어머
A spontaneous "oh my!" or "OMG" — Korean's most common interjection of surprise, especially among women and older speakers.
- Meaning: A spontaneous "oh my!" or "OMG" — Korean's most common interjection of surprise, especially among women and older speakers.
- Pronunciation: /ʌ.mʌ/ (omo)
- Part of speech: interjection
- Formality: Casual — for friends, family, and close peers.
- Literal: oh / oh my (purely an exclamation)
What does 어머 mean?
어머 (eomeo, often romanized "omo" or "omona") is one of Korean's oldest and most-used interjections of surprise. It expresses a quick, often visceral reaction — to shocking news, a startled bump, a sudden cute thing, a price tag higher than expected. The lengthened form 어머나 (eomeona) adds intensity. Doubled and tripled forms — 어머어머, 어머어머어머 — escalate the reaction. Although associated with women and older speakers in earlier generations, modern Korean uses 어머 widely across genders, especially in casual reactions. It dominates K-drama dialogue and viral video reactions. Romanization varies: "omo," "omona," and "eomeo" all refer to the same word.
Examples in context
When to use 어머
- Quick reactions to surprising or shocking moments
- Cute/pleasant surprise (a baby, a gift, fresh flowers)
- Casual conversation, K-drama-style reactions
- Reacting on social media or vlogs
When NOT to use 어머
- Formal speech — sounds out of place
- When you need a precise reaction word — 어머 is broad
- Written reports, business contexts
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Frequently asked questions
What does 어머 (omo) mean in Korean?
어머 (eomeo, also romanized "omo") is a Korean interjection meaning "oh my!" or "OMG." It is the most common Korean reaction word for surprise — heard constantly in K-dramas, vlogs, and everyday conversation, especially among women and older speakers, but used across all groups in modern Korean.
Is 어머 the same as 오모?
They are two romanizations of the same Korean word. The Revised Romanization writes it 어머 / "eomeo," but English speakers often spell it "omo" or "omona" because it sounds closer to those when said quickly. All refer to the same exclamation.
Can men say 어머?
Yes. While 어머 was historically more common among women, modern Korean uses it universally, especially in spontaneous casual reactions. K-pop male idols use it in variety shows; men say it when genuinely startled.
How is 어머 pronounced?
어머 is pronounced [ʌ.mʌ] — "uh-muh" with two short, equally-weighted syllables. The vowels are open and unstressed. Casual romanizations "omo" and "omona" attempt to capture the rhythm in English.
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.