음
eum[ɯm]
The Korean word for 'umm' is 음 (eum).
음 is a filler sound used to signal hesitation or to provide the speaker with a moment to think, functioning similarly to the English 'umm'.
How do you pronounce it?
eum
Did you know?
- In a completely different context, the character 陰 can be pronounced as 'eum' and refers to the 'yin' principle, representing the feminine or dark energy in Eastern philosophy.
- Adding a trailing … after 음 in a text message can sometimes be interpreted as being passive-aggressive or unhappy.
- Depending on the intonation, 음 can function as a non-committal 'yes' or a soft way of acknowledging someone is speaking without agreeing.
Examples in context
- 응, 음… 그냥 괜찮았어Umm, well… it was just okay
- 음, 그게 좀 어려운데요.eum, geuge jom eoryeoundeyo.Umm, that is a bit difficult.
- 음, 내일 만날까요?eum, naeil mannalkkayo?Umm, shall we meet tomorrow?
- 음, 뭐라고 해야 할까요?eum, mworago haeya halkkayo?Umm, how should I say it?
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 저녁 뭐 먹을까요?Minjun ssi, jeonyeok mwo meogeulkkayo?Minjun, what shall we eat for dinner?
- 민준 Min-jun음, 글쎄요. 비빔밥 어때요?eum, geulsseyo. bibimbap eottaeyo?Umm, well. How about bibimbap?
- 민지 Min-ji좋아요! 그거 먹으러 가요.joayo! geugeo meogeureo gayo.Great! Let's go eat that.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 그럼 출발해요.ne, geureom chulbalhaeyo.Yes, let's head out then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 음, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 음, CC BY-SA 4.0.
