누구

Korean

Etymology

First attested in the Yongbi eocheon'ga (龍飛御天歌 / 용비어천가), 1447, as Middle Korean 누 (Yale: nwu). Found in 17th-century sources as 누고 (Yale: nukwo).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [nuɡu]

  • (file)

• Phonetic hangul: [누구]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	nugu
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	nugu
McCune–Reischauer?	nugu
Yale Romanization?	nwukwu

Pronoun

누구 • (nugu)

1. who
2. someone
   • 누구든 그 여자가 동의하지 않았다고 생각할까 봐서 그 여자는 아무 말도 하지 않았다.

     nugudeun geu yeojaga dong'uihaji anatdago saenggakhalkka bwaseo geu yeojaneun amu maldo haji anatda.

     She said nothing, lest anyone think she didn't agree.

   누군가가 문을 두드리고 있습니다. ― Nugun'gaga muneul dudeurigo itseumnida. ― Someone is knocking on the door.

Usage notes

• When a subject particle 가 (ga) is attached, 누가 (nuga) should be used instead of 누구가 (nuguga), e.g.

  누가 집에 있어요?

  nuga jibe isseoyo?

  Who is at home?