Understanding how to talk about family is crucial in any language, and Korean is no exception. Family plays a central role in Korean culture, and knowing the correct terms and honorifics is essential for showing respect and building relationships.
This article provides a detailed guide to expressing “family” in Korean, covering various terms, usage rules, and common mistakes. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this comprehensive resource will help you navigate the intricacies of Korean family vocabulary and improve your fluency.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Family in Korean
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Family Terms
- Examples of Family Terms in Use
- Usage Rules for Family Terms
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ Section
- Conclusion
Definition of Family in Korean
The Korean word for “family” is 가족 (gajok). This term broadly refers to a group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption. However, understanding family in Korean goes beyond just knowing the word “gajok.” It involves learning specific terms for each family member, as well as the appropriate honorifics and levels of politeness to use when addressing or referring to them. Family relationships are deeply valued in Korean culture, and showing respect for elders and maintaining harmonious relationships are paramount.
The concept of 가족 (gajok) extends beyond the nuclear family to include extended relatives, reflecting the Confucian values that emphasize familial ties and ancestor veneration. Therefore, mastering family vocabulary is not just about linguistic competence but also about cultural sensitivity and understanding.
Structural Breakdown
Korean family terms are structured around several key principles. First, age and seniority are crucial.
Older relatives are always addressed and referred to with higher levels of respect. Second, the relationship to the speaker determines the term used.
For example, the term for “older brother” differs for male and female speakers. Third, honorific suffixes like “-님 (-nim)” are added to titles to show extra respect, especially when addressing someone directly.
Understanding these structural elements is essential for correctly using family terms. Let’s consider the term for “mother.” The basic word is 어머니 (eomeoni), but when speaking to your mother directly, you would likely say 어머니 (eomeoni) or use more affectionate terms. When speaking ABOUT your mother to someone else, you’d use 어머니 (eomeoni), but when speaking about SOMEONE ELSE’S mother, you’d use 어머님 (eomeonim) to show respect.
Types and Categories of Family Terms
Immediate Family
Immediate family refers to the nuclear family unit, typically consisting of parents, siblings, and children. Here are the common terms:
- 아버지 (abeoji): Father (formal)
- 아빠 (appa): Dad (informal)
- 어머니 (eomeoni): Mother (formal)
- 엄마 (eomma): Mom (informal)
- 형 (hyeong): Older brother (for males)
- 오빠 (oppa): Older brother (for females)
- 누나 (nuna): Older sister (for males)
- 언니 (eonni): Older sister (for females)
- 남동생 (namdongsaeng): Younger brother
- 여동생 (yeodongsaeng): Younger sister
- 아들 (adeul): Son
- 딸 (ttal): Daughter
- 배우자 (bae’uja): Spouse
- 남편 (nampyeon): Husband
- 아내 (anae): Wife
Extended Family
Extended family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives. These terms are equally important in Korean culture:
- 할아버지 (harabeoji): Grandfather
- 할머니 (halmeoni): Grandmother
- 외할아버지 (oeharabeoji): Maternal Grandfather
- 외할머니 (oehalmeoni): Maternal Grandmother
- 삼촌 (samchon): Uncle (father’s brother)
- 고모 (gomo): Aunt (father’s sister)
- 이모 (imo): Aunt (mother’s sister)
- 외삼촌 (oesamchon): Uncle (mother’s brother)
- 사촌 (sachon): Cousin
- 조카 (joka): Niece/Nephew
- 시아버지 (siabeoji): Father-in-law (husband’s father)
- 시어머니 (sieomeoni): Mother-in-law (husband’s mother)
- 장인 (jangin): Father-in-law (wife’s father)
- 장모 (jangmo): Mother-in-law (wife’s mother)
- 며느리 (myeoneuri): Daughter-in-law
- 사위 (sawie): Son-in-law
Honorifics and Politeness Levels
Korean language uses honorifics to show respect. When referring to or addressing family members, especially elders, using honorifics is crucial. The most common honorific suffix is -님 (-nim), which can be added to many family terms to show extra politeness. For example, 어머님 (eomeonim) is a more polite way to refer to someone else’s mother than 어머니 (eomeoni).
Additionally, the verb endings used in sentences also indicate politeness levels. Using formal verb endings like -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-bnida/seumnida) or -세요/으세요 (-seyo/euseyo) when speaking to elders is essential. Using informal verb endings with elders can be considered disrespectful.
