귀
gwi[kɥi]
The Korean word for the organ of hearing is 귀 (gwi).
귀 is a noun referring to the anatomical organ used for hearing. The archaic verb 갈다 (meaning to plough) is a related form.
Meaning: organ of hearing (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
gwi
Did you know?
- The phrase 귀가 가렵다, meaning 'one's ears are itchy', is a common superstition that someone is talking about you behind your back.
- In Korean, if someone has 'heavy ears' (귀가 무겁다), it does not refer to their weight but to their ability to keep a secret and not be swayed by rumors.
- Korean uses 귀 to describe the 'handle' or 'ear' of a pot, cup, or pitcher. This is similar to how English uses 'eye' for a needle or 'mouth' for a bottle.
Examples in context
- 톰은 옆 방에서 무슨 일이 일어나는지 들으려고 귀를 문에 대고 있었다.Tom had his ear pressed to the door, trying to hear what was going on in the next room.This sentence shows how to use 귀 when describing someone pressing their ear to a door to listen.Tatoeba #13755304 by qlTmalffk, translation #2956829 by CK
- 한 귀로 듣고 다른 귀로 흘리다.To go in one ear and out the other.This example uses 귀 in an idiom that describes information going in one ear and out the other.
- 귀에 걸면 귀(엣)고리, 코에 걸면 코(엣)고리.As indiscreet as applying a ring to the ear and to the nose alike.This sentence uses 귀 within a proverb about the flexibility of how things are applied or interpreted.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are at a doctor's office.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 귀가 아파요?Minjun ssi, gwiga apayo?Minjun, does your ear hurt?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 왼쪽 귀가 조금 아파요.Ne, oenjjok gwiga jogeum apayo.Yes, my left ear hurts a little.
- 수빈 Su-bin선생님이 귀를 봐주실 거예요.Seonsaengnimi gwireul bwajusil geoyeyo.The doctor will look at your ear.
- 민준 Min-jun알겠어요, 고마워요.Algesseoyo, gomawoyo.I understand, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ear” translations and entries 귀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
