Softening a Question with '되다' — Korean Grammar

In Korean culture, asking direct questions about personal information using "What is...?" can sometimes sound blunt or interrogative. To sound polite and sophisticated, Korean speakers use the phrase (ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·daeo·ddeo·ke doe·daŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·dae·tte·khey tway·ta), which literally means how does it become.

This structure is the standard way to ask for names, ages, phone numbers, and family details in formal or polite situations. It shifts the focus from a demand for a fact ("What is it?") to a softer inquiry about the state of things ("How does it turn out?").

The Structure

To use this, take the noun you are asking about and add (ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·se·yoeo·ddeo·ke doe·se·yoŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·se·yoe·tte·khey tway·sey·yo) (honorific polite) or (ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·yoeo·ddeo·ke doe·yoŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·yoe·tte·khey tway·yo) (standard polite).

While the English translation is usually "What is...", the Korean logic is indirect. You are asking for an explanation of the situation rather than pointing at a piece of data.

이름이 어떻게 되세요?
i·rŭ·mi ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·se·yo?i·reu·mi eo·ddeo·ke doe·se·yo?i·rŭ·mi ŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·se·yo?i·lu·mi e·tte·khey tway·sey·yo?
What is your name?
주소가 어떻게 돼요?
chu·so·ga ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·yo?ju·so·ga eo·ddeo·ke doe·yo?chu·so·ga ŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·yo?cu·so·ka e·tte·khey tway·yo?
What is the address?

Asking for Name and Age

When meeting someone for the first time, you should avoid the direct word for "what" ( (mwŏ)). Instead, combine (ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·daeo·ddeo·ke doe·daŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·dae·tte·khey tway·ta) with honorific nouns.

For "name", use the honorific word (sŏng·hamseong·hamsŏng·hamseng·ham) instead of (i·rŭmi·reumi·rŭmi·lum).

For "age", use the honorific word (yŏn·seyeon·seyŏn·seyen·sey) instead of (na·i).

성함이 어떻게 되세요?
sŏng·ha·mi ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·se·yo?seong·ha·mi eo·ddeo·ke doe·se·yo?sŏng·ha·mi ŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·se·yo?seng·ha·mi e·tte·khey tway·sey·yo?
What is your name? (Honorific)
연세가 어떻게 되세요?
yŏn·se·ga ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·se·yo?yeon·se·ga eo·ddeo·ke doe·se·yo?yŏn·se·ga ŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·se·yo?yen·sey·ka e·tte·khey tway·sey·yo?
How old are you? (Honorific)

Asking for Contact Information

This grammar is also the most natural way for businesses, receptionists, or new acquaintances to ask for contact details. It implies, "How does the number sequence go?" rather than "Give me the number."

전화번호가 어떻게 되세요?
chŏn·hwa·bŏn·ho·ga ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·se·yo?jeon·hwa·beon·ho·ga eo·ddeo·ke doe·se·yo?chŏn·hwa·bŏn·ho·ga ŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·se·yo?cen·hwa·pen·ho·ka e·tte·khey tway·sey·yo?
What is your phone number?
비밀번호가 어떻게 돼요?
pi·mil·bŏn·ho·ga ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·yo?bi·mil·beon·ho·ga eo·ddeo·ke doe·yo?pi·mil·bŏn·ho·ga ŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·yo?pi·mil·pen·ho·ka e·tte·khey tway·yo?
What is the password?

Asking About Family

When asking about someone's family size or siblings, you cannot simply ask "Who is in your family?". You use this structure to ask how the family composition "turns out."

가족이 어떻게 되세요?
ka·jo·gi ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·se·yo?ga·jo·gi eo·ddeo·ke doe·se·yo?ka·jo·gi ŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·se·yo?ka·co·ki e·tte·khey tway·sey·yo?
How many people are in your family?
형제분이 어떻게 되세요?
hyŏng·je·bu·ni ŏ·ttŏ·kʰe tœ·se·yo?hyeong·je·bu·ni eo·ddeo·ke doe·se·yo?hyŏng·je·bu·ni ŏ·ttŏ·k'e toe·se·yo?hyeng·cey·pu·ni e·tte·khey tway·sey·yo?
Do you have any siblings?

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