어떻게 (eo-tteoh-ge, eotteohge) · 어떡해 (eo-tteok-hae, eotteokhae)
'어떻게' asks about methods or states, while '어떡해' expresses emotional reactions in difficult or surprising situations.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An interrogative word used to ask or explain methods, states, or processes
When to use
asking method, describing state, problem-solving question
The nuance
'어떻게' is mainly used to ask about methods or states or to explain situations; it can appear at the beginning or middle of a sentence naturally.
An exclamation or colloquial expression used to show emotion in difficult or embarrassing situations
When to use
emotional expression, embarrassed situation, expressing worry
The nuance
'어떡해' is mainly used to express embarrassment, worry, or difficulty, often as an exclamation standing alone at the start of a sentence; even when used interrogatively, the emotional nuance is primary.
어떻게 이 문제를 해결할 수 있나요? ⭕
eo-tteoh-ge i mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-hal su iss-na-yo? ⭕, eo tteoh ge i mun je reul hae gyeol hal su iss na yo? ⭕
'어떻게' is appropriate here as it asks for a method.
어떡해 이 문제를 해결할 수 있나요? ❌
eo-tteok-hae i mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-hal su iss-na-yo? ❌, eo tteok hae i mun je reul hae gyeol hal su iss na yo? ❌
'어떡해' expresses emotion and is not suitable for formal method inquiries.
어떡해! 비가 너무 많이 와서 우산이 없어요! ⭕
eo-tteok-hae! bi-ga neo-mu man-i wa-seo u-san-i eop-eo-yo! ⭕, eo tteok hae! bi ga neo mu man i wa seo u san i eop eo yo! ⭕
'어떡해' naturally expresses worry and embarrassment here.
어떻게! 비가 너무 많이 와서 우산이 없어요! ❌
eo-tteoh-ge! bi-ga neo-mu man-i wa-seo u-san-i eop-eo-yo! ❌, eo tteoh ge! bi ga neo mu man i wa seo u san i eop eo yo! ❌
'어떻게' is not used as an exclamation, so it sounds odd here.
어떻게 하면 더 잘할 수 있을까요? ⭕
eo-tteoh-ge ha-myeon deo jal-hal su iss-eul-kka-yo? ⭕, eo tteoh ge ha myeon deo jal hal su iss eul kka yo? ⭕
'어떻게' correctly asks for a method.
어떡해 하면 더 잘할 수 있을까요? ❌
eo-tteok-hae ha-myeon deo jal-hal su iss-eul-kka-yo? ❌, eo tteok hae ha myeon deo jal hal su iss eul kka yo? ❌
'어떡해' is for emotional expression, not method questions.
시험이 내일이라 어떡해! 너무 긴장돼! ⭕
si-heom-i nae-il-i-ra eo-tteok-hae! neo-mu gin-jang-dwae! ⭕, si heom i nae il i ra eo tteok hae! neo mu gin jang dwae! ⭕
'어떡해' properly conveys anxiety and worry here.
시험이 내일이라 어떻게! 너무 긴장돼! ❌
si-heom-i nae-il-i-ra eo-tteoh-ge! neo-mu gin-jang-dwae! ❌, si heom i nae il i ra eo tteoh ge! neo mu gin jang dwae! ❌
'어떻게' is unnatural as an exclamation here.
Which is appropriate for asking a method?
Which is used to express emotion in embarrassing situations?
What is the role of '어떡해' in "어떡해! 지갑을 잃어버렸어!"?
What does it mean?
