If you’re learning Korean, understanding how to ask basic questions is essential for effective communication. One of the most common ways to inquire about something in Korean is by using the phrase “이/가 뭐예요?” which translates to “What is this?” or “What is it?” in English. This simple yet powerful grammar structure is perfect for beginners looking to build a solid foundation in Korean. In this guide, we will break down the usage, structure, and common examples of “이/가 뭐예요?” to help you ask questions confidently in everyday situations.
Contents
1. Definition
“Noun이/가 뭐예요?” is a question structure used to ask “What is [noun]?” in Korean. It’s equivalent to the English questions “What is…?” or “What’s…?”
2. Form (Structure)
The basic structure of this question is:
[Noun] + 이/가 + 뭐예요?
The particle 이/가 is used after the noun, with 이 following consonants and 가 following vowels.
Here’s a simple table to help you understand the structure better:
| Noun ends with | Particle | Example |
| Consonant | 이 | 책이 뭐예요? (What is the book?) |
| Vowel | 가 | 전화번호가 뭐예요? (What is the phone number?) |
3. Meaning & Usage
Consonant-ending Nouns (이)
- 책이 뭐예요? (What is the book?)
- 음악이 뭐예요? (What is the music?)
- 이름이 뭐예요? (What is the name?)
- 아이스크림이 뭐예요? (What is the ice cream?)
- 이 음식의 이름이 뭐예요? (What is the name of this food?)
- 그 회사의 비전이 뭐예요? (What is that company’s vision?)
- 그 나라의 주요 수출품이 뭐예요? (What are the main exports of that country?)
- 이 프로그램의 목적이 뭐예요? (What is the purpose of this program?)
- 그 정책의 장단점이 뭐예요? (What are the pros and cons of that policy?)
- 이 약의 부작용이 뭐예요? (What are the side effects of this medicine?)
Vowel-ending Nouns (가)
- 전화번호가 뭐예요? (What is the phone number?)
- 주소가 뭐예요? (What is the address?)
- 카메라가 뭐예요? (What is the camera?)
- 시계가 뭐예요? (What is the clock?)
- 컴퓨터가 뭐예요? (What is the computer?)
- 자동차가 뭐예요? (What is the car?)
- 의자가 뭐예요? (What is the chair?)
- 당신의 취미가 뭐예요? (What is your hobby?)
- 이 요리의 주재료가 뭐예요? (What is the main ingredient of this dish?)
- 그 도시의 명소가 뭐예요? (What are the attractions of that city?)
Note on Colloquial Forms:
In everyday conversation, Koreans often use shortened forms of demonstrative pronouns:
- 이것은 (this) → 이게, 이건
- 그것은 (that) → 그게, 그건
- 저것은 (that over there) → 저게, 저건
These forms can be used in both questions and statements:
Questions:
- 이게 뭐예요? / 이건 뭐예요?(What’s this?)
- 그게 뭐예요? / 그건 뭐예요? (What’s that?)
- 저게 뭐예요? / 저건 뭐예요? (What’s that over there?)
Statements:
- 이게 사과예요. / 이건 사과예요. (This is an apple.)
- 그게 책이에요. / 그건 책이에요. (That is a book.)
- 저게 의자예요. / 저건 의자예요. (That over there is a chair.)
These colloquial forms are commonly used in daily conversations and sound more natural in spoken Korean. However, the full forms (이것은, 그것은, 저것은) are still correct and may be preferred in more formal situations or in writing.
4. Key Points to Remember
- Use 이 after consonants and 가 after vowels.
- This structure is for asking about the identity or nature of something.
- It’s equivalent to “What is…?” in English.
- The structure can be used with various nouns and in different contexts.
- 뭐예요? is a polite way to ask “What is it?”
5. Practice Exercises
Translate the following sentences into Korean:
- ____ 뭐예요? (banana) (What is a banana?)
- 당신의 ____ 뭐예요? (name) (What is your name?)
- 한국의 ____ 뭐예요? (national flower) (What is Korea’s national flower?)
- 이 영화의 ____ 뭐예요? (director) (Who is the director of this movie?)
- ____ 뭐예요? (that) (What is that?)
- 오늘의 ____ 뭐예요? (lunch menu) (What is today’s lunch menu?)
- 당신의 ____ 뭐예요? (dream) (What is your dream?)
- 이 나라의 ____ 뭐예요? (official language) (What is this country’s official language?)
- 이 회사의 ____ 뭐예요? (CEO) (Who is the CEO of this company?)
- 내일의 ____ 뭐예요? (forecast) (What is tomorrow’s forecast?)
6. Answers
- 바나나가
- 이름이
- 국화가
- 감독이
- 저게
- 점심 메뉴가
- 꿈이
- 공용어가
- CEO가
- 예보가
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake: Using 은/는 instead of 이/가.
❌ 사과는 뭐예요?
✅ 사과가 뭐예요?
💡 Tip: Remember that 이/가 is used for asking about the identity or nature of something, while 은/는 is used for contrast or emphasis.
⚠️ Mistake: Forgetting to change 이 to 가 after vowels.
❌ 사과이 뭐예요?
✅ 사과가 뭐예요?
💡 Tip: Always check if the noun ends with a vowel or consonant to choose the correct particle.
⚠️ Mistake: Using this structure to ask about actions or verbs.
❌ 달리기가 뭐예요? (When trying to ask “What are you running?”)
✅ 왜 달리고 있어요? (Why are you running?)
💡 Tip: Use this structure only for nouns. For actions or verbs, use different question structures.
Mastering the “Noun이/가 뭐예요?” structure is a crucial step in your Korean language journey. This simple yet versatile question form allows you to inquire about various aspects of Korean culture, daily life, and more. With practice, you’ll find yourself using this structure naturally in conversations, opening doors to deeper connections and understanding in Korean society.
🔗 Explore Korean Particles
Click on each particle in the table below 👇👇👇 to learn more about its usage and function in Korean grammar.
| Particle | Description |
| 은/는 | Topic marker |
| 이/가 | Subject marker |
| 을/를 | Object marker |
| 에 | Time/place/location marker |
| 에서 | Location marker (action) |
| 에게/한테 | To (indirect object) |
| 와/과, 이랑/랑, 하고 | And/with |
| 도 | Also/too |
| 보다 | Than (comparison) |
| 만 | Only/just |
| 밖에 | Only (used with negative expressions) |
| 이나/나 | Or |
| 으로/로 | By means of/into |
| 의 | Possessive marker (“of”) |
💡 This table will guide you to dive deeper into each particle by clicking on them!