone to do something can often come across as overly aggressive or impolite. Therefore, framing a suggestion as a question using 어때요 is a culturally appropriate way to propose an action while simultaneously giving the listener the space and respect to agree or decline gracefully. For example, instead of saying 'Let us eat pizza', a Korean speaker is much more likely to say 'How about pizza?' or 'Is eating pizza okay with you?' using this exact word.

이 피자 어때요?

Grammar Breakdown: The base verb is 어떻다. It is a ㅎ-irregular verb. When followed by a vowel, the ㅎ drops, and the vowel changes. 어떻 + 아요 becomes 어때요.

Furthermore, the usage of this word extends far beyond simple suggestions. It is the go-to phrase when you are shopping and want to know if a piece of clothing looks good on you. You step out of the fitting room, look at your friend, and simply ask, '어때요?' meaning 'How does this look?' It is also used in professional settings to gauge a colleague's reaction to a new proposal or project plan.

내일 만나는 거 어때요?

Another fascinating aspect of this word is its ability to function as a standalone question. If someone is explaining a complex situation or telling a story, and they pause to see your reaction, they might just say '어때요?' to mean 'What do you think about what I just said?' This makes it an excellent conversational filler and a tool for active listening.

Cultural Context: In Korean workplace culture, juniors will frequently use this word to ask seniors for feedback on their work, showing deference and a willingness to learn.

오늘 날씨 어때요?

When inquiring about someone's health or current state, especially if they have been sick or going through a hard time, you can ask '몸은 좀 어때요?' (How is your body/health?). This shows care and empathy. The versatility of this single word means that mastering its various nuances will dramatically improve your ability to navigate everyday Korean conversations.

이 색깔 어때요?

Intonation Matters: Because it is almost always used as a question, the intonation must rise at the end of the word. A flat intonation might sound unnatural or robotic to a native speaker.

새로운 직장은 어때요?

In conclusion, understanding the multifaceted nature of this expression is a major stepping stone in your Korean learning journey. It is not just a vocabulary word; it is a cultural key that unlocks smoother, more polite, and more natural interactions with native speakers. By using it to ask for opinions, make suggestions, and check on others, you demonstrate a deep understanding of Korean social dynamics and conversational etiquette.

Constructing sentences with the word 어때요 is incredibly straightforward once you understand the basic grammatical patterns. Because it functions as an adjective meaning 'to be how', it typically appears at the end of a sentence, following the standard Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure of the Korean language. The most common and simplest way to use it is by attaching it directly after a noun, usually with the topic particle 은/는 or the subject particle 이/가. For example, if you want to ask 'How is the weather?', you take the noun for weather (날씨), attach the subject particle (가), and add our target word: 날씨가 어때요? This structure can be applied to almost any noun.

한국어 공부는 어때요?

Noun Pattern: Noun + 은/는 (Topic Particle) + 어때요? This is used to bring up a topic and immediately ask for an opinion or status update on it.

However, the true power of this word is unleashed when you combine it with verbs to make suggestions. To do this, you cannot simply attach it to a verb stem. You must first turn the verb into a noun phrase. The most common way to achieve this is by using the structure Verb + 는 것 (the act of doing the verb). In spoken Korean, '는 것' is almost always shortened to '는 거'. So, the pattern becomes Verb + 는 거 어때요? For instance, to say 'How about watching a movie?', you take the verb for watching (보다), change it to 보는 거, and add the question word: 영화 보는 거 어때요?

주말에 등산 가는 거 어때요?

Another highly useful pattern involves time and dates. When planning a meeting or an event, you will constantly use this word to negotiate the schedule. You can simply state the time or day and ask if it works for the other person. '내일 오후 세 시 어때요?' means 'How about tomorrow at 3 PM?' This is much more polite and collaborative than saying 'Let us meet at 3 PM.'

Time Pattern: Time Word + 어때요? This is the standard formula for scheduling and making appointments in both casual and business contexts.

이번 주 금요일 저녁 어때요?

You must also be aware of the past and future tenses. If you want to ask how something was in the past, the word conjugates to 어땠어요? (How was it?). For example, '어제 파티 어땠어요?' (How was the party yesterday?). If you want to ask how something might be in the future, or ask for a guess, you use 어떨까요? (How might it be? / What do you think it will be like?).

어제 본 영화 어땠어요?

