Only one person lives there, yet they say, "Come over to our house." An international student asked. "Teacher, you live alone, so why 'our'? Isn't 'my house' correct?" ## 'Uri' (our) is a word that widens 'I' The Korean word 'uri' doesn't only mean 'me and other people.' It's also a word that bundles together the family, school, and neighborhood I belong to. In the old days, it was common for grandmothers, parents, and children to live in the same house. The house and Mom weren't mine alone; they belonged to everyone. That's why "our mom" sounds much more natural than "my mom." ## "Our husband" Is Said for the Same Reason Even if a woman has only one husband, she says "our husband." Saying "my husband" sounds like he's a possession, so it feels a little awkward. Adding '우리' (our) creates a feeling that you and your family are together. The same goes for school or work. Koreans often say "our school" and "our company." ## Try It Right Now When you talk about your family or home, try putting '우리' in front first. "My mom lives in Busan." When you say it this way, Korean people find it more comfortable to hear. However, when talking about the other person's family, don't say '우리'; ask respectfully, like "How is your mother doing?"