How on earth in Korean 🇰🇷

도대체 info.

Tips to Remember the Word:
• Think of 도대체 (dodateche) as a way to add extra emphasis when you’re frustrated or incredulous—almost as if you’re asking, “how on earth?” in a heightened tone. You can remember it by associating the repeated syllable “도” with extra emphasis.

Explanations:
• 도대체 (dodateche) is used to intensify a question or statement when expressing disbelief, confusion, or frustration. It carries the meaning of “how on earth” or “what on earth” in situations where the speaker is puzzled or exasperated by something.

Other Words with Similar Meaning:
• 대체 (daech’e): When used alone, it can convey a similar sense of “exactly” or “actually” in questioning, although it is less emphatic.
• In informal contexts, you might also hear phrases like “도대체 대체,” though that repetition is mostly stylistic for extra emphasis rather than a separate word.

Alternate Meanings and Slang:
• While 도대체 is primarily used to intensify questions (e.g., “Why on earth…?”), it does not have a distinct slang meaning. However, in casual conversation, its strong tone can come off as mildly confrontational or impatient.

Example Sentences:
• 도대체 왜 이렇게 늦는 거야?
 Romanized: Dodateche wae ireoke neutneun geoya?
 Meaning: How on earth are you so late?

• 도대체 그 문제를 어떻게 해결해야 해?
 Romanized: Dodateche geu munjele eotteoke haegyeolhaeya hae?
 Meaning: How on earth should we solve that problem?

• 도대체 무슨 생각으로 그런 말을 한 거야?
 Romanized: Dodateche museun saenggageuro geureon mareul han geoya?
 Meaning: What on earth were you thinking when you said that?

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