Examples of Family Terms in Use
Immediate Family Examples
The following table provides examples of how to use immediate family terms in Korean. These examples include both formal and informal versions to illustrate the difference in politeness levels.
| Korean Term | English Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 아버지 (abeoji) | Father | Formal reference or address |
| 아빠 (appa) | Dad | Informal address |
| 어머니 (eomeoni) | Mother | Formal reference or address |
| 엄마 (eomma) | Mom | Informal address |
| 형 (hyeong) | Older brother (male speaker) | Addressing or referring to an older brother |
| 오빠 (oppa) | Older brother (female speaker) | Addressing or referring to an older brother |
| 누나 (nuna) | Older sister (male speaker) | Addressing or referring to an older sister |
| 언니 (eonni) | Older sister (female speaker) | Addressing or referring to an older sister |
| 남동생 (namdongsaeng) | Younger brother | Referring to a younger brother |
| 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) | Younger sister | Referring to a younger sister |
| 아들 (adeul) | Son | Referring to a son |
| 딸 (ttal) | Daughter | Referring to a daughter |
| 남편 (nampyeon) | Husband | Referring to a husband |
| 아내 (anae) | Wife | Referring to a wife |
| 배우자 (bae’uja) | Spouse | Formal way to say Spouse |
| 우리 엄마 (uri eomma) | My mom | Informal reference to one’s own mother |
| 제 아버지 (je abeoji) | My father | Formal reference to one’s own father |
| 형님 (hyeongnim) | Respectful term for older brother (male speaker) | Addressing someone else’s older brother |
| 오빠 (oppa) | Affectionate term for older brother (female speaker) | Addressing one’s own older brother |
| 누나 (nuna) | Affectionate term for older sister (male speaker) | Addressing one’s own older sister |
| 언니 (eonni) | Affectionate term for older sister (female speaker) | Addressing one’s own older sister |
| 제 아들 (je adeul) | My son | Formal reference to one’s own son |
| 우리 딸 (uri ttal) | My daughter | Informal reference to one’s own daughter |
| 제 남편 (je nampyeon) | My husband | Formal reference to one’s own husband |
| 우리 아내 (uri anae) | My wife | Informal reference to one’s own wife |
Extended Family Examples
This table illustrates the usage of extended family terms, highlighting the importance of specifying the relationship (e.g., maternal vs. paternal) and using appropriate honorifics.
| Korean Term | English Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 할아버지 (harabeoji) | Grandfather | General term for grandfather |
| 할머니 (halmeoni) | Grandmother | General term for grandmother |
| 외할아버지 (oeharabeoji) | Maternal Grandfather | Specifically referring to the mother’s father |
| 외할머니 (oehalmeoni) | Maternal Grandmother | Specifically referring to the mother’s mother |
| 삼촌 (samchon) | Uncle (father’s brother) | Referring to the father’s brother |
| 고모 (gomo) | Aunt (father’s sister) | Referring to the father’s sister |
| 이모 (imo) | Aunt (mother’s sister) | Referring to the mother’s sister |
| 외삼촌 (oesamchon) | Uncle (mother’s brother) | Referring to the mother’s brother |
| 사촌 (sachon) | Cousin | Referring to a cousin |
| 조카 (joka) | Niece/Nephew | Referring to a niece or nephew |
| 시아버지 (siabeoji) | Father-in-law (husband’s father) | A wife referring to her husband’s father |
| 시어머니 (sieomeoni) | Mother-in-law (husband’s mother) | A wife referring to her husband’s mother |
| 장인 (jangin) | Father-in-law (wife’s father) | A husband referring to his wife’s father |
| 장모 (jangmo) | Mother-in-law (wife’s mother) | A husband referring to his wife’s mother |
| 며느리 (myeoneuri) | Daughter-in-law | Referring to one’s son’s wife |
| 사위 (sawie) | Son-in-law | Referring to one’s daughter’s husband |
| 고모부 (gomobu) | Husband of father’s sister | Referring to the husband of one’s gomo |
| 이모부 (imobu) | Husband of mother’s sister | Referring to the husband of one’s imo |
| 외숙모 (oesungmo) | Wife of mother’s brother | Referring to the wife of one’s oesamchon |
| 큰아버지 (keun abeoji) | Uncle (Father’s older brother) | Referring to the Father’s older brother |
| 작은아버지 (jageun abeoji) | Uncle (Father’s younger brother) | Referring to the Father’s younger brother |
| 큰어머니 (keun eomeoni) | Aunt (Wife of father’s older brother) | Referring to the wife of Father’s older brother |
| 작은어머니 (jageun eomeoni) | Aunt (Wife of father’s younger brother) | Referring to the wife of Father’s younger brother |
| 당숙 (dangsuk) | Male cousin, one generation older than oneself, on the father’s side | Referring to the cousin one generation older than oneself |
| 당고모 (danggomo) | Female cousin, one generation older than oneself, on the father’s side | Referring to the cousin one generation older than oneself |
Example Sentences with Family Terms
This section provides example sentences demonstrating how family terms are used in context. Pay attention to the verb endings and honorifics used in each sentence.
