How to say "Oh dear / ugh" in Korean
The natural way Koreans say "Oh dear / ugh" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.
아이고
aigo
Literally: Aigo.
When to use it
The all-purpose sigh. Sympathy, exhaustion, mild exasperation, pity - the tone does all the work. You will hear it from older Koreans constantly.
Polite form
- 아이고aigoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 아이고 참aigo cham= Oh honestlyAdds a note of exasperation.
- 아휴ahyu= Ugh / sighCloser to pure tiredness than sympathy.
In a sentence
- 아이고, 고생했다.aigo, gosaenghaetda.Oh dear, you've been through a lot.
- 아이고, 무거워.aigo, mugeowo.Ugh, this is heavy.
Practise this one. These phrases are in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes.
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