# 예

| 예 | U+C608, &#50696; HANGUL SYLLABLE YE |
| Composition: | ㅇ + ㅖ |
| ← 옇 [U+C607] | Hangul Syllables | 옉 → [U+C609] |
예옉옊옋옌옍옎 옏옐옑옒옓옔옕 옖옗옘옙옚옛옜 옝옞옟옠옡옢옣 :
| 여 ← | → 오 |

## Early Modern Korean
### Etymology 1

From Middle Korean 이ᅌᅦ (ìngèy).

#### Pronunciation

* (c. 1750) IPA: [jəj]

#### Pronoun

예 (yey)
* here
    Synonym: 여긔 (yeogui)
** after 1795, 李洙 (I Su) [Lee Soo] et al., chapter 111, in 重刊老乞大諺解 (Junggan Nogeoldae Eonhae) [Reprinted Nogeoldae, with Korean Interpretation]‎, volume 2:예 이셔 두어 ᄃᆞᆯ […]yey isye twue tol […]being here for several months […]

##### Descendants

* Korean: 예 (ye)

### Etymology 2

From Middle Korean 예〯 (Yěy), from Old Korean 倭理 (*YEri, “Japanese”). This is among the only native (non-Sino-Korean) Korean terms for ethnic groups that survive in the written record.

#### Pronunciation

* (c. 1750) IPA: [jəːj]

#### Noun

예 (Yey) (occasional hanja form 穢)
* Japanese [until 1930s in some dialects]
    Synonym: 왜인(倭人) (Wayin)

##### Usage notes

* The hanja 穢(예) (ye, literally “filthy, obscene”) was sometimes assigned to this word, either pejoratively or out of a genuine misunderstanding that this was the origin of the word.

## Korean
### Etymology 1

Not attested in Middle Korean. Probably from the same source as 네 (ne), plausibly *녜 (*nye) (not directly attested).

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [je̞(ː)]
* Phonetic hangul: [예(ː)]
** Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

#### Interjection

예 • (ye)
* (formal) yes (affirms the truth of the question as stated)
    한 번은 가보셨습니까? — 예, 가본 적 있습니다.Han beon-eun ga-bosyeotseumnikka? - ye, ga-bon jeok itseumnida.Have you been there at least once? — Yes, I have been there.
    한 번도 가본 적 없습니까? — 예, 없습니다.Han beon-do ga-bon jeok eopseumnikka? - ye, eopseumnida.Have you never been there? — No [lit. Yes], never.
** late 19th c., 열여춘향슈졀가 上 [Song of the Virtuous Girl Chunhyang Preserving her Chastity]:통인아 예 져 건네 화류 즁의 오락가락 힛ᄯᅳᆨ힛ᄯᅳᆨ 얼는얼는 ᄒᆞ는 겨 무어신지 자셔이 보와라Tong'ina ye jeo geonne hwaryu jung-ui orakgarak hittteukhittteuk eolleuneolleun haneun gyeo mueosinji jasyeoi bowara"Hey, Tong-in!" "Yes, sir." "Go look carefully at what that thing over there, amid the flowers and willows, might be: the thing that is hurrying back and forth in flashes of white."

##### Usage notes

* Korean has a number of words for "yes". 예 (ye) is highly polite and formal (appropriate in an interview), 네 (ne) is polite but less formal (appropriate in a conversation with parents), and 응 (eung) and 어 (eo) are plain and non-formal (appropriate in a conversation with friends).
* As in the example above, Korean "yes" follows the polarity of the question, unlike in English. Hence saying "yes" to a negatively stated question means that the negative is true.

##### Derived terms

* 예예 (yeye)

### Etymology 2

Sino-Korean word from 例 (“example”), from the Middle Korean reading 례〯 (Yale: lyěy).

