와우

Korean

Etymology 1

Sino-Korean word from 蝸牛 (“snail”).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [wa̠u]
• Phonetic hangul: [와우]

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

Noun

와우 • (wau) (hanja 蝸牛)

1. Synonym of 달팽이 (dalpaeng'i, “snail”)
2. Synonym of 달팽이관(管) (dalpaeng'igwan, “cochlea”)

Etymology 2

Onomatopoeic. Compare English wow.

Interjection

와우 • (wau)

1. Misspelling of 우어 (ueo, “whoa”).

Etymology 3

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [wa̠u]
• Phonetic hangul: [와우]

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

Noun

와우 • (wau)

1. Pyongan form of 왜가리 (waegari, “grey heron”)

Etymology 4

Transliteration of English wow.

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [wa̠u]
• Phonetic hangul: [와우]

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

Noun

와우 • (wau)

1. (sound engineering) wow (change in pitch in recording)