| Korean Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 저희 아버지는 의사입니다. (Jeohui abeojineun uisaimnida.) | My father is a doctor. |
| 엄마, 사랑해요. (Eomma, saranghaeyo.) | Mom, I love you. |
| 형은 대학교에 다닙니다. (Hyeongeun daehakgyoe danimnida.) | My older brother (male speaker) goes to university. |
| 오빠, 뭐 해요? (Oppa, mwo haeyo?) | Older brother (female speaker), what are you doing? |
| 누나는 선생님입니다. (Nunaneun seonsaengnimimnida.) | My older sister (male speaker) is a teacher. |
| 언니는 예뻐요. (Eonnineun yeppeoyo.) | My older sister (female speaker) is pretty. |
| 남동생은 게임을 좋아해요. (Namdongsaengeun geimeul joahaeyo.) | My younger brother likes to play games. |
| 여동생은 춤을 잘 춰요. (Yeodongsaengeun chumeul jal chwoyo.) | My younger sister dances well. |
| 제 아들은 똑똑합니다. (Je adeureun ttokttokhamnida.) | My son is smart. |
| 우리 딸은 귀여워요. (Uri ttaleun gwiyeowoyo.) | My daughter is cute. |
| 할아버지께서는 건강하십니다. (Harabeojikkeseoneun geonganghasimnida.) | My grandfather is healthy. (Honorific) |
| 할머니께서 음식을 만드세요. (Halmeonikkeseo eumsigeul mandeuseyo.) | My grandmother is making food. (Honorific) |
| 외할아버지는 낚시를 좋아하세요. (Oeharabeojineun naksireul joahaseyo.) | My maternal grandfather likes fishing. |
| 외할머니는 요리를 잘 하세요. (Oehalmeonineun yorireul jal haseyo.) | My maternal grandmother is good at cooking. |
| 삼촌은 회사원입니다. (Samchoneun hoesawonimnida.) | My uncle (father’s brother) is an office worker. |
| 고모는 미국에 살아요. (Gomoneun Miguge sarayo.) | My aunt (father’s sister) lives in America. |
| 이모는 친절해요. (Imoneun chinjeolhaeyo.) | My aunt (mother’s sister) is kind. |
| 외삼촌은 여행을 자주 가요. (Oesamchoneun yeohaengeul jaju gayo.) | My uncle (mother’s brother) often goes on trips. |
| 사촌 동생은 학생입니다. (Sachon dongsaengeun haksaengimnida.) | My cousin is a student. |
| 조카가 보고 싶어요. (Jokaga bogo sipeoyo.) | I miss my niece/nephew. |
| 시아버님은 자상하세요. (Siabeonimeun jasanghaseyo.) | My father-in-law (husband’s father) is caring. |
| 시어머님은 요리를 잘 하세요. (Sieomeonimeun yorireul jal haseyo.) | My mother-in-law (husband’s mother) is good at cooking. |
| 장인어른은 친절하세요. (Jangin eoreuneun chinjeolhaseyo.) | My father-in-law (wife’s father) is kind. |
| 장모님은 항상 웃으세요. (Jangmonimeun hangsang useuseyo.) | My mother-in-law (wife’s mother) always smiles. |
| 며느리가 예뻐요. (Myeoneuriga yeppeoyo.) | My daughter-in-law is pretty. |
| 사위가 착해요. (Sawiga chakaeyo.) | My son-in-law is kind. |
| 제 배우자는 변호사입니다. (Je baeuja-neun byeonhosa imnida.) | My spouse is a lawyer. |
Usage Rules for Family Terms
Addressing Relatives
When addressing relatives directly, use the appropriate term based on your relationship and their age. For older relatives, use honorifics and polite verb endings.
For younger relatives or close family members, informal terms and verb endings may be appropriate.
For example, a younger sister would call her older brother “오빠 (oppa),” while a younger brother would call his older brother “형 (hyeong).” When addressing grandparents, using “할아버지 (harabeoji)” or “할머니 (halmeoni)” with the honorific suffix “-님 (-nim)” is common: “할아버님 (harabeonim)” and “할머님 (halmeonim).”
