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열쇠. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
열쇠, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
열쇠 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
열쇠 you have here. The definition of the word
열쇠 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
열쇠, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Korean
Etymology
First attested in the Myobeomnyeonhwagyeong eonhae (妙法蓮華經諺解 / 묘법연화경언해), 1463, as Middle Korean 엸〯쇠〮 (Yale: yěl-s-swóy). From 열— (yeol-, “to open”) + 쇠 (soe, “metal”). The phonological resemblance to Chinese 鑰匙 (yàoshi, “key”) is coincidental.
Pronunciation
- (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA(key): ~
- Phonetic hangul:
- Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.
| Romanizations |
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| Revised Romanization? | yeolsoe |
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| Revised Romanization (translit.)? | yeolsoe |
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| McCune–Reischauer? | yŏlssoe |
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| Yale Romanization? | yēlqsoy |
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Noun
열쇠 • (yeolsoe)
- key
열쇠로 자물쇠를 열다- yeolsoe-ro jamulsoe-reul yeolda
- open a lock with a key
- (figuratively) means
- 행복의 열쇠 ― haengbog-ui yeolsoe ― the key to happiness
Derived terms
- 열쇠글 (yeolsoegeul, “password”)