-이시여

Korean Etymology First attested in the early twentieth century.ko:'이여'와 '이시여'의 문법적 지위와 차이 The grammatical status and differences of -iye and -isiye ko:이성우 2016 Gugeohak 77 167—197 From a reanalysis of ko -이여 O exclamatory vocative particle as being a suffixed form of the copula ko -이다 -이-, which was then made honorific with the suffix ko -시-. Pronunciation Particle particle ko honorific O honored... vocative particle showing extreme respect. ko 영명-하신 신령-이시여, 살려-주소서. O august divinity, save me. ko 임금-이시여, 나라-를 버리시나이까? O king, shall you abandon the nation? Usage notes 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 ko -님 tends to be deleted. References