-이시여
Korean
Etymology
First attested in the early twentieth century.[1]
From a reanalysis of 이여 (-iyeo, “O”, exclamatory vocative particle) as being a suffixed form of the copula 이 (-i-), which was then made honorific with the suffix 시 (-si-).
Pronunciation
- (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA(key): [iɕʰijʌ̹]
- Phonetic hangul: [이시여]
| Romanizations | |
|---|---|
| Revised Romanization? | isiyeo |
| Revised Romanization (translit.)? | isiyeo |
| McCune–Reischauer? | isiyŏ |
| Yale Romanization? | isiye |
Particle
이시여 • (-isiyeo)
- (honorific) O honored... (vocative particle showing extreme respect.)
- 영명하신 신령이시여, 살려주소서.
- yeongmyeong-hasin sillyeong-isiyeo, sallyeo-jusoseo.
- O august divinity, save me.
- 임금이시여, 나라를 버리시나이까?
- imgeum-isiyeo, nara-reul beorisinaikka?
- O king, shall you abandon the nation?
Usage notes
- Usually used only when addressing deities and (in historical contexts) monarchs. In North Korea, it is used for the Supreme Leader.
- When the particle is used, the honorific suffix 님 (-nim) tends to be deleted.
References
- 이성우 (2016), “'이여'와 '이시여'의 문법적 지위와 차이 [The grammatical status and differences of -iye and -isiye]”, in Gugeohak, volume 77, pages 167—197