What does 어디 mean?

어디 (eo-di, eodi)

'어디' is a fundamental Korean question word asking about place or location, used in everyday and formal contexts.

Korean word 어디 meaning where or which place

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

어디(eo-di, eodi)

'어디' is an interrogative word asking about place or location, meaning 'which place' or 'where'.

Nuances

  • Basic question word for place
  • Used naturally in both informal and formal speech
  • Used when wanting to know a specific point or location
  • Often combined with particles like '에' to specify location

When to use

Asking directions, Confirming location, Travel, Everyday conversation

In context

'어디' is mainly used in interrogative sentences to ask about location. It can appear before nouns or with verbs to inquire about place. Example: '어디 가요?' (Where are you going?). It is natural in both formal and informal speech.

Real-world examples

  • 어디 가세요?

    eo-di ga-se-yo?, eo di ga se yo?

    '어디' correctly used as a question word for place.

  • 나는 어디에 있어요.

    na-neun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo., na neun eo di e iss eo yo.

    '어디에' combined with particle '에' to indicate location naturally.

  • 어디 먹어요?

    eo-di meok-eo-yo?, eo di meok eo yo?

    Common casual question asking about place to eat.

  • 어디 책 읽어요?

    eo-di chaek ik-eo-yo?, eo di chaek ik eo yo?

    '어디' properly used with verb to ask about location.

  • 어디는 좋아요.

    eo-di-neun joh-a-yo., eo di neun joh a yo.

    '어디' is an interrogative, unnatural as subject here.

  • 어디에 가요?

    eo-di-e ga-yo?, eo di e ga yo?

    Natural expression asking destination with particle '에'.

Quick quiz

  1. What does '어디' mean?

    '어디'는 무슨 뜻인가요?('eo-di'neunmu-seuntteus-in-ga-yo?, 'eodi'neunmuseuntteusingayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses '어디' correctly?

    다음 문장에서 '어디'가 올바르게 쓰인 것은?(da-eummun-jang-e-seo'eo-di'gaol-ba-reu-gesseu-ingeos-eun?, daeummunjangeseo'eodi'gaolbareugesseuingeoseun?)

More meaning guides

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