Simply Learn Korean

Hi everyone! 👋 Welcome back to Simply Learn Korean.

When exploring a new country or learning a new language, one of the most important survival questions you can ask is, “What is this?” or “What is that?”

In everyday Korean, the natural way to ask this is by using 뭐예요? (mwo-ye-yo).

In this quick guide, you’ll learn how to use 뭐예요? to identify objects, ask names, and navigate daily conversations in Korea!

💡 What Does “뭐예요?” Mean?

• 뭐 (mwo): What
• 예요 (ye-yo): Is / Am / Are (the polite “to be” verb we learned last time)

Combined together, 뭐예요? literally means “What is it?” or “What is that?”

You can use it simply on its own, or attach it directly to a noun.

1. Using “뭐예요?” by Itself

If you are pointing at an object, looking at a menu, or holding something up, you don’t even need a full sentence. Just point and ask:

• 뭐예요? (What is it? / What is this?)

💡 Tip: If you want to specify “this” or “that,” you can add pointer words in front:

• 이거 (this) + 뭐예요? ➔ 이거 뭐예요? (What is this?)
• 저거 (that) + 뭐예요? ➔ 저거 뭐예요? (What is that over there?)

To reply to 뭐예요?, simply state the name of the object followed by -예요 (after vowels) or -이에요 (after consonants):

• Q: 이거 뭐예요? (What is this?)
• A 1: 김밥이에요. (It’s kimbap. – Ends in ㅂ, so use 이에요)
• A 2: 커피예요. (It’s coffee. – Ends in ㅣ, so use 예요)

2. Asking About Specific Nouns

You can attach 뭐예요? right after a noun to ask what something specific is.

• 이름 (name) + 뭐예요?➔ 이름이 뭐예요? (What is your name?)
• 직업 (job) + 뭐예요?➔ 직업이 뭐예요? (What is your job? / What do you do?)
• 이것 (this thing) + 뭐예요?➔ 이것은 뭐예요? (What is this?)

🎧 Pronunciation Tip:

When native speakers say 이름이 뭐예요?, the sound flows smoothly into [이르미 뭐예요 – i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo].

To reply to those 3 questions, simply state the name of the object followed by -예요 (after vowels) or -이에요 (after consonants):

• Q: 이름이 뭐예요? (What is your name?)
• A 1: 브랜든이에요. (I am Brandon. – Ends in ㄴ, so use 이에요)
• A 2: 유나예요. (I am Yuna. – Ends in ㅏ, so use 예요)

• Q: 직업이 뭐예요? (What is your job?)
• A 1: 선생님이에요. (I am a teacher. – Ends in ㅁ, so use 이에요)
• A 2: 변호사예요. (I am a lawyer. – Ends in ㅏ, so use 예요)

• Q: 이것은 뭐예요? (What is your name?)
• A 1: 연필이에요. (It’s a pencil. – Ends in ㄹ, so use 이에요)
• A 2: 지우개예요. (It’s an eraser. – Ends in ㅐ, so use 예요)

🎯 Quick Practice Quiz!

Match the Korean question to its English meaning:

1. 이거 뭐예요?
2. 이름이 뭐예요?
3. 저거 뭐예요?

• A. What is your name?
• B. What is this?
• C. What is that?

💬 Practice with Me!

Try using 뭐예요? in the comments below!

Example: 이것은 뭐예요? (Ask me about any Korean word or object you’re curious about!)

If you want to practice real spoken Korean with personalized feedback, feel free to book a 1:1 lesson with me! Happy learning!