What does 우리 (uri) mean?
- 우리uri
We / our (often "my")
Fine in most situations
우리 (uri) means "we" or "our." Koreans also use it where English uses "my," as in 우리 엄마 (my mom) or 우리 집 (my home).
How to use 우리
As "we," 우리 works like in English: 우리 가자 means "Let's go (us)." Starting a suggestion with 우리 makes it feel friendly and inclusive.
As "our," it shows closeness and belonging. Koreans say 우리 엄마, 우리 회사 (my company) and even 우리 남편 (my husband) without meaning the listener shares them. Fans also say 우리 오빠 or 우리 애들 for their favorite idols.
In polite or formal speech, when the listener is not part of the group, the humble form 저희 is used instead, as in 저희 회사. Do not use 저희 for Korea itself, though: it is always 우리나라.
Examples
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Inviting a friend over
Making a new friend at school
A fan cheering for a favorite idol
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 저희 | we / our (humble) | Polite form when talking to someone outside the group. |
| 우리나라 | Korea (lit. our country) | How Koreans refer to their own country. |
| 우리 집 | my home / our house | Very common phrase. |
| 우리들 | we / us | Emphasizes the group. |
Questions learners ask
Why do Koreans say "our" instead of "my"?
Korean culture puts weight on the group, so 우리 is used for family, home, school and country. 우리 엄마 just means "my mom."
What is the difference between uri and jeohui?
Both mean we or our. 저희 is the humble, polite form used when speaking to someone outside your group, and 우리 is the everyday form.
Do married women really say "our husband"?
Yes. 우리 남편 is completely normal and simply means "my husband." No one takes it literally.