어디에서 오셨어요?

When to use

This is a common follow-up question after initial introductions to show interest and make small talk, especially if you suspect the person might be a foreigner.

How it works

The question is formed using 'where' + 'from' + honorific verb 'to come'.

• 어디에서 (eodieseo): '어디' (eodi - where) + location particle '에서' (eseo - from/at).
• 오셨어요? (osyeosseoyo?): The honorific past tense of 오다 (oda - to come). The '-셨-' infix is the honorific marker for the subject, and '-어요' is the polite informal ending.

Speech Level

The '-셨어요' ending uses the polite informal speech level (해요체 - haeyoche) and includes subject honorification ('-셨-'), making it respectful towards the listener and the person being asked about.

Honorific Choice

The '-셨-' infix is a key indicator of subject honorification, showing respect to the person whose origin is being asked about. This is used even when the listener is the subject.

Notes

A polite question to inquire about someone's place of origin.