왜 (wae)
'왜' (wae) is a fundamental Korean question word used to ask for reasons or causes. It's common in everyday and formal contexts.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
'왜' is an interrogative word asking for the reason or cause of something.
Nuances
When to use
Everyday conversation, Meetings, Talking with friends, Customer service
In context
'왜' usually appears at the beginning of a sentence to form a question. It is used in interrogative sentences and is appropriate in both casual and formal contexts.
왜 그렇게 늦었어요?
wae geu-reoh-ge neuj-eoss-eo-yo?, wae geu reoh ge neuj eoss eo yo?
'왜' is correctly placed at the beginning forming a natural question.
나는 왜 그걸 몰랐지?
na-neun wae geu-geol mol-rass-ji?, na neun wae geu geol mol rass ji?
'왜' is used in an indirect question to ask for a reason.
왜 너는 가고 싶어?
wae neo-neun ga-go sip-eo?, wae neo neun ga go sip eo?
'왜' is placed before the verb to form a question.
왜냐하면 비가 와서요.
wae-nya-ha-myeon bi-ga wa-seo-yo., wae nya ha myeon bi ga wa seo yo.
'왜냐하면' is derived from '왜' and is used to explain reasons.
왜 먹었어?
wae meok-eoss-eo?, wae meok eoss eo?
A simple and natural question example.
왜냐하면 그가 바쁘기 때문입니다.
wae-nya-ha-myeon geu-ga ba-ppeu-gi ttae-mun-ip-ni-da., wae nya ha myeon geu ga ba ppeu gi ttae mun ip ni da.
Appropriate for explaining reasons in formal situations.
왜 그렇게 말했어?
wae geu-reoh-ge mal-haess-eo?, wae geu reoh ge mal haess eo?
Natural expression using '왜' to ask a reason in a question.
왜냐하면 그게 중요하니까.
wae-nya-ha-myeon geu-ge jung-yo-ha-ni-kka., wae nya ha myeon geu ge jung yo ha ni kka.
Used in casual conversation to briefly state a reason.
What is the role of '왜' in this sentence? "왜 그렇게 늦었어요?"
What role does '왜냐하면' play?
Which sentence is correct?
