아
a[a̠]
The Korean phrase "ahh" is translated as 아.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is a.
Did you know?
- While the imitative 아 expresses a simple sound, the Sino-Korean version of the same sound, derived from the character 我, means 'I' or 'me'.
- Depending on the social hierarchy, a listener might instinctively respond to a superior's 아 with a more formal acknowledgment to avoid sounding too blunt or dismissive.
- Koreans sometimes use 아… followed by a long pause to politely signal that they disagree with a statement without having to say the word 'no'.
Examples in context
- 맞아, 나도 그렇게 생각해.Right, I think so too.
- 아, 그렇군요.a, geureokunyo.Ahh, I see.
- 아, 이제 알겠어요.a, ije algesseoyo.Ahh, now I understand.
- 아, 깜빡했다!a, kkamppakhaetda!Ahh, I forgot!
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are discussing a simple math problem.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 문제는 이렇게 푸는 거예요.i munjeneun ireoke puneun geoyeyo.You solve this problem like this.
- 수빈 Su-bin아, 정말 쉽네요!a, jeongmal swipneyo!Ahh, it's really easy!
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨, 이해했나요?subin ssi, ihaehaetnayo?Subin, did you understand?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 이제 다 알아요.ne, ije da arayo.Yes, now I know it all.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 아, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아, CC BY-SA 4.0.
