KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
아이고!
a·i·go
aigo!
Oh dear! / Oh no! / Goodness!
Cultural Insight
아이고 is arguably the most culturally Korean exclamation there is. Used by grandparents in pain, parents upon hearing bad news, and workers in exhaustion, it transcends age and gender. Hearing 아이고 gives an instant window into the speaker’s emotional state — pure and unfiltered Korean expression.
Phrase Breakdown
아이고
aigo
oh dear / oh no / oh my
A deeply Korean interjection with no direct translation
!
exclamation
Intensity varies with intonation
One of Korea’s most expressive interjections — used across a wide range of emotional situations.
Example Phrases
아이고, 허리가 너무 아파요!
Aigo, heoriga neomu apayo!
Oh my goodness, my back hurts so much!
허리 = lower back/waist.
아이고, 깜빡했다!
Aigo, kkamppakaeotda!
Oh no, I forgot!
깜빡하다 = to forget momentarily.
아이고, 이게 무슨 일이에요?
Aigo, ige museun ilieyo?
Oh dear, what is happening here?
무슨 일이에요? = what’s going on?
Related Phrases
어머!
eomeo!
Oh my! (feminine surprise)
Feminine exclamation of surprise.
세상에!
sesange!
Good heavens! / My word!
Strong exclamation of disbelief.
이런!
ireon!
Oh gosh! / Like this!
Mild exclamation of dismay.
Quick Review
몸 조심해요
Can you recall what this means?
mom josimhaeyo
Take care of your body / Stay healthy