Korean Weather Talk: From “몇 도예요?” to Pro!
Hello! This is Maeil Hangeul, here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Ever planned a perfect outfit for your day in Seoul, only to find out it’s way colder or hotter than you expected? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean phrases for asking and answering about the temperature.
These days in Korea, the weather can be really unpredictable, with sudden chilly winds one day and surprising warmth the next. It’s a hot topic of conversation everywhere! Knowing these phrases will not only help you dress right but also let you jump into daily small talk like a local. Let’s get started!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are three key phrases to master Korean temperature talk.
1. The Essential Question
- Korean Expression: 오늘 몇 도예요?
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Oneul myeot do-yeyo?
- English Meaning: What’s the temperature today?
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most common and polite way to ask about the temperature. Let’s break it down:
- 오늘 (oneul): Today
- 몇 (myeot): How many
- 도 (do): Degrees
- 예요 (yeyo): Is it? (polite ending)
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Pay close attention to 몇 도 [myeot tto]. When a syllable ending in a ‘t’ sound likeㅊ(ch) is followed byㄷ(d), theㄷ(d) sound becomes a strong, tenseㄸ(tt) sound. So, instead of a soft “myeot do,” you say it with a bit more punch: [myeot-tto]. It makes you sound much more natural!
2. Answering: Above Zero
- Korean Expression: 영상 15도예요.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Yeongsang sibo do-yeyo.
- English Meaning: It’s 15 degrees above zero.
- Detailed Explanation: When the temperature is above 0°C, Koreans use the word 영상 (yeongsang), which literally means “above zero.” You use Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼, 십…) for degrees. If the context is clear (like in spring or summer), people often just say the number, like “15도예요.”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Just like our first tip, listen to 십오 도 [si-bo tto]. Theㄷ(d) in도becomes a tenseㄸ(tt) sound. Practice saying [si-bo-tto] for that authentic Korean sound!
3. Answering: Below Zero
- Korean Expression: 영하 2도예요.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Yeongha i do-yeyo.
- English Meaning: It’s 2 degrees below zero.
- Detailed Explanation: For those cold winter days, you’ll need 영하 (yeongha), which means “below zero.” You cannot omit this word when talking about freezing temperatures! It’s essential for letting someone know they need to bundle up.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
This one is more straightforward! The pronunciation [yeong-ha-i-do-ye-yo] follows the letters closely. Just make sure to say each syllable clearly and smoothly.
Example Conversation
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real-life chat between two friends, Sua and Minjun.
A (Sua): 와, 오늘 날씨 정말 좋다! 혹시 오늘 몇 도예요?
(Wa, oneul nalssi jeongmal jota! Hoksi oneul myeot do-yeyo?)
Wow, the weather is so nice today! By any chance, what’s the temperature today?
B (Minjun): 제가 방금 봤는데, 영상 20도예요! 어제는 추웠는데.
(Jega banggeum bwanneunde, Yeongsang isip do-yeyo! Eojeneun chuwonneunde.)
I just checked, it’s 20 degrees above zero! It was cold yesterday, though.
A (Sua): 진짜요? 그럼 우리 오늘 한강 공원에서 치맥 할까요?
(Jinjayo? Geureom uri oneul hangang gong-woneseo chimaek halkkayo?)
Really? Then should we have chicken and beer at the Han River Park today?
B (Minjun): 너무 좋아요!
(Neomu joayo!)
That’s a great idea!
Culture Tip: Weather is the Ultimate Icebreaker!
In Korea, especially with its four distinct and sometimes extreme seasons, the weather is a go-to topic for starting a conversation with anyone.
You’ll often hear Koreans exclaiming things like “날씨가 미쳤어요!” (nalssiga michyeosseoyo! – The weather is crazy!) when it’s unusually hot or cold.
A fun modern tip: If you ask a younger Korean “오늘 몇 도예요?”, don’t be surprised if they just pull out their phone and show you the weather app! It’s a quick, efficient, and very common way to answer. Using the phrases you learned today is the perfect way to break the ice and connect with people.
Let’s Review and Practice!
Amazing work today! You’ve learned the essential phrases for talking about temperature:
- 오늘 몇 도예요? (What’s the temperature today?)
- 영상… 도예요. (…degrees above zero.)
- 영하… 도예요. (…degrees below zero.)
Now, let’s put it to the test!
- Fill in the blank: It’s a freezing winter day in Seoul, and it’s -5°C. How would you tell your friend?
“________ 5도예요. 옷 따뜻하게 입어요!” (It’s 5 degrees _______. Dress warmly!) -
Your turn! Look up the temperature in your city right now. How would you answer the question “지금 몇 도예요?” (What’s the temperature now?)?
Leave your answers in the comments below using the Korean phrases you learned. We can’t wait to see them
