위에
wie
Over in Korean, in the sense of on top of or above, is 위에 (wie).
위에 describes the position of something on or above something else.
Meaning: physical positioning: on top of, above (prep)
What does it mean word for word?
위 literally means top or above, and the particle 에 marks a location, so 위에 means on or above.
Which one should you use?
위에 describes a static position, while 위에서 is used when an action happens in the space above something, such as an explosion over a city. For the other sense of over, meaning finished, Korean uses different words such as 끝났어, a casual way to say it is over.
How does it change in a sentence?
Add 서 to get 위에서 when something happens or moves in the space above a place.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as wie.
Did you know?
- The word 위 is also used to describe the 'stomach' in anatomical terms. In a medical context, 위 refers to the organ where food is digested.
- In Korean, the word for 'above' or 'on top' is often used to describe one's status or social hierarchy, where being 'above' someone means they are of a higher rank.
- In many Korean spatial descriptions, 'up' and 'over' are often linked to the concept of 'high' (높다), which can be used metaphorically to describe someone's virtue or noble character.
Examples in context
- 소행성이 러시아 첼랴빈스크 위에서 폭발했습니다.An asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk in Russia.The sentence uses 위에서 because the explosion is an action that took place over the city.Tatoeba #8249338 by Balamax, translation #2301159 by Hybrid
- 회의는 끝났습니다.The meeting is over.
- 미팅 끝!Meeting over!
- 시간이 지났습니다.The time is over.
- 시간 끝이야!Time's up!
- 식탁 위에 꽃이 있어요.siktak wie kkochi isseoyo.There are flowers on the table.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are looking for his keys in the living room.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨, 제 열쇠 못 봤어요?Jieun ssi, je yeolsoe mot bwasseoyo?Jieun, have you seen my keys?
- 지은 Ji-eun침대 위에 있는 것 같아요.Chimdae wie inneun geot gatayo.I think they are on top of the bed.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 여기 위에 있네요!A, yeogi wie inneyo!Ah, they are right here on top!
- 지은 Ji-eun다행이에요, 현우 씨.Dahaengieyo, Hyunwoo ssi.I'm glad you found them, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “over” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
