Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 우리 | uri | [uɾi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 저희 | jeohui | [t͡ɕʌ̹ʝi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | humble |
The term refers to a generic 'we', encompassing the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether the person being spoken to is included in that group.
Which one should you use?
우리 is the standard or informal way to say 'we' when speaking to peers or people of lower status. In contrast, 저희 is the humble form used when the speaker lowers the status of their own group to show respect to the listener.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use 우리 in standard or informal settings when addressing equals or subordinates. Use the humble 저희 to show respect to the person you are addressing by lowering your own group's status.
How does it change in a sentence?
When 우리 acts as the subject of a sentence, it often takes the subject marker '가' to become 우리가. When it is the direct object, it takes the object marker '를' to become 우리를.
How do you pronounce it?
uri
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, 우리 (we/our) is frequently used instead of 'my' when referring to things shared within a community or family, such as 'our mother' or 'our house'.
Did you know?
- While 우리 means 'we', it is also a common noun meaning 'cage' or 'pen' for animals. The two words are spelled and pronounced identically but have entirely different origins.
- The root of the word 우리 is completely different from the root used for the singular 'I' (나). This means the Korean language has a distinct origin for the collective 'we' that is not just a pluralized version of 'I'.
- In Korean, using 우리 to mean 'my' extends beyond family to things like 'our company' or 'our school' even if the speaker is the sole owner or student. This reflects a cultural emphasis on collective identity over individualism.
Examples in context
- 왜 우리는 꿈을 꿔?Why do we dream?This sentence is useful for asking a question using the form 우리.Tatoeba #8363658 by Eunhee, translation #1276142 by CK
- 우리는 할 일이 많다.We have lots to do.This sentence shows the form 우리 used in a statement about having much to do.Tatoeba #11105859 by intertime, translation #1457520 by CK
- 우리 둘다 같은 반이네.We are both in the same class.This sentence uses the form 우리 to describe a shared situation between two people.Tatoeba #8358094 by Eunhee, translation #247818 by CK
- 우리 회사에서 일해요.We work at our company.
- 우리는 한 팀입니다.We are a team.
- 우리는 안전을 최우선으로 생각합니다.We prioritize safety.
- 함께 해봐요.Let's do it together.
- 함께 놀자!Let's play together!
- 우리들은 같이 여행하자고 했어요.We all decided to travel together.
- 185 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyunwoo are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 지은 Ji-eun우리 뭐 먹을까?uri mwo meogeulkka?What should we eat?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo비빔밥 어때요?bibimbap eottaeyo?How about bibimbap?
- 지은 Ji-eun좋아요. 우리 같이 가요.joayo. uri gachi gayo.Sounds good. Let's go together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 빨리 가요.ne, ppalli gayo.Yes, let's go quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “we” translations and entries 우리, 저희, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 우리, 저희, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
