Simply Learn Korean

Hi everyone! 👋 Welcome back to Simply Learn Korean.

When you are exploring a new city, trying to find a restaurant, or looking for a friend in Seoul, what is the #1 question you need? In English, you ask, “Where is it?” or “Where are you?”

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

In this quick guide, you’ll learn how to use 어디예요? to navigate your surroundings and ask for locations like a pro!

💡 What Does “어디예요?” Mean?

• 어디 (eo-di): Where
• 예요 (ye-yo): Is / Am / Are (the polite “to be” verb)

Combined together, 어디예요? literally means “Where is it?” or “Where are you?”

You can use it simply on its own, or attach it right after a noun or a place name.

1. Using “어디예요?” by Itself

If you are looking around for a specific place or trying to ask someone where they are right now, you can just say:

• 어디예요? (Where is it? / Where are you?)

2. Asking About Specific Places

You can attach 어디예요? after a specific location or noun to find out where it is located.

• 화장실 (restroom) + 어디예요?➔ 화장실 어디예요? (Where is the restroom?)
• 역 (station) + 어디예요?➔ 역이 어디예요? (Where is the station?)
• 집 (home / house) + 어디예요?➔ 집이 어디예요? (Where is your house?)

🎧 Pronunciation Tip:

When asking about a place, you will often hear native speakers attach the subject marker, like 화장실 어디예요? or 역이 어디예요?. Notice how smoothly 역이 flows into [여기 – yeo-gi] style liaison in casual speech!

3. How to Answer “Where are you?” (위치 대답하기)

When someone asks “어디예요?” (Where are you?), you can answer easily by naming the place followed by 이에요/예요 (is / am / are).

• Consonant ending (받침 O): Use -이에요

a. 회사 + 이에요 👉 회사예요 (I’m at the office.)

b. 백화점 + 이에요 👉 백화점이에요 (I’m at the Mall.)

• Vowel ending (받침 X): Use -예요

a. 카페 + 예요 👉 카페예요 (I’m at a cafe.)

b. 학교 + 예요 👉 학교예요 (I’m at school.)

🎯 Quick Practice Quiz!

Match the Korean question to its English meaning:

1. 화장실 어디예요?
2. 어디예요?
3. 집이 어디예요?

• A. Where is it? / Where are you?
• B. Where is the restroom?
• C. Where is your home?

💬 Practice with Me!

Try using 어디예요? in the comments below!

Example: 학교가 어디예요? (Ask me about any place or word you want to locate!)

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