구실

Korean

Etymology 1

First attested in the Neung'eomgyeong eonhae (楞嚴經諺解 / 능엄경언해), 1461, as Middle Korean 그위실 (Yale: kuwisil). Analyzable as 그위 (geuwi, “official”) +‎ 실 (sil).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [kuɕʰiɭ]
• Phonetic hangul: [구실]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	gusil
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	gusil
McCune–Reischauer?	kusil
Yale Romanization?	kwusil

Noun

구실 • (gusil)

1. duty, role
2. (obsolete) payment of taxes

Etymology 2

Sino-Korean word from 口實, from 口 (“mouth”) + 實 (“reality”)

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ˈku(ː)ɕʰiɭ]
• Phonetic hangul: [구(ː)실]
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	gusil
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	gusil
McCune–Reischauer?	kusil
Yale Romanization?	kwūsil

Noun

구실 • (gusil) (hanja 口實)

1. excuse, pretext

   구실을 대다

   gusireul daeda

   to make an excuse