Korean · Greetings & Essentials
"Who?" in Korean: 누구
누구nugu
Who? in Korean is 누구 (nugu). 누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject.
Who?: starting the exchange
누구를 기다려요?nugureul gidaryeoyo?
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How to pronounce 누구
Say it
nugu
/nuku/
누구 is read nugu. In 누구예요?, read the full phrase as nuguyeyo?.
"Who?" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 누구nugu | Who? The inventory form for who?. | The inventory form for who?. |
| 누구예요?nuguyeyo? | who is it? 누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject. | 누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject. |
How to use 누구 in real life
- 1Who?: starting the exchange
누구를 기다려요?
nugureul gidaryeoyo?
Who are you waiting for?
누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject.
- 2Who?: adding useful context
저 사람은 누구예요?
jeo sarameun nuguyeyo?
Who is that person?
This sentence places 누구 in a complete exchange.
- 3Who?: a different conversation
누구와 같이 왔어요?
nuguwa gachi wasseoyo?
Who did you come with?
This sentence places 누구 in a complete exchange.
Mistakes English speakers make with 누구
Incorrect: 누구가 왔어요?
Correct: 누가 왔어요?
When practicing who, the ordinary subject form contracts 누구 plus 가 to 누가.
Incorrect: 누구이 기다려요?
Correct: 누구를 기다려요?
When practicing who, the person waited for is the object of 기다리다 and takes 를 after the vowel.
Good to know
누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led greetings and essentials study exercise: two sentences with 누구
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
누구를 기다려요?
nugureul gidaryeoyo?
Who are you waiting for?
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
저 사람은 누구예요?
jeo sarameun nuguyeyo?
Who is that person?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Who?" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Who?" in Korean
What does 누구 mean?
Who? in Korean is 누구 (nugu). 누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject.
When should I say 누구예요??
누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject.
How does 누구예요? differ from the basic expression?
누구예요? means “who is it?”. 누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject.
Can I use 누구 in a full sentence?
누구를 기다려요? means “Who are you waiting for?” 누구 asks who; 누구가 normally contracts to 누가 when it is the subject.
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