💬 Phrases A2 ✓ Native Reviewed

어떡해요

eotteokhaeyo

What should I do? / Oh no! (distress)

What it means

어떡해요 expresses distress, worry, or panic about a situation — "what should I do?!" or just "oh no!" K-drama staple for any crisis moment.

Nuance & when to use

어떡해 (casual) / 어떡해요 (polite). Two uses: (1) Asking for advice: 어떡해요, 어떻게 해야 해요? (What should I do?!) (2) Exclamation of distress: 어떡해, 늦었어! (Oh no, I'm late!). Very common — Koreans use this for minor and major problems alike.

⚠ Common mistake

어떡해 ≠ 어떻게. 어떻게 = how (asking for method). 어떡해 = what to do (expressing distress/seeking help). Different grammatical function.

Example sentences

지갑을 잃어버렸어요. 어떡해요? Jigapeul ireobeoryeosseoyo. Eotteokhaeyo? I lost my wallet. What do I do?

어떡해, 시험을 망쳤어. Eeotteokhae, siheomeul mangchyeosseo. Oh no, I bombed the exam.

어떡해요, 너무 귀여워요. Eotteokhaeyo, neomu gwiyeowoyo. Oh my, it's so cute! (playfully overwhelmed)

FAQ

When is this used?

What's a common mistake?

어떡해 ≠ 어떻게. 어떻게 = how (asking for method). 어떡해 = what to do (expressing distress/seeking help). Different grammatical function.

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