Korean Casual Talk: Saying What Are You Doing?

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 49 views

Hey guys! Ever wondered how to casually ask someone "what are you doing?" in Korean? You're in luck! This guide will break down the most common and natural ways to say it, perfect for chatting with friends or just sounding a bit more fluent. We'll cover the nuances of casual speech, pronunciation, and even some fun examples to get you started. So, buckle up, because we're about to dive into the world of Korean slang and everyday conversation!

The Basics: The Foundation of Casual Korean

Before we jump into the exact phrases, let's talk about the foundation of casual Korean. Understanding this will make learning the specific phrases much easier. The key is to remember that Korean has different levels of politeness, and the casual form is used with friends, family members younger than you, or people you are very close to. It's all about building a rapport and sounding natural. The use of honorifics (polite terms) are often dropped, and verb endings change to reflect the informal tone. This means the way you would address your boss is vastly different from how you'd ask your best friend what they're up to. When learning Korean, it is very important to get this part right, or you may risk offending someone by sounding too formal or too informal.

The Core Sentence Structure

Korean sentence structure is different from English. Generally, it's Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). So, instead of "You are doing what?", it often translates to "You what are doing?" While this might seem strange at first, you'll get used to it quickly. We will be using the structure to make the learning a little easier. Additionally, the verb is the most important part of the sentence, as that's where the politeness level is most clearly indicated.

Korean Particles

Korean grammar relies heavily on particles, which are small words that attach to nouns or verbs to indicate their function in the sentence. These particles can change depending on the level of formality and the overall context of the sentence. Mastering these will take time, but the more you are exposed to them, the easier they will become. You will come across these as you learn the phrases for what are you doing. The most important aspect of learning Korean is to immerse yourself in it. Watch Korean dramas, listen to K-pop, and try to speak with native speakers as much as possible.

The Go-To Phrase: "뭐 해?" (Mwo Hae?)

Alright, let's get to the star of the show! The most common and versatile way to say "What are you doing?" in Korean casually is "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?). Let's break it down:

뭐 (mwo): This is the Korean word for "what." It's your starting point. Easy, right?
해 (hae): This is the casual form of the verb "to do" (하다 - hada). It's what makes the phrase casual and is used with friends and people younger than you.

So, put it together, and you have "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?), which directly translates to "What do you do?" or "What are you doing?" in a very informal, casual way. This is the phrase you'll hear the most often in everyday conversations. It's great to use when texting or talking with close friends. This is your go-to phrase. Memorize it and start using it!

Pronunciation Tips

"뭐" (mwo): Pronounce it like "m-woh" in English, with a slight emphasis on the "woh" sound. It's a short, quick sound.
"해" (hae): This is pronounced similar to "hey" in English. Keep the tone light and friendly. Practice saying it out loud to get the rhythm right. Listen to native speakers to get the hang of it.

Examples in Action

Here's how you might use "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?) in a conversation:

You: "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?) – "What are you doing?"
Friend: "밥 먹어." (bap meogeo.) – "Eating a meal."

Or
You: "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?) – "What are you doing?"
Friend: "게임 해." (geim hae.) – "Playing a game."

Variations and Enhancements

While "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?) is the workhorse, there are a few variations and additional phrases that you can use to add a little spice to your Korean. Knowing these will make your conversations more interesting and natural. You'll sound even more like a native speaker with these extras in your vocabulary!

Adding Context

Sometimes, you want to be a bit more specific. You might want to know exactly what your friend is doing. Here are some options:

지금 뭐 해? (jigeum mwo hae?) – "What are you doing right now?" (지금 (jigeum) means "now".)
오늘 뭐 해? (oneul mwo hae?) – "What are you doing today?" (오늘 (oneul) means "today".)

These variations are easy to remember because you're just adding a time word before "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?). This offers even more clarity. You're simply adding more information to the core question, making it more relevant to the conversation. This will allow your friend to understand better exactly what you are asking.

Other Useful Phrases

어떻게 지내? (eotteohge jinae?) – "How are you doing?" (casual). This is a more general question, not necessarily about what they are doing at that very moment, but more about their state. It's a common greeting. This is not the exact translation of "what are you doing", but it is a useful question, because they can be similar in context. You might use this at the beginning of a conversation, before you get to the "what are you doing" question.
잘 지내? (jal jinae?) – "Are you doing well?" (casual). Similar to "어떻게 지내?" (eotteohge jinae?), but a little more direct. It's a way to show you care. It is a slightly shortened version of "어떻게 지내?" (eotteohge jinae?).

Pronunciation and Practice Tips

Pronunciation is key. Don't be afraid to sound a little silly when you're starting out. The more you practice speaking, the better you'll get. Focus on getting the sounds right, and the rest will follow. Here are some tips to accelerate your learning:

Imitation

Listen to native speakers: Watch Korean dramas, variety shows, or even just listen to K-pop. Pay attention to how they pronounce "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?) and the other phrases. YouTube is your friend! There are tons of resources available.
Repeat after them: Pause the video or audio and repeat the phrases. Try to mimic their intonation and rhythm. The goal is to start sounding like them! Do this multiple times for each phrase.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Find a language partner: If you have a friend who speaks Korean, practice with them. If you don't have a friend, there are many language exchange apps and websites where you can find native speakers to practice with. This will allow you to get feedback and fix any mistakes you might have. Nothing beats talking to a native speaker!
Use it in real life: The best way to learn is to use what you've learned. The next time you see a Korean speaker, try using "뭐 해?" (mwo hae?). You might be surprised at how well you do! Start small, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. This is the most efficient way to learn.
Record yourself: Record yourself saying the phrases. Then, compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker. This can help you identify areas where you need to improve. This will show you exactly what needs to be improved.

Avoiding Mistakes: When to Use and Not Use Casual Korean

One of the biggest challenges when learning Korean is knowing when to use casual language. Using the wrong level of politeness can be awkward, or worse, disrespectful. Here's a quick guide to help you avoid common mistakes.

Who to Use It With

Close friends: People you're the same age as or younger. This is a must!
Family members: Especially those younger than you.
People you've known for a long time: You've built a friendship and the informal is okay.

Who to Avoid Using It With

People older than you: Unless they've specifically told you it's okay. When in doubt, err on the side of politeness.
People you don't know well: Strangers, acquaintances, and anyone you're meeting for the first time should be addressed with more polite language.
People in positions of authority: Teachers, bosses, and elders deserve respect and should be spoken to using honorifics.

Dealing with Uncertainty

If you're unsure, it's always better to be too polite than not polite enough. You can start with a polite form and then, if the person invites you to be more casual, you can switch. It is better to use honorifics. You can always ask the person, "Is it okay if I speak informally?" This shows respect. Better to be safe than sorry!

Recap and Next Steps

So there you have it, guys! You now have the tools to casually ask "What are you doing?" in Korean. Here's a quick recap:

"뭐 해?" (mwo hae?) is your go-to phrase for casual conversations.
Use "지금 뭐 해?" (jigeum mwo hae?) for "What are you doing right now?"
Use "오늘 뭐 해?" (oneul mwo hae?) for "What are you doing today?"
Remember to use casual language with friends and family members who are younger than you.
Practice, practice, practice! The more you use these phrases, the more natural they'll become.

Next Steps

Start using these phrases: Try it out in your next Korean conversation.
Continue learning: Explore more casual Korean phrases. Learn how to say other useful things.
Immerse yourself: Watch Korean dramas, listen to K-pop, and find ways to engage with the language every day. This is the fun part!

You're well on your way to sounding like a native speaker! Keep up the good work, and happy learning! 화이팅! (Hwaiting!) – Go for it! You've got this!