-이야말로

Korean

Alternative forms

• (post-vowel) 야말로 (-yamallo)

Etymology

Compound of 이야 (-iya, emphasizing particle) +‎ 말 (mal, “speech, words”) +‎ 로 (-ro, “as being”, particle indicating state or manner).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ija̠ma̠ɭɭo̞]
• Phonetic hangul: [이야말로]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	iyamallo
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	iyamallo
McCune–Reischauer?	iyamallo
Yale Romanization?	iyamallo

Particle

이야말로 • (-iyamallo)

1. (after a consonant-ending substantive or adverb) Topic marker expressing emphasis and confirmation: indeed is, really is, truly is

   Hypernym: 은 (-eun, general topic marker)

   예술이야말로 인간을 높이는 길이다.

   Yesur-iyamallo in'gan-eul nopi-neun gir-ida.

   Art is indeed the way to elevate human beings.