A1 interjection #1,200 most common 2 min read

몇 시예요?

A polite way to ask someone what the current time is.

myeot siyeyo?
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

This phrase is the best way for you to start a conversation about time. You just say 몇 시예요? and someone will tell you the time. It is very simple and very useful for you!

At this level, you can start adding words like 지금 (now) to make your question more specific. It is an essential tool for your daily schedule and planning meetings with your friends.

You can now use this phrase to negotiate plans. Understanding the difference between 몇 시예요? and 몇 시에 시작해요? (What time does it start?) helps you manage your day effectively.

You recognize the register of this phrase as polite-informal. You know when to use it in casual settings and when to switch to more formal structures for professional appointments or interviews.

You understand the nuance of time-keeping in Korean culture. Asking 몇 시예요? is not just about the clock; it is about respecting the other person's schedule and demonstrating social awareness in high-context situations.

Mastery of this phrase involves understanding the linguistic evolution of Sino-Korean time markers. You can analyze the phrase within the broader context of Korean honorifics and the subtle social cues embedded in asking for temporal information.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to ask for the time.
  • Requires polite ending -예요.
  • Essential for daily life.
  • Uses native Korean numbers for hours.

When you are learning Korean, 몇 시예요? is one of the very first survival phrases you will master. It is the go-to way to ask, What time is it?

The phrase is polite and suitable for almost any situation, whether you are talking to a stranger or a friend. Because it uses the polite ending -예요, you can feel confident using it in shops, at school, or while traveling through Korea.

The word 몇 comes from Middle Korean, used to denote an unspecified quantity or number. When paired with 시, which is the Sino-Korean word for 'hour' or 'time' (derived from the Chinese character 時), it creates a precise question.

The ending -예요 is a contraction of -이에요, which evolved to make speech flow more naturally. Historically, asking for the time was a luxury, but in modern society, this phrase has become a staple of daily interaction.

You use this phrase whenever you need to know the time. It is highly versatile. You might hear it followed by 지금 (now), as in 지금 몇 시예요? (What time is it now?).

While it is polite, in extremely formal business settings, you might hear 몇 시입니까?. However, for 99% of your interactions, 몇 시예요? is perfectly appropriate and natural.

While not an idiom itself, it is part of many time-related expressions. 1. 몇 시쯤? (Around what time?). 2. 몇 시까지? (Until what time?). 3. 몇 시부터? (From what time?). 4. 몇 시에 만나요? (At what time shall we meet?). 5. 지금 몇 시야? (Casual version for friends).

The grammar relies on the particle 시 (hour). Note that for the hour, you must use Native Korean numbers (hana, dul, set, net...), not Sino-Korean numbers. For example, 1 o'clock is 한 시.

Pronunciation tip: The 't' in myeot links to the 's' in si, making it sound like 'myeo-shi-ye-yo'. It is a smooth, rhythmic flow that is easy to practice.

Fun Fact

The word '시' is derived from ancient Chinese timekeeping systems.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mjet si-je-jo/

Crisp articulation of the 't' sound.

US /mjet si-je-jo/

Similar to UK, focus on the flow.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the 'ye' sound
  • Failing to link 't' to 's'
  • Incorrect pitch

Rhymes With

기대요 지내요 보내요 참되요 안되요

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very simple

Writing 1/5

Easy

Speaking 1/5

Easy

Listening 1/5

Easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

한 두 세 네

Learn Next

몇 월 몇 일 시간

Advanced

시간 관리 일정

Grammar to Know

Native Korean Numbers

한 시

Polite Ending

해요체

Question Particles

몇

Examples by Level

1

몇 시예요?

How many hour is it?

Standard polite question.

2

지금 몇 시예요?

Now what time is it?

Adding 'now' for clarity.

3

실례지만 몇 시예요?

Excuse me, what time is it?

Adding 'excuse me' for politeness.

4

죄송한데 몇 시예요?

Sorry, what time is it?

Polite apology.

5

혹시 몇 시예요?

By any chance, what time is it?

Adding 'hoksi'.

6

버스 정류장에서 몇 시예요?

At the bus stop, what time is it?

Contextual location.

7

공항에서 몇 시예요?

At the airport, what time is it?

Travel context.

8

기차역에서 몇 시예요?

At the train station, what time is it?

Checking schedule.

