야
ya[ja̠(ː)]
The Korean phrase for "hey you" is 야 (ya).
This phrase is used to get someone's attention in a blunt and informal manner. In casual speech, 야 is frequently paired with 너 (you) to direct attention specifically to a person.
Which one should you use?
While 야 is a standard informal way to say "hey", the colloquial term 얘 is also used among close friends or peers to grab someone's attention.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 야 is highly informal. It should only be used with close friends of the same age or with people younger than you. Using this phrase toward a stranger or someone older than you is considered extremely rude and can be perceived as an act of aggression.
How do you pronounce it?
ya
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 야 to get the attention of service workers or strangers, which is socially unacceptable in Korea.
Did you know?
- In modern Korean internet culture, 야 can be a shorthand clipping of 야구 갤러리, referring to a specific baseball subforum on the DC Inside website.
- To avoid the bluntness of 야, Koreans often call strangers by their social role, such as 사장님 'boss' or 이모님 'aunt', even if they have no relation to the person.
- In highly emotional arguments, 야 is often repeated rapidly as a way to signal that the speaker has lost their patience and is dropping all social formalities.
Examples in context
- 야, 너! 이리 와 봐.Hey, you! Come here.This sentence is useful for seeing how 야 is used to direct attention to a person.Tatoeba #8729112 by Eunhee, translation #2592855 by WestofEden
- 안녕! 뭐해?Hey! What are you up to?
- 얘, 와봐!Hey you, come here!
- 어이! 언제 왔어?Hey you! When did you arrive?
- 야, 너 뭐 해?ya, neo mwo hae?Hey you, what are you doing?
- 야, 조심해!ya, josimhae!Hey you, watch out!
Example conversation
Two close friends are hanging out at a park.
- 수빈 Su-bin야, 현우야! 여기 좀 봐.ya, hyeonu-ya! yeogi jom bwa.Hey, Hyunwoo! Look over here.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 왜 그래, 수빈아?eung, wae geurae, subin-a?Yeah, what is it, Subin?
- 수빈 Su-bin저기 맛있는 거 팔고 있어.jeogi masinneun geo palgo isseo.They are selling something delicious over there.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo진짜? 같이 가자.jinja? gachi gaja.Really? Let's go together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 야, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 야, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
