위에
wie
The English word "on" is translated into Korean as 위에 (wie).
위에 is used as a preposition to indicate that something is positioned at or resting against the outer surface of something else, or is attached to it.
Meaning: positioned at or resting against the outer surface of, attached to (prep)
What does it mean word for word?
The form 위에 is composed of the noun 위, which means "top" or "above" and the particle 에, which means "at" or "on".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 위에 is used specifically to indicate a location on the surface of an object.
How do you pronounce it?
wie
Did you know?
- The noun 위 is part of the word 위로, which means 'upward' but is also the root of the Korean word for 'comfort' or 'consolation'.
- In Korean, the word for 'top' or 'above', 위, is also used to refer to a person's social seniority or higher rank. If someone is 'above' you in a professional or age hierarchy, you might describe them using this term.
- If you want to say something is 'on' a wall, Koreans often use 에 alone or 에 붙어 있다 rather than 위에, because 위 specifically implies the 'top' surface.
Examples in context
- 여기 잔디 위에 앉자.Let's sit here on the grass.This sentence is useful for suggesting sitting on a specific surface using 위에.Tatoeba #11106786 by intertime, translation #61693 by CK
- 고양이 한 마리가 의자 위에 앉아 있다.A cat was sitting on the chair.This sentence shows a cat positioned on a chair using 위에.Tatoeba #11106109 by intertime, translation #35822 by CK
- 책상 위에 책이 있어요.The book is on the desk.This sentence demonstrates the location of a book on a desk using 위에.Tatoeba #5099448 by chris3spice, translation #2351693 by AlexJ22
- 책 위에 필통이 있어요.There is a pencil case on the book.
- 가방을 책장 위에 놓았어요.I put the bag on the bookshelf.
- 탁자 위에 컵이 있습니다.There is a cup on the table.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyun are looking for a remote control in the living room.
- 지은 Ji-eun리모컨이 어디 있지?rimokeoni eodi itji?Where is the remote control?
- 도현 Do-hyeon소파 위에 있어요.sopa wie isseoyo.It is on the sofa.
- 지은 Ji-eun아, 여기 있구나. 고마워요.a, yeogi itguna. gomawoyo.Oh, here it is. Thank you.
- 도현 Do-hyeon천만에요, 지은 씨.cheonmaneyo, jieun ssi.You're welcome, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