Future/Guessing Pattern: Noun + 은/는 어떨까요? This adds a layer of softness and uncertainty, making the question even more polite and open-ended.

이 디자인으로 바꾸면 어떨까요?

Mastering these sentence structures will give you immense flexibility. You will be able to ask for opinions on objects, suggest activities, negotiate schedules, inquire about past experiences, and hypothesize about future outcomes, all by manipulating the grammar surrounding this one essential Korean adjective. Practice these patterns daily, and they will soon become second nature to your speaking habits.

If you spend any amount of time in South Korea or immerse yourself in Korean media such as dramas, movies, or variety shows, you will hear the word 어때요 constantly. Its frequency is incredibly high because it touches upon so many aspects of daily life, from casual socializing to formal business meetings. One of the most common places you will encounter this word is in restaurants and cafes. When a group of friends is trying to decide where to eat, someone will inevitably pull out their phone, show a picture of a restaurant, and ask, '여기 어때요?' (How about here?). Once the food arrives and everyone takes their first bite, the person who recommended the restaurant might look around nervously and ask, '맛 어때요?' (How is the taste?) to ensure everyone is enjoying the meal.

이 식당 분위기 어때요?

Shopping Context: In clothing stores, this word is ubiquitous. Shoppers constantly ask their companions or the store clerks for their opinions on fit, color, and style.

Shopping districts like Myeongdong or Hongdae are filled with the sound of this word. You will hear couples asking each other, '이 옷 어때요?' (How is this clothes?) or '이 모자 나한테 어때요?' (How does this hat look on me?). Store clerks might also use a more polite version of the word, such as 어떠세요?, to ask if a customer needs a different size or if they like the item they are trying on.

이 구두 나한테 어때요?

In the workplace, the word takes on a slightly more professional tone but remains just as common. During brainstorming sessions, employees will pitch ideas and conclude with '이 아이디어 어때요?' (How about this idea?). Managers might check on the progress of a project by asking '프로젝트 진행 상황은 어때요?' (How is the progress of the project?). It is a crucial tool for maintaining open communication and ensuring that everyone on the team is aligned and comfortable with the direction of the work.

Dating Context: When asking someone out on a date, using this word makes the invitation feel less like a demand and more like a gentle suggestion, reducing the pressure on both parties.

이번 주말에 영화 보는 거 어때요?

You will also hear it frequently in hospitals or pharmacies. A doctor will ask '오늘은 몸이 좀 어때요?' (How is your body today?) to check on a patient's symptoms. A pharmacist might explain how to take medication and then ask if the instructions are clear.

약 먹고 나니까 좀 어때요?

Online Messaging: In text messages (like KakaoTalk), it is very common to send a link to an article, a meme, or a product with just the word '어때요?' attached to it.

내가 보낸 사진 어때요?

Ultimately, wherever there is human interaction in Korea, there is a need to gauge opinions, suggest plans, and check on well-being. Therefore, this word is truly omnipresent. By listening for it in these various contexts, you will develop a much deeper intuitive understanding of how and when to deploy it in your own Korean conversations.

While 어때요 is a fundamental word, English speakers frequently make several specific mistakes when trying to use it, primarily due to direct translation issues and confusion with similar-sounding Korean words. The most prevalent mistake is confusing it with 어떻게 (how to do / in what way). Because both words translate to 'how' in English, learners often use them interchangeably, which leads to highly unnatural or completely incorrect Korean sentences. 어떻게 is an adverb used to ask about the method or manner of an action. For example, '이거 어떻게 해요?' means 'How do I do this?' In contrast, 어때요 is an adjective used to ask for an opinion or status. If you point to a shirt and ask '이거 어떻게?', a Korean speaker will be confused and might think you are asking how to put the shirt on, rather than asking if the shirt looks good.

이 노래 어때요? (Correct: How is this song?)

Mistake 1: Confusing with 어떻게: Never use 어때요 when asking for instructions or methods. Use 어떻게 for methods (How do I...) and 어때요 for opinions (What do you think of...).

Another very common mistake is confusing it with 어떤 (which / what kind of). 어떤 is a modifier that must always be followed directly by a noun. For example, '어떤 영화 좋아해요?' means 'What kind of movies do you like?' Learners sometimes try to use 어때요 in this position, saying things like '어때요 영화 좋아해요?', which is grammatically nonsensical. Remember that 어때요 usually comes at the end of the sentence, acting as the main predicate, whereas 어떤 comes before a noun to describe it.

