아내

Korean

Etymology

First attested in the Beonyeok sohak (飜譯小學 / 번역소학), 1517, as Middle Korean 안해 (Yale: anhay).

Compare also North Korean 안해 (anhae).

Pronunciation

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

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

Noun

아내 • (anae)

1. (humble) wife, especially one's own
   • 빌은 이제 막 그의 두번째 아내와 결혼했다.

     bireun ije mak geuui dubeonjjae anaewa gyeolhonhaetda.

     Bill just married his second wife.

   • 내 동료가 내 아내의 친척이다.

     nae dongnyoga nae anaeui chincheogida.

     My colleague is kin to my wife.

Usage notes

• For another person's wife, the more respectful word 부인 (bu'in, “lady”) is more commonly used.

Synonyms

• 집사람 (jipsaram) (humble)
• 마누라 (manura) (humble)
• 와이프 (waipeu) (humble)
• 부인 (bu'in) (honorific)
• 처 (妻, cheo)