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Explanation

지금 means “now” and 뭐 means “what.” With 해요, the polite form of 하다, 지금 뭐 해요? is an everyday way to ask what someone is doing.

The question can be a friendly opener by text or in person. Context makes it clear whether you mean this exact moment or today in general.

Answers usually name an activity: 집에 있어요, 일해요, or 친구를 만나요. Korean does not need a separate word for “I am” in each answer.

With a close friend, 지금 뭐 해? is casual. Keep 요 when you do not know the person well or want a polite tone.

Examples

지금 뭐 해요? 저는 저녁을 만들어요.

Jigeum mwo haeyo? Jeoneun jeonyeogeul mandeureoyo.

What are you doing now? I am making dinner.

집에서 쉬어요.

Jibeseo swieoyo.

I am resting at home.

Mini dialogue

A: 지금 뭐 해요?

A: What are you doing now?

B: 카페에서 공부해요.

B: I am studying at a café.

Common mistakes

  • 뭐 is the common spoken form of 무엇; do not force the more formal word into ordinary chat.
  • Do not drop 요 when speaking politely to a new acquaintance.

How to practice

  1. A natural message to a friend, classmate, or colleague.
  2. Use 뭐 하고 있어요? when you specifically want to emphasize an action in progress.

Check yourself

Question 1 of 1

Which answer means “I am resting at home”?

Related

Say you are studyingSay you are going home

Keep learning

우산을 잊어버렸어요안녕하세요: Hello in Korean만나서 반가워요: Nice to Meet You in Korean저는 민수예요저는 미국에서 왔어요저는 서울에 살아요화장실이 어디예요?지하철역이 어디예요?

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