[Basic Korean Conversation Series] 15: Asking about Weekend Plans

Basic Korean Conversation 15: Asking About Weekend Plans

Dialogue

A: 주말에 뭐 해요? (Jumare mwo haeyo?)

B: 친구를 만나요. (Chingureul mannayo.)

A: 어디에서 만나요? (Eodieseo mannayo?)

B: 카페에서 만나요. (Kapeeseo mannayo.)

Breakdown of the Dialogue

1. 주말에 뭐 해요? (Jumare mwo haeyo?)

• Meaning: This phrase means "What are you doing on the weekend?" It’s a common way to ask about someone's plans for the weekend.
• Usage: Use this question when you want to know someone's weekend plans.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "ju-ma-re mwo hae-yo?" The word "주말" (jumal) means "weekend," and "뭐 해요" (mwo haeyo) means "what are you doing."

2. 친구를 만나요. (Chingureul mannayo.)

• Meaning: This phrase means "I'm meeting a friend." It indicates that the person plans to meet a friend.
• Usage: Use this phrase to state that you are meeting a friend.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "chin-gu-reul man-na-yo." The word "친구" (chingu) means "friend," and "만나요" (mannayo) means "meeting."

3. 어디에서 만나요? (Eodieseo mannayo?)

• Meaning: This phrase means "Where are you meeting?" It’s a follow-up question to find out the meeting location.
• Usage: Use this question when you want to know where someone is meeting their friend.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "eo-di-e-seo man-na-yo?" The word "어디에서" (eodieseo) means "where," and "만나요" (mannayo) means "meeting."

4. 카페에서 만나요. (Kapeeseo mannayo.)

• Meaning: This phrase means "I'm meeting at a café." It indicates the location of the meeting.
• Usage: Use this phrase to state that you are meeting at a café.
• Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "ka-pe-e-seo man-na-yo." The word "카페" (kape) means "café," and "에서" (eseo) means "at," combined with "만나요" (mannayo), meaning "meeting."

Vocabulary and Expressions

• 주말 (Jumal): Weekend
  • Example: "주말에 계획이 있어요?" (Do you have plans for the weekend?).
• 뭐 해요 (Mwo haeyo): What are you doing
  • Example: "지금 뭐 해요?" (What are you doing now?).
• 친구 (Chingu): Friend
  • Example: "친구를 만나요" (I'm meeting a friend).
• 만나요 (Mannayo): Meeting
  • Example: "우리 만나요" (Let's meet).
• 어디에서 (Eodieseo): Where
  • Example: "어디에서 만나요?" (Where are you meeting?).
• 카페 (Kape): Café
  • Example: "카페에서 만나요" (I'm meeting at a café).
• 에서 (Eseo): At
  • Example: "학교에서 만나요" (I'm meeting at school).

Additional Examples

• Asking About Different Weekend Plans:
  • A: 주말에 뭐 해요? (Jumare mwo haeyo?) - What are you doing on the weekend?
  • B: 영화를 봐요. (Yeonghwareul bwayo.) - I'm watching a movie.
  • A: 누구와 함께 봐요? (Nuguwa hamkke bwayo?) - Who are you watching with?
  • B: 가족과 함께 봐요. (Gajokgwa hamkke bwayo.) - I'm watching with my family.
• Talking About Plans Informally:
  • A: 주말에 뭐 해? (Jumare mwo hae?) - What are you doing on the weekend? (informal)
  • B: 친구를 만나. (Chingureul manna.) - I'm meeting a friend. (informal)
  • A: 어디에서 만나? (Eodieseo manna?) - Where are you meeting? (informal)
  • B: 카페에서 만나. (Kapeeseo manna.) - I'm meeting at a café. (informal)

When to Use These Phrases

• Formal Settings: Use these phrases in formal settings like professional environments, when meeting new people, or when talking to someone older or of higher status.
• Informal Settings: The informal versions can be used with friends, peers, or younger people in casual settings.

Things to Be Careful About

• Formality: Ensure you use the correct level of formality based on the situation. Using informal speech in a formal setting can be seen as disrespectful.
• Pronunciation: Pronounce each syllable clearly. Mispronouncing key phrases can lead to misunderstandings or seem impolite.
• Specific Plans: Be prepared to give more details if someone asks follow-up questions about your plans.

Pronunciation Tips

• 주말에 뭐 해요? (Jumare mwo haeyo?): Break it down into syllables – "ju-ma-re mwo hae-yo?" The "주말에" (jumare) should be pronounced clearly.
• 친구를 만나요. (Chingureul mannayo.): Say it as "chin-gu-reul man-na-yo." Ensure to pronounce the "친구" part smoothly.
• 어디에서 만나요? (Eodieseo mannayo?): Pronounce it as "eo-di-e-seo man-na-yo?" The "어디에서" (eodieseo) should be pronounced with emphasis.
• 카페에서 만나요. (Kapeeseo mannayo.): Say it as "ka-pe-e-seo man-na-yo." The "카페" (kape) should be pronounced clearly, sounding like "ka-pe."

By understanding and practicing these basic Korean phrases, you can comfortably talk about and ask about weekend plans, enhancing your communication skills and cultural understanding in Korean-speaking environments. Happy learning!