What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 이리 (this way) and 와 (come).
Which one should you use?
이쪽으로 와 is a slightly more polite variation of 이리 와 used between acquaintances or when addressing someone slightly younger, while 여기로 와 is a straightforward, informal way to say 'come here'. In formal settings, you might use 이쪽으로 오세요 to emphasize the direction towards you or 여기로 오십시오 to invite someone to your location.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
이리 와 is an informal and casual expression commonly used among friends, individuals of the same age group, children or people younger than you. For a more polite tone when addressing someone you are not close to, use 이리 오세요. In very formal situations, you can use 이리 오십시오, 이쪽으로 오세요 or 여기로 오십시오.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, 이리 와 is the most common form, but you can also say 이리로 와 to make the direction 'to this way' more explicit by adding the particle '로' to 이리.
How do you pronounce it?
iri wa
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, beckoning someone to 'come here' is often done with the palm facing down and fingers waving, rather than the palm up.
- While the word 이리 in the phrase means 'this way', it is also the Korean word for 'wolf'.
- The word 이리 meaning 'this way' is believed by some linguists to have origins in Tungusic languages, such as Evenki.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 이리 오십시오.Teacher, please come over here.
- 회장님, 이쪽으로 오세요.Chairman, please come this way.
- 어르신, 여기로 오십시오.Elder, please come here.
- 친구야, 이리 와.Friend, come over here.
- 동생아, 이쪽으로 와.Little sibling, come this way.
- 형, 여기로 와.Brother, come here.
- 지은아, 이리 와.Jieun-a, iri wa.Jieun, come over here.
- 이리 와서 이것 좀 봐.Iri waseo igeot jom bwa.Come over here and look at this.
- 빨리 이리 와!Ppalli iri wa!Come over here quickly!
Example conversation
A man calls his friend over to show her a funny video on his phone.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우야, 이리 와!Hyeonu-ya, iri wa!Hyunwoo, come over here!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo왜? 무슨 일이야?Wae? Museun iriya?Why? What's happening?
- 지은 Ji-eun이것 좀 봐, 진짜 웃겨.Igeot jom bwa, jinjja utgyeo.Look at this, it's really funny.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 진짜 웃기다!A, jinjja utgida!Ah, that's really funny!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 와, 이리, CC BY-SA 4.0.