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [je̞(ː)]
* Phonetic hangul: [예(ː)]
** Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

#### Noun

| South Korean Standard Language | 예(例) (ye) |
| North Korean Standard Language | 례(例) (rye) |
예 • (ye) (hanja 例)
* example
    Synonyms: 사례(事例) (sarye), 예시(例示) (yesi), 일례(一例) (illye)
    조리예 ― joriye ― serving suggestion
    예를 들자면, 일주일에 5kg을 감량하는 것은 현실적이지 않습니다.Ye-reul deulja-myeon, ilju'ir-e okillogeuraem-eul gamnyanghaneun geos-eun hyeonsiljeog-iji anseumnida.To give an example, losing 5 kilograms in a week is not a realistic goal.
** 2014, B.I, Ju-ne, Bobby (lyrics and music), “Rhythm Ta”, in Welcome Back (full album):우린 가리는 거 없어 예를 들면 때와 장소urin garineun geo eopseo ye-reul deulmyeon ttae-wa jangsowe ain't fussy, for example with things like a time and place

##### Usage notes

* This is often formatted as "예)" in textbooks and literature.

##### Derived terms

* See the hanja entry at 例 for Sino-Korean compounds of 예 (例, ye).

##### See also

* 본보기 (bonbogi, “good example, example for others”)

### Etymology 3

Sino-Korean word from 禮 (“ritual, etiquette”), from the Middle Korean reading 례〮 (Yale: lyéy), 녜 (Yale: nyey).

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [je̞]
* Phonetic hangul: [예]

#### Noun

| South Korean Standard Language | 예(禮) (ye) |
| North Korean Standard Language | 례(禮) (rye) |
예 • (ye) (hanja 禮)
* (especially Confucianism) decorum, ceremonial (code of decorous behavior that all people ought to follow)

##### Derived terms

* See the hanja entry at 禮 for Sino-Korean compounds of 예 (禮, ye).

### Etymology 4

First attested in the Yongbi eocheon'ga (龍飛御天歌 / 용비어천가), 1447, as Middle Korean 녜〯 (Yale: nyěy).

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [je̞(ː)]
* Phonetic hangul: [예(ː)]
** Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

#### Noun

예 • (ye)
* (in idiomatic expressions) ancient times, antiquity, old times
    Synonym: (much more common) 옛날 (yennal)
    예로부터 우리나라는 동방예의지국으로 알려져왔다.Ye-ro-buteo urinara-neun dongbang'yeuijigug-euro allyeojeo-watda.Since ancient times, Korea has been known as the "eastern land of decorum".

##### Usage notes

* Now used primarily in the following expressions:
** 예나 지금이나 ― ye-na jigeum-ina ― whether in old times or nowadays
** 예로부터 ― ye-ro-buteo ― since ancient times

##### Related terms

* 옛 (yet, “old”)

### Etymology 5

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean 이ᅌᅦ (Yale: ìngèy), equivalent to a contraction of modern 여기 (yeogi, “here”).

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [je̞]
* Phonetic hangul: [예]

#### Pronoun

예 • (ye)
* (dated or dialectal) here
    Coordinate terms: (distal) 제 (je, “there”), (mesial) 게 (ge, “there”)
    예가 어디라고 감히 찾아와!ye-ga eodi-rago gamhi chaja-wa!Where do you think this is, that you dare to show up!

### Etymology 6

Sino-Korean word from 濊.

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [je̞]
* Phonetic hangul: [예]

#### Proper noun

예 • (Ye) (hanja 濊)
* an ancient tribe living in Korea in the early first millennium
    Hypernym: 예맥(濊貊) (yemaek)

##### Derived terms

* See the hanja entry at 濊 for Sino-Korean compounds of 예 (濊, ye).

### Etymology 7

Sino-Korean word from 羿.

#### Pronunciation

* (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA: [je̞]
* Phonetic hangul: [예]

#### Proper noun

예 • (Ye) (hanja 羿)
* Hou Yi, a legendary archer in Chinese mythology

##### Derived terms

* See the hanja entry at 羿 for Sino-Korean compounds of 예 (羿, ye).

### Etymology 8

Modern Korean reading of various Chinese characters, from the Middle Korean reading 예 (Yale: yey).

