Knowing Korean family terms and titles is a key part of understanding the culture and navigating social situations in Korea. Whether you want to address relatives in Korean or you want to talk to others about them, read our guide.
Quick tip: During your Korean studies, you might come across the term 호칭 (hoching) in Korean. This refers to the various names, titles and forms of address used when speaking to or about others. This includes the Korean family terms listed here.
How Do You Say “Family” in Korean?
The word 가족 (gajok) directly translates to “family” in English. It encompasses all members of a family unit, including parents, siblings, grandparents, and sometimes extended family members depending on the context. 가족 is a versatile term used in various situations, from casual conversations to formal discussions about family matters.
If you want to refer to the people in your home or household as a unit, you can use the word 가정 (gajeong). This is more often used in more formal contexts.
Example Sentences
- 우리 가족은 네 명이에요.
Uri gajok-eun ne myeong-ieyo.
Translation: “My family has four members.” - 가족과 함께 시간을 보내는 것을 좋아해요.
Gajokgwa hamkke sigan-eul bonaeneun geoseul johahaeyo.
Translation: “I like spending time with my family.” - 그는 가족을 매우 소중하게 생각해요.
Geuneun gajok-eul maeu sojunghage saenggakaeyo.
Translation: “He considers his family very precious.” - 가족 사진을 찍었어요.
Gajok sajin-eul jjigeosseoyo.
Translation: “I took a family photo.” - 그녀는 행복한 가정을 가지고 있어요.
Geunyeoneun haengbokhan gajeong-eul gajigo isseoyo.
“She has a happy home/family.”
Understanding Korean Family Terms
Korean family terms are divided based on age, gender, and the specific relationship you have with the person.
Here are the core Korean family terms you should know:
Parents
- 아버지 (abeoji) – Father
This term means “father” and is formal and respectful. It’s often used when referring to your father with other people, but it can be used when speaking with your dad too. A more informal version is 아빠 (appa), which is similar to “dad” or “daddy.” - 어머니 (eomeoni) – Mother
This is the formal way of saying “mother” and is commonly when speaking with your mom or referring to her with other people. The informal version is 엄마 (eomma), meaning “mom.”
Children
If you have children, referring to them is easy in Korean.
For sons, you call them 아들 (adeul), and for daughters, you call them 딸(ddal). If you have a young baby, the most common word is 아기 (agi) regardless of gender.
Siblings
Korean has distinct terms for addressing older and younger siblings, which reflect the importance of hierarchy and respect for elders in the culture. The word you use also depends on your gender and the gender of the sibling you’re speaking or referring to.
- 형 (hyeong) – Older brother (used by males)
A boy or a man calls his older brother or older friend “형” to show respect. This term signifies both affection and the acknowledgment of seniority. You can also use 형님 (hyeong-nim) to refer to your brother. This is a more formal term and is often used to exaggeratedly show your respect towards your older brother. - 오빠 (oppa) – Older brother (used by females)
Girls or women use “오빠” to address an older brother. It’s also used when a woman addresses a close male friend who is older. - 누나 (nuna) – Older sister (used by males)
Boys or men call their older sister or older friend “누나.” Like other sibling terms, it shows respect and warmth. You can also use 누님(nu-nim), which is more respectful. - 언니 (eonni) – Older sister (used by females)
Women use “언니” to address their older sister or an older female friend. This term is common in close female relationships. - 동생 (dongsaeng) – Younger sibling
This term can be used by both males and females to refer to a younger sibling, regardless of gender. “동생” is a neutral term, but you can specify the gender by saying 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) for a younger sister or 남동생 (namdongsaeng) for a younger brother. You can also refer to your younger sibling or friend by their name.
How Do You Say “Sibling” In Korean?
This depends on the gender of your siblings.
If you have female siblings, use the word 자매 (jamae). For male siblings, use the word 형제 (hyeongje). For siblings of mixed gender, use 남매 (nammae).
Grandparents
- 할아버지 (harabeoji) – Grandfather
This term is respectful and formal. Grandchildren use it to address their grandfather. In more informal settings, 할아버님 (harabeonim) may be used for added formality. - 할머니 (halmeoni) – Grandmother
Like “할아버지,” this term is formal and respectful. For more formal situations, 할머님 (halmeonim) can be used.
Uncles and Aunts
While English uses a general term like “aunt” or “uncle,” Korean differentiates between the father’s and mother’s sides of the family, as well as by marriage. The language also has different terms for “uncle” depending on whether he is older or younger than your dad.
How Do You Say Uncle In Korean?
There are several terms for “uncle” in Korean:
- 삼촌 (samchon) – Uncle (father’s brother)
This term is used for your father’s brother. Like in other languages, you can also use 삼촌 to refer to male family friends. - 외삼촌 (waesamchon) – Uncle (mother’s brother)
This is used to refer specifically to your mother’s brother. - 큰아버지 (keunabeoji) – Uncle (father’s older brother)
This term refers to your father’s older brother (literally “big father”). It can refer to his eldest brother, or simply an older brother. - 작은아버지 (jageunabeoji) – Uncle (father’s younger brother)
This is used for your father’s younger brother. It literally means “small father”.
What About Your Uncle’s Wife?
To refer to your uncle’s wife in Korean, the term varies depending on whether the uncle is on your father’s side or your mother’s side.
