아내

First attested in the Beonyeok sohak (飜譯小學 / 번역소학), 1517, as Middle Korean 안해 (Yale: anhay). There are two different folk etymologies. One explains it as 안 (an, “inside”) +‎ 해 (hae, “sun, woman or generally rooted in 하다/크다”). Interpreted as “light/life of the house” or “inner light” and likely connected to the mythological story of 곰네 as well as ancient Koreanic beliefs in woman as being symbols of strength and intermediary forces of life. The second one explains it as 안 (an, “inside”) +‎ 에 (e, “locative adverb”) and is interpreted as “one who stays inside”. The latter seems unlikely considering the older form and seems to be reinforced/corrupted by the adoption of Confucian teachings of stereotypical gender roles and the words that followed.

Compare also North Korean 안해 (anhae).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [a̠nɛ] ~ [a̠ne̞]
• Phonetic hangul: [아내/아네]

아내 • (anae)

1. (humble) wife, especially one's own

   Synonyms: 와이프 (waipeu), 집사람 (jipsaram), 마누라 (manura), 처 (cheo), 부인 (bu'in)

   Coordinate term: 남편 (nampyeon)

   빌은 이제 막 그의 두번째 아내와 결혼했다.

   Bir-eun ije mak geu-ui dubeonjjae anae-wa gyeolhonhaetda.

   Bill just married his second wife.

   내 동료가 내 아내의 친척이다.

   Nae dongnyo-ga nae anae-ui chincheog-ida.

   My colleague is kin to my wife.

For another person's wife, the more respectful word 부인(夫人) (bu'in, “lady”) or the honorific word 아내님 (anaenim, “honorific form of wife”) are more commonly used.