πŸ™‹

Asking 'What do you think?'

Keywords
μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”?
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Speaking
πŸ¦„
TL;DR πŸ¦„
  • πŸ™‹ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?] β€” "What do you think?"
  • 🎯 ...에 λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?] β€” "What do you think about...?"
  • πŸ’¬ 의견이 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? [ui-gyeo-ni eo-ttae-yo?] β€” "What's your opinion?"
  • πŸ” μ–΄λ–€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? [eo-tteon geot ga-ta-yo?] β€” "How does it seem to you?"
  • 🌱 μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” [sol-jji-ki ma-rae ju-se-yo] β€” "Please tell me honestly"
πŸ”Š
🎧 Iru Helper Note: Hear every phrase in this lesson spoken aloud and practice your pronunciation with the Iru Helper Widgets.
Β 

🌈 The Big Picture

μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?] β€” "What do you think?" β€” is the all-purpose question for inviting someone's opinion. Literally "how do you think," it's used constantly in both casual and professional Korean. To ask about a specific topic, add ...에 λŒ€ν•΄ [e dae-hae] ("about...") before it.
  • 이 κ³„νšμ— λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? β€” "What do you think about this plan?"
  • μƒˆ 메뉴 μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? β€” "What do you think of the new menu?"

🎭 Inviting Honest Feedback

When you genuinely want someone's honest opinion β€” especially if they might hesitate to share a critical one β€” Korean has special phrases to signal "it's safe to be honest." μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” [sol-jji-ki ma-rae ju-se-yo] β€” "Please tell me honestly" β€” and νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ 말해도 λΌμš” [pyeon-ha-ge ma-rae-do dwae-yo] β€” "You can speak freely" β€” both lower the pressure and encourage real feedback rather than polite agreement.
  • λΆ€λ‹΄ 갖지 말고 μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” β€” "Don't feel pressured, please tell me honestly"
  • νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ 말해도 λΌμš”, μ§„μ§œ 의견이 κΆκΈˆν•΄μš” β€” "You can speak freely, I'm really curious about your real opinion"

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

  • μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?] β€” "What do you think?"
  • ...에 λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?] β€” "What do you think about...?"
  • 의견이 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? [ui-gyeo-ni eo-ttae-yo?] β€” "What's your opinion?"
  • μ–΄λ–€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? [eo-tteon geot ga-ta-yo?] β€” "How does it seem to you?"
  • μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” [sol-jji-ki ma-rae ju-se-yo] β€” "Please tell me honestly"
  • νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ 말해도 λΌμš” [pyeon-ha-ge ma-rae-do dwae-yo] β€” "You can speak freely"
  • λΆ€λ‹΄ 갖지 말고 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” [bu-dam gat-ji mal-go ma-rae ju-se-yo] β€” "Don't feel pressured, please tell me"
  • 뭐가 더 λ‚˜μ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? [mwo-ga deo na-eul geot ga-ta-yo?] β€” "Which do you think is better?"
  • 쒋은 생각 μžˆμ–΄μš”? [jo-eun saeng-gak i-sseo-yo?] β€” "Do you have any good ideas?"
  • 제 μ˜κ²¬λ„ κΆκΈˆν•΄μš”? [je ui-gyeon-do gung-geu-mae-yo?] β€” "Are you curious about my opinion too?"

πŸ› οΈ Putting Together

A: 이번 ν”„λ‘œμ νŠΈ 일정에 λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”?
B: 음, μ’€ λΉ‘λΉ‘ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. κ·Έλž˜λ„ ν•œλ²ˆ ν•΄λ³Ό λ§Œν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
A: "What do you think about this project's schedule?" B: "Hmm, I think it's a bit tight. But I think it's worth a try."
πŸ¦„ Grammar note: ...에 λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? specifies the topic, making the question much clearer than a vague μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? alone.
A: μƒˆ 메뉴 ν•œλ²ˆ λ³΄μ„Έμš”. μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš”, μ–΄λ–€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”?
B: 음... 사진은 예쁜데, 가격이 μ’€ λΉ„μ‹Ό 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
A: "Take a look at the new menu. Please tell me honestly, how does it seem?" B: "Hmm... the photos are nice, but I think the prices are a bit high."
πŸ¦„ Grammar note: μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” explicitly invites criticism β€” without it, many people would just say μ’‹μ•„μš” to be polite.
A: 이 두 λ””μžμΈ μ€‘μ—μ„œ 뭐가 더 λ‚˜μ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”?
B: μ €λŠ” 두 번째 게 더 κΉ”λ”ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. 의견이 μ–΄λ•Œμš”?
A: "Between these two designs, which do you think is better?" B: "I think the second one is cleaner. What's your opinion?"
πŸ¦„ Grammar note: 뭐가 더 λ‚˜μ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? is the natural way to ask "which is better" when comparing two or more options.

