어이
Korean
Korean phrasebook
| This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness. For other Korean entries on this topic, see Greetings. |
Pronunciation
- (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA(key): [ʌ̹i]
- Phonetic hangul: [어이]
| Romanizations | |
|---|---|
| Revised Romanization? | eoi |
| Revised Romanization (translit.)? | eoi |
| McCune–Reischauer? | ŏi |
| Yale Romanization? | ei |
Etymology 1
Of native Korean origin.
Interjection
어이 • (eoi)
- hey, yo (informal, mostly used between male close friends)
- 어이, 너는 누구야?.
- Eoi, neoneun nuguya?.
- Yo, who are you?
- 어이, 오늘은 어디 갈까?
- Eoi, oneureun eodi galkka?
- Yo, where should we go today?
Etymology 2
Of native Korean origin.
Noun
어이 • (eoi)
- (archaic) a huge object
Usage notes
Not productive in its own meaning anymore. It is used with following 없다 (eopda, “be not”), constituting 어이없다 (eoieopda, “ridiculous”).
Synonyms
- 어처구니 (eocheoguni)
Etymology 3
In the hangul script, first attested in the Worin seokbo (月印釋譜 / 월인석보), 1459, as Middle Korean 어ᅀᅵ〮 (Yale: èzí), from earlier Old Korean 母史 (*Esi). Possibly related to an element found in two ancient place name glosses from the Samguk Sagi: Goguryeo 也次 (*yatsi/*yaci).
Noun
어이 • (eoi)
Synonyms
- 어머니 (eomeoni, “mother”)