Korean

Syllable

씨 • ‎(ssi)

1. A Hangul syllabic block made up of ㅆ and ㅣ.

Etymology 2

Of native Korean origin.

Noun

씨 • ‎(ssi)

1. seed, kernel
2. semen
3. breed, offspring
4. gene
5. woof, weft
6. part of speech

Synonyms

• 씨앗 (ssiat, “seed, grain”)
• 종 (種, jong, “variety”)
• 종자 (種子, jongja, “seed”)

Antonyms

• 날 (nal, “warp”)

Derived terms

Etymology 3

Sino-Korean word from 氏

Noun

씨 • ‎(ssi)

1. sir or madam, Mr. or Ms.

   안녕하십니까, 찬호씨?‎

   Annyeonghasimnikka, Chanho-ssi?

   How are you, Mr. Chanho?

2. lineage; surname

Usage notes

Applying this honorific directly to a surname is considered rude or a way of indicting that the addressee is a social inferior. As a mark of respect, it should follow either the full name or just the given name.

In an organization, using 씨 means the referent has no job title, and it is not appropriate even when the title is minor.

	Higher	Equal or lower
		With a title	Without a title	Familiar
Family name	홍 과장님 Manager Hong	홍 과장 Manager Hong	—	—
Full name	홍길동 과장님 Manager Hong Gildong	홍길동 과장 Manager Hong Gildong	홍길동 씨 Mr. Hong Gildong	—
Given name	—	길동 과장 Manager Gildong	길동 씨 Gildong	길동이 Gildong
No name	과장님 Manager	—	—	—

Syllable

씨 (ssi)

1. 氏: wife

   (eumhun reading: 각시 씨 ‎(gaksi ssi))

Etymology 4

From 씨발 (ssibal) or 씨팔 (ssipal).

Particle

씨 • ‎(ssi)

1. ****

   아 추워 씨!‎

   A chuwo ssi!

   Oh ****, it's cold!

Usage notes

Added at the end of a sentence.