새로 산 차는 어때요?

A third frequent error involves verb conjugation when making suggestions. As mentioned in the previous section, you cannot attach this word directly to a verb stem. English speakers often try to translate 'How about eating?' literally and say '먹다 어때요?' or '먹어 어때요?'. This is incorrect. You must nominalize the verb first using '는 것' (or '는 거'). The correct form is '먹는 거 어때요?'. Failing to nominalize the verb is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner.

Mistake 2: Direct Verb Attachment: Always remember the '는 거' bridge when suggesting an action. Verb + 는 거 + 어때요? is the unbreakable rule for this specific usage.

같이 점심 먹는 거 어때요?

Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the politeness levels. Using the casual form '어때?' with a stranger, a teacher, or a boss is a significant social faux pas in Korea. It can be perceived as highly disrespectful or overly familiar. Always default to '어때요?' (polite) or '어떠세요?' (honorific) unless you have explicitly agreed to speak casually (반말) with the other person.

선생님, 이 문장 어때요?

Mistake 3: Answering with the Question Word: Do not answer the question '어때요?' by saying '어때요'. You must provide an actual descriptive adjective like '좋아요' (good) or '예뻐요' (pretty).

한국 생활 어때요?

By being mindful of these common pitfalls—distinguishing it from 어떻게 and 어떤, properly nominalizing verbs for suggestions, respecting politeness levels, and answering with descriptive adjectives—you will sound much more natural and confident when speaking Korean. Taking the time to master these distinctions early on will prevent bad habits from forming and accelerate your journey to fluency.

While 어때요 is incredibly versatile, the Korean language offers a rich spectrum of similar words and alternatives that allow you to fine-tune your politeness, formality, and exact shade of meaning. Understanding these alternatives is crucial for advancing beyond the beginner level and sounding like a true native speaker. The most direct alternatives are simply the different politeness conjugations of the same base verb, 어떻다. If you are speaking to a close friend, a younger sibling, or a child, you drop the '요' and use the casual form: 어때? This is extremely common in informal settings. On the other end of the spectrum, if you are giving a formal presentation, speaking to a large audience, or addressing a high-ranking official, you should use the formal deferential form: 어떻습니까?

사장님, 이 보고서 어떻습니까?

Honorific Alternative: 어떠세요?: When asking an elder, a customer, or a respected superior for their opinion, you should insert the honorific infix '시'. 어떻다 + 시 + 어요 becomes 어떠세요? This elevates the person you are speaking to.

Beyond simple conjugations, there are other phrases that serve similar functions in conversation. When you are making a suggestion and want to ask 'Is this okay with you?', a very common alternative is 괜찮아요? (Is it okay? / Are you okay?). While 어때요 asks for an open-ended opinion, 괜찮아요 is more of a yes/no question checking for approval or comfort. For example, '내일 두 시 어때요?' (How about 2 PM tomorrow?) vs '내일 두 시 괜찮아요?' (Is 2 PM tomorrow okay?). Both are perfectly natural, but the nuance is slightly different.

이 자리 괜찮아요?

Another related concept is asking what someone thinks using the verb 생각하다 (to think). If you want to explicitly ask for someone's thoughts on a complex issue, rather than just a quick opinion on a shirt or a meal, you might say '어떻게 생각해요?' (How do you think? / What do you think?). Notice that here we use 어떻게 (how) because it is modifying the verb 생각하다 (to think). This is a more profound and analytical question than simply asking 어때요.

Asking for Thoughts: 어떻게 생각해요?: Use this when you want a detailed, reasoned response rather than a quick impression. It is common in debates, deep discussions, and professional meetings.

그 문제에 대해 어떻게 생각해요?

If you are suggesting doing something together, you can also use the '-(으)ㄹ래요?' ending, which means 'Do you want to...?' For example, instead of '영화 보는 거 어때요?' (How about watching a movie?), you could say '영화 볼래요?' (Do you want to watch a movie?). The '-(으)ㄹ래요?' form is slightly more direct and focuses on the listener's desire or intention, whereas '어때요?' focuses on the objective quality of the suggestion itself.

우리 같이 저녁 먹을래요?