#### Syllable

예 • (ye)
* 豫: beforehand
    (eumhun reading: 미리 예 (miri ye)) (MC reading: 豫 (MC yoH))
* 預: entrust
    (eumhun reading: 맡길 예 (matgil ye)) (MC reading: 預 (MC yoH))
* 藝: skill
    (eumhun reading: 재주 예 (jaeju ye)) (MC reading: 藝 (MC ngjiejH))
* 譽: praise
    (eumhun reading: 기릴 예 (giril ye)) (MC reading: 譽 (MC yo|yoH))
* 銳: sharp
    (eumhun reading: 날카로울 예 (nalkaroul ye)) (MC reading: 銳 (MC ywejH|dwajH))
* 隸: servant (in e.g. 노예(奴隸) (noye, “slave”))
    (eumhun reading: 종 예 (jong ye)) (MC reading: 隸 (MC lejH))
* 芮: used as a surname
    (eumhun reading: 성씨 예 (seongssi ye)) (MC reading: 芮 (MC nywejH))
* 詣: attain
    (eumhun reading: 이를 예 (ireul ye)) (MC reading: 詣 (MC ngejH))
* 裔: descendant, heir
    (eumhun reading: 후손 예 (huson ye)) (MC reading: 裔 (MC yejH))
* 刈: cut
    (eumhun reading: 벨 예 (bel ye)) (MC reading: 刈 (MC ngjojH))
* 睿: wisdom
    (eumhun reading: 슬기 예 (seulgi ye)) (MC reading: 睿 (MC ywejH))
* 曳: drag
    (eumhun reading: 끌 예 (kkeul ye)) (MC reading: 曳 (MC yejH))
* 叡: bright, clever
    (eumhun reading: 밝을 예 (balgeul ye)) (MC reading: 叡 (MC ywejH))
* 倪: child
    (eumhun reading: 어린이 예 (eorini ye)) (MC reading: 倪 (MC ngej))
* 濊: vast and deep
    (eumhun reading: 깊고 넓은 예 (gipgo neolbeun ye)) (MC reading: 濊 (MC xwajH|'wajH|'jwojH|xwat))
* 霓: rainbow
    (eumhun reading: 무지개 예 (mujigae ye)) (MC reading: 霓 (MC ngej|ngejH|nget))
* 猊: lion
    (eumhun reading: 사자 예 (saja ye)) (MC reading: 猊 (MC ngej))
* 蘂: stamen
    (eumhun reading: 꽃술 예 (kkotsul ye)) (MC reading: 蘂 (MC nyweX))
* 汭: river bend
    (eumhun reading: 물굽이 예 (mulgubi ye)) (MC reading: 汭 (MC nywejH))
* 乂: punish
    (eumhun reading: 징계할 예 (jinggyehal ye)) (MC reading: 乂 (MC ngjojH))
* 穢: filthy
    (eumhun reading: 더러울 예 (deoreoul ye)) (MC reading: 穢 (MC 'jwojH))
* 囈: somniloquy
    (eumhun reading: 잠꼬대 예 (jamkkodae ye)) (MC reading: 囈 (MC ngjiejH))
* 嫛: newborn
    (eumhun reading: 갓난아이 예 (gannanai ye)) (MC reading: 嫛 (MC 'ej))
* 拽: Alternative form of 曳
    (MC reading: 拽 (MC dzrweaj))
* 掜: compare
    (eumhun reading: 비길 예 (bigil ye)) (MC reading: 掜 (MC nrea|ngejX))
* 枘: tool handle
    (eumhun reading: 장부 예 (jangbu ye)) (MC reading: 枘 (MC nywejH))
* 獩: an ancient tribe
    (eumhun reading: 민족 이름 예 (minjok ireum ye)) (MC reading: 獩 (MC 'jwojH))
* 睨: look askance
    (eumhun reading: 흘겨볼 예 (heulgyeobol ye)) (MC reading: 睨 (MC ngejH))
* 瞖: cataract in the eye
    (eumhun reading: 백태 낄 예 (baektae kkil ye)) (MC reading: 瞖 (MC 'ejH))
* 繄: spear handle
    (eumhun reading: 창전대 예 (changjeondae ye)) (MC reading: 繄 (MC 'ej|'ejH))
* 翳: cover from the sun, shade
    (eumhun reading: 일산 예 (ilsan ye)) (MC reading: 翳 (MC 'ej|'ejH))
* 苅: Alternative form of 刈
    (MC reading: 苅)
* 蕊: Alternative form of 蘂
    (MC reading: 蕊 (MC nyweX|nywijX))
* 蕋: Alternative form of 蘂
    (MC reading: 蕋)
* 薉: coarse
    (eumhun reading: 거칠 예 (geochil ye)) (MC reading: 薉 (MC 'jwojH))
* 蚋: black fly
    (eumhun reading: 파리매 예 (parimae ye)) (MC reading: 蚋)
* 蜺: Alternative form of 霓
    (MC reading: 蜺 (MC ngej|nget))
* 鯢: salamander
    (eumhun reading: 도롱뇽 예 (dorongnyong ye)) (MC reading: 鯢 (MC ngej))
* 鷖: seagull
    (eumhun reading: 갈매기 예 (galmaegi ye)) (MC reading: 鷖 (MC 'ej))

