Korean

Syllable

우 • ‎(u)

1. A Hangul syllabic block made up of ㅇ and ㅜ.

Etymology 2

Of native Korean origin.

Adverb

우 • ‎(u)

1. suddenly

Noun

우 • ‎(u)

1. the name of the hangeul vowel ㅜ (u)
2. (North Korea) above; top
   • 2004 October 10, "구름우에 솟은 《왕》들의 집-13개의 분교" (The House of "Kings", Soaring Above the Clouds), KCNA:

     이곳에서 내려다보면 마치 구름우에 분교와 마을이 둥둥 떠있는것만 같다.

     igos-eseo naeryeodabomyeon machi gureum-u-e bun-gyo-wa ma-eur-i dungdung tteo-inneun-geon-man gatda.

     Looking down from here, it looks just like the schoolhouse and the village are floating separately above the clouds.

Alternative forms

• (above): 위 (wi) (South Korea)

Etymology 3

Of native Korean origin.

Suffix

우 • ‎(u)

1. a suffix deriving a causative verb.
   • 자리가 비었다. (Jariga bieotda., “The seat became empty.”) → 사장이 자리를 비웠다. (Sajang-i jarireul biwotda., “The boss is absent. (The boss made his seat empty.)”)

Synonyms

• -이 (i)/히 (hi)/리 (ri)/기 (gi)/구 (gu)/추 (chu)- : suffixes deriving causative verbs.

Etymology 4

Of native Korean origin.

Alternative forms

• 수 (su)

Suffix

우 • ‎(u)

1. one of the middle style (하오체) declarative, interrogative, and imperative endings, often used by senior women to higher but familiar women.
   • 언니는 빨간 날에 어디 가시우? (Eonnineun ppalgan nare eodi gasiu?, “Where are you going on the holiday?”)

Usage notes

This is used after a vowel, or the consonant ㄹ (l) in which case the ㄹ (l) falls out. After a consonant other than ㄹ (l), 수 (su) is used instead.

Synonyms

• 오 (o) / 소 (so)

Etymology 5

Korean reading of various Chinese characters.

Noun

우 • ‎(u) ‎(hanja 右)

1. the right side

우 • ‎(u) ‎(hanja 愚)

1. foolishness

우 • ‎(u) ‎(hanja 優)

1. superiority; excellence

우 • ‎(u) ‎(hanja 羽)

1. the fifth note in the pentatonic scale; la