πŸ—£οΈ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

민수: 지은 씨, 내일 λ°œν‘œ 자료 λ‹€ λ§Œλ“€μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. ν•œλ²ˆ 봐 쀄 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”?
[ji-eun ssi, nae-il bal-pyo ja-ryo da man-deu-reo-sseo-yo. han-beon bwa jul su i-sseo-yo?]
"Jieun, I finished tomorrow's presentation materials. Could you take a look?"
지은: λ„€, λ³΄μ—¬μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (μž μ‹œ ν›„) 음... μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•˜λƒλ©΄, λ‚΄μš©μ€ 쒋은데 μŠ¬λΌμ΄λ“œκ°€ μ’€ λ§Žμ€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
[ne, bo-yeo-ju-se-yo. (jam-si hu) eum... eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-ka-nya-myeon, nae-yong-eun jo-eun-de seul-la-i-deu-ga jom ma-neun geot ga-ta-yo]
"Sure, show me. (a moment later) Hmm... if you ask what I think, the content is good, but I think there are a bit too many slides."
민수: μ•„, κ·Έλž˜μš”? μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ€˜μ„œ κ³ λ§ˆμ›Œμš”. μ€„μ΄λŠ” 게 μ’‹μ„κΉŒμš”?
[a, geu-rae-yo? sol-jji-ki ma-rae jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo. ju-ri-neun ge jo-eul-kka-yo?]
"Oh, really? Thanks for telling me honestly. Would it be better to cut some down?"
지은: λ„€, ν•œ λ‹€μ„― μž₯ 정도 쀄이면 더 깔끔할 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”?
[ne, han da-seot jang jeong-do ju-ri-myeon deo kkal-kkeu-mal geot ga-ta-yo. eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?]
"Yeah, I think it'd be cleaner if you cut about five slides. What do you think?"
민수: 쒋은 μƒκ°μ΄μ—μš”. κ·Έλ ‡κ²Œ ν•΄ λ³Όκ²Œμš”. 또 λ‹€λ₯Έ 의견 μžˆμ–΄μš”?
[jo-eun saeng-ga-gi-e-yo. geu-reo-ke hae bol-ge-yo. tto da-reun ui-gyeon i-sseo-yo?]
"That's a good idea. I'll try that. Any other opinions?"
지은: κΈ€μŽΌμš”, μ§€κΈˆμ€ 이 정도면 μΆ©λΆ„ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”!
[geul-sse-yo, ji-geu-meun i jeong-do-myeon chung-bu-nan geot ga-ta-yo]
"Well, I think this much is enough for now!"

