Learn Korean: 원래 + WH

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern 원래 + WH. The word 원래 (pronounced as 월래) means originally, naturally, or something of that nature. Adding 원래 to a question changes its nuance. We say 이름이 뭐예요? to ask someone’s name. However, when we find out that someone is only using a screen name, a pseudonym, or a fictitious name, we use 원래 to ask what his original name is (원래 이름이 뭐예요?) We say 몇 시에 자요? to ask what time someone sleeps. Now, I have a new roommate whom I barely know. On his first night, he was up until three in the morning reading a novel. I wondered if he usually stayed up that late even before he moved. So I said 원래 몇 시에 자요? In here, I assumed that he used not to sleep that late. Lastly, we say 아침에 뭐 먹어요? to ask what someone eats for breakfast. The next day, I cooked hotdogs and eggs for my roommate. He said he rarely eats them in the morning, but still ate them anyway. So I wanted to know what his usual morning meal is and said 원래 아침에 뭐 먹어요?

원래 어디서 일해요?

Where is your original workplace? (I found out that he is working home because of lockdown)

원래 생일이 언제야?

When is your actual birthday based on the solar calendar? (I found out that today is his birthday based on the lunar calendar)

원래 무슨 반이야?

Which class are you originally? (I found out that his class was dissolved)