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-이시여

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Korean

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Etymology

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First attested in the early twentieth century.[1]

From a reanalysis of 이여 (-iyeo, O, exclamatory vocative particle) as being a suffixed form of the copula (-i-), which was then made honorific with the suffix (-si-).

Pronunciation

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Romanizations
Revised Romanization?isiyeo
Revised Romanization (translit.)?isiyeo
McCune–Reischauer?isiyŏ
Yale Romanization?isiye

Particle

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이시여 (-isiyeo)

  1. (honorific) O honored... (vocative particle showing extreme respect.)
    영명하신 신령이시여, 살려주소서.
    Yeongmyeong-hasin sillyeong-isiyeo, sallyeo-jusoseo.
    O august divinity, save me.
    임금이시여, 나라 버리시나이까?
    imgeum-isiyeo, nara-reul beorisinaikka?
    O king, shall you abandon the nation?

Usage notes

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  • Usually used only when addressing deities and (in historical contexts) monarchs. In North Korea, it is used for the Supreme Leader.
  • When the particle is used, the honorific suffix (-nim) tends to be deleted.

References

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  1. ^ 이성우 [iseong'u] (2016) “'이여'와 '이시여'의 문법적 지위와 차이 [iyeo wa isiyeo ui munbeopjeok jiwiwa chai, The grammatical status and differences of -iye and -isiye]”, in Gugeohak, volume 77, pages 167—197