🧭 Speaking Tip

In many situations, Koreans may give a polite "μ’‹μ•„μš”" by default, even if they have reservations β€” especially with someone senior or unfamiliar. If you genuinely want honest feedback, say so explicitly with μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” or νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ 말해도 λΌμš”. This signals that honesty is welcome and won't be seen as rude. Also note the difference: μ–΄λ•Œμš”? is a quick, casual "how is it?", while μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? invites a more thoughtful opinion β€” use the latter when you want real input.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Asking a bare μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? with no context β€” adding ...에 λŒ€ν•΄ ("about...") makes your question much clearer.
  • ❌ Assuming a quick μ’‹μ•„μš” means genuine agreement β€” without an explicit invitation to be honest, people often default to politeness.
  • ❌ Using overly formal phrasing like μ˜κ²¬μ„ 말씀해 μ£Όμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€ in casual settings β€” it sounds stiff among friends or peers.
  • ❌ Confusing μ–΄λ•Œμš”? (quick "how is it?") with μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? (deeper "what's your opinion?") β€” they're related but not always interchangeable.
You're ready to ask for opinions and invite honest feedback β€” ν™”μ΄νŒ…! πŸ™‹βœ¨
Β 
Try this exercise
Instructions: For each prompt, write your response in Korean using the patterns from this lesson. Then check the toggle below for a sample answer.
1. Say "What do you think?"
Answer
μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? (What do you think?)
2. Say "What do you think about this plan?" (이 κ³„νš).
Answer
이 κ³„νšμ— λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? (What do you think about this plan?)
3. Say "What's your opinion?"
Answer
의견이 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? (What's your opinion?)
4. Say "How does it seem to you?"
Answer
μ–΄λ–€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? (How does it seem to you?)
5. Say "Please tell me honestly."
Answer
μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Please tell me honestly.)
6. Say "You can speak freely."
Answer
νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ 말해도 λΌμš”. (You can speak freely.)
7. Say "Don't feel pressured, please tell me."
Answer
λΆ€λ‹΄ 갖지 말고 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Don't feel pressured, please tell me.)
8. Say "Which do you think is better?"
Answer
뭐가 더 λ‚˜μ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? (Which do you think is better?)
9. Say "Do you have any good ideas?"
Answer
쒋은 생각 μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Do you have any good ideas?)
10. Say "Are you curious about my opinion too?"
Answer
제 μ˜κ²¬λ„ κΆκΈˆν•΄μš”? (Are you curious about my opinion too?)
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Box
  • 의견 β€” opinion
  • μ†”μ§νžˆ β€” honestly
  • νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ β€” comfortably, freely
  • λΆ€λ‹΄ β€” burden, pressure
  • λΉ‘λΉ‘ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to be tight (schedule)
  • λ‚˜μ„ 것 κ°™λ‹€ β€” to seem better
  • μΆ©λΆ„ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to be enough
  • 쀄이닀 β€” to reduce, cut down
  • λ°œν‘œ β€” presentation
  • μŠ¬λΌμ΄λ“œ β€” slide
Pitfalls πŸ’‘
  • Add ...에 λŒ€ν•΄ for clarity.
  • μ’‹μ•„μš” may just be politeness.
  • μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” invites honesty.
πŸš€
Want more reps? Head to the Practice Hub below for three full exercise sets!
Β 
πŸ“¦
🎯 Practice Hub β€” Asking 'What do you think?'
Work through these three exercises to practice asking for opinions and inviting honest feedback. Try answering out loud before checking each answer β€” and use the Iru Helper Widgets above if you want to hear the pronunciation again.

Exercise 1 β€” Asking for Opinions πŸ™‹

A. Say "What do you think?"
Answer
μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?]
B. Say "What do you think about the new menu?" (μƒˆ 메뉴).
Answer
μƒˆ 메뉴에 λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [sae me-nyu-e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?]
C. Say "What's your opinion?"
Answer
의견이 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? [ui-gyeo-ni eo-ttae-yo?]
D. Say "How does it seem to you?"
Answer
μ–΄λ–€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? [eo-tteon geot ga-ta-yo?]
E. Say "Which do you think is better?"
Answer
뭐가 더 λ‚˜μ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? [mwo-ga deo na-eul geot ga-ta-yo?]
F. Say "Do you have any good ideas?"
Answer
쒋은 생각 μžˆμ–΄μš”? [jo-eun saeng-gak i-sseo-yo?]
G. Say "What do you think about this schedule?" (이 일정).
Answer
이 일정에 λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [i il-jeong-e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?]
H. Say "Are you curious about my opinion too?"
Answer
제 μ˜κ²¬λ„ κΆκΈˆν•΄μš”? [je ui-gyeon-do gung-geu-mae-yo?]
I. Say "What do you think about this design?" (이 λ””μžμΈ).
Answer
이 λ””μžμΈμ— λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? [i di-ja-in-e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-kae-yo?]
J. Say "Any other opinions?"
Answer
λ‹€λ₯Έ 의견 μžˆμ–΄μš”? [da-reun ui-gyeon i-sseo-yo?]
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? β€” what do you think?
  • ...에 λŒ€ν•΄ β€” about...
  • 의견이 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? β€” what's your opinion?
  • μ–΄λ–€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? β€” how does it seem?
  • λ‹€λ₯Έ 의견 β€” other opinions

