How do you say grandpa Or grandma in Korean language or address your grandparents in Korean?
Yes, it’s safe to say the basic translation“할아버지[harabeoji] means grandfather in Korean or 할머니 (halmeoni) means grandmother in Korean language.
if your grandparents are native speakers or when you are talking about them to anyone( from stranger to friends, you can use these common phrases. but in real life, people use more than that.
So, if you want to know what real native speakers call their grandma/grandpa in Korean language, you have to keep reading this article today.
Because I’ll share how to say grandparents in Korean language in different ways and related Korean family vocabulary so that you can show off to natives how good you are at Korean
Alright world, Let’s begin
Table of Contents
How to say grandparents in Korean like natives?
Grandparents in Korean language is translated as “조부모 (jobumonim)The word is made up of two syllables: “조” (cho) and “부모(bumo)” which means “parents”.
조부모 (jobumo) is used while refers to grandparents on your father’s side. If you want to say “grandparents” of your mother’s side, just add 외 (oe) 조부모 (jobumo) to make 외조부모 (oejobumo).
You can use this word to refer to one’s own grandparents or someone else’s grandparents.
You might hear the word 모성 조부모 (moseong jobumo) which is another way of saying “grandparents in Korean( mother’s side).
However, If you want to address your grandparents respectfully, you can use the honorific term “조부모님 (jobumonim) which means “grandparents in Korean.”
In Korean culture, adding the “님” is for formal situations.
Here’s how to say grandparents in Korean language (grandma and grandpa in Korean) in 8 ways depending on the person’s age and situation you are in.
- Grandfather (paternal)-할아버지 (harabeoji)
- Grandmother (paternal)-할머니 (halmeoni)
- Gramps in Korean-할비(halbae)
- Grandparents(paternal)-조부모 (jobumo)
- Grandparents(maternal)-외조부모 (oejobumo).
- Grandfather (maternal)-외할아버지 (oe harabeoji)
- Grandmother (maternal) -외할머니 (oe halmeoni)
- Granny in Korean-할매(halmae)
Also, when you might see an older person on the street and you don’t know them well, you can address them as 아저씨 and 아주머니.
In informal situations, it is also common to say 우리 조부모님( urie jobumonim) means “our grandparents” which is a more affectionate way of addressing one’s grandparents.
Instead of saying grandparents, If you want to refer to both grandma and grandpa in Korean together, you can say 할라베오지와 할메오니 (halabeojiwa halmeoni) which means “grandfather and grandmother” or “grandparents.”
Also, while grandparents are often not considered part of the nuclear family unit in the West, they are considered immediate family in Korea.
So it’s essential to know how to address your grandpa/grandma in Korean even if you simply greet them or saying wishing them good morning or a good night
Example
I have vivid memories of my grandparents.
나는 우리 할아버지, 할머니에 대한 기억들이 생생하다.
All our family came to Grandad’s eightieth birthday party.
우리의 집안 식구 모두가 할아버지 팔순 잔치에 왔다.
The children are staying with their grandparents.
아이들은 조부모님[할아버지 할머니]과 함께 있다.
Grandfather in Korean| How to say grandpa in Korean?
Everyone loved their grandpa, isn’t it?
But how do you say grandpa in Korean?
In Korean word for grandfather is “할아버지(halabeoji) means grandpa. To address Grandpa from your mother’s side, use 외할아버지 (oe-hal-a-beo-ji). In a formal way, you can say 할아버님 (hal-a-beo-nim)/외할아버님 (oe-hal-a-beo-nim) which is similar to grandfather in English.
You can use this word can be used to refer to one’s own grandfather or someone else’s grandfather.
It is a term of respect and is used in formal or informal situations.
If you want to address your grandpa in a more cute and affectionate way, you can use the term 할비[ hahl’ bee] similar to Gramps in English.
Here’s how to say Grandpa in Korean language (bothe mothers and father side)
- 할아버지 (hal-a-beo-ji) = Grandpa(standard)
- 할비(halbae) = Gramps(informal)
- 할아버님 (hal-a-beo-nim) = Grandfather (formal)
- 외할아버지 (oe-hal-a-beo-ji) = Grandpa (on mother’s side)
- 외할아버님 (oe-hal-a-beo-nim) = Grandfather (formal on mother’s side)
Fun fact: in Korea, a big birthday party is thrown for grandparents when you turn 60 0r 70 0r 80 years old. It’s really a big family celebration like new year’s eve and Christmas.
