주사위

Korean

Etymology

First attested in the Bak Tongsa eonhae (朴通事諺解 / 박통사언해), 1677, as Early Modern Korean 츄사ᄋᆞ (Yale: chyusao).

The second element 사ᄋᆞ (Yale: sao) is from Early Mandarin 色兒／色儿 (shǎir, “dice”). The first syllable is probably also from Mandarin, but the source is not immediately clear; 朱 (zhū, “red”) and 酒 (jiǔ, “alcoholic drink”) have been suggested, but the initial consonants do not match.

Pronunciation

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [t͡ɕusʰa̠ɥi] ~ [t͡ɕusʰa̠y]
• Phonetic hangul: [주사위]

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?	jusawi
Revised Romanization (translit.)?	jusawi
McCune–Reischauer?	chusawi
Yale Romanization?	cwusawi

Noun

주사위 • (jusawi)

1. die/dice

   주사위를 던지다 ― jusawi-reul deonjida ― to throw dice

   주사위가 책상 밑으로 굴러떨어졌다.

   Jusawi-ga chaeksang mit-euro gulleo-tteoreojeotda.

   The dice rolled under the table.