What does 어 mean?

Real-world examples

• ⭕

  어, 정말?

  eo, jeong-mal?, eo, jeong mal?

  Natural and friendly expression of surprise.

• ⭕

  어, 맞아.

  eo, maj-a., eo, maj a.

  A natural response agreeing with the other person.

• ❌

  어, 안녕하세요.

  eo, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo., eo, an nyeong ha se yo.

  '어' is informal and inappropriate for formal greetings.

• ⭕

  어, 그거 좋아.

  eo, geu-geo joh-a., eo, geu geo joh a.

  Shows positive response in casual conversation.

• ❌

  어, 감사합니다.

  eo, gam-sa-hap-ni-da., eo, gam sa hap ni da.

  '어' is an informal expression not suitable for polite thanks.

1. In which situation is '어' mainly used?

   '어'는 어떤 상황에서 주로 사용되나요?('eo'neuneo-tteonsang-hwang-e-seoju-rosa-yong-doe-na-yo?, 'eo'neuneotteonsanghwangeseojurosayongdoenayo?)
   • 공식적인 자리에서(gong-sik-jeok-inja-ri-e-seo, gongsikjeokinjarieseo)
   • 친근한 대화에서(chin-geun-handae-hwa-e-seo, chingeunhandaehwaeseo)
   • 글쓰기에서(geul-sseu-gi-e-seo, geulsseugieseo)
   • 비즈니스 미팅에서(bi-jeu-ni-seumi-ting-e-seo, bijeuniseumitingeseo)

2. Which sentence correctly uses '어'?

   '어'를 사용한 문장으로 올바른 것은?('eo'reulsa-yong-hanmun-jang-eu-rool-ba-reungeos-eun?, 'eo'reulsayonghanmunjangeuroolbareungeoseun?)
   • 어, 감사합니다.(eo,gam-sa-hap-ni-da., eo,gamsahapnida.)
   • 어, 정말?(eo,jeong-mal?, eo,jeongmal?)
   • 어, 안녕히 가세요.(eo,an-nyeong-higa-se-yo., eo,annyeonghigaseyo.)
   • 어, 죄송합니다.(eo,joe-song-hap-ni-da., eo,joesonghapnida.)

3. What tone is '어' appropriate for?

   '어'는 어떤 말투에 적합한가요?('eo'neuneo-tteonmal-tu-ejeok-hap-han-ga-yo?, 'eo'neuneotteonmaltuejeokhaphangayo?)
   • 존댓말(jon-daes-mal, jondaesmal)
   • 반말(ban-mal, banmal)
   • 격식체(gyeok-sik-che, gyeoksikche)
   • 공식적인 발표(gong-sik-jeok-inbal-pyo, gongsikjeokinbalpyo)