Learn Korean: Noun + 왜요

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Noun + 왜요. We use this when someone suddenly asks us something we have no idea what for. It doesn’t require any verb as it is implied. For example, I and my husband got home from a dinner date when he realized his key was missing. I left mine inside. He tried to open it but nothing worked. Then, he asked Do you have a toothpick? (이쑤시개 있어?) I had no clue what it was for so I replied 이쑤시개는 왜? Literally, it’s Why toothpick? (What for?) I found out it was for the doorknob. The noun comes before 왜(요) and the topic marker (은/는) is attached to it.

우산은 왜?

Umbrella? For what? It’s not raining.

 

가위는 왜요?

What are you gonna use the scissors for? (we are in the middle of the road)

양초는 왜?

Why do you need a candle? (there's no blackout)