시조

Korean

Etymology 1

Sino-Korean word from 時調, from 時 (“time”) + 調 (“melody”), abbreviation of 시절가조(時節歌調) (sijeolgajo, “popular songs of this time”). Coined by the bard Yi Sechun (이세춘) in the era of King Yeongjo of Joseon.

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ɕʰid͡ʑo̞]
• Phonetic hangul: [시조]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	sijo
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	sijo
McCune–Reischauer?	sijo
Yale Romanization?	sico

Noun

시조 • (sijo) (hanja 時調)

1. sijo (a traditional lyrical form consisting of three long lines)

Etymology 2

Sino-Korean word from 始祖, from 始 (“first”) + 祖 (“grandfather”).

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ˈɕʰi(ː)d͡ʑo̞]
• Phonetic hangul: [시(ː)조]
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	sijo
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	sijo
McCune–Reischauer?	sijo
Yale Romanization?	sīco

Noun

시조 • (sijo) (hanja 始祖)

1. founder; ancestor of a clan or lineage