What does 위 mean?

위 (wi)

'위' in Korean means position, body part, or rank depending on context.

Korean word 위 meaning top, stomach, or rank

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

(wi)

'위' primarily means 'position' or 'top,' and can also mean the stomach (胃) or rank/status.

Nuances

  • Often means 'upper part' spatially.
  • Medically refers to the stomach.
  • Can indicate social rank or grade.
  • Context is key when used alone.

When to use

Describing location, Health conversation, Hierarchy in organization

In context

'위' is a noun used to indicate position, body part, or status depending on context. It is used in both formal and informal speech.

Real-world examples

  • 책상 위에 책이 있어요.

    chaek-sang wi-e chaek-i iss-eo-yo., chaek sang wi e chaek i iss eo yo.

    '위' correctly indicates a location here.

  • 나는 위가 아파서 병원에 갔어요.

    na-neun wi-ga a-pa-seo byeong-won-e gass-eo-yo., na neun wi ga a pa seo byeong won e gass eo yo.

    '위' refers to the stomach as a body part.

  • 그는 회사에서 높은 위를 차지하고 있다.

    geu-neun hoe-sa-e-seo nop-eun wi-reul cha-ji-ha-go iss-da., geu neun hoe sa e seo nop eun wi reul cha ji ha go iss da.

    '위' properly indicates rank or status.

  • 위에 앉아 있어요.

    wi-e an-a iss-eo-yo., wi e an a iss eo yo.

    The sentence is actually correct; '위에' + verb is natural.

  • 위가 높은 사람을 존경해요.

    wi-ga nop-eun sa-ram-eul jon-gyeong-hae-yo., wi ga nop eun sa ram eul jon gyeong hae yo.

    '위' meaning rank combines naturally with '높은'.

Quick quiz

  1. What does '위' mean?

    '위'가 의미하는 것은 무엇인가요?('wi'gaui-mi-ha-neungeos-eunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, 'wi'gauimihaneungeoseunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses '위' as a body part?

    다음 중 '위'가 신체 부위로 쓰인 예문은?(da-eumjung'wi'gasin-chebu-wi-rosseu-inye-mun-eun?, daeumjung'wi'gasinchebuwirosseuinyemuneun?)
  3. Which sentence shows '위' meaning location?

    '위'가 위치를 나타내는 문장은?('wi'gawi-chi-reulna-ta-nae-neunmun-jang-eun?, 'wi'gawichireulnatanaeneunmunjangeun?)

More meaning guides

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