1. Father’s Brother’s Wife
- 큰어머니 (keuneomeoni) – Father’s older brother’s wife
- 작은어머니 (jageuneomeoni) – Father’s younger brother’s wife
These terms mean “big mother” and “little mother,” respectively, indicating the age difference of the uncles.
2. Mother’s Brother’s Wife
- 이모부 (imobu) – While this term typically refers to the husband of your mother’s sister (i.e., maternal aunt’s husband), there is no specific term for the wife of your mother’s brother. In most cases, she would simply be referred to as 외숙모 (oesungmo).
How Do You Say Aunt In Korean?
There are a couple of different ways to say “aunt” in Korean:
- 이모 (imo) – Aunt (mother’s sister)
“이모” is used to refer to an aunt on the mother’s side, regardless of whether she is older or younger. - 고모 (gomo) – Aunt (father’s sister)
This term is used for a father’s sister. Like “이모,” it can be used for both older and younger sisters. - 큰이모 (keunimo) – Aunt (older sister on your mother’s side)
As with uncles, you can refer specifically to your mom’s older sister. The word for this is 큰이모. - 작은이모 (jageunimo) – Aunt (younger sister on your mother’s side)
The term used for your mother’s younger sister is 작은이모. - 큰고모 (keungomo) – Aunt (older sister on father’s side)
This is used to refer to your father’s older sister. - 작은고모 (jageungomo) – Aunt (younger sister on father’s side)
This term is used for your father’s younger sister.
What About Your Aunt’s Husband?
How you refer to your aunt’s husband in Korean depends on whether the aunt is on your father’s side or your mother’s side.
1. Father’s Sister’s Husband (Paternal Aunt’s Husband)
- 고모부 (gomobu) – Husband of your father’s sister.
This term is specifically used to refer to your paternal aunt’s husband.
2. Mother’s Sister’s Husband (Maternal Aunt’s Husband)
- 이모부 (imobu) – Husband of your mother’s sister.
This term is specifically used to refer to your maternal aunt’s husband.
Nephews and Nieces
Thankfully, it’s quite easy to refer to nephews and nieces in Korean. You just need to learn one word: 조카 (joka). This is the most common word used to refer or speak to your brother or sister’s children.
Husband and Wife in Korean
If you’re married and you want to refer to your spouse in Korean, use 남편 (nampyeon) for husband and 아내 (anae) to speak about your wife. Note that these terms are more commonly used when you’re talking to someone about your husband and wife; they aren’t used as often when speaking to your partner.
If you want to refer to someone else’s spouse, you can use [title or name]의 부인 (ui buin) for wife or [title or name]의 부군 (ui bugun) for husband. These are the honorific forms or wife and husband respectively.
In-Laws and Extended Family
Marriage introduces another layer of family terminology in Korean. There are specific terms to address your in-laws.
Father and Mother-In-Law
- 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)
Brother and Sister-In-Law
Brother and sister-in-laws are a bit of a minefield in Korean as there are many different terms. Don’t worry about remembering them all as these titles stump some Koreans too! If you end up marrying a Korean person, it could be useful to refer to this list.
When you’re not sure, ask your spouse!
If you’re male:
- 제수 (jesu) or 동서 (dongseo) – Younger brother’s wife
- 형수 (hyeongsu) or 동서 (dongseo) – Older brother’s wife
- 매부 (maebu) – Sister’s husband (older or younger sister)
- 처제 (cheoje) – Wife’s younger sister
- 처형 (cheohyeong) – Wife’s older sister
- 처남 (cheonam) – Wife’s brother (older or younger brother)
- 동서 (dongseo) – Wife’s sister’s husband (wife’s older or younger sister)
- 처남댁 (cheonamdaek) – Brother-in-law’s wife
If you’re female:
- 올케 (olke) – Brother’s wife (older or younger brother)
- 제부 (jebu) – Younger sister’s husband
- 형부 (hyeongbu) – Older sister’s husband
- 시누이 (sinui) – Husband’s sister (older or younger sister)
- 아주버님 (ajubeonim) or 서방님 (seobangnim) – Sister-in-law’s husband
- 시동생 (sidongsaeng) – Brother-in-law (husband’s younger brother)
- 시아주버니 (siajubeoni) – Brother-in-law (husband’s older brother)
- 동서 (dongseo) – Husband’s brother’s wife (older or younger brother)
Common Mistakes and Tips
Korean family titles can be confusing. Here are some tips do you don’t make the most common mistakes.
- Be careful about specific terms for relatives on different sides of the family
Make sure to differentiate between relatives from your father’s and mother’s side. For example, use 고모 for a paternal aunt and 이모 for a maternal aunt. - Watch out for honorifics
Overusing or – perhaps more common for foreign Korean learners – underusing honorifics can lead to awkward situations. It’s better to be overly formal than impolite. - Ask someone’s age when you meet them
In Korea, age determines how you address someone. It’s common to ask someone’s age early in a conversation to know which terms to use, so don’t be afraid to do this.
Learn What You Need First
We hope you’re not more confused than you were before after this lesson! Korean family terms are complex, so it’s a good idea to learn only the terms you need first. For instance, if you have a young brother, learn 동생 and 남동생 and ignore the rest of the terms until you need them. And if you’re not married, you don’t have to learn all the words for in laws!