Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to ask" in Korean: 묻다
묻다mutda
to ask in Korean is 묻다 (mutda). 묻다 meaning ask is ㄷ-irregular; 물어요 is its polite form, while 묻어요 can belong to a different verb.
to ask: an everyday statement
선생님께 길을 물어요.seonsaengnimkke gireul mureoyo.
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How to pronounce 묻다
Say it
mutda
/mut̚t͈a/
Read 묻다 as mutda. The spoken form 물어요 is mureoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to ask" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 묻다mutda | to ask Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 물어요mureoyo | to ask (polite present) Use 물어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 물어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 물었어요mureosseoyo | to ask (polite past) Use 물었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 물었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 묻다 in real life
- 1to ask: an everyday statement
선생님께 길을 물어요.
seonsaengnimkke gireul mureoyo.
I ask the teacher for directions.
물어요 is the present form of 묻다.
- 2to ask: a different situation
어제 직원에게 가격을 물었어요.
eoje jigwonege gagyeogeul mureosseoyo.
I asked the staff member the price yesterday.
물었어요 is the past form of 묻다.
- 3to ask: a question or request
모르는 것을 누구에게 물어요?
moreuneun geoseul nuguege mureoyo?
Whom do you ask about things you do not know?
물어요 is the present form of 묻다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 묻다
Incorrect: 묻다.
Correct: 물어요.
When practicing to ask, 묻다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 물어요.
Incorrect: 어제 물어요.
Correct: 어제 물었어요.
When practicing to ask, for a completed event yesterday, use 물었어요; the present form 물어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
묻다 meaning ask is ㄷ-irregular; 물어요 is its polite form, while 묻어요 can belong to a different verb. 물어요 is the polite conversational form of 묻다; 물었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 묻다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
선생님께 길을 물어요.
seonsaengnimkke gireul mureoyo.
I ask the teacher for directions.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 직원에게 가격을 물었어요.
eoje jigwonege gagyeogeul mureosseoyo.
I asked the staff member the price yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to ask" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to ask" in Korean
How do I use 묻다 in polite speech?
물어요 is the polite conversational form of 묻다; 물었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 묻다 in a past-tense sentence?
물었어요 is the polite past form. 묻다 meaning ask is ㄷ-irregular; 물어요 is its polite form, while 묻어요 can belong to a different verb.
What does 물어요 mean here?
물어요 is used for to ask. For example, 선생님께 길을 물어요. means “I ask the teacher for directions.”
What should I remember about 묻다?
묻다 meaning ask is ㄷ-irregular; 물어요 is its polite form, while 묻어요 can belong to a different verb.
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