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

• Audio

  (file)

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

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?