Easy Korean :: Difference between 어떡해 and 어떻게 (how)

Korean is a fascinating language with a unique grammatical structure. One aspect of Korean grammar that can be 

challenging for learners is the use of adverbs. Two commonly used adverbs that can be easily confused are "어떡해" and "어떻게." In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these two adverbs and provide examples of their usage.

 

 

"어떡해" (eotteokhae) and "어떻게" (eotteohke) both mean "how" in English, but they are used in different contexts.

"어떡해" is used when expressing a sense of desperation or helplessness, while "어떻게" is used when expressing  a sense of curiosity or interest.

 

 

Here are some examples to help illustrate the difference between "어떡해" and "어떻게":

"어떡해, 이 문제를 해결하지 못하겠어!" (Oh no, How am I supposed to solve this problem?)
In this sentence, "어떡해" is used to express a sense of desperation or helplessness, indicating that the speaker is having difficulty solving the problem.

"어떻게 이 문제를 해결할 수 있을까요?" (How can we solve this problem?)
In this sentence, "어떻게" is used to express a sense of curiosity or interest, indicating that the speaker is interested in finding a solution to the problem.

"어떡해요! 저는 이 일을 할 수 없어요." (What can I do? I can't do this job.)
In this sentence, "어떡해" is used to express a sense of desperation or helplessness, indicating that the speaker is unable to do the job.

"어떻게 저는 이 일을 해결할 수 있을까요?" (How can I solve this problem?)
In this sentence, "어떻게" is used to express a sense of curiosity or interest, indicating that the speaker is interested in finding a solution to the problem.

"어떻게 이렇게 늦게 도착하게 되었나요?" (How did we arrive so late?)
In this sentence, "어떻게" is used to express a sense of curiosity or interest, indicating that the speaker is interested in finding out why they arrived late.

 

 

As you can see from the examples above, the key difference between "어떡해" and "어떻게" is the sense of emotion that they convey. "어떡해" is used to express a sense of desperation or helplessness, while "어떻게" is used to express a sense of curiosity or interest.

 

 

In conclusion, understanding the difference between "어떡해" and "어떻게" is crucial for learners of Korean. With practice and exposure to authentic Korean sentences, learners can become more confident in their ability to use these adverbs appropriately in context.