Summary of Alternatives: Choose your words based on the situation. Use 어떠세요 for elders, 괜찮아요 for checking comfort, 어떻게 생각해요 for deep thoughts, and -(으)ㄹ래요 for asking about desires.

이 계획 어떠세요?

By mastering not just the target word, but its entire family of synonyms and structural alternatives, you equip yourself with a highly nuanced toolkit for social interaction in Korean. You will be able to navigate the complex hierarchies of politeness, express your suggestions with the perfect level of directness, and engage in meaningful conversations with native speakers across all walks of life.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

Because '어때요' is so fundamental to suggesting things politely, Korean culture is sometimes jokingly referred to as an '어때요 culture' by expats, highlighting how rarely direct commands are used compared to Western cultures.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʌ.t͈ɛ.jo/

US /ʌ.t͈ɛ.jo/

In Korean, stress is relatively even across syllables. However, because it is a question, the pitch naturally rises on the final syllable '요' (yo).

Rhymes With

그래요 안돼요 보내요 꺼내요 지내요 끝내요 힘내요 혼내요

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'tt' (ㄸ) as a soft English 't'. It must be a tense, unaspirated sound.
Pronouncing 'eo' (어) as 'oh' (오). It should be an open 'uh' sound.
Failing to raise the intonation at the end, making it sound like a statement rather than a question.
Saying 'uh-day-yo' with a 'd' sound instead of the tense 'tt' sound.
Merging the syllables too quickly. It should be three distinct beats: eo - ttae - yo.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to read, uses basic Hangul characters.

Writing 2/5

The ㅎ-irregular conjugation from 어떻다 to 어때요 can be slightly confusing for absolute beginners to spell.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to say, but remembering to use the tense 'ㄸ' sound requires a bit of practice.

Listening 1/5

Highly recognizable due to its frequent use and distinct intonation at the end of sentences.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

이거 (this) 날씨 (weather) 시간 (time) 좋아요 (it is good) 하다 (to do)

Learn Next

어떻게 (how to do) 어떤 (which/what kind of) 괜찮아요 (is it okay) 생각하다 (to think) -(으)ㄹ래요 (do you want to)

Advanced

어떠하다 (formal base form) 어찌 (how/why - literary) 여하튼 (anyway) 어차피 (anyway/in any case) 어불성설 (illogical/nonsense)

Grammar to Know

ㅎ-Irregular Conjugation

어떻다 + 아/어요 -> 어때요. The ㅎ drops and the vowel changes.

Verb Nominalization with 는 것

가다 -> 가는 것. 가는 것 + 어때요 -> 가는 거 어때요?

Topic Marker 은/는

날씨는 어때요? (As for the weather, how is it?)

Subject Marker 이/가

맛이 어때요? (How is the taste?)

Past Tense Conjugation

어때요 -> 어땠어요 (How was it?)

Examples by Level

이거 어때요?

How is this?

Noun + 어때요?

오늘 날씨 어때요?

How is the weather today?

Noun + 어때요?

이 옷 어때요?

How are these clothes?

Noun + 어때요?

내일 시간 어때요?

How is your time tomorrow? (Are you free?)

Noun + 어때요?

맛 어때요?

How is the taste?

Noun + 어때요?

저녁에 피자 어때요?

How about pizza for dinner?

Noun + 어때요?

이 가방 어때요?

How is this bag?

Noun + 어때요?

이름이 어때요?

How is the name?

Noun + 어때요?

주말에 영화 보는 거 어때요?

How about watching a movie on the weekend?

Verb + 는 거 어때요?

같이 밥 먹는 거 어때요?

How about eating together?

Verb + 는 거 어때요?

어제 파티 어땠어요?

How was the party yesterday?

Past tense: 어땠어요?

한국어 공부 어때요?

How is studying Korean?

Noun + 어때요?

새로운 집은 어때요?

How is the new house?

Noun + 은/는 어때요?

내일 만나는 거 어때요?

How about meeting tomorrow?

Verb + 는 거 어때요?

여행 어땠어요?

How was the trip?

Past tense: 어땠어요?

조금 쉬는 거 어때요?

How about resting a little?

Verb + 는 거 어때요?

사장님, 이 계획 어떠세요?

Boss, how is this plan?

Honorific: 어떠세요?

디자인을 바꾸면 어떨까요?

How would it be if we change the design?

Future/Guess: 어떨까요?

부모님 건강은 좀 어떠세요?

How is your parents' health?

