-이라우

Korean

Etymology

Shortened from 이라(고) 하오 (-i-ra(-go) ha-o, “[one] says that it is...”, in the semi-formal style).

Pronunciation

• (southern Jeolla) IPA^(key): [iɾa̠(w)]

Particle

-이라우 • (-irau)

1. (Jeolla dialect) Attached to nouns, or to the verb-final suffixes of the intimate style, to form the polite style (i.e. adding politeness).

   Synonyms: (Standard Korean, for verbs) -요 (-yo), (Standard Korean, for nouns) 이에요 (-i-eyo)

   • 1998, 이기갑 [igigap], “전남 방언의 상대높임법 [jeonnam bang'eonui sangdaenopimbeop, The addressee honorifics of the southern Jeolla dialect]”, in Hangul, volume 240, pages 355—396:

     차말로 좋아라우 […] 멋이라우? […] 차말로 좋게 해 놨등구만이라우. […] 여그서 멋 하신게라우?

     Chamal-lo joa-rau [ … ] meos-irau? [ … ] chamal-lo joke hae nwatdeungguman-irau. [ … ] yeogeu-seo meot hasin'ge-rau?

     I'm really pleased. […] What is this? […] They've done it really well. […] What are you doing here?

Usage notes

• It cannot be used after -어 (-eo, infinitive suffix) when said suffix is used to convey new questions or orders. When it is used after -어 (-eo) in such moods, it is always when repeating a previously stated question or order, in an echo question repeating back a question one has been asked, or in a rhetorical question.

Alternative forms

• -라우 (-rau) — after vowels
• 라오 (rao), -이라오 (-irao) — dated or archaic (primary form in 1930s)
• -라 (-ra), -이라 (-ira) — more common in eastern Jeolla