Key Facts
- Hangul: 귀; Revised Romanization: gwi
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: native Korean
- Register: Neutral everyday word.
Ear in Korean: What Does 귀 Mean?
귀 is a noun for the ear. The register is neutral and everyday. Beyond the body part, the collocations show figurative uses such as sharp hearing and attentive listening.
How Do You Pronounce 귀?
One syllable, gwi. Slide quickly from a w sound into i, like "gwee" said as one beat (compare the qu-ee of "queen"). Do not split it into two beats. Standard pronunciation also allows ㅟ as a single rounded vowel, but the w-glide version is what you will hear most.
Example Sentences with 귀
귀가 아파요.
gwiga apayo.
My ear hurts.
A health complaint. 귀가 is the subject and 아파요 says it hurts.
토끼는 귀가 길어요.
tokkineun gwiga gireoyo.
Rabbits have long ears.
A fact about animals. 토끼는 sets rabbits as the topic, and 귀가 길어요 says their ears are long.
귀를 막지 마세요.
gwireul makji maseyo.
Don't cover your ears.
A negative command. The verb makda means to block or cover, and 막지 마세요 is the polite way to say don't.
Common Phrases and Collocations
Three phrases are worth learning. 귀가 밝다 means to have sharp hearing. 귀를 기울이다 means to listen attentively. 귀걸이 is an earring.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 귀가 밝다 | to have sharp hearing |
| 귀를 기울이다 | to listen attentively |
| 귀걸이 | earring |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: splitting 귀 into two beats, like gu-i.
Right: one syllable, [gwi], a w glide straight into i.
귀 Compared with Related Words
Two words are about hearing but are not the ear: 소리 is the sound, and 듣다 is the verb to hear.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 귀 | ear | This page's word |
| 소리 | sound | 소리 is the sound; 귀 is the organ that hears it. |
| 듣다 | to listen/hear | 듣다 is the verb for hearing. |
Explaining Ear Pain at a Clinic
A patient visits a clinic because one ear hurts. The doctor first asks which side, then asks about when the pain started. The exchange practices describing the problem; it does not give a diagnosis.
Patient
귀가 아파요.
Gwiga apayo.
My ear hurts.
Doctor
어느 쪽 귀가 아프세요?
Eoneu jjok gwiga apeuseyo?
Which ear hurts?
Patient
오른쪽 귀가 아파요. 어제부터 그랬어요.
Oreunjjok gwiga apayo. Eojebuteo geuraesseoyo.
My right ear hurts. It’s been like this since yesterday.
Doctor
소리는 잘 들리세요?
Sorineun jal deulliseyo?
Can you hear well?
오른쪽 귀 names the right ear; 왼쪽 귀 names the left. 귀 alone can refer to one ear or to ears generally, so the side word adds information the noun does not carry by itself. 어제부터 means “since yesterday,” which answers a different question from where the pain is.
The doctor’s 아프세요 and 들리세요 use respectful endings toward the patient. The patient can simply say 아파요 about their own pain. There is no special honorific replacement for the noun 귀 in this exchange.
소리가 들리다 describes a sound being audible. 듣다, the verb in the comparison table, describes hearing or listening. At a clinic the question about 들리다 asks whether sound reaches you, rather than asking whether you are paying attention to the doctor.
What Do Ear Idioms Describe?
귀가 밝다 literally says the ears are “bright,” but it describes sharp hearing. A person who notices a quiet sound from another room might be described this way. The expression is about hearing ability, rather than how the ears look.
귀를 기울이다 literally pictures tilting an ear. It means giving someone or something close attention. In an interview, someone may say they listen carefully to customers’ opinions using this phrase; no visible head movement is needed. It fits writing and thoughtful conversation as well as literal listening scenes.
귀가 얇다 literally means “to have thin ears.” Figuratively, it describes being easily influenced by what others say. Someone who changes a purchase decision after every suggestion may be called 귀가 얇다. The remark can sound critical, so it is different from praising someone for listening carefully.
귀에 못이 박히다 literally pictures a nail being driven into the ear. People use it when they have heard the same statement far too often. You may hear the expression during a family argument in a drama. The speaker is complaining about repetition, rather than reporting an injury.
Where Will You See 귀 in Everyday Life?
In an accessories shop, 귀걸이 means an earring. 귀마개 means earplugs or something worn to cover the ears, depending on the product. Packaging and pictures help: a small plug used for sleeping and a warm winter ear covering serve different purposes.
A clinic sign may say 이비인후과, the ear, nose and throat department. The sign does not use the everyday noun 귀, so recognizing 귀 alone may not be enough to identify the department. Inside the appointment, 귀가 아파요 is still a direct way to explain the affected area.
In ordinary talk, 귀를 막다 means to cover or block the ears, as in the existing negative-command example. Compare that physical action with 귀를 기울이다: the first keeps sound out; the second welcomes someone’s words and attention to them.
Words for Describing an Ear Problem
| Korean | Meaning | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 귓불 | earlobe | Identify the soft lower part of the outer ear. |
| 고막 | eardrum | Recognize a more specific term during an examination. |
| 청력 | hearing ability | Discuss how well someone can hear. |
| 왼쪽 / 오른쪽 | left / right | Specify which ear you mean. |
The body parts vocabulary lesson teaches the wider body set. When speaking, choose the everyday location word you know. You can identify the right or left ear without knowing the names of its internal parts.
Quick Self-Test
- How do you specify the left ear?
- Does 귀가 얇다 describe strong hearing?
- Which phrase means paying close attention: 귀를 막다 or 귀를 기울이다?
Show answers
- 왼쪽 귀.
- No. It describes someone who is easily influenced by others.
- 귀를 기울이다 means to listen attentively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "ear" in Korean?
Say 귀 (gwi).
How many syllables does 귀 have?
One. Glide from w into i.
How do you say "earring"?
Say 귀걸이.
What is the verb for hearing?
It is 듣다, to hear or listen.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: Body Parts places 귀 with the other words of its topic.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Flashcards: put 귀 into the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Next entry: The body list continues with the eye, so see eye.