-으이

See also: -으이-

Korean

Alternative forms

• 이 (-i) — after vowels and ㄹ (l)

Etymology

From a colloquial Middle Korean suffix 으이〮/ᄋᆞ이〮 (Yale: -uí/oí), more commonly attested in the sixteenth century. The traditional interpretation sees this as from 으〮ᅌᅵ/ᄋᆞ〮ᅌᅵ (Yale: -úngì/óngì-, addressee-honoring suffix); compare Gyeongsang Korean 으이 (-eu'i-). However, Jang Yun-hui rejects this..^[1]

In either case, related to verbal endings 네 (-ne), 데 (-de), possibly 소 (-so).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ɯi]
• Phonetic hangul: [으이]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	eu'i
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	eu'i
McCune–Reischauer?	ŭi
Yale Romanization?	ui

Suffix

으이 • (-eu'i)

1. (dated, archaic or dialectal) A familiar style declarative ending.

   고마우이. ― Gomau-i. ― Thank you.

   날이 차이. 돌아갈 때 조심하시게.

   Nar-i cha-i. Dora-gal ttae josim-ha-si-ge.

   It's cold today. Be cautious when you return.

   Audio (South Korea):

   (file)

References

1. 장윤희 [jang'yunhui] (1997) “중세국어 종결어미 '(으)이'의 분석과 그 문법사적 의의 [jungsegugeo jonggyeoreomi (-eu)i ui bunseokgwa geu munbeopsajeok uiui, Analysis of the Middle Korean sentence ender (-u)i and its significance in grammatical history]”, in Gugeohak, volume 30, pages 103—140