아
a
hey (vocative)
Attaches after a name or noun ending in a consonant (야 after a vowel) when calling out to a friend, someone younger, or an animal.
Form
- Attaches to
- Noun
- Other shapes
- 야
Meanings
- 1
A postpositional particle used to address a friend, younger person, animal, etc.
친구나 아랫사람, 동물 등을 부를 때 쓰는 조사.
Examples
민준아, 이것 좀 봐 줘.
Minjun, take a look at this for me.
유민아, 나랑 같이 놀자.
Yumin, let's play together.
거북아, 너는 정말 느릿느릿 가는구나.
Turtle, you really do move so slowly.
얘들아, 우리 주말에 같이 나들이 갈까? 좋지. 어디로 갈까?
Hey guys, shall we go on an outing together this weekend? Sounds great. Where should we go?
얘들아, 우리 주말에 같이 나들이 갈까?
Hey guys, shall we go on an outing together this weekend?
좋지. 어디로 갈까?
Sounds great. Where should we go?
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘아’ mean?
2. Which form means “hey (vocative)”?