🇰🇷 Korean phrases

How to Say "What does this mean?" in Korean

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
이게 무슨 뜻이에요?
"What does this mean?" in Korean · say it like ee-geh moo-seun tteu-sih-eh-yo

The most natural way to say "What does this mean?" in Korean is 이게 무슨 뜻이에요?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

이게 무슨 뜻인가요?
More formal version, often used in polite conversations.
이게 무슨 뜻이야?
Casual version, used among friends.

When to use it

Use this phrase when you encounter something unfamiliar and want to understand its meaning. It can be used in various contexts, such as reading a text, listening to someone, or seeing a sign. Adjust the formality based on your relationship with the person you are asking.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "What does this mean?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Korean

KoreanEnglish
이 문장의 의미가 뭐예요?What does this sentence mean?
Common mistake
Learners often forget to adjust the formality of the phrase based on the context.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 이게 무슨 뜻이에요?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Korean with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this phrase in a formal meeting?

It's better to use the more formal variant '이게 무슨 뜻인가요?' in that context.

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