Korean word

여

Pronunciation

Romanizationyeo

Meaning

  • nounwoman

Example

건물 입구에 여 화장실 표시가 있어요.keon mul ip kku e yeo hwa jang sil pyo si ga i sseo yo

There is a women's restroom sign at the entrance of the building.

Illustration for 여 (woman)

More examples

교수님이 여학생에게 질문했어요.kyo su ni mi yeo hak ssaeng e ge chil mun hae sseo yo

The professor asked the female student a question.

Core concept

A one-syllable marker that identifies women or the female option in a visible context.

Common phrases

  • 여자yeo ja

    woman

  • 여성yeo seong

    woman

  • 여학생yeo hak ssaeng

    female student

  • 여동생yeo dong saeng

    younger sister

Similar words

여자yeoja: A common everyday noun for a female person, with age understood from context.
여성yeoseong: A formal term for a female person, usually an adult woman, in public or official contexts.
여자용yeojayong: Made or intended for women to use.

Definition in Korean

여는 표지나 문맥에서 여성이나 여자를 가리킬 때 쓰이는 한음절 명사yeo neun pyo ji na mun mae ge seo yeo seong i na yeo ja reul ka ri kil ttae sseu i neun ha neum jeol myeong sa

Word origin

여 (yeo, "woman") reflects the long-standing Sino-Korean reading of a character associated with women and is used as a shortened written form.

Usage tips

  • Its brief shape suits signs and labels, but a longer everyday noun is normally more natural when referring to a woman in conversation.

Other meanings

  • femalenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 여성적yeoseongjeokfeminineadjective
  • 여배우yeobaeuactressnoun

Word lists with this word