Exercise 2 β€” Inviting Honest Feedback 🌱

A. Say "Please tell me honestly."
Answer
μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš”.
B. Say "You can speak freely, I'm really curious about your real opinion."
Answer
νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ 말해도 λΌμš”, μ§„μ§œ 의견이 κΆκΈˆν•΄μš”.
C. Say "Don't feel pressured, please tell me honestly."
Answer
λΆ€λ‹΄ 갖지 말고 μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš”.
D. Say "Take a look at the new menu."
Answer
μƒˆ 메뉴 ν•œλ²ˆ λ³΄μ„Έμš”.
E. Say "Hmm... the photos are nice, but I think the prices are a bit high."
Answer
음... 사진은 예쁜데, 가격이 μ’€ λΉ„μ‹Ό 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
F. Say "Thanks for telling me honestly."
Answer
μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ€˜μ„œ κ³ λ§ˆμ›Œμš”.
G. Say "Would it be better to cut some down?" (쀄이닀).
Answer
μ€„μ΄λŠ” 게 μ’‹μ„κΉŒμš”?
H. Say "I think it'd be cleaner if you cut about five slides."
Answer
ν•œ λ‹€μ„― μž₯ 정도 쀄이면 더 깔끔할 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
I. Say "That's a good idea. I'll try that."
Answer
쒋은 μƒκ°μ΄μ—μš”. κ·Έλ ‡κ²Œ ν•΄ λ³Όκ²Œμš”.
J. Say "I think this much is enough for now."
Answer
μ§€κΈˆμ€ 이 정도면 μΆ©λΆ„ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • μ†”μ§νžˆ β€” honestly
  • νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ β€” freely
  • λΆ€λ‹΄ 갖지 말고 β€” don't feel pressured
  • 쀄이닀 β€” to reduce
  • μΆ©λΆ„ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to be enough

Exercise 3 β€” Full Opinion-Seeking Conversations πŸ’¬

A. "내일 λ°œν‘œ 자료 λ‹€ λ§Œλ“€μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. ν•œλ²ˆ 봐 쀄 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”?" β€” What does this mean?
Answer
"I finished tomorrow's presentation materials. Could you take a look?"
B. Say "Sure, show me."
Answer
λ„€, λ³΄μ—¬μ£Όμ„Έμš”.
C. Respond with "The content is good, but I think there are a bit too many slides."
Answer
λ‚΄μš©μ€ 쒋은데 μŠ¬λΌμ΄λ“œκ°€ μ’€ λ§Žμ€ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
D. Say "Oh, really? Thanks for telling me honestly."
Answer
μ•„, κ·Έλž˜μš”? μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ€˜μ„œ κ³ λ§ˆμ›Œμš”.
E. Say "Yeah, I think it'd be cleaner if you cut about five slides. What do you think?"
Answer
ν•œ λ‹€μ„― μž₯ 정도 쀄이면 더 깔끔할 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”?
F. Say "That's a good idea. I'll try that. Any other opinions?"
Answer
쒋은 μƒκ°μ΄μ—μš”. κ·Έλ ‡κ²Œ ν•΄ λ³Όκ²Œμš”. 또 λ‹€λ₯Έ 의견 μžˆμ–΄μš”?
G. Say "Well, I think this much is enough for now!"
Answer
κΈ€μŽΌμš”, μ§€κΈˆμ€ 이 정도면 μΆ©λΆ„ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”!
H. Say "Between these two designs, which do you think is better?"
Answer
이 두 λ””μžμΈ μ€‘μ—μ„œ 뭐가 더 λ‚˜μ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”?
I. Say "I think the second one is cleaner. What's your opinion?"
Answer
μ €λŠ” 두 번째 게 더 κΉ”λ”ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. 의견이 μ–΄λ•Œμš”?
J. Say "What do you think about this project's schedule?"
Answer
이번 ν”„λ‘œμ νŠΈ 일정에 λŒ€ν•΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”?
πŸ“š
Cheat Sheet
  • μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ μƒκ°ν•΄μš”? β€” what do you think?
  • ...에 λŒ€ν•΄ β€” about...
  • μ†”μ§νžˆ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” β€” please tell me honestly
  • 뭐가 더 λ‚˜μ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”? β€” which is better?
  • 의견이 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? β€” what's your opinion?
  • 쀄이닀 β€” to reduce
πŸŽ‰ μž˜ν–ˆμ–΄μš”! You can now ask for opinions and invite honest feedback in Korean!