Korean word

어머나

Pronunciation

Romanizationeomeona

Meaning

  • interjectionoh my

Example

어머나, 벌써 왔네요.eo meo na peol sseo wan ne yo

Oh my, you're already here.

Illustration for 어머나 (oh my)

More examples

어머나, 선물이네요.eo meo na seon mu ri ne yo

Oh my, it's a present.

Core concept

A mild verbal gasp for unexpected news, whether the feeling is pleased surprise or worried confusion.

Common phrases

  • 어머나, 벌써eo meo na peol sseo

    oh my, already

  • 어머나, 정말요eo meo na cheong ma ryo

    oh my, really

Similar words

어머eomeo: A gentle exclamation showing surprise, often with warm admiration.
대박taebak: A lively exclamation for something amazingly impressive or far beyond expectations.
와wa: A clear, strong cry of surprise at something astonishing.

Definition in Korean

놀람이나 당혹을 짧고 부드럽게 표현하는 감탄사로, 긍정적·부정적 상황 모두에서 쓰인다.nol la mi na tang ho geul jjal kko pu deu reop kke pyo hyeon ha neun kam tan sa ro keung jeong jeok pu jeong jeok sang hwang mo du e seo sseu in da

Word origin

어머나 (eomeona, "oh my") developed from 어머 (eomeo, "an exclamation of surprise") with the added ending 나 (na, "an emphatic ending"), although the precise history is not certain.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can treat this as closer to oh my than to a fixed negative warning, since its meaning changes with the speaker's voice and what has just happened.

Related words

Word lists with this word