What does 귀 mean?
귀 (gwi) means: Ear.
'귀를 기울이다' (To lean one's ear / to listen carefully). In fan songs, it means deeply paying attention to the quiet voices and support of the fans.
Other sides of 귀
◆ body-part-metaphors — In Korean, your ears aren't just for hearing music—they are the control panels for your willpower and credulity. When natives talk about someone's 'ears being thin' or 'ears burning,' they are psychoanalyzing how easily that person gets manipulated or bothered. Textbooks treat 귀 strictly as anatomy, but in daily life, it's a social barometer for how much outer noise is leaking into your brain.
◆ listening-attention — When natives use 귀 in this realm, they aren't talking about anatomy—they're talking about active reception and willful blockage. It’s why you 'lend' your ear to gossip, why nagging advice 'goes in one ear and out the other,' and why things people say suddenly prick up your attention. Learners usually stop at hearing sounds, but natives treat 귀 as a switchboard for psychological focus.
◆ listening-attention — When natives use 귀 in this realm, they aren't talking about anatomy—they're talking about active reception and willful blockage. It’s why you 'lend' your ear to gossip, why nagging advice 'goes in one ear and out the other,' and why things people say suddenly prick up your attention. Learners usually stop at hearing sounds, but natives treat 귀 as a switchboard for psychological focus.
How it's actually used
- 가수들의 목소리에 귀를 기울이면 저절로 힐링이 돼요.
gasudeurui moksorie gwireul giurimyeon jeojeoro hilingi dwaeyo.
If you listen closely to the singers' voices, you naturally feel healed.
💡 Use '귀를 기울이다' to express attentive, heartfelt listening. - 이어폰을 오래 꼈더니 귀가 좀 아프네.
ieoponeul orae kkyeotdeoni gwiga jom apeune.
My ears hurt a bit because I wore earphones for too long.
💡 Refers to the physical body part in daily conversation. - 우리가 힘들 때 내어주는 작은 위로의 목소리에 귀를 기울여 주세요.
uriga himdeul ttae naeeojuneun jageun wiro-ui moksorie gwireul gi-uryeo juseyo.
Please lean your ears and listen closely to the small voices of comfort we offer when things are hard.
💡 Often used in heartfelt appeals or songs to ask for deep attention.