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How to Refer to Family Members in Korean




Children (아이들, ah-ee-deul)
아들 (a-deul) — son

딸 (ddal) — daughter

아이 (ah-ee) — child (one)

Parents (부모, bu-mo)
어머니 (uh-muh-ni) / 엄마 (uhm-ma) — mother / mom

아버지 (ah-buh-ji) / 아빠 (ah-ppa) — father / dad

Grandparents (조부모, jo-bu-mo)
할아버지 (ha-ra-buh-ji) — grandfather

할머니 (hal-muh-ni) — grandmother

To be more formal when addressing your grandparents, you can add a 님 to the end to make 할아버님 or 할머님.

Spouses (배우자, beh-oo-ja)
남편 (nam-pyun) — husband

아내 (ah-neh) — wife

One of these terms is 여보 (yuh-bo) which essentially translates to “darling” or “sweetheart.” This term is used exclusively by married couples. If a younger or unmarried couple uses this term, they’re trying to be cutesy or pretend to be married.

Another common term of endearment is 당신 (dang-shin), which basically means “you.”

Siblings (형제자매, hyung-jeh-ha-meh)
형 (hyung) — an older brother for male

오빠 (o-ppa) — an older brother for female

누나 (nu-na) — older sister for male

언니 (un-ni) — older sister for female

남동생 (nam-dong-seng) — younger brother

여동생 (yuh-dong-seng) — younger sister

Your Biological Siblings’ Spouses

If you’re male, use:
형수 (hyung-soo) — older brother’s wife

매형 (meh-hyung) — older sister’s husband

제수씨 (je-su-ssi) — younger brother’s wife

매제 (meh-je) — younger sister’s husband

If you’re female, use:
새언니 (seh-un-ni) — older brother’s wife

형부 (hyung-bu) — older sister’s husband

올케 (ol-kke) — younger brother’s wife

제부 (je-bu) — younger sister’s husband
Extended Family (대가족, dae-ga-jok)
사촌 (sa-chon) — cousin

조카 (jo-ka) — nephew

조카딸 (jo-ka-ddal) — niece

손자 (son-ja) — grandson

손녀 (son-nyuh) — granddaughter

Maternal side (외가, oe-ga)
이모 (ee-mo) — aunt / mother’s sister

이모부 (ee-mo-bu) — uncle/mother’s sister’s husband

외삼촌 (oe-sam-chon) — uncle / mother’s brother (age not relevant)

외숙모 (oe-sook-mo) — aunt/mother’s brother’s wife
Paternal side (친가, chin-ga)

고모 (go-mo) — aunt/father’s sister (younger or older)

고모부 (go-mo-bu) — uncle / aunt’s husband

삼촌 (sam-chon) — uncle/father’s brother (younger and unmarried)

작은아버지 (jag-eun-ah-buh-ji) or 작은 아빠 (jag-eun ah-ppa) — uncle/father’s brother (younger, usually married)

큰아버지 (keun-ah-buh-ji) or 큰아빠 (keun-ah-ppa) — uncle/father’s brother (older, unmarried or married)

숙모 (sook-mo) — aunt / father’s brother’s wife (generalized). To specify:

큰어머니 (keun-uh-muh-ni) or 큰엄마 (keun-uh-ma) — aunt/father’s older brother’s wife

작은어머니 (jag-eun-uh-muh-ni) or 작은엄마 (jag-eun-uhm-ma) — aunt/father’s younger brother’s wife

Bibliography:

 “Talking About Family in Korean: Essential Vocabulary, Titles and Cultural Norms.” Edited by Sheung Wan, FluentU Korean, 2009, www.fluentu.com/blog/korean/family-in-korean/. 

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