귀걸이
gwigeori[kɥiɡʌ̹ɾi]
The Korean word for "earrings" is 귀걸이 (gwigeori).
귀걸이 refers to pieces of jewelry worn on the lobes or edges of the ears.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound formed from 귀, meaning "ear" and 걸이, meaning "a hanger or something that hangs".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can add the plural suffix –들 to form 귀걸이들 to specifically indicate multiple earrings, but in natural Korean speech, this suffix is often omitted because the context usually implies plurality.
How do you pronounce it?
gwigeori
Did you know?
- The word 귀 for 'ear' is also used in the phrase 귀가 얇다, which means 'to have thin ears'. This is a common idiom describing someone who is gullible or easily swayed by others.
- While English speakers say they are 'putting on' earrings, a Korean speaker might use the verb 하다 (ha-da), meaning 'to do', as in 귀걸이를 하다, which translates literally to 'doing earrings'.
- In historical dramas, you may see the term 이식 used for earrings. This is a formal Sino-Korean word that translates literally to 'ear-decoration'.
Examples in context
- 새 귀걸이가 정말 예뻐요.sae gwigol-i jeongmal yeppeoyo.The new earrings are really pretty.
- 이 귀걸이는 어디에서 샀어요?i gwigol-i-neun eodieseo sasseoyo?Where did you buy these earrings?
- 귀걸이를 잃어버려서 속상해요.gwigol-i-reul ireobeoryeoseo soksanghaeyo.I am upset because I lost my earrings.
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are walking through a shopping mall.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 이 귀걸이 어때요?Hyunwoo-ssi, i gwigol-i eottaeyo?Hyunwoo, how about these earrings?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨한테 아주 잘 어울려요.Minji-ssi-hante aju jal eoullyeoyo.They look very good on you, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji정말요? 그럼 이걸로 살게요.Jeongmallyo? Geureom igeollo salgeyo.Really? Then I will buy these.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋은 선택이에요.Joeun seontaek-ieyo.It is a good choice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 귀걸이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