Honorific: 어떠세요?

지하철로 가는 게 어떨까요?

How about going by subway?

Verb + 는 게 어떨까요?

회의를 내일로 미루는 건 어때요?

How about postponing the meeting to tomorrow?

Verb + 는 건 어때요?

그 식당 분위기는 어땠어요?

How was the atmosphere of that restaurant?

Past tense: 어땠어요?

이메일로 보내드리는 건 어떠세요?

How about I send it to you by email?

Honorific + Verb + 는 건 어떠세요?

이번 프로젝트 결과가 어떨까요?

How do you think the results of this project will be?

Future/Guess: 어떨까요?

제가 먼저 연락해 보는 건 어떨까요?

How about I try contacting them first?

Verb + 아/어 보다 + 는 건 어떨까요?

그 제안에 대해 어떻게 생각하시는지, 어떠신가요?

What do you think about that proposal, how is it?

Formal honorific: 어떠신가요?

조건을 조금 수정해서 다시 제안하는 게 어때요?

How about we modify the conditions a bit and propose again?

Complex sentence structure with 어때요.

면접 결과가 어떨지 너무 걱정돼요.

I am so worried about how the interview results will be.

Indirect question: 어떨지.

그 사람 성격이 어떤지, 같이 일하기엔 어때요?

What is that person's personality like, how is it to work with them?

Combining 어떤지 and 어때요.

일정을 앞당기는 방안은 어떠신지요?

How about the plan to move the schedule forward?

Highly formal written style: 어떠신지요?

그게 어때서요? 제 마음이에요.

So what? It is my choice.

Rhetorical/Defensive: 어때서요?

처음엔 힘들었지만 지금은 어때요? 적응했어요?

It was hard at first, but how is it now? Have you adapted?

Contrasting past and present.

이 정도면 훌륭하지, 더 이상 어때야 합니까?

This is excellent enough, how much better does it need to be?

Rhetorical use with obligation: 어때야 합니까?

세상이 어찌 돌아가는지, 민심이 어떨지 짐작이 안 갑니다.

I cannot guess how the world is turning or how the public sentiment might be.

Literary/News style indirect questions.

네가 그렇게 행동하면 다른 사람들이 보기에 어떨 것 같아?

If you act like that, how do you think it will look to other people?

Hypothetical future projection: 어떨 것 같아?

비용 절감 차원에서 인력을 감축하는 방안은 어떠한가요?

How is the plan to reduce personnel for the sake of cost cutting?

Formal analytical: 어떠한가요?

그의 작품 세계가 어떠한지 깊이 있게 분석해 봅시다.

Let us deeply analyze what his artistic world is like.

Academic analysis: 어떠한지.

어찌 됐든 결과만 좋으면 그만이지, 과정이 어때서?

Anyway, as long as the result is good, that is it, what does the process matter?

Idiomatic dismissal: 어때서?

상황이 이 지경인데 기분이 어떨지 묻는 게 말이 됩니까?

Does it make sense to ask how I feel when the situation is like this?

Expressing outrage using the word.

과거의 영광이 어떠했든 지금은 현실을 직시해야 합니다.

No matter how glorious the past was, we must face reality now.

Concessive clause: 어떠했든.

현행 제도의 맹점이 어떠한 양상으로 발현될지 예의주시해야 한다.

We must closely monitor in what manner the blind spots of the current system will manifest.

Highly academic/journalistic usage.

인간의 본성이 본디 어떠한가에 대한 철학적 고찰이 필요하다.

A philosophical consideration of what human nature originally is like is necessary.

Philosophical discourse.

그 시절 민초들의 삶이 어떠했을지는 능히 짐작하고도 남음이 있다.

One can more than easily guess what the lives of the common people must have been like in those days.

Historical reflection.

사태의 심각성이 어떠한지 인지조차 못 하고 있는 실정이다.

The reality is that they do not even recognize how severe the situation is.

Formal critique.

네 뜻이 정 그러하다면 내 어찌 말리겠느냐마는, 후과가 어떨지는 명심하거라.

If your will is truly so, how could I stop you, but keep in mind what the consequences will be.

Archaic/Sage-like tone.

양국 간의 외교적 역학 관계가 향후 어떠한 방향으로 전개될지 귀추가 주목된다.

Attention is focused on in what direction the diplomatic dynamics between the two countries will unfold in the future.

