Korean word

이리저리

Pronunciation

Romanizationirijeori

Meaning

  • adverbhere and there

Example

아이들이 이리저리 뛰어다닌다.a i deu ri i ri jeo ri ttwi eo da nin da

The children run here and there.

Illustration for 이리저리 (here and there)

More examples

짐이 차 안에서 이리저리 굴러다녔다.chi mi cha a ne seo i ri jeo ri kul leo da nyeot tta

The luggage rolled around inside the car.

Core concept

Movement or attention shifts loosely among several places, directions, or options rather than staying fixed.

Common phrases

  • 이리저리 뛰어다니다i ri jeo ri ttwi eo da ni da

    run here and there

  • 이리저리 돌아다니다i ri jeo ri to ra da ni da

    wander here and there

  • 이리저리 부딪치다i ri jeo ri pu dit chi da

    bump into things here and there

Similar words

여기저기yeogijeogi: Being spread across several loosely specified places instead of staying in one spot.
이쪽저쪽ijjokjjeojjok: Going back and forth between one side or direction and another.
우왕좌왕uwangjwawang: Moving around in confusion without knowing which way to go.

Definition in Korean

대상이나 상황이 일정하지 않고 여러 곳으로 바뀌거나 분산되는 느낌을 나타내는 부사tae sang i na sang hwang i il jeong ha ji an ko yeo reo ko seu ro pa kkwi geo na pun san doe neun neu kki meul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

이리 (iri, "this way") + 저리 (jeori, "that way") forms a repeated directional expression, suggesting movement or change without a fixed pattern.

Usage tips

  • For TOPIK reading, notice that it can describe an unsettled plan or discussion as well as physical movement, so it is not limited to location.

Other meanings

  • back and forthadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word