Korean Dictionary
How to say "We / Our (collective identity)" in Korean
“We / Our (collective identity)” in Korean is 우리 (pronounced "Uri").
우리
Uri
Usage & Context
Literally 'we/our', used where English uses 'I/my' — 우리 나라 (our country), 우리 엄마 (my mom), 우리 학교 (my school). Reflects Korea's collective, group-oriented identity rooted in Confucian values. Using 우리 shows belonging and shared identity with a group.
Example Sentence
우리나라 음식이 제일 맛있어요.
Our country's food is the most delicious.
How to use 우리 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “We / Our (collective identity)” is 우리, romanized as Uri.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 우리.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'Oo-ri'. The 'Oo' sounds like the 'oo' in 'moon', and 'ri' sounds like 'ree' in 'tree'. Emphasize the 'Oo' slightly.
More Example Sentences
Talking about family habits.
우리 가족은 주말마다 같이 밥을 먹어요.
My family eats together every weekend.
Explaining work schedule to a colleague.
우리 회사 점심시간은 12시부터 1시까지예요.
Our company's lunch break is from 12 PM to 1 PM.
Expressing affection for a pet.
우리 강아지가 너무 귀여워서 매일 안아줘요.
My puppy is so cute that I hug him every day.
Cultural Context
우리 (uri) is a cornerstone of Korean collective identity. While it literally means 'we' or 'our', it's frequently used where English speakers would say 'I' or 'my' (e.g., 우리 엄마 'my mom', 우리 집 'my house', 우리 학교 'my school'). This usage reflects a strong sense of belonging and shared identity within a group, whether it's family, friends, colleagues, or the nation. It's deeply rooted in Confucian values emphasizing community over individualism and is pervasive in daily conversation and media like K-dramas.
Editorial note
We review entries like 우리 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
우리 같이 갈까요?
Shall we go together?
우리 집
My house / Our house
우리 오빠
My older brother (for a female) / My boyfriend
Related Expressions
나
Na
I / me (casual)
저
Jeo
I / me (humble)
저희
Jeohui
We / our (humble)
개인주의
Gaeinjuui
Individualism
More Culture Words
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