리치
richi[ɾit͡ɕʰi]
The English word "lychee" is translated into Korean as 리치 (richi). It is also spelled 라이치 (raichi). Wiktionary also lists 여지 (yeoji) and 려지 (ryeoji).
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 리치 | richi | [ɾit͡ɕʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 라이치 | raichi | [ɾa̠it͡ɕʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | alternative form |
| 여지 | yeoji | [jʌ̹d͡ʑi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 려지 | ryeoji | North Korea |
This noun refers to the lychee fruit.
Which one should you use?
리치 is the standard form, while 라이치 is an alternative spelling. In North Korea, the form 려지 is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 려지 is specific to North Korea.
How do you pronounce it?
richi
Did you know?
- The word 리치 is a triple homonym in Korean, referring to the fruit, the English word 'reach' and a specific move in Mahjong.
- Depending on the source of the loan, Koreans may use 리치 from Mandarin or 라이치 from Cantonese to describe the same fruit.
- The North Korean form 려지 starts with a sound that South Koreans would typically change or drop due to the 'head-sound rule'.
Examples in context
- 어제 리치를 사왔어. 먹어봐!I bought some lychee yesterday. Try it!
- 리치는 아주 달아요.richineun aju dalayo.Lychees are very sweet.
- 이 리치는 향이 좋아요.i richineun hyangi joayo.This lychee smells good.
- 마트에서 리치를 샀어요.mateseo richireul sasseoyo.I bought lychees at the mart.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are looking at fruit in a grocery store.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 리치 먹어 볼래요?Minjun ssi, richi meogeo bollaeyo?Minjun, do you want to try a lychee?
- 민준 Min-jun리치는 처음인데, 맛있을까요?richineun cheoeuminde, masisseulkkayo?It's my first time having lychee, will it be delicious?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 리치는 정말 맛있어요.ne, richineun jeongmal masisseoyo.Yes, lychees are really delicious.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 조금만 사 가요.geureom jogeumman saga yayo.Then let's buy just a few.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lychee” translations and entries 리치, 라이치, 여지, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 라이치, 리치, 여지, CC BY-SA 4.0.