If you ever get invited to one, here’s a guide to learning how to say happy birthday as well.
Let’s learn in detail
Grandfather in Korean (Father’s side)| The meaning of 할아버지 (harabeoji in Korean)
Grandpa in Korean language is “할아버지[Hal-abeoji]” and pronounced weh-halmeoni. It is composed of two words which are “할[hal]” which means “big” and “아버지[abeoji]” means father in Korean.
It is the most commonly heard and used term to say grandfather in Korean. It’s more similar to “grandpa” in English.
“할아버님 is a more formal way of addressing one’s grandfather in Korean language. It is often used in traditional or formal settings.
Just drops the “지” and replace it with “님” to make “할아버님.
It’s also common to use affectionate terms when referring to one’s grandparents in Korean like
You can use these terms to talk about grandpa in Korean language to other people, or just to refer to him directly, like this
Example
- My grandfather lives with my aunts.
- 할아버지는 이모들과 함께 산다.
- Grandpa, how are you today? Do you feel better?
- 할아버지, 오늘 어떠세요? 좀 나아졌나요?
- Hi grandpa, how was your walk in the park?
- 안녕 할아버지, 공원 산책은 어땠어요?
- grandpa, could you lend me some money to buy a new car?
- 할아버지, 새 차를 살 돈을 좀 빌려 주시겠어요?
- My grampy retired 5 years ago.
- 우리 할아버지는 5년 전에 은퇴하셨다.
If your grandpa is a Korean speaker, 할아버지[Harabeoji] is the most common and “safe” way to go.
You won’t have any confusion with anyone when talking about him, or when talking to him.
Grandfather in Korean (Mother’s side)| 외할아버지 (oe harabeoji)
In Korean, the word for “grandfather(mother’s side)” is 외할아버지 (oe-hal-a-beo-ji) which is composed of “외[oe]” means “outside” and “할아버지[harabeoji]” means grandfather in Korean.
외할아버님 (oe-hal-a-beo-nim) is also a common way to refer to a grandfather on the mother’s side of the family and pronounced as Hal-ah-bu-neam or Hal-ah-bu-nim.
it is only when you are talking about your grandpa in Korean language in a traditional or formal setting.
Example
- My mother’s father is an only child.
- 나 외할아버지는 외동이시다.
- My grandfather had stomach cancer.
- 사실 저희 외 할아버지도 위암이셨어요.
- The grandchild visited his grandfather.
- 손자가 외할아버지를 방문했다.
Grandmother in Korean| how to say grandma in Korean language
Everyone loves their grandma and grandma recipes, didn’t they?
But how do you say grandma in Korean?
Grandma in Korean language is translated as “할머니 (hal-meo-ni).To address grandma from your mother’s side, use 외할머니 (oe-hal-meo-ni). In a formal way, you can say 할머님 (hal-meo-nim)/외할머님 (oe-hal-meo-nim) means grandmother in Korean
You can use this word can be used to refer to one’s own grandmother or someone else’s grandmother.
It is a term of respect and is used in formal or informal situations.
If you want to address your grandma in a more cute and affectionate way, you can use the term 할매(halmae) similar to Granny in English.
Here’s how to say Grandma in Korean language correctly(both mothers and father side) .
- 할머니 (hal-meo-ni)= Grandma(standard way)
- 할매(halmae) = Granny(informal)
- 할머님 (hal-meo-nim) = Grandmother (formal)
- 외할머니 (oe-hal-meo-ni) Grandma (on mother’s side)
- 외할머님 (oe-hal-meo-nim) = Grandfmother (formal on mother’s side)
Let’s learn in detail
Grandmother in Korean (father’s side)|what is 할머니 (halmoni in Korean)
Grandma in Korean language is translated as 할머니[Halmeoni ]and pronounced weh-halmeoni.” The word can be decomposed as “한 Han” which means “big”, and “어머니[eomeoni]” is mother in Korean.”
Putting them together, we get “할머니 halmeoni.”
It is the most commonly heard and used term and is more similar to “grandma” in English.
“할머니님[halmeonim] is a more formal way of addressing one’s grandmother in Korean language. It is often used in traditional or formal settings.
Just drops the “지” and replace it with “님” to make “할머니님”.
