Dictionary — Entry No. 0966
귀
gwi · noun
귀
gwi
[GWEE]
nounbeginner
Meaning
The ear; the organ of hearing. Metaphorically relates to listening, attention, and willingness to receive information or advice. Central to the concept of ‘nunchit’ (reading a room).
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
‘Gwi’ appears in phrases about character: having a ‘good ear’ (좋은 귀) means you listen well and take advice. Conversely, ‘closed ears’ (귀가 닫히다) means refusing to listen. Business and relationships depend on this.
Example Sentences
귀한 말을 들었어요
gwi-han mal-eul deul-ess-eo-yo
I heard precious/wise words (formal, showing respect for advice)
그 사람은 귀가 열려 있어
geu saram-eun gwi-ga yeol-lyeo iss-eo
That person’s ears are open (they listen, humble)
귀를 기울여야 해
gwi-reul giul-lyeo-ya hae
You must lend an ear (pay attention, listen carefully)
⚠️ Don’t use gwi when…
Gwi (귀) and gwi-han (귀한) are different—gwi-han means ‘precious/rare,’ NOT related to the organ. ‘Gwi’ compounds are usually metaphorical, not physical.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Tomorrow — The protagonist learns to ‘keep his ears open’ to others’ pain, central to healing
- K-Pop: Stray Kids ‘Chill Guy’ — members emphasize listening to fans (귀 기울이기) as part of their artist ethos
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.