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

1

8 examples

Common Collocations

지금 몇 시예요?
한국 시간으로 몇 시예요?
현지 시간으로 몇 시예요?
거기 몇 시예요?
도착할 때 몇 시예요?
시작할 때 몇 시예요?
끝날 때 몇 시예요?
점심시간 몇 시예요?
쉬는 시간 몇 시예요?
퇴근 몇 시예요?

Idioms & Expressions

"시간이 금이다"

Time is money

시간이 금이니까 서두르세요.

proverb

"시간 가는 줄 모르다"

To lose track of time

놀다 보니 시간 가는 줄 몰랐어요.

casual

"시간을 때우다"

To kill time

카페에서 시간을 때웠어요.

casual

"시간이 약이다"

Time heals all wounds

너무 슬퍼하지 마세요, 시간이 약이에요.

proverb

"시간이 빠르다"

Time flies

벌써 일 년이네요, 시간이 참 빨라요.

neutral

"시간을 내다"

To make time

바쁘지만 시간을 냈어요.

neutral

Easily Confused

몇 시예요? vs 몇 시

similar to time duration

point in time vs duration

몇 시 vs 몇 시간

몇 시예요? vs 몇 월

both start with 몇

month vs hour

몇 월 vs 몇 시

몇 시예요? vs 몇 일

both start with 몇

day vs hour

몇 일 vs 몇 시

몇 시예요? vs 몇 개

both start with 몇

count vs hour

몇 개 vs 몇 시

Sentence Patterns

A1

지금 + 몇 시예요?

지금 몇 시예요?

A2

거기 + 몇 시예요?

거기 몇 시예요?

A2

한국 + 몇 시예요?

한국 몇 시예요?

B1

지금 + 몇 시 + 인가요?

지금 몇 시인가요?

B1

회의 + 몇 시예요?

회의 몇 시예요?

Word Family

Nouns

시간 Time/Hour duration

Related

시계 Clock (tool to find the time)

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

몇 시입니까? 몇 시예요? 몇 시야? 몇 시?

Common Mistakes

Using Sino-Korean numbers for hours → Use Native Korean (한, 두, 세...)
Hours require native numbers, minutes require Sino-Korean.
Omitting the particle → 몇 시예요?
The particle is necessary for the sentence structure.
Using formal ending with friends → 몇 시야?
Overly formal speech can sound distant.
Confusing '시' with '시간' → 시 for o'clock, 시간 for duration
They are not interchangeable.
Adding extra particles → 몇 시예요?
Do not add unnecessary markers.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Visualize a giant clock.

💡

Native usage

Always keep it polite.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Punctuality is valued.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Native numbers for hours!

💡

Say It Right

Link the t and s.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use Sino-Korean for hours.

💡

Did You Know?

It is the most asked question.

💡

Study Smart

Use flashcards.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember 'Myeot' sounds like 'My' + 'ot' (clock).

Visual Association

A clock face with the question mark.

Word Web

Time Clock Schedule Meeting

Challenge

Ask 3 people the time in Korean today.

Word Origin

Korean/Sino-Korean

Original meaning: How many hours

Cultural Context

None, very neutral.

Direct translation of 'What time is it?'

Used in countless K-dramas when characters wait for each other.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Travel

  • 몇 시에 출발해요?
  • 몇 시에 도착해요?
  • 몇 시까지 가야 해요?

Meeting Friends

  • 몇 시에 만나요?
  • 몇 시에 끝나요?
  • 몇 시에 올 수 있어요?

Work

  • 점심시간 몇 시예요?
  • 퇴근 몇 시예요?
  • 회의 몇 시예요?

Shopping

  • 몇 시에 문 닫아요?
  • 몇 시에 열어요?
  • 몇 시까지 영업해요?

Conversation Starters

"지금 몇 시예요?"

"점심시간이 몇 시예요?"

"퇴근 시간이 몇 시예요?"

"영화가 몇 시에 시작해요?"

"거기 지금 몇 시예요?"

Journal Prompts

Write about why being on time is important.

List your daily schedule using the phrase.

Describe a time you were late.

Ask a friend what time they wake up.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

Yes, it is polite.

Yes, use Sino-Korean numbers for minutes.

Just show your watch!

No, it is very common.

Yes.

Yes, '몇 시였어요?'

No, use '몇 월 며칠이에요?'

No.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

지금 ___ 시예요?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 몇

몇 is used for quantity/time.

multiple choice A2

Which phrase is polite?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 몇 시예요?

-예요 is the polite ending.

true false B1

Is '시' used for duration?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

'시간' is for duration.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Direct translation.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Subject/Time word order.

Score: /5

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

何時 Japanese
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