누구 (nu-gu, nugu)
누구 (nugu) is the basic Korean question word for asking about a person, used in everyday and formal contexts.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
누구 is an interrogative pronoun used to ask about a person, meaning 'which person' or 'who'.
Nuances
When to use
Everyday conversation, Phone call, Interview, Introduction
In context
누구 is mainly used as the subject or object in questions and fits both formal and informal speech. Example: '누구세요?' (Who is it?) '누구를 찾으세요?' (Who are you looking for?).
누구세요?
nu-gu-se-yo?, nu gu se yo?
Polite way to ask someone's identity, natural expression.
누구를 만났어요?
nu-gu-reul man-nass-eo-yo?, nu gu reul man nass eo yo?
Correct question using 누구 as object.
나는 누구이다.
na-neun nu-gu-i-da., na neun nu gu i da.
누구 is an interrogative pronoun, not used in statements.
누구 책이 이거예요?
nu-gu chaek-i i-geo-ye-yo?, nu gu chaek i i geo ye yo?
'누구' alone is not possessive; use '누구의' instead.
누구랑 같이 갈래?
nu-gu-rang gat-i gal-rae?, nu gu rang gat i gal rae?
'누구랑' is natural spoken Korean.
누구가 왔어요?
nu-gu-ga wass-eo-yo?, nu gu ga wass eo yo?
Correct question with 누구 as subject.
Which sentence uses '누구' correctly?
What is the correct use of '누구'?
