이 뭐야

what is this? / what is it?

→ 이

phrase Uncommon #11,008

what is this? / what is it? Very casual way to ask what something is. In natural Korean, it often appears as part of a fuller phrase like "이게 뭐야?" or after a noun/pronoun in context. Can sound surprised, confused, or annoyed depending on tone.

KO: 이 뭐야?

EN: What is this?

잘됐다 싶었는데 저 꼴이 뭐 야

I thought things were finally going well, but what on earth happened to you?

— 동경 이야기 (1953)

그건 그렇고 빌어먹을 정답이 뭐 야?

By the way, what the fuck is the correct answer?

— 원 배틀 애프터 어나더 (2025)

배경이 뭐 야?

What's the background?

— 엘리펀트 (2003)

마환이 뭐 야?