KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Introductions & meeting people › 어디서 왔어요?
How to Say “Where are you from” in Korean: 어디서 왔어요?
어디서 왔어요?
eodiseo wasseoyo?
Meaning
Where are you from?
Usage note
어디서 is short for 어디에서 (from where). A typical answer is 일본에서 왔어요 (I came from Japan).
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
How to pronounce it
Said aloud, it sounds like [어디서 와써요].
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 어디서 | ||
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | eo |
| 디 | ㄷ+ㅣ | di |
| 서 | ㅅ+ㅓ | seo |
| 왔어요 | ||
| 왔 | ㅇ+ㅘ+ㅆ | [와] wa |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [써] sseo |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 왔어 → [와써]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “왔어요”
- 저는 외국에서 왔어요I came from abroad
- 한국에는 처음 왔어요This is my first time in Korea
- 한국 친구를 사귀고 싶어서 왔어요I came because I want to make Korean friends
Phrases with “어디서”
- 택시 어디서 타요?Where can I get a taxi
- 어디서 계산해요?Where do I pay
- 어디서 갈아타요?Where do I transfer
- 어디서 갈아타야 해요?Where do I have to transfer
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “어디서 왔어요?” mean?
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Answer: Where are you from
Question 2 How do you say “Where are you from” in Korean?
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Answer: 어디서 왔어요? eodiseo wasseoyo?
Question 3 How is “어디서 왔어요?” pronounced?
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Answer: [어디서 와써요]
Learn this phrase by playing: typing drills and quizzes help it stick.
Practice in the gameMore phrases for this situation
- 영어 하세요?Do you speak English
- 제 친구예요This is my friend
- 서울에 살아요I live in Seoul
- 저도요Me too
- 한국어 배워요I’m learning Korean
- 잘 부탁해요Nice to meet you. / I hope we get along well
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