Referring to Relatives
When referring to relatives to someone else, it’s important to use the correct term and level of politeness. When talking about your own family members, you can use more humble terms, such as “저희 아버지 (jeohui abeoji)” for “my father,” which is more polite than simply saying “내 아버지 (nae abeoji).” When talking about someone else’s family members, use honorifics to show respect, such as “어머님 (eomeonim)” for “mother.”
Contextual Usage
The context of the conversation also influences the choice of family terms. In formal settings or when speaking to strangers, using formal terms and honorifics is essential.
In informal settings or when speaking to close friends, using informal terms may be acceptable. However, it’s always better to err on the side of politeness, especially when discussing family matters.
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong term for older siblings based on the speaker’s gender. Remember that “형 (hyeong)” and “누나 (nuna)” are used by males, while “오빠 (oppa)” and “언니 (eonni)” are used by females.
Another common mistake is forgetting to use honorifics when referring to or addressing elders. Always add “-님 (-nim)” or use polite verb endings when speaking to older relatives.
Finally, confusing maternal and paternal relatives is another frequent error. Be sure to use “외- (oe-)” for maternal relatives (e.g., “외할아버지 (oeharabeoji)”) and the appropriate terms for paternal relatives (e.g., “삼촌 (samchon)”).
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 오빠 (oppa) – said by a male to older brother | 형 (hyeong) | “오빠” is used by females, not males. |
| 어머니 (eomeoni) – to your grandmother | 할머니 (halmeoni) | “어머니” means “mother,” not “grandmother.” |
| 삼촌님 (samchon-nim) – used towards someone else’s father | 아버지 (abeoji) or 아버님 (abeonim) | “삼촌” means “uncle” and is incorrect when referring to a father. |
| 우리 할머니 (uri halmeoni) – when talking about someone else’s grandmother | 할머님 (halmeonim) | “우리” (our) is possessive and used when talking about one’s own family. Use honorifics when talking about someone else’s family. |
| 남편 (nampyeon) – when talking about your spouse to an elder | 제 남편 (je nampyeon) or (아이가 있다면) 아이 아버지 (Ai abeoji) | Using “제” (my) before the term shows humility and respect. You can also refer to him as the father of your child. |
| 고모 (gomo) – referring to mother’s sister | 이모 (imo) | “고모” refers to father’s sister, not mother’s sister. |
| 할아버지, 안녕 (harabeoji, annyeong) – said to grandfather. | 할아버지, 안녕하세요 (harabeoji, annyeonghaseyo) | Using 안녕하세요 is more polite than 안녕 when talking to elders. |
| 아빠, 밥 먹어 (appa, bap meogeo) – said to father. | 아빠, 밥 드세요 (appa, bap deuseyo) | Using 드세요 is a more polite way to offer food to elders. |
| 제 어머니는… (je eomeoni-neun…) – when talking about a mother to someone younger. | 어머니는… (eomeoni-neun…) | Using “제” (my) when talking to someone younger can be overly formal and unnecessary. |
| 사촌 (sachon) – when talking about someone else’s cousin | 사촌분 (sachonbun) | Adding “분” (-bun) to 사촌 makes it more respectful when talking about someone else’s cousin. |
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Matching
Match the Korean family term with its English translation.
| Korean Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 1. 아버지 | A. Older sister (female speaker) |
| 2. 엄마 | B. Younger brother |
| 3. 오빠 | C. Grandmother |
| 4. 언니 | D. Father |
| 5. 남동생 | E. Mom |
| 6. 할머니 | F. Older brother (female speaker) |
Answers: 1. D, 2. E, 3. F, 4. A, 5. B, 6. C
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Korean family term.
| Sentence | Blank |
|---|---|
| 저는 _____가 있어요. (I have an older brother.) (male speaker) | 1. |
| _____는 의사입니다. (My mother is a doctor.) | 2. |
| 제 _____는 선생님입니다. (My husband is a teacher.) | 3. |
| _____는 학생입니다. (My younger sister is a student.) | 4. |
| _____ 께서 건강하십니다. (My grandfather is healthy.) | 5. |
Answers: 1. 형, 2. 어머니, 3. 남편, 4. 여동생, 5. 할아버지
Exercise 3: Translation
Translate the following sentences into Korean using the appropriate family terms.
| English Sentence | Korean Translation |
|---|---|
| 1. My father is a businessman. | |
| 2. My older sister (female speaker) is very kind. | |
| 3. I love my grandmother. | |
| 4. My younger brother likes to play soccer. | |
| 5. My mother-in-law (husband’s mother) cooks very well. |
Answers: 1. 저희 아버지는 사업가입니다. 2. 언니는 아주 친절해요. 3. 저는 할머니를 사랑해요. 4. 제 남동생은 축구를 좋아해요. 5. 시어머니는 요리를 아주 잘 하세요.
