Learn Korean: WH + Verb + 게

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern WH + Verb + 게. We normally say 왜 그래(요)? when someone acts in an unusual manner or when someone doesn’t look very good (sickly). In here, it is followed by a verb in its 게 form to express how someone’s action affects us. He is making us feel this way so he’d better stop acting that way. It is something negative, but it is not necessarily serious. It can be just banter. For example, I am at the airport see my boyfriend off. He will be away for a year. He starts giving me hugs and kisses though he knows I am not into public display of affection. I said What’s wrong with you? It’s embarrassing. That’s how his actions make me feel. The main verb is 창피하다 (to be embarrassed). We take the verb stem and attach 게. The actual sentence is 왜 그래? 창피하게. I am just pretending to be embarrassed. I have to be in character.

왜 그래? 마음 아프게.

Why are you crying? You are hurting me?

 

왜 그래? 서운하게.

Why would you say that? You hurt my feelings.

왜 그래? 치사하게.

What’s wrong with you? You are so selfish.