Korean

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /puin/
• Phonetic hangeul: 부인

Noun

부인 • ‎(bu-in) ‎(hanja 夫人)

1. (honorific) (another person's) wife
2. (historical) Honorary title bestowed on ladies of the high aristocracy in the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties; Lady.

Usage notes

• It's impolite to refer to own wife as 부인.

Synonyms

• 아내 (anae) (humble)
• 집사람 (jipsaram) (humble)
• 마누라 (manura) (humble)
• 와이프 (waipeu) (humble)

Etymology 2

From Japanese 否認 ‎(ひにん, hinin)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpuːin/
• Phonetic hangeul: 부:인

Noun

부인 • ‎(bu-in) ‎(hanja 否認)

1. denial; disaffirmation

Derived terms

• 부인되다 (bu-indoeda, “to be denied”)
• 부인하다 (bu-inhada, “to deny or disavow”)