Diplomatic terminology.

문학 작품 속 인물의 심리 변화가 어떠한 서사적 장치를 통해 드러나는지 분석하시오.

Analyze through what narrative devices the psychological changes of the characters in the literary work are revealed.

Academic instruction.

시대적 배경이 어떠하든 보편적 인류애는 변치 않는 가치이다.

Regardless of what the historical background is, universal love for humanity is an unchanging value.

Universal statement using concessive form.

Common Collocations

날씨 어때요

맛 어때요

시간 어때요

기분 어때요

몸 어때요

요즘 어때요

생각 어때요

분위기 어때요

사이즈 어때요

결과 어때요

Common Phrases

이거 어때요?

하는 거 어때요?

몸은 좀 어때요?

요즘 사업은 어때요?

머리 어때요?

그 사람 어때요?

내일 어때요?

맛이 어때요?

분위기 어때요?

어때 보이세요?

Often Confused With

어때요 vs 어떻게

어떻게 means 'how to do' (adverb). 어때요 means 'how is it' (adjective). Do not say '이거 어떻게?' when asking for an opinion.

어때요 vs 어떤

어떤 means 'which' or 'what kind of' and must be followed by a noun (e.g., 어떤 영화). 어때요 usually ends the sentence.

어때요 vs 어느

어느 means 'which' (out of a specific set). Use 어때요 for open opinions, not for selecting from a strict list.

Idioms & Expressions

"어찌 된 영문인지"

For some unknown reason / I don't know how it happened. Uses the same root '어떻다'.

어찌 된 영문인지 문이 열려 있었다.

Written / Formal

"어찌할 바를 모르다"

To not know what to do / To be at a loss.

너무 당황해서 어찌할 바를 몰랐어요.

Written / Formal

"어쩌다 보니"

By chance / Somehow it ended up that way.

어쩌다 보니 우리가 같은 회사에 다니게 되었네요.

Conversational

"어쩔 수 없다"

It cannot be helped / There is no other way.

비가 와서 행사를 취소하는 건 어쩔 수 없어요.

Conversational

"어찌나 ~ (으)ㄴ/는지"

It is so ~ that... / You have no idea how...

어찌나 피곤한지 바로 잠들었어요.

Conversational

"그게 어때서"

So what? / What is wrong with that? Used defensively.

내가 혼자 밥 먹는 게 어때서 그래?

Casual / Defensive

"어떻게든 되겠지"

Things will work out somehow.

너무 걱정하지 마. 어떻게든 되겠지.

Casual

"어쩌면 좋을까"

What should I do? / How can this be fixed?

지갑을 잃어버렸어. 어쩌면 좋을까?

Casual

"어쩐지"

No wonder / Somehow.

어쩐지 오늘 차가 많이 막히더라.

Conversational

"어쩌라고"

So what do you want me to do? (Highly aggressive/defensive).

나보고 어쩌라고?

Slang / Aggressive

Easily Confused

어때요 vs 어떻게

Both translate to 'how' in English.

어떻게 asks for the method or manner of an action (How do I open this?). 어때요 asks for an evaluation or opinion (How does this look?).

이거 어떻게 열어요? (How do I open this?) vs 이거 어때요? (How is this?)

어때요 vs 어떤

Sounds similar and relates to characteristics.

어떤 is a determiner that must precede a noun (What kind of book). 어때요 is a predicate that ends a sentence (How is the book).

어떤 책을 좋아해요? (What kind of book do you like?) vs 이 책 어때요? (How is this book?)

어때요 vs 괜찮아요

Both are used to make suggestions.

어때요 asks 'How about it?' (open-ended). 괜찮아요 asks 'Is it okay?' (yes/no).

내일 만나는 거 어때요? (How about meeting tomorrow?) vs 내일 만나는 거 괜찮아요? (Is meeting tomorrow okay?)

어때요 vs 좋아요

Learners sometimes use it to ask for opinions.

좋아요 means 'Is it good?'. 어때요 is more neutral, asking 'How is it?' without assuming it is good.

이거 좋아요? (Is this good?) vs 이거 어때요? (How is this?)

어때요 vs 이래요/그래요/저래요

They share the same grammatical structure (이렇다, 그렇다, 저렇다).

이래요 means 'It is like this'. 어때요 is the question form 'How is it?'.

상황이 이래요. (The situation is like this.) vs 상황이 어때요? (How is the situation?)

