매튜의 한국어 연습 블로그

Korean is a fascinating language. There's even a great way, in Korean, to confirm that you didn't hear what someone just said. Furthermore, there's a way to tell the person that yes, indeed, I did ask that, I didn't hear what you said and now I am confirming that you asked the question in which was not heard. How validating. How many Korean-speakers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

There's an important distinction to make before starting the "what did you say?" game. First of all, there's questions and then there's statements. I typically hear the "what did you say?" verb conjugation for questions more often than for statements. Also, asking "what did you say? Is that what you said?" does not carry the same possible negative connotation that it does in English. I can't help but think to myself "Perk up your freakin ears next time son!" but thankfully I refrain. There's just a level of politeness that both 1) doesn't correspond exactly in English and 2) exists in Korean in a different way. It's not always the "what'd you say, boy?" feeling to it. Many times it's just a confirmation; almost a respectable confirmation before proceeding.

Repeating a Question
A: 미국에 가밨어요?
B: 미국 가봤냐고? 아니에요.

A: 밥 먹었어요?
B: 밥 먹었냐고요? 네 그럼요.

A: 야. 돈 있니?
B: 돈 있냐고? 아...그개...


Repeating a Statement
A: 오늘 컴퓨터 샀는데...
B: 컴퓨터 샀다고요? 언제? 얼마 줬어요?

A: 2년 동안 일본어 배웠어요
B: 2년 동안 배웠다고요? 와!

A: 걱정마. 맥주 열 잔만 먹었어.
B: 열 잔 먹었다고?! 죽으래?!


It's also important to note that the "고" in ~다고요 and ~냐고요 is pronounced more like /구/. Contrary to some advice, it isn't only to sound more cute; it's just easier to pronounce that way. ~냐구 just rolls off your tongue easier.