와이
wai[wa̠i]
The name of the English letter y in Korean is 와이 (wai). Koreans use this name when they spell English words or read letters aloud.
와이 is the Korean way of writing and saying the English name of the twenty-fifth letter of the alphabet.
How do you pronounce it?
와이 is romanized as wai, which sounds close to the English name of the letter.
Did you know?
- In South Korea, the term 와이존 ('Y-zone') is a common marketing euphemism used on skincare and hygiene products to refer to the groin area.
- Beyond spelling, Koreans use 와이 as a descriptive adjective for objects that possess a 'Y-shape', such as specific types of pipes or road junctions.
- The word 와이 is a loanword derived from 'wye', which is the formal name for the letter 'y' used in English linguistics.
Examples in context
- 영어 알파벳 와이.yeong-eo al-pa-bet wa-i.The English alphabet letter y.
- 와이 스펠링을 확인해 봐.wa-i seu-pel-ling-eul hwa-gin-hae bwa.Check the spelling of y.
- 그 글자는 와이야.geu geul-ja-neun wa-i-ya.That letter is y.
Example conversation
Subin is asking Jihun to spell a word.
- 지훈 Ji-hun철자가 어떻게 되나요?cheoljaga eotteoke doenayo?How do you spell it?
- 수빈 Su-bin에스, 티, 와이입니다.eseu, ti, wai-imnida.It is S, T, Y.
- 지훈 Ji-hun마지막 글자가 와이 맞죠?majimak geuljaga wai matjyo?The last letter is Y, right?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 맞아요 지훈 씨.ne, matayo Jihun ssi.Yes, that is correct, Jihun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 와이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 와이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
