오른
oreun[o̞ɾɯn]
The English word 'right' as an adjective of direction is translated to 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) |
In Korean, 오른 is used as an adjective to describe something that is on the right side, such as a 'right eye'. To refer to the direction 'right' as a noun, use 오른쪽. To express movement or action toward the right, you can use 오른쪽으로.
Which one should you use?
오른 refers specifically to the direction right, whereas 바른 means something is correct, proper or upright.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While 오른 is an adjective used to modify nouns, 오른쪽 is the standard noun used to indicate the side or direction itself.
How do you pronounce it?
oreun
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because both '오른' and '바른' can translate to 'right' in English, they are often confused. Use 오른 when you mean the direction right and 바른 when you mean something is correct or proper.
Did you know?
- The relationship between 'right side' and 'correct' in Korean mirrors the exact same historical development seen in the English word 'right'.
- Because 오른 and 옳은 are homophones, using the wrong spelling in a text can change a sentence from describing a 'right eye' to a 'correct eye'.
Examples in context
- 톰은 오른쪽 눈밑에 독특한 상처가 있다.Tom has a distinctive scar under his right eye.This sentence uses 오른 to describe a right eye.Tatoeba #9803451 by ST_Young, translation #3061128 by CK
- 오른쪽으로 돌아.Turn right.This sentence uses 오른 to indicate turning right.Tatoeba #8368158 by Eunhee, translation #464290 by lukaszpp
- 그녀는 오른쪽 눈이 멀었다.Her right eye is blind.Tatoeba #912395 by Sudajaengi, translation #864801 by AsliAbbasi
- 오른쪽으로 돌아Turn right
- 이 책은 국제 베스트셀러예요, 맞아요?I chaeg-eun gukje besteuselleyo, maja-yo?
- 네, 맞아요!Ne, maja-yo!
- 오른쪽으로 가세요.Oreunjjogeuro gaseyo.
- 네, 그렇습니다.Ne, geureoseumnida.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are looking at a photograph.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 사진 속의 오른손이 누구 거예요?Do-hyeon ssi, sajin sogui oreunsoni nugu geoyeyo?Do-hyeon, whose right hand is it in the photo?
- 도현 Do-hyeon그건 제 오른손이에요.Geugeon je oreunson-ieyo.That is my right hand.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 잘 나왔네요!Jeongmal jal nawatneyo!It came out really well!
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 지은 씨.Gomawoyo, Ji-eun ssi.Thank you, Ji-eun.
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.