Advanced Topics
Family Idioms and Expressions
Korean has many idioms and expressions related to family. For example, “피는 물보다 진하다 (pineun mulboda jinhada)” means “blood is thicker than water,” emphasizing the strong bonds between family members.
Another common expression is “열 손가락 깨물어 안 아픈 손가락 없다 (yeol songarak kkaemureo an apeun songarak eopda),” which means “there is no finger that doesn’t hurt when bitten,” implying that parents love all their children equally.
Cultural Nuances
Understanding the cultural nuances surrounding family is crucial for effective communication in Korean. For example, showing deference to elders is highly valued, and maintaining harmonious relationships within the family is considered essential.
Additionally, family gatherings and ancestor veneration ceremonies are important cultural events that reflect the significance of family in Korean society. Understanding that family plays a vital role in Korean society will help you to use family terms correctly.
FAQ Section
- What is the most basic way to say “family” in Korean?
The most basic way to say “family” in Korean is 가족 (gajok). This term refers to the general concept of a family unit.
- How do I address my older brother if I am female?
If you are female, you would address your older brother as 오빠 (oppa). This term is specific to female speakers.
- What is the difference between 어머니 (eomeoni) and 엄마 (eomma)?
어머니 (eomeoni) is the formal term for “mother,” while 엄마 (eomma) is the informal term, similar to “Mom” in English. Use 어머니 (eomeoni) in formal settings or when speaking respectfully, and 엄마 (eomma) in informal settings or when speaking affectionately.
- How do I refer to my father-in-law (husband’s father)?
A wife would refer to her husband’s father as 시아버지 (siabeoji). It’s polite to add the honorific suffix “-님 (-nim)” to make it 시아버님 (siabeonim), especially when addressing him directly or talking about him to others.
- What term should I use for my maternal grandmother?
You should use the term 외할머니 (oehalmeoni) for your maternal grandmother. The prefix “외- (oe-)” indicates that she is on your mother’s side of the family.
- Is it rude to use informal language with my grandparents?
Yes, it is generally considered rude to use informal language with your grandparents. Always use formal terms and polite verb endings when speaking to them to show respect. For example, use “할아버님 (harabeonim)” and “할머님 (halmeonim)” instead of “할아버지 (harabeoji)” and “할머니 (halmeoni)” when addressing them directly.
- How do I say “my family” in Korean in a polite way?
To say “my family” in Korean in a polite way, you can say 저희 가족 (jeohui gajok). The word “저희 (jeohui)” is a humble form of “my” or “our” and is used to show respect when talking about your own family to others.
- What are some common honorifics used with family titles?
The most common honorific suffix is -님 (-nim), which can be added to many family terms to show extra politeness. For example, 어머님 (eomeonim) is a more polite way to refer to someone else’s mother than 어머니 (eomeoni). 할아버님 (harabeonim) and 할머
님 (halmeonim) are more polite versions of 할아버지 (harabeoji) and 할머니 (halmeoni).
- How do I ask someone about their family politely?
You can ask about someone’s family politely by saying 가족분들은 잘 지내세요? (Gajokbundeureun jal jinaeseyo?). This translates to “How is your family doing?” and shows respect by using the honorific particle “-분 (-bun)”.
- What is the difference between 큰아버지 (keun abeoji) and 작은아버지 (jageun abeoji)?
큰아버지 (keun abeoji) refers to your father’s older brother, while 작은아버지 (jageun abeoji) refers to your father’s younger brother. The terms “큰 (keun)” and “작은 (jageun)” mean “big” and “small,” respectively, indicating the age difference relative to your father.
Conclusion
Understanding and using family terms correctly in Korean is essential for showing respect and building strong relationships. By learning the specific terms for each family member, mastering the appropriate honorifics, and practicing usage in context, you can effectively communicate about family in Korean.
Remember to pay attention to age, gender, and the level of formality required in each situation. With practice and attention to detail, you can confidently navigate the intricacies of Korean family vocabulary and deepen your appreciation for Korean culture.