Asking someone what they are doing today in Korean can be super useful, whether you're making plans or just being friendly. Here’s how you can do it, breaking down the phrases and adding some context to make sure you nail it. So, let's dive right in, guys!

Basic Ways to Ask

When you want to know what someone's up to, the most straightforward way to ask "What are you doing today?" in Korean is through these common phrases. The formality of your question will depend on your relationship with the person you're talking to. For example, if you are speaking to someone older than you or someone you don't know very well, you'll need to use formal language. If you're speaking to someone younger than you or a close friend, you can use informal language.

Formal way: 뭐 하세요? (Mwo haseyo?)

뭐 하세요? (Mwo haseyo?) is your go-to formal option. Let’s break it down:

• 뭐 (Mwo) means "what."
• 하세요 (Haseyo) comes from 하다 (hada), which means "to do," and is conjugated into a polite question form.

Use this when speaking to someone older, someone you don't know well, or in a professional setting. It shows respect and is always a safe bet when you’re unsure.

Imagine you’re talking to your boss or a new acquaintance. You could say, “오늘 뭐 하세요? (Oneul mwo haseyo?)” which translates to “What are you doing today?” Adding 오늘 (oneul), meaning “today,” makes it even clearer. Using this formal approach helps maintain a respectful tone, which is highly valued in Korean culture. This phrase is versatile and can be used in various situations, ensuring you come across as polite and considerate.

Standard way: 뭐 해요? (Mwo haeyo?)

뭐 해요? (Mwo haeyo?) is a standard, polite way to ask. It's less formal than 뭐 하세요? but still respectful. This is how it breaks down:

• 뭐 (Mwo) still means "what."
• 해요 (Haeyo) is the standard polite form of "to do."

Use this with people who are your age or slightly older, or when you want to be polite but not overly formal. This is perfect for coworkers, neighbors, or people you’ve just met but want to be friendly with.

For example, if you’re chatting with a coworker about weekend plans, you might ask, “오늘 뭐 해요? (Oneul mwo haeyo?)” This conveys interest without being too stiff. It’s a balanced approach that fits well in many everyday situations. Whether you're curious about their day or trying to make plans, this phrase is super handy.

Informal way: 뭐 해? (Mwo hae?)

뭐 해? (Mwo hae?) is your informal, casual option. It's short, sweet, and to the point:

• 뭐 (Mwo), as always, means "what."
• 해 (Hae) is the informal version of "to do."

Use this only with close friends, siblings, or people younger than you. Using it with someone you’re not close to can come off as rude, so be careful! This is the kind of phrase you’d use when texting a friend or talking to your younger sibling.

Picture this: you're texting your bestie to see if they want to grab some ice cream. You’d shoot them a quick “오늘 뭐 해? (Oneul mwo hae?)” because you know they won’t take it the wrong way. It's casual, friendly, and perfect for close relationships. Just remember to keep it for your inner circle!

Adding "Today" for Clarity

To make it crystal clear that you're asking about today, you can add 오늘 (oneul), which means "today," to any of these phrases. It’s like adding that extra sprinkle of context to your Korean conversation sundae.

• 오늘 뭐 하세요? (Oneul mwo haseyo?) – What are you doing today? (Formal)
• 오늘 뭐 해요? (Oneul mwo haeyo?) – What are you doing today? (Standard)
• 오늘 뭐 해? (Oneul mwo hae?) – What are you doing today? (Informal)

Example Conversations

Let's see these phrases in action! Here are a couple of example conversations to give you a better feel for how they're used. These scenarios should help you understand the nuances of each phrase.

Scenario 1: Talking to a Classmate (Standard)

You run into a classmate after class and want to know what they’re doing.

• You: “어, 수진 씨, 안녕하세요! 오늘 뭐 해요? (Eo, Sujin-ssi, annyeonghaseyo! Oneul mwo haeyo?)” – “Oh, Sujin, hello! What are you doing today?”
• Sujin: “아, 안녕하세요! 저는 오늘 도서관에서 공부할 거예요. (A, annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun oneul doseogwan-eseo gongbuhal geoyeyo.)” – “Ah, hello! I’m going to study at the library today.”

Scenario 2: Texting a Friend (Informal)

You’re texting your friend to see if they’re free to hang out.

• You: “야, 민지야, 오늘 뭐 해? (Ya, Minjiya, oneul mwo hae?)” – “Hey, Minji, what are you doing today?”
• Minji: “별일 없어. 그냥 집에서 뒹굴뒹굴. 왜? (Byeolil eopseo. Geunyang jibeseo dwungguldwunggul. Wae?)” – “Nothing much. Just chilling at home. Why?”

Scenario 3: Speaking to a Senior Colleague (Formal)

You need to ask a senior colleague about their schedule.

• You: “선배님, 안녕하세요. 오늘 뭐 하세요? (Seonbaenim, annyeonghaseyo. Oneul mwo haseyo?)” – “Senior, hello. What are you doing today?”
• Senior Colleague: “아, 네. 오늘은 회의 준비를 할 겁니다. (A, ne. Oneureun hwoeui junbireul hal geomnida.)” – “Ah, yes. Today, I will be preparing for a meeting.”

Bonus Phrases

Here are a few extra phrases that are similar and can also come in handy. These will give you even more ways to ask about someone's plans and show your interest in what they're up to.

오늘 뭐 할 거예요? (Oneul mwo hal geoyeyo?)

This phrase translates to "What are you going to do today?" It’s a slight variation that implies you’re asking about future plans for the day. It’s useful when you’re curious about what someone has scheduled.

• 오늘 (Oneul): Today
• 뭐 (Mwo): What
• 할 거예요 (Hal geoyeyo): Going to do (future tense)

오늘 계획이 뭐예요? (Oneul gyehoegi mwoyeyo?)

This means "What are your plans for today?" It’s a great way to inquire about someone's agenda and is slightly more formal than the other phrases.

• 오늘 (Oneul): Today
• 계획 (Gyehoek): Plan
• 이 뭐예요? (i mwoyeyo?): What is

오늘 뭐 특별한 일 있어요? (Oneul mwo teukbyeolhan il isseoyo?)

This translates to "Do you have anything special going on today?" Use this when you suspect someone might have something unique or significant happening in their day.

• 오늘 (Oneul): Today
• 뭐 (Mwo): What
• 특별한 일 (teukbyeolhan il): Something special
• 있어요? (isseoyo?): Do you have

Key Takeaways

• Formality Matters: Always consider your relationship with the person you're speaking to.
• Context is King: Adding 오늘 (oneul) clarifies you're asking about today.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Try these phrases in real conversations to get comfortable with them.

By mastering these phrases, you’ll be able to ask "What are you doing today?" in Korean like a pro. Whether you’re chatting with friends, making plans, or just being polite, you’ll have the right words for the situation. Keep practicing, and you’ll become more confident in your Korean conversations!

So there you have it, guys! You're now equipped to ask "What are you doing today?" in Korean in various situations. Keep practicing, and you'll be chatting away in no time!