글월

Korean

Etymology

First attested in the Yongbi eocheon'ga (龍飛御天歌 / 용비어천가), 1447, as Middle Korean 글ᄫᅡᆯ〮 (Yale: kùlWál). Also attested in the Hunminjeong'eum eonhae (訓民正音諺解本 / 훈민정음언해본), 1446, as Middle Korean 글왈〮 (Yale: kùlwál). Also attested in the Worin seokbo (月印釋譜 / 월인석보), 1459, as Middle Korean 글월〮 (Yale: kùlwál), reflecting vowel harmony.

Possibly related to Goguryeo *斤尸 (*kɨl), appearing in place name glosses of the Samguk Sagi as an equivalent to Chinese 文 (“writing”). Compare modern 글 (geul, “writing”).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [kɯɾwʌ̹ɭ]
• Phonetic hangul: [그뤌]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	geurwol
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	geul'wol
McCune–Reischauer?	kŭrwŏl
Yale Romanization?	kul.wel

Noun

글월 • (geurwol)

1. text
2. letter

   Synonym: 편지(便紙) (pyeonji)

3. (archaic) contract

Derived terms

• 밑글월 (mitgeurwol, “original (of a document)”)
• 말글월 (malgeurwol, “a contract for buying a horse”)
• 다짐글월 (dajimgeurwol, “written oath”)