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] 어때요?

이거 어때요?

[Time] 어때요?

내일 어때요?

[Verb]는 거 어때요?

밥 먹는 거 어때요?

[Noun] 어땠어요?

어제 파티 어땠어요?

[Noun] 어떠세요?

사장님, 이 차 어떠세요?

[Verb]는 게 어떨까요?

조금 쉬는 게 어떨까요?

[Clause]는데, [Noun] 어때요?

비가 오는데, 파전 어때요?

[Noun]이/가 어떠한지 [Verb]

결과가 어떠한지 지켜봅시다.

Word Family

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Top 100 most spoken words in Korean.

Common Mistakes

이거 어떻게? → 이거 어때요?
Learners often use 어떻게 (how to do) when asking for an opinion. 어떻게 is for methods. 어때요 is for opinions.
밥 먹다 어때요? → 밥 먹는 거 어때요?
You cannot attach 어때요 directly to a verb stem or dictionary form. You must turn the verb into a noun phrase using '는 거'.
어떤 영화 어때요? → 이 영화 어때요?
어떤 means 'what kind of'. You cannot use 어떤 and 어때요 together like this. Use a demonstrative like 이 (this) or 그 (that) instead.
(Answering) 네, 어때요. → 네, 좋아요.
You cannot answer the question '어때요?' by repeating the word. You must provide a descriptive adjective like '좋아요' (It is good).
선생님, 이거 어때? → 선생님, 이거 어때요? (or 어떠세요?)
Dropping the '요' makes the sentence casual (반말). Using casual speech with a teacher or elder is considered very rude.

Tips

The '는 거' Bridge

Always remember the '는 거' bridge when suggesting actions. Verb + 는 거 + 어때요. Without it, your sentence will break.

Tense the Double T

The ㄸ in 어때요 is a tense consonant. Hold your breath for a split second before releasing the 't' sound. It should not sound like a soft 'd'.

The Art of Indirectness

Using 어때요 to suggest things is a core part of Korean politeness. It shows you value the other person's opinion and aren't being bossy.

Don't Confuse with 어떻게

Write this on a sticky note: 어떻게 = How to do. 어때요 = How is it. Mixing them up is the #1 mistake learners make.

Answering the Question

Prepare your adjectives! When someone asks you 어때요, have words like 좋아요 (good), 예뻐요 (pretty), or 맛있어요 (delicious) ready to fire back.

Level Up for Bosses

If you are talking to your boss or a customer, upgrade 어때요 to 어떠세요. It shows excellent manners and cultural awareness.

Listen for the Intonation

A rising intonation means 'How about it?'. A flat or falling intonation (which is rare but happens in idioms like '그게 어때서') changes the meaning entirely.

Spelling Check

It is spelled 어때요 (with ㅐ), not 어떼요 (with ㅔ). While they sound similar, the spelling is strict.

Your Shopping Best Friend

If you only learn one word for shopping in Korea, make it 어때요. Point to anything, say '이거 어때요?', and you will get helpful feedback.

Mastering 어떨까요

Once you are comfortable with 어때요, start using 어떨까요 for softer suggestions. It makes you sound incredibly fluent and considerate.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are holding a hot cup of TEA. You offer it to a friend and ask, 'Oh, TEA, yo?' (eo-ttae-yo) meaning 'How about some tea?'

Visual Association

Visualize a giant question mark made out of a necktie (tie -> ttae). You point to the tie and ask, 'Uh... tie... yo?' (eo-ttae-yo) to ask if the tie looks good.

Word Web

어때요 (Center) Opinions (좋아요, 별로예요) Suggestions (는 거 어때요) Questions (날씨, 시간, 맛) Alternatives (어떻게, 어떤) Politeness (어때, 어떠세요) Base Verb (어떻다) Related (이렇다, 그렇다)

Challenge

Next time you are with a friend, try suggesting your next activity by pointing to something (like a restaurant or a movie poster) and simply saying '어때요?' with a questioning tone.

Word Origin

The word comes from the native Korean adjective 어떻다 (eotteota), which means 'to be how' or 'to be in what state'. When conjugating 어떻다 into the polite present tense (아요/어요 form), it undergoes the ㅎ-irregular conjugation. The final consonant ㅎ drops out, and the vowel ㅓ combines with the suffix to become ㅐ. Thus, 어떻 + 아요 -> 어때요.

