이야기
iyagi[ija̠ɡi]
The English word 'story' can be translated into Korean as 이야기 (iyagi). Wiktionary also lists 소설 (soseol) and 스토리 (seutori).
Meaning: account of events (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 이야기 | iyagi | [ija̠ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 소설 | soseol | [ˈsʰo̞(ː)sʰʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 스토리 | seutori | [sʰɯtʰo̞ɾi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
이야기 is the most common and versatile term for 'story' in Korean.
Which one should you use?
While 이야기 is the general term, use 소설 when you are specifically referring to a literary work or a novel. For modern contexts such as movies, video games or marketing, the loanword 스토리 is often used to refer to a narrative arc.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation, you can use the contraction 얘기 to represent a narrative or story.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate the plural form 'stories' in Korean, you can add –들 to the noun, resulting in 이야기들.
How do you pronounce it?
iyagi
Did you know?
- Korean speakers often use the phrase 이야기를 나누다, which literally means 'to divide a story', to describe the act of chatting or sharing a conversation.
- The Korean word for 'novel', 소설, literally translates to 'small talk' or 'trivial words'.
- When telling a 'scary story' or an urban legend, Koreans often use the term 괴담 rather than just adding an adjective to 이야기.
Examples in context
- 이야기를 마저 들어 봅시다.Let's hear the rest of the story.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase with the form 이야기.Tatoeba #4950396 by rainbow4us, translation #954152 by CK
- 나는 이야기를 들려주고 있다.I am telling a story.Tatoeba #11105500 by intertime, translation #1666081 by Amastan
- 나는 그의 이야기를 의심했다.I doubted his story.Tatoeba #11106724 by intertime, translation #12385884 by exeunt404
- 나는 흥미로운 이야기를 가지고 있어.I have an interesting story.
- 한 번 이야기 해 줄게.Let me tell you a story.
- 그 사람은 정말 잘 이야기해.That person is a really good storyteller.
- 그 사람의 이야기는 언제나 재미있어요.That person's stories are always interesting.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are chatting at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 재미있는 이야기 있어요?Minji ssi, jaemiinneun iyagi isseoyo?Minji, do you have an interesting story?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 어제 정말 신기한 일이 있었어요.Ne, eoje jeongmal singihan iri isseosseoyo.Yes, something really strange happened yesterday.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그 이야기 빨리 들려주세요!Geu iyagi ppalli deullyeojuseyo!Please tell me that story quickly!
- 민지 Min-ji알겠어요. 이제부터 시작할게요.Algesseoyo. Ijebuteo sijakhalgeyo.Okay. I will start now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “story” translations and entries 이야기, 소설, 스토리, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 소설, 스토리, 이야기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
