오른
oreun[o̞ɾɯn]
The English word 'right' (referring to direction) is expressed in Korean as 오른 (oreun). Wiktionary also lists 바른 (bareun).
Meaning: of direction, opposite of left (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 오른 | oreun | [o̞ɾɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 바른 | bareun | [pa̠ɾɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
When you are describing direction or the side opposite of left, you use the adjective form 오른. If you want to refer to the 'right side' or the direction 'right' as a noun, use 오른쪽.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The attributive form 오른 is used specifically before nouns. For example, to say 'right hand', you combine 오른 with the word for hand, 손, to create 오른손.
How do you pronounce it?
oreun
Did you know?
- In Middle Korean, the word for 'right' direction and the word for 'correct' or 'proper' were the same word. This mirrors how the English word 'right' serves both meanings.
- In many contexts, the word for 'right' as in 'correct' is expressed by the root 바르다, which also implies being 'straight' or 'unbent'.
- Although they sound exactly the same in modern speech, the words for 'right-hand' 오른 and 'correct' 옳은 are spelled differently to distinguish their meanings.
Examples in context
- 톰은 오른쪽 눈밑에 독특한 상처가 있다.Tom has a distinctive scar under his right eye.This sentence is useful for describing a physical feature using the form 오른.Tatoeba #9803451 by ST_Young, translation #3061128 by CK
- 오른쪽으로 돌아.Turn right.This sentence is useful for giving directions using the form 오른.Tatoeba #8368158 by Eunhee, translation #464290 by lukaszpp
- 그녀는 오른쪽 눈이 멀었다.Her right eye is blind.This sentence is useful for describing a physical condition using the form 오른.Tatoeba #912395 by Sudajaengi, translation #864801 by AsliAbbasi
- 오른쪽으로 가세요Please go to the right.
- 오른쪽으로 와Come to the right.
- 오른쪽으로 가Go to the right.
- 오른쪽으로 오세요Please come to the right.
- 오른쪽으로 돌아가면 교회가 있어요.If you turn right, you'll find a church.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are looking at a map together.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 오른 손으로 여기를 가리켜 보세요.Jihun ssi, oreun son-euro yeogireul garikyeo boseyo.Jihun, please point here with your right hand.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 여기가 우리가 갈 목적지인가요?Ne, yeogiga uriga gal mokjeokjin-gayo?Yes, is this the destination we are going to?
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요. 여기서 오른 방향으로 가야 해요.Majayo. Yeogiseo oreun banghyang-euro gaya haeyo.That's right. We have to go in the right direction from here.
- 지훈 Ji-hun알겠어요. 바로 출발합시다.Algesseoyo. Baro chulbal-hapsida.I understand. Let's leave right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “right” translations and entries 오른, 바른, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 바른, 오른, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
