💬 How to Make Suggestions in Korean: -는 게 어때요?

Want to say “How about trying this?” or “Why don’t you…?” in Korean? You’ll often hear native speakers using -는 게 어때요? to gently suggest an idea. Let’s break down how to use it with natural examples that you can start using right away!

📘 Table of Contents

1. What does -는 게 어때요 mean?
2. Structure and Conjugation
3. Practical Examples
4. Nuance and When to Use
5. 💡 Did You Know?
6. 🎓 Want to Learn More Korean?

1. 🧠 What Does -는 게 어때요 Mean?

-는 게 어때요? literally means “How about doing...?” It’s a polite, friendly way to offer a suggestion or idea without sounding too direct.

2. 🧱 Structure and Conjugation

You attach -는 게 어때요? to the verb stem like this:

Verb + -는 게 어때요?

For example:

가다 → 가는 게 어때요? (gada → ganeun ge eottaeyo) – How about going?

3. 🗣 Practical Examples (with 20% More)

Here are natural expressions you can use daily:

📌 오늘 일찍 자는 게 어때요?
(oneul iljjik janeun ge eottaeyo?) – How about sleeping early today?

📌 주말에 영화 보는 게 어때요?
(jumare yeonghwa boneun ge eottaeyo?) – How about watching a movie this weekend?

📌 한국 음식 먹어보는 게 어때요?
(hanguk eumsik meogeoboneun ge eottaeyo?) – How about trying Korean food?

📌 버스로 가는 게 어때요?
(beoseuro ganeun ge eottaeyo?) – How about going by bus?

📌 이 책 읽는 게 어때요?
(i chaek ilgneun ge eottaeyo?) – How about reading this book?

📌 등산하는 게 어때요?
(deungsanhaneun ge eottaeyo?) – How about going hiking?

📌 비빔밥 만들어보는 게 어때요?
(bibimbap mandeureoboneun ge eottaeyo?) – How about making bibimbap?

📌 친구한테 먼저 연락하는 게 어때요?
(chinguhante meonjeo yeonrakhaneun ge eottaeyo?) – How about reaching out to your friend first?

📌 공부는 도서관에서 하는 게 어때요?
(gongbuneun doseogwaneseo haneun ge eottaeyo?) – How about studying at the library?

📌 운동 시작하는 게 어때요?
(undong sijakaneun ge eottaeyo?) – How about starting to work out?

4. 🌿 Nuance and When to Use

- Polite and soft – perfect for friends, co-workers, or even strangers.
- Often used to give advice or casually brainstorm options.
- Similar to: “Wanna…?”, “Why don’t you…?”, “What do you think about…?”

5. 💡 Did You Know?

💡 In Korean culture, people often avoid direct commands. So instead of saying “Do this!”, it’s more polite to say, “…는 게 어때요?” It’s part of a broader cultural tendency toward indirectness and consideration, called nunchi (눈치).

6. 🎓 Want to Learn More Korean?

Want to get better at Korean suggestions and everyday expressions? Join a live session and practice with a native speaker! 👉 Book a lesson on italki – and speak with confidence!