TeacherJoy

In Korean, every question ends with a rising tone, no exceptions. But in English, The intonation completely changes the meaning.

Let me show you how that works.

When are you going?

• Falling tone – 언제 가요?
• Rising tone – 언제 간다고요?

Who is coming?

• Falling tone – 누가 와요?
• Rising tone – 누가 온다고요?

What?

• Falling tone – 왜요?
• Rising tone – 뭐라고요?

Excuse me.

• Falling tone – 실례합니다.
• Rising tone – 뭐라고요?

I’m sorry.

• Falling tone – 죄송합니다.
• Rising tone – 뭐라고요?

By the way, intonation isn’t just an English thing. In Korean too. Let’s check this out.

누가 와요?

• Stress on “와요?” – Is someone coming?
  You’re not sure if anyone is.
• Stress on “누가” – Who is coming?
  You already know someone is.

뭐 먹어요?

• Stress on “먹어요?” – Are you eating something?
  You’re not sure if they are.
• Stress on “뭐” – What are you eating?
  You already know they are eating something, but you’re curious what it is.

청소를 언제 했어요?

• Falling tone – When did you ever clean?
• Rising tone – When did you clean?

I think intonation speaks louder than grammar.