아이고 (aigo)

What it means

1. 1.

   Oh dear; goodness me; oof. Covers physical effort, mild dismay, sympathy and exasperation, and is most associated with older speakers.

2. 2.

   Also the traditional cry of mourning, which is why it can carry real weight in the right setting.

Examples with translations

• 아이고, 허리야.

  Oof — my back.

• 아이고, 이게 무슨 일이야.

  Oh no — what on earth has happened here?

Other forms

Romanised as:

aigo

Spellings and variants:

아이구, 아유