Korean word

위

Pronunciation

Romanizationwi

Meaning

  • nountop

Example

컵이 위에 있어요.keo bi wi e i sseo yo

The cup is on top.

Illustration for 위 (top)

More examples

대회에서 위를 차지했어요.tae hoe e seo wi reul cha ji hae sseo yo

I placed high in the competition.

Core concept

The higher position, either in space or in a ranking.

Common phrases

  • 위에wi e

    on top

  • 위로 올라가다wi ro ol la ga da

    go up

Similar words

위쪽wijjok: The upper side of something or the way toward a higher place.
등teung: A position in an ordered list that shows a person's or thing's rank.
위치wichi: The place where a person or thing is located.

Definition in Korean

순서나 등급에서 상대적으로 높은 자리sun seo na teung geu be seo sang dae jeo geu ro no peun cha ri

Word origin

No reliable word-part story explains this word, but its confirmed uses center on being above or higher than others.

Usage tips

  • Korean uses 위 (wi, "rank") after a number to show a place in a ranking, much like a small label for the result.

Other meanings

  • stomachnoun
  • ranknoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word