Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 아이 | ai | [a̠i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 어린이 | eorini | [ʌ̹ɾini] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 애 | ae | [ɛ(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [e̞(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 아이 refers to a son, a daughter or someone's child in general. For much younger children or babies, you might use 아기 or the common term 애기. If you are a parent referring specifically to your own offspring, the term 자식 is often used, though it can sometimes carry a blunt or slightly derogatory nuance depending on the situation.
Which one should you use?
There are three main forms to distinguish. 어린이 is a formal and polite term for 'child' used in official contexts like books or public announcements. 아이 is the standard, neutral form. 애 is a contracted, colloquial version of 아이 used frequently in everyday casual speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'children' using the noun 아이, you can add the suffix 들 to create 아이들.
How do you pronounce it?
ai
Did you know?
- The colloquial contraction 애 originally meant 'internal organs' or 'entrails' in Middle Korean before its meaning shifted to 'child'.
- The word 어린이 was a deliberate social invention by activist Bang Jeong-hwan, who created the term to give children a sense of personhood and dignity that the standard word for 'child' lacked.
Examples in context
- 문제는 아이를 너무 오냐오냐 키웠다는 점에 있어.The problem consists in the fact that the child was overly indulged.This sentence uses 아이 to describe a child being overly indulged.Tatoeba #8453573 by Eunhee, translation #7634740 by karloelkebekio
- 아이를 살아 있는 채로 찾을 희망이 빠르게 사라지고 있다.Hope of finding the child alive is fading rapidly.This sentence uses 아이 in the context of finding a child alive.Tatoeba #3677073 by ssuss32, translation #47545 by CM
- 파딜은 경찰에 전화해서 자기 아이가 실종되었다고 신고했다.Fadil called the police and reported his child missing.This sentence uses 아이 to show a parent reporting a missing child.Tatoeba #11104566 by intertime, translation #5838968 by OsoHombre
- 제 친구는 아이를 둘이나 키워요.My friend is raising two children.
- 어린이들은 반 친구 만나기를 기다리고 있어요.The children are waiting to meet their classmates.
- 내 아기가 정말 귀엽다.My baby is adorable.
- 애기들은 놀이터에서 재미있게 놀고 있어요.The kids are having fun at the playground.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are talking about their families.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨는 아이가 몇 명이에요?Jihun ssineun aiga myeot myeong-ieyo?Jihun, how many children do you have?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저는 아이가 한 명 있어요.Jeoneun aiga han myeong isseoyo.I have one child.
- 수빈 Su-bin아이가 정말 귀엽겠네요.Aiga jeongmal gwiyeopgenneyo.Your child must be really cute.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 아주 밝은 아이예요.Ne, aju balgeun aiyeyo.Yes, he is a very bright child.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “child” translations and entries 아이, 어린이, 애, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아이, 애, 어린이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
