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Korean Grammar Patterns
송곳니·덧니·사랑니
Meaning
Why 이 (tooth) becomes 니 in compounds
How to use it
The word 이 (tooth) is written 니 inside compounds, because that's how it is actually pronounced there: 송곳니 (canine, 'awl-tooth'), 덧니 (snaggletooth), 사랑니 (wisdom tooth, 'love tooth'), 앞니 (front tooth), 윗니/아랫니 (upper/lower teeth), 어금니 (molar), 틀니 (dentures). Korean spelling follows the real sound here (맞춤법 제27항): when 이 sounds like 니 in a compound, write 니.
사랑니 'love tooth': it appears at the age you first fall in love.,Head lice work the same way: 이 (louse) → 머릿니 (head louse).
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 사랑니가 나서 너무 아파요. sarangniga naseo neomu apayo. | My wisdom tooth is coming in and it really hurts. |
| 아이 앞니가 두 개 빠졌어요. ai amniga du gae ppajyeosseoyo. | The child lost two front teeth. |
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