Learn Korean: 왜 이렇게 + Active Verb

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern 왜 이렇게 + Active Verb. We use this to express frustration because something is taking too long or someone is not taking action right away. We feel anxious and annoyed. If the taxi I booked hasn’t showed up for 20 minutes already, I would say Why isn’t it coming? What takes it so long? The main verb is 오다 (to come). Its negative form is 안 오다. 왜 이렇게 comes before it. The actual sentence is (택시가) 왜 이렇게 안 와? I tried to call the taxi driver. It was ringing the whole time. I said Why isn’t he picking up the phone? I’m pissed off. The main verb is 전화 받다 (to answer the call). Its negative form is 전화 안 받다. The actual sentences 왜 이렇게 전화 안 받아? People tend to shorten 왜 이렇게 into 왜케 when speaking.

왜 이렇게 잠이 안 와?

Why can’t I sleep? I’ve been lying on the bed for an hour already.

물 왜 이렇게 안 나와?

Why is the water coming out so slow? It is wasting my time.

바나나가 왜케 안 익어?

The banana is still not ripe. I bought this a week ago.