Key Facts
- Hangul: 왜; Revised Romanization: wae
- Part of speech: adverb
- Origin: native
- Register: Neutral.
Why in Korean: What Does 왜 Mean?
왜 asks for a reason. It covers both "why" and the chattier "how come", and the word itself stays the same in casual and polite speech. As an adverb it takes no particle, and it usually comes first in the question. Add the polite ending 요 and you get 왜요?, a one-word follow-up meaning "Why?". With friends, 왜? on its own does the same job.
How Do You Pronounce 왜?
The romanization is wae, one syllable. The vowel ㅙ is a w glide followed by ㅐ, so 왜 sounds close to "weh", like the start of English "wet".
Example Sentences with 왜
왜 늦었어요?
Wae neujeosseoyo?
Why were you late?
A question about lateness. 왜 opens the sentence and the past-tense verb closes it, so the reason being asked about is the delay itself.
왜 한국어를 공부해요?
Wae hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo?
Why do you study Korean?
Here 왜 sits before the object 한국어를. The question is about your motive for studying, not about the language.
왜 그래요?
Wae geuraeyo?
What is wrong?
This is the stock phrase for "What is wrong?". Literally it asks why things are so, and people say it when a friend looks upset.
Common Phrases with 왜
The phrases below show how often 왜 appears in fixed expressions. 왜냐하면 is the opener for an answer, the "because" that follows a 왜 question.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 왜 그래요? | What is wrong? |
| 왜냐하면 | because |
| 왜요? | Why? |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: writing 외 (oe) or 웨 (we) when you mean "why".
Correct: 왜 (wae). In everyday Seoul speech the vowels ㅙ, ㅚ and ㅞ sound almost the same, so the spelling has to be learned word by word.
왜 Compared with Its Neighbours
Three neighbours cover the same ground in different registers or word classes. Pick by formality and by whether you need a question word or a noun.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 어째서 | for what reason | More emphatic, slightly formal 'why'. |
| 이유 | reason | Noun 'reason'. |
| 뭐 때문에 | because of what | Colloquial 'why'. |
Where Does 왜 Come From?
왜 is a native Korean adverb with no hanja form.
At a Cafe: Why Are You Sitting Inside?
Two friends are choosing a table. One expected to sit outdoors, but the other has picked a seat inside.
Friend A
왜 안에 앉아요?
Wae ane anjayo?
Why are you sitting inside?
Friend B
밖이 너무 추워요.
Bakki neomu chuwoyo.
It is too cold outside.
Friend A
그럼 창가에 앉을까요?
Geureom changgae anjeulkkayo?
Then shall we sit by the window?
Friend B
네, 좋아요.
Ne, joayo.
Yes, that sounds good.
The answer gives the reason directly: it is cold outside. It does not need to begin with 왜냐하면. The speakers then solve the practical problem by suggesting a window seat. 왜 asks for the explanation behind a choice; the answer can be a short statement rather than a long justification.
Does 왜 Sound Curious or Annoyed?
왜 can express either curiosity or a challenge. The topic and delivery matter. Asking why a friend studies Korean invites a personal reason. Asking why someone was late can sound like a complaint, especially with a sharp voice or repeated questions. Adding 요 makes the ending polite, but it does not remove the pressure of the question.
왜요? is useful when you need the reason for a request. If a coworker asks you to wait, a calm 왜요? can simply mean “Why?” The same word, said abruptly after criticism, may sound defensive. A complete question helps the other person understand exactly which action you are asking about.
왜 그래요? also depends on the scene. Said gently to someone who looks unwell, it shows concern: “What's wrong?” Said during an argument, it can challenge their behaviour: “Why are you acting like that?” The expression itself does not tell you whether the speaker is being kind or angry.
How Do You Answer a 왜 Question Naturally?
A short reason is often enough. In the cafe dialogue, 밖이 너무 추워요 explains the seating choice. An answer may also connect the reason to an action with -아서 or -어서, endings that can mean “because” or “so”. You do not need a separate English-style word for “because” in every answer.
왜냐하면 explicitly introduces an explanation. It is useful when presenting a reason at length, including in writing. In conversation, starting every answer with it can make a simple exchange heavier than necessary. First decide what reason answers the question; then choose whether the explanation needs an introductory word.
Set Phrases beyond a Literal “Why”
| Expression | Meaning | How it is used |
|---|---|---|
| 왜 안 돼요? | Why not? / Why is it not allowed? | Ask about a restriction or something that will not work. |
| 왜 이렇게 | why so / why this much | Introduce surprise at a degree or situation. |
| 왜 그런지 | why that is so | Refer to a reason inside a larger sentence. |
왜 안 돼요? needs context. At a closed entrance it can ask why entry is forbidden; beside a broken device it can ask why the device will not work. 안 돼요 covers both uses, so listen for the situation rather than assuming every “why not” concerns permission.
Words for Reasons and Explanations
| Korean | Meaning | One useful note |
|---|---|---|
| 이유 | reason | A noun you can discuss, unlike the question adverb 왜. |
| 때문에 | because of | Follows a noun to identify a cause. |
| 어떻게 | how | Ask about a method rather than a motive. |
| 그래서 | so / therefore | Introduce the result of a reason already given. |
The question words lesson compares why with how and what. A person may explain how they travel by naming a train, but explain why they travel by naming a purpose. Choosing 왜 or 어떻게 tells the listener which kind of answer you need.
Quick Self-Test
- Must an answer to 왜 begin with 왜냐하면?
- Does 요 guarantee that 왜요? sounds gentle?
- Which asks about a method: 왜 or 어떻게?
Show answers
- No. A direct statement of the reason can be enough.
- No. Tone and context still affect how it sounds.
- 어떻게 asks about a method; 왜 asks for a reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "why" in Korean?
Say 왜 (wae). On its own, 왜요? works as the short question "Why?".
What does 왜 그래요? mean?
It means "What is wrong?". It is a set phrase used when someone seems upset or acts oddly.
Is 어째서 a different word?
Yes. 어째서 also asks "for what reason", but it sounds more emphatic and a little more formal. 왜 is the neutral default.
How do I say "because" after a 왜 question?
Use 왜냐하면 to begin your answer, as in the collocation list on this page.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: Question words vocabulary groups 왜 with its neighbours.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: add the word to the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Related page: How in Korean.
- Related page: Reason in Korean.