우리는
urineun
The English phrase 'we are' is translated into Korean as 우리는 (urineun).
우리는 is a phrase used to identify a group of people that includes the speaker.
Which one should you use?
While 우리는 is the topic-marked form, 우리가 is used when 'we' is the specific subject of the sentence, often to emphasize who is performing the action. Additionally, although adding the plural suffix '-들' to create 우리들 is grammatically possible, it is often redundant, as 우리 is already understood as a collective group.
How do you pronounce it?
urineun
Did you know?
- Using 우리 to describe a spouse, such as 우리 남편 ('our husband'), is common and is not intended to imply the husband is shared by multiple people.
- While 우리 is the standard for 'we', in very formal or archaic settings, the word 저희 is used to humbly lower the speaker's group in relation to the listener.
- When referring to the nation, Koreans use 우리나라 ('our country'), which literally means 'we-country', rather than 'my country'.
Examples in context
- 우리는 집에 가는 중입니다.We are on the way home.This sentence is useful for using 우리는 to describe being on the way home.Tatoeba #3712940 by Queserasera, translation #3647258 by CC
- 우리는 다음 달에 이동한다.We are moving next month.This sentence is useful for using 우리는 to describe moving in the future.Tatoeba #11104847 by intertime, translation #325039 by CK
- 우리는 우리가 생각하는 것이다.We are what we think we are.This sentence is useful for using 우리는 in a philosophical context.Tatoeba #6305278 by Queserasera, translation #7999813 by ciwlx
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are introducing themselves as a team.
- 수빈 Su-bin안녕하세요, 우리는 팀원입니다.annyeonghaseyo, urineun timwon-imnida.Hello, we are team members.
- 지훈 Ji-hun반가워요. 지훈이라고 합니다.banggawoyo. jihun-irago hamnida.Nice to meet you. I am Jihun.
- 수빈 Su-bin저는 수빈이에요.jeoneun subin-ieyo.I am Subin.
- 지훈 Ji-hun잘 부탁드립니다.jal butakdeurimnida.I look forward to working with you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