Original meaning: To be in what kind of state or condition.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use the casual form '어때?' with older people or strangers. It can be perceived as highly disrespectful (버릇없다). Always attach the '요' unless you are certain you can use casual speech.

English speakers often translate 'Let's...' directly into Korean using the '-(으)ㅂ시다' form. While grammatically correct, this can sound too forceful or formal in everyday Korean. Using '어때요' is much closer to the casual, friendly tone of 'How about we...' or 'Do you want to...'.

Many K-pop songs use '어때' in their lyrics to ask a lover how they feel. For example, HyunA's hit song is literally titled '어때?' (How's this?). In K-dramas, the phrase '나 어때?' (How do I look?) is a classic trope when a character gets a makeover and reveals their new look to their love interest. Variety show hosts constantly use '어때요?' to throw questions to the guest panel, keeping the conversation flowing.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping for clothes

이 옷 어때요?
사이즈 어때요?
색깔 어때요?
나한테 어때요?

Deciding what to eat

점심에 피자 어때요?
여기 식당 어때요?
맛 어때요?
매운 거 어때요?

Making plans and scheduling

내일 시간 어때요?
주말에 만나는 거 어때요?
오후 세 시 어때요?
영화 보는 거 어때요?

Checking on someone's health

몸은 좀 어때요?
감기는 어때요?
기분은 어때요?
약 먹으니까 어때요?

Workplace discussions

이 아이디어 어때요?
진행 상황 어때요?
회의 시간 어때요?
새 프로젝트 어때요?

Conversation Starters

"요즘 한국어 공부하는 거 어때요? 재미있어요?"

"이번 주말에 날씨가 좋다는데, 등산 가는 거 어때요?"

"새로 나온 그 영화 봤어요? 어땠어요?"

"오늘 저녁에 치맥(치킨과 맥주) 어때요?"

"새로 산 스마트폰 써보니까 어때요?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you suggested something to a friend using '어때요?'. What did you suggest?

Describe your favorite outfit and ask the reader '이 옷 어때요?'.

Think about your day today. Answer the question '오늘 하루 어땠어요?'.

Plan a hypothetical trip. Write down three suggestions using '는 거 어때요?'.

Write a short dialogue between you and a shop clerk where you ask '어때요?' about different items.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not exactly. Koreans don't usually ask 'How are you?' as a standard greeting like in English. However, if someone was sick, you can ask '몸은 좀 어때요?' (How is your body?). Or you can ask '요즘 어때요?' (How are things these days?) to a friend you haven't seen in a while.

Because 어때요 is an adjective, it needs a noun to describe. You cannot attach an adjective directly to a verb in Korean. Adding '는 것' (shortened to '는 거') turns the verb into a noun phrase, meaning 'the act of doing [verb]'.

This is the most common beginner question. 어떻게 is an adverb meaning 'how to do something' (e.g., 어떻게 가요? - How do I go?). 어때요 is an adjective meaning 'how is it' (e.g., 이 식당 어때요? - How is this restaurant?).

Do not answer with '어때요'. Answer with a descriptive adjective. If it is good, say '좋아요' (It is good). If it is bad, say '별로예요' (It is not great). If it is okay, say '괜찮아요' (It is okay).

It is better to use a more formal version in written business communication. '어떠신가요?' or '어떠신지요?' are much more appropriate and respectful for professional emails.

Yes, if you say it to a stranger, a teacher, or someone older than you. '어때?' is 반말 (casual speech) and should only be used with close friends, younger people, or children.

You conjugate the base verb 어떻다 into the past tense, which becomes 어땠어요? (eo-ttae-sseo-yo). For example, '어제 영화 어땠어요?' (How was the movie yesterday?).

No. To ask a name, use '이름이 뭐예요?' (What is your name?). To ask age, use '몇 살이에요?' (How old are you?). 어때요 is for opinions and conditions, not factual information.

It is the future/guessing form. It translates to 'How might it be?' or 'What do you think it will be like?'. It is often used to make very soft, polite suggestions or to ponder a future outcome.

This is due to the ㅎ-irregular conjugation rule in Korean. When a verb stem ending in ㅎ meets a suffix starting with a vowel (like 아/어요), the ㅎ is dropped, and the vowel changes to ㅐ. So 어떻 + 아요 becomes 어때요.