위
wi[ɥi]
The English word "stomach" translates to Korean as 위 (wi).
위 is used specifically to refer to the anatomical stomach organ. If you are experiencing gastric pain, you would use this term to indicate the pain is located in the organ itself.
Meaning: belly (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 위 refers specifically to the stomach organ, 배 is the common word used to refer to the general belly or abdominal area. Use 위 for medical issues related to the organ and 배 for general stomach aches or bloating.
How do you pronounce it?
wi
Did you know?
- While 위 refers to the organ, the word 배 for belly is also the exact same word used for 'pear' and 'boat'. Context is the only way to tell them apart.
- In Korean, the word for 'above' or 'top' is also 위. While the stomach organ is a Sino-Korean word, the two words sound identical in modern speech.
- The Korean word 위 is a homonym with several different meanings. Depending on the Chinese character used, it can refer to the stomach, a social rank or position, or even the latitude of a map.
Examples in context
- 저는 배가 고파요.I'm hungry.
- 복부에 통증이 있어요.I have pain in my stomach.
- 위가 조금 아파요.wi-ga jo-geum a-pa-yo.My stomach hurts a little.
- 위가 아주 튼튼해요.wi-ga a-ju teun-teun-hae-yo.My stomach is very strong.
Example conversation
A man tells a woman that he cannot eat spicy food.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 매운 음식을 못 먹어요.jeo-neun mae-un eum-sik-eul mot meo-geo-yo.I cannot eat spicy food.
- 수빈 Su-bin왜요? 위가 아파요?wae-yo? wi-ga a-pa-yo?Why? Does your stomach hurt?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 위가 약해요.ne, wi-ga yak-hae-yo.Yes, my stomach is weak.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 자극적인 건 피하세요.geu-reom ja-geuk-jeok-in geon pi-ha-se-yo.Then please avoid irritating foods.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 위, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
