무슨 (mu-seun, museun)
'무슨' is a common Korean interrogative adjective used before nouns to ask about type or content.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
'무슨' is an interrogative adjective placed before a noun to ask about its kind or content.
Nuances
When to use
Everyday conversation, Meetings, Asking questions
In context
'무슨' always precedes a noun and is mainly used in questions. It is rarely used in statements and is natural in both casual and formal contexts.
무슨 음식을 좋아해요?
mu-seun eum-sik-eul joh-a-hae-yo?, mu seun eum sik eul joh a hae yo?
'무슨' correctly precedes the noun '음식' forming a natural question.
무슨 책을 읽고 있어요?
mu-seun chaek-eul ik-go iss-eo-yo?, mu seun chaek eul ik go iss eo yo?
'무슨' properly modifies the noun '책' in a question.
무슨 이유로 늦었어요?
mu-seun i-yu-ro neuj-eoss-eo-yo?, mu seun i yu ro neuj eoss eo yo?
'무슨' precedes '이유' to ask for a specific reason.
무슨 일 있어요?
mu-seun il iss-eo-yo?, mu seun il iss eo yo?
'무슨' before '일' forms a natural question about the situation.
무슨으로 먹을까요?
mu-seun-eu-ro meok-eul-kka-yo?, mu seun eu ro meok eul kka yo?
'무슨' must be followed by a noun; '으로' is a particle, so this is incorrect.
무슨 좋아해요?
mu-seun joh-a-hae-yo?, mu seun joh a hae yo?
'무슨' must precede a noun; here, no noun follows, so it's incorrect.
What part of speech is '무슨'?
Which sentence uses '무슨' correctly?
In what kind of sentences is '무슨' mainly used?
