Want to See a Movie? Ask in Korean!
Hello! This is Maeil Hangeul, here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever wanted to ask a friend to go to the movies with you in Korean? Today, we’re going to learn some simple and super useful phrases to do just that! It’s perfect for making plans with friends or even asking someone on a casual date.
These days in Korea, there’s a huge trend of popular webtoons (digital comics) being made into blockbuster movies and dramas. Everyone is talking about them! So, let’s learn how you can join the conversation and invite someone to see the next big hit.
Key Expressions You Need to Know
Here are the essential phrases for your movie night mission!
- 한국어 표현: 영화 (yeonghwa)
- 발음 [로마자]: yeong-hwa
- 영어 뜻: Movie / Film
- 상세 설명: This is the most common and basic word for “movie” in Korean. You can use it in any situation, whether you’re talking about an action movie, a romance, or a comedy. It’s a must-know word!
- 한국어 표현: 보러 갈래요? (boreo gallae-yo?)
- 발음 [로마자]: bo-reo gal-lae-yo?
- 영어 뜻: Shall we go see…? / Do you want to go see…?
- 상세 설명: This is a polite, friendly, and natural way to suggest an activity to someone. It literally means “go in order to see.” You can put a noun like 영화 right before it. For example, “영화 보러 갈래요?” (yeonghwa boreo gallae-yo?) is the perfect way to ask, “Do you want to go see a movie?”
- 한국어 표현: 뭐 볼까요? (mwo bolkka-yo?)
- 발음 [로마자]: mwo bol-kka-yo?
- 영어 뜻: What should we watch?
- 상세 설명: If your friend says yes, this is the perfect follow-up question! 뭐 (mwo) means “what,” and the
~ㄹ까요?(~lkka-yo?) ending is used to ask for someone’s opinion or make a suggestion together.
- 한국어 표현: 좋아요! (joa-yo!)
- 발음 [로마자]: jo-a-yo!
- 영어 뜻: Sounds good! / Okay! / I’d like that!
- 상세 설명: This is a simple and positive way to agree to a suggestion. It’s versatile and can be used in many situations. When someone asks you, “영화 보러 갈래요?” you can happily reply, “좋아요!“
Example Conversation
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation between two friends, A and B.
A: 요즘 재미있는 영화 많아요.
(Y즘 jaemi-inneun yeonghwa manayo.)
There are so many fun movies out lately.
B: 맞아요! 특히 웹툰 원작 영화가 인기래요.
(Majayo! Teuki weptun wonjak yeonghwaga ingiraeyo.)
I know! I heard that movies based on webtoons are especially popular.
A: 그럼 우리 주말에 영화 보러 갈래요?
(Geureom uri jumare yeonghwa boreo gallae-yo?)
Then, shall we go see a movie this weekend?
B: 좋아요! 뭐 볼까요?
(Joa-yo! Mwo bolkka-yo?)
Sounds good! What should we watch?
Culture Tip & Trend Spotlight
As we mentioned, the “Webtoon to Screen” trend is massive in Korea right now. Famous webtoons with millions of readers are constantly being adapted into hit movies and K-dramas. This is a huge part of modern Korean pop culture!
- Why it matters: When you ask a Korean friend, “뭐 볼까요?” (What should we watch?), suggesting a movie based on a popular webtoon will make you sound like you’re really in tune with the latest trends. It’s a great way to connect!
- Pro Tip: In Korea, it’s very common to book movie tickets online using an app, especially for new releases on a Friday or Saturday night. Seats can sell out fast, so planning ahead is key. If you say “제가 예매할게요” (jega yemaehalkkeyo – I’ll book the tickets), your friend will be very impressed!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! You learned how to ask someone to the movies like a pro. We covered 영화 (movie), 보러 갈래요? (shall we go see?), 뭐 볼까요? (what should we watch?), and 좋아요! (sounds good!).
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
- Fill in the Blank: You want to ask your friend to see a movie this weekend.
“우리 주말에 같이 ______ 보러 갈래요?” -
Your Turn! How would you respond if a friend asked you, “우리 저녁 먹을래요?” (Shall we have dinner?). Use one of today’s expressions!
Leave your answers in the comments below using the expressions you learned today. We’d love to see you practice
