Korean word

요

Pronunciation

Romanizationyo

Meaning

  • particleadds politeness

Example

밥을 먹어요.pa beul meo geo yo

I eat rice.

Illustration for 요 (adds politeness)

More examples

여기 자리가 있어요.yeo gi cha ri ga i sseo yo

There is a seat here.

Core concept

A polite ending that gently closes a sentence and can leave room for a question or confirmation.

Common phrases

  • 있어요i sseo yo

    there is

  • 없어요eop sseo yo

    There isn't

Similar words

합니다hamnida: A formal sentence ending for respectful statements in official or serious settings.
아/어aeo: A casual sentence ending used in speech with close friends or family.
죠chyo: A polite sentence ending that gently seeks the listener's agreement.
까요kkayo: A polite sentence ending used to form a question.

Definition in Korean

동사와 형용사 어간에 붙어 문장을 공손하게 끝맺는 종결 어미로 문맥에 따라 질문이나 확인의 뜻을 띠기도 한다tong sa wa hyeong yong sa eo ga ne pu teo mun jang eul kong son ha ge kkeun maen neun chong gyeol eo mi ro mun mae ge tta ra chil mu ni na hwa gi nui tteu seul tti gi do han da

Word origin

The exact history of 요 (yo, "polite sentence-ending particle") is uncertain, but it is generally thought to come from shortened older polite expressions.

Usage tips

  • English often shows politeness through word choice, while Korean frequently marks an everyday respectful tone at the end of the sentence.

Word lists with this word