우와
uwa
In Korean, "oh wow" is expressed as 우와 (uwa).
우와 is an interjection used to express wonder, amazement or being impressed by something. You can also use the common expression 와 to express surprise or admiration.
Which one should you use?
While 우와 expresses surprise or admiration, 어머 is used more for shock or sudden realization, often by women. Additionally, 와 is a shorter, more common version of the exclamation.
How do you pronounce it?
uwa
Did you know?
- The sound 와 is so versatile that it can signal both extreme admiration and extreme disappointment or sarcasm depending on the pitch.
- When expressing 'wow' in a more formal setting, Koreans may avoid a simple 우와 and instead use 세상에, which literally means 'in the world'.
- In digital chats, Korean speakers often replace the letters in 우와 with various consonants like ㅇㅇㅇ or add trailing consonants to mimic the 'stretching' sound of a long gasp of wonder.
Examples in context
- 아이고, 정말 대단하시네요!Oh wow, you are truly amazing!
- 대박, 이렇게 멋진 걸 처음 봤어요!Oh wow, I've never seen something so cool before!
- 와, 이 새 옷 진짜 예뻐!Oh wow, this new outfit is really pretty!
- 진짜? 너 이렇게 잘 생겼어?Seriously? You look this good?
- 완전 놀라워! 진짜 대단해!Oh wow, that's incredible! You're seriously amazing!
- 우와, 정말 예뻐요!uwa, jeongmal yeppeoyo!Oh wow, it's really pretty!
- 우와, 진짜 맛있겠다!uwa, jinja masitgetda!Oh wow, that looks delicious!
- 우와, 대단해요!uwa, daedanhaeyo!Oh wow, that's amazing!
Example conversation
Dohyun shows Subin a beautiful painting he made.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈, 제가 그린 그림이에요.Subin, jega geurin geurimieyo.Subin, this is a painting I drew.
- 수빈 Su-bin우와, 정말 잘 그리셨어요!uwa, jeongmal jal geurisyeosseoyo!Oh wow, you drew it so well!
- 도현 Do-hyeon감사합니다. 기분이 좋네요.gamsahamnida. gibuni jonneyo.Thank you. I feel great.
- 수빈 Su-bin색깔이 정말 예뻐요.saekkkari jeongmal yeppeoyo.The colors are really beautiful.