### Etymology 9

South Korean reading of various Chinese characters in isolation or as the first element of a compound, and also the reading in most dialects in 1945, excluding Pyongan and Yukjin, where they are pronounced in this position as 네 (ne) in Pyongan or as 녜 (nye) in Yukjin.
From Middle Korean 례 (Yale: lyey). When preceded by another character in a compound, they retain the original 례 (rye) form.
In the North Korean standard, they are always read as 례 (rye), but this is an artificial imposition intended to standardize Sino-Korean readings, which did not reflect any major dialect's pronunciation in 1945.

#### Syllable

예 • (ye)
* 例: law, example
    (eumhun reading: 법식 예 (beopsik ye)) (MC reading: 例 (MC ljejH))
* 禮: etiquette, decorum
    (eumhun reading: 예절 예 (yejeol ye)) (MC reading: 禮 (MC lejX))
* 隷: servant
    (eumhun reading: 종 예 (jong ye)) (MC reading: 隷 (MC lejH))
* 醴: rice drink
    (eumhun reading: 단술 예 (dansul ye)) (MC reading: 醴 (MC lejX))
* 澧: name of a Chinese river
    (eumhun reading: 강 이름 예 (gang ireum ye)) (MC reading: 澧 (MC lejX))
* 隸: servant
    (eumhun reading: 종 예 (jong ye)) (MC reading: 隸 (MC lejH))
* 鱧: snakehead
    (eumhun reading: 가물치 예 (gamulchi ye)) (MC reading: 鱧 (MC lejX))

## Middle Korean
### Etymology

From Old Korean 倭理 (*YEri, “Japanese”), today replaced by Sino-Korean terms in all modern dialects.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /jə̌j/

### Noun

예〯 (Yěy)
* the Japanese
** 1447, “Stanza 52”, in 龍飛御天歌 / 용비어천가 [Yongbi eocheon'ga]:請(쳐ᇰ)으〮로〮 온 예〯와〮 싸호〮샤〮 투〮구〮 아니〮 밧기〮시면〮 나랏〮 小(쇼)民(민)을〮 사ᄅᆞ시〮리〮ᅌᅵᆺ가〮CHYENG-úlwó wòn Yěy-Gwoá ssàhwósyá thwúkwú àní pàskísìmyén nàlá-s SYWO.MIN-úl sàlòsílíngìskáIf [he] had not been called to combat the hundreds of Japanese and not removed the helmet [of the Japanese general], would he have saved the poor people [of Korea]?

#### Descendants

* Early Modern Korean: 예 (Yey, “Japanese”)

### See also

* 되〯 (twǒy, “Jurchen”)