Korean Yes/No Questions with 'Be' and 'Do': Forming Simple Questions
Learn to ask simple yes/no questions in Korean using the polite endings -ayo/eoyo and -seumnikka, and answer them naturally with ne and aniyo.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Korean does not have separate words for 'be' and 'do' in yes/no questions. Instead, the verb or adjective at the end of the sentence changes its ending. In polite speech, you can ask a yes/no question by using the informal polite ending -ayo/eoyo with a rising intonation, or the more formal ending -seumnikka. This lesson teaches you to form and answer simple questions like 'Are you ready?' and 'Do you like tea?' in Korean.
By the end, you can…
- form simple yes/no questions in polite Korean using -ayo/eoyo and -seumnikka.
- answer yes/no questions naturally with ne and aniyo.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
준비됐어요?
Are you ready?
junbi-dwaesseoyo?
Informal polite question, used with people you're on polite but familiar terms with.
차 좋아해요?
Do you like tea?
cha joahaeyo?
Informal polite question about a general preference.
네, 준비됐어요.
Yes, I am ready.
ne, junbi-dwaesseoyo.
Affirmative answer to a yes/no question.
아니요, 안 좋아해요.
No, I don't like it.
aniyo, an joahaeyo.
Negative answer using the short negative adverb an.
준비됐습니까?
Are you ready?
junbi-dwaesseumnikka?
Formal polite question, used in formal situations or with strangers.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To make a yes/no question in polite Korean, take a verb or adjective stem and add the informal polite ending -ayo or -eoyo. The choice depends on the final vowel of the stem: if the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, use -ayo; otherwise use -eoyo. For example, 좋다 (jota, 'to be good') becomes 좋아요 (joayo, 'is good/like'), and 먹다 (meokda, 'to eat') becomes 먹어요 (meogeoyo, 'eat'). A question is formed by simply raising your intonation at the end. For a more formal question, use the ending -seumnikka, as in 준비됐습니까? (junbi-dwaesseumnikka?, 'Are you ready?').
When to use it
Use -ayo/eoyo questions in everyday polite conversation with people you are not close to, or with acquaintances. Use -seumnikka in formal settings such as business meetings, presentations, or when speaking to someone of higher status. To answer yes, say 네 (ne) or 예 (ye). To answer no, say 아니요 (aniyo). You can also repeat the verb: 네, 좋아해요 (ne, joahaeyo, 'Yes, I like it'). For negative answers, use 안 (an) before the verb: 아니요, 안 좋아해요 (aniyo, an joahaeyo, 'No, I don't like it').
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
준비됐어요?
Are you ready?junbi-dwaesseoyo?네, 준비됐어요.
Yes, I am ready.ne, junbi-dwaesseoyo.차 좋아해요?
Do you like tea?cha joahaeyo?아니요, 안 좋아해요.
No, I don't like it.aniyo, an joahaeyo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, the level of politeness is very important. Using -ayo/eoyo is safe in most everyday situations, but -seumnikka is more formal and respectful. When answering, 네 (ne) can sound like 'de' to English speakers, but it is the standard yes. Also, Koreans often soften a direct 'no' by saying things like '어려워요' (eoryeowoyo, 'It's difficult') to be polite.
One thing to watch for
Using 'do' or 'be' as separate words, like 'Do you like tea?' translated as 'Do you cha joahaeyo?'
Try this instead: Korean does not use separate words for 'do' or 'be' in questions. Just conjugate the verb and raise your intonation: 차 좋아해요? (cha joahaeyo?)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Are you ready?' in informal polite Korean?
Show a sample answer
준비됐어요? (junbi-dwaesseoyo?)
This uses the verb 준비되다 (junbidweda) with the polite ending -eoyo and rising intonation. You could also use the formal 준비됐습니까? (junbi-dwaesseumnikka?) in a more formal context.
2What is the polite way to answer 'yes' to a yes/no question?
Show a sample answer
네 (ne) or 예 (ye)
Both mean 'yes'. 네 is more common in everyday speech, while 예 is slightly more formal. You can also repeat the verb for clarity.
3How do you say 'No, I don't like it' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
아니요, 안 좋아해요. (aniyo, an joahaeyo.)
This uses 아니요 for 'no' and the short negative 안 before the verb 좋아해요. You could also say 좋아하지 않아요 (joahaji anayo) for a longer negative form.
To ask yes/no questions in Korean, conjugate the verb or adjective with -ayo/eoyo or -seumnikka and use rising intonation. Answer with 네 or 아니요, and use 안 for negative answers.
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