It’s also common to use affectionate terms when referring to one’s grandparents in Korean like our grandmother
You can use these terms to talk about Grandma in Korean language to other people, or just to refer to him directly, like this
Example
- Hi grandpa, how are you?
- 할머니 안녕하세요?
- Grandma, can we sit?
- 할머니 앉아도 될까요?
- My grandmother brought me up
- 할머니가 날 키워주셨어.
- Talking about my grandma, I miss her.
- 할머니 얘기하니까 할머니 보고싶다.
- Don’t worry, Grandma. I‘ll take care of you
- 걱정 마 할머니.내가 보살펴 줄게에요.
- Let’s go to my grandma’s place
- 우리 할머니 집에 가자.
If your grandma is a Korean speaker, 할머니[Halmeoni]” is the most common and “safe” way to go.
You won’t have any confusion with anyone when talking about him, or when talking to him.
외할머니 (oe halmeoni)|Grandmother in Korean (Mother’s side)
In Korean, the word for “grandmother on mother’s side” is 외할머니(oe-halmeoni) which is composed of “외[oe]” means “outside” and “할머니[Halmeoni]” means grandmother in Korean.
외할아버님 (oe-hal-a-beo-nim) is also a common way to use the word to refer to the mother’s mother.
it is only when you are talking about your grandma in Korean language in traditional or formal settings.
Example
- That’s my grandma on my mother’s side.
- 저희 외할머니.
- This is my grandma’s place
- 여긴 우리 외할머니 댁이에요
How to say “Great Grandparents” in Korean
We’ll also learn about how to call your great-grandparents in Korean.
Great-grandparents in Korean is 증조부모 (jeungjobumo) in Korean.
The word can be decomposed as “증 Han” means “great”, and “조부모(jobumo) ” is grandparents in Korean.”Putting them together, we get “증조부모 (jeungjobumo) ”
However, if you’re referring specifically to your great-grandpa, you can call him 증조부 (jeungjobu) and 증조모 (jeungjomo) for your great-grandma.
Example
- His great-grandfather was a royal duke.
- 그의 증조 할아버지는 공작이었다.
- I will visit my great-grandpa with my parents.
- 나는 우리 부모님과 함께 증조 할아버지를 방문할 거야.
- They are my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.
- 그들은 바로 내 부모님, 조부모님 그리고 증조부모님이셔
How to remember the words easily?
I know saying “grandparents” is a bit confusing and in so many ways makes it even harder to remember
but with practice and time, you can be as good as native Korean speakers.
After all, when it comes to fluency, practice is the key.
Here’s how I did it.
I hope these resources will help you master the word “grandparents in Korean” in no time.
Anki Isn’t The Only Game In Town.
Did you know you can watch a mini-series and master how to say grandparents in Korean language?
Well, what could be better than that?
Here is how Koreans do it all the time (now you can do it too!!!)
Use Flashcard And Test
Maybe drama is not your thing. What about flashcards?
I know it’s an old thing(you might be using Anki too)
But When it comes to mastering Korean vocabulary, you will never regret using these fellas.
Here is list
https://quizlet.com/256385885/Korean-familyrelative-termstitles-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/58059535/Korean-family-vocabulary-flash-cards/
Other online resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_honorifics
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Korean_terms_of_family_and_kinship
Conclusion
Great job. You finally know how to say grandparents in Korean.
Most Korean learners know that ‘abuelo’ is the Korean word for ‘grandpa” and halmoni for grandma in Korean language.
However, if you’re learning Korean, soon you will notice that there are other affectionate terms we have talked about here that you could use instead to call your grandma/grandpa in Korean.
I’m sure that you won’t use them all. But native speakers use a couple of those expressions.
However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to use it all the time but it’s better to know.
Because, If you hear a Korean saying “외할머니 (oe halmeoni)”, you want to make sure that you understand who’s he talking about.
Now, even though you learn by memory the expressions that we covered today, now go ahead, and show off to natives how good you are at Korean
Still think you are in the mood to learn how to speak Korean like a native, check out these basic Korean lessons
I promise it will help you out
How did you call your grandpa today? If you know more ways how to say grandfather/grandmother in Korean, don’t hesitate to drop them in the comments at the end.
I will wait for your opinion.
Thank you for reading this lesson. See you in the next lesson
