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.

Etymology 1

First attested in the Worin seokbo (月印釋譜 / 월인석보), 1459, as Middle Korean ᄋᆡ〮 (Yale: óy).

Pronunciation

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

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	eoi
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	eoi
McCune–Reischauer?	ŏi
Yale Romanization?	ēi

Interjection

어이 • (eoi)

1. 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

First attested in the 순천김씨묘출토언간, 16c, as Middle Korean 어이 (Yale: ə.i).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ʌ̹i]
• Phonetic hangul: [어이]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	eoi
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	eoi
McCune–Reischauer?	ŏi
Yale Romanization?	ei

Adverb

어이 • (eoi)

1. (dated, chiefly poetic) how
   • 1971, “전우의 생명 구원할 길 없단말인가 [jeonuui saengmyeong guwonhal gil eopdanmarin'ga, Will It Be Impossible To Save My Comrade's Life?]”, Yun Tu-gun (윤두근) (lyrics), Son Chang-se (손창세) (music), from A True Daughter of the Party:

     포연이 몰아치는 고지우에서
     불보다 뜨거움을 안겨준 전우
     당원의 그 생명을 구원 못하면
     내 어이 수령님의 전사라 하리

     Poyeon-i morachineun gojiu-eseo
     Bul-boda tteugeoum-eul an'gyeojun jeonu
     Dang'wonui geu saengmyeong-eul guwon motha-myeon
     Nae eoi suryeong-nim-ui jeonsa-ra ha-ri

     On the height amidst heavy gunsmoke,
     My sister-in-arms in fiery comradeship lay dying.
     Were I not to save this party member's life,
     How could I ever be called a Leader's soldier!

   • 1990, “그때처럼 우리가 살고있는가 [Are We Still Living Like Those Days]”, 리정술 [Ri Jong-sul] (lyrics), 리종오 [Ri Jong-o] (music):

     그때 일을 우리가 어이 잊으랴
     그때 일을 우리가 어이 잊으랴
     허리띠를 조이며 혁명가를 부르던
     그때 그 나날들을

     Geuttae ir-eul uri-ga eoi ij-eurya
     Geuttae ir-eul uri-ga eoi ij-eurya
     Heoritti-reul joi-myeo hyeongmyeongga-reul bureu-deon
     Geuttae geu nanal-deur-eul

     How can we ever forget about those days?
     How should we even forget about those days?
     Singing revolutionary songs, while tightening our belts,
     Every day of those days

Synonyms

• 어찌 (eojji)

Etymology 3

First attested in the 순천김씨묘출토언간, 16c, as Middle Korean 어히 (Yale: ə.hi).

A univerbation of 엏 (eot, “way”) +‎ -이 (-i, nominative marker).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ʌ̹i]
• Phonetic hangul: [어이]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	eoi
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	eoi
McCune–Reischauer?	ŏi
Yale Romanization?	ei

Noun

어이 • (eoi)

1. (obsolete) a way
2. (obsolete) 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 4

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).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ʌ̹i]
• Phonetic hangul: [어이]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	eoi
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	eoi
McCune–Reischauer?	ŏi
Yale Romanization?	ei

Noun

어이 • (eoi)

1. mother (of an animal)
2. (archaic) parent

Synonyms

(mother):

• 어미 (eomi)
• 어머니 (eomeoni)