Have you noticed how Korean love talking about their nearest and dearest?
In fact, using Korean family words in real life is a great conversation starter.
But How do you say family in Korean?
It’s a question that seems pretty simple, but sometimes describing your family in Korean language, things can get a little complicated!
Whether you’re looking to learn how to address your relatives or just want to understand the Korean family tree this post has got you covered.
With more than 50 common Korean family vocabulary words and phrases at your disposal, you’ll be able to talk about others and your own family with confidence.
Alright world, let’s dive into the world of Korean family terms!
Table of Contents
Korean family terms| How to say Family in Korean
The word family in Korean is 가족 (gajok). Korean family terms for members are 아버지 (father), 어머니 (mother), 누나/언니(sister), 형/오빠 (brother), 딸 (daughter), 아들(son), 고모(aunt),삼촌 (uncle), l할머니 (grandmother) and 할아버지 (grandfather).
The translation for “member” is 구성원 so the term for “family member” is 가족 구성원.
Here are some other words related to the family in Korean language.
- Family: 가족 (gajok)
- 아버지 (abeoji) – Father
- 어머니 (eomeoni) – Mother
- 아들 (adul) – Son
- 딸 (ttal) – Daughter
- 형 (hyeong) – Older brother(used by men)
- 오빠(oppa)-Older brother(used by women)
- 누나( noona) – Older sister(used by men)
- 언니(unnie)-Older sister(used by women)
- 남동생 (namdongsaeng) – Younger brother
- 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) – Younger sister
- 할아버지 (harabeoji) – Grandfather
- 할머니 (halmeoni) – Grandmother
- 손자 (sonja) – Grandson
- 손녀 (sonnyeo) – Granddaughter
This term refers to a group of people who are related by blood or marriage, including parents, children, siblings, and extended family members.
In Korean culture, family is considered very important, and it is common for people to have close relationships with their relatives.
It is also common for people to address their older family members with respect, using terms like 아버지 (abeoji) or 어머니 (eomeoni) when speaking to their father or mother, and 할아버지 (harabeoji) or 할머니 (halmeoni) when speaking to their grandparents.
Example
My family means everything to me.
내게는 내 가족이 전부이다.
What are you giving your father for his birthday?
넌 아버지 생신 때 뭐 드릴 거니?
Leave this work to us, mama.
이 일은 저희에게 맡기세요, 어머니.
We have two sons and a daughter.
우리는 아들이 둘에 딸이 하나예요
My brother called me from Spain last night.
어젯밤 우리 오빠가 스페인에서 전화를 했어.
My sister’s expecting a baby.
우리 언니가 아기를 가졌다.
All our family came to Grandad’s eightieth birthday party.
우리의 집안 식구 모두가 할아버지 팔순 잔치에 왔다.
Conversation using Korean family words |Talking about family in Korean
A: What did you do on Sunday?
일요일에 무엇을 했어요?
B: I went fishing
나는 낚시를 갔어요.
A: Alone
혼자였어요
B: No,
아니요,
A:With whom?
누구 랑?
B: I went with my father and grandfather?
아버지와 할아버지와 함께 갔다
A: Do you like fishing?
낚시 좋아해요?
B: No, not really but my family really likes family
아니요, 그렇지는 않지만 우리 가족은 낚시를 정말 좋아합니다
A: How many members are in your family?
가족이 몇 명이나 되죠?
B: Me, my older sister, father, mother, and my grandfather and grandmother
나, 누나, 아버지, 어머니, 할아버지, 할머니
A: It sounds fun. I really wanted to go fishing, too.
재미있겠다.나도 낚시 가고 싶었어.
B: Really? Let’s go fishing together next time
그래? 다음에 같이 낚시 가요.
Parents and siblings in Korean|Korean family words for the immediate family
In Korean, the word for “parents” is 부모 (bumo).
The word for “siblings” is 형제 (hyeongje) or 자매 (jamae). This term refers to a person’s brothers and sisters.
Here are some other words related to parents and siblings in Korean:
- 아버지 (abeoji) – Father
- 어머니 (eomeoni) – Mother
- 형 (hyeong) – Older brother
- 제 (je) – Older sister
- 남동생 (namdongsaeng) – Younger brother
- 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) – Younger sister
- Older brother in Korean: 오빠 (oppa)
- Older sister in Korean: 언니 (eonni)
- Older brother: 형 (hyeong)
- Older sister: 누나 (nuna)
- Younger brother: 남동생 (namdongsaeng)
- Younger sister: 여동생 (yeodongsaeng)
- You could also use 동생 (dongsaeng), which means “younger sibling”.
- Siblings: 형제 자매 (hyeongje jamae)
- Brothers: 형제 (hyeongje)
- Sisters: 자매 (jamae)
In Korean culture, it is common for people to have close relationships with their parents and siblings, and to show respect for their elders.
Examples
My father is a doctor.
아버지는 의사예요.
My mother is a teacher.
제 어머니는 선생님이에요.
My older brother is older than me.
형은 저보다 나이가 어려요.
I am my older sister’s older sister.
제 제가 저의 언니예요.
My younger brother is younger than me.
남동생은 저보다 젊어요.
My younger sister is younger and foolish than me.
여동생은 저보다 어리석군요.
My older brother is older than me.
오빠는 저보다 나이가 어려요.
My siblings are really precious to me.
형제 자매들은 정말 소중한 사람들이에요.
My brothers are really fun and kind people.
형제들은 정말 재밌고 착한 사람들이에요.
When Your siblings get married
If you’re male, use these terms
- older brother’s wife-형수 (hyung-soo)
- younger brother’s wife-제수씨 (je-su-ssi)
- younger sister’s husband-매제 (meh-je)
- older sister’s husband-매형 (meh-hyung)
If you’re female, use these terms
- older brother’s wife-새언니 (seh-un-ni)
- younger brother’s wife-올케 (ol-kke)
- older sister’s husband-형부 (hyung-bu)
- younger sister’s husband-제부 (je-bu)
In regards to addressing your siblings-in-law, traditional gender distinctions in sibling titles still apply.
If you have a close relationship with them, you can simply use the typical sibling titles without any preceding titles.
If you feel overwhelmed by these terms, don’t worry – many Koreans, especially younger ones, are not familiar with them.
It’s okay if you can’t remember all of them.
The important thing is to show respect and kindness in your interactions with your siblings-in-law
How to say grandParents in Korean
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”.
The Korean family term 조부모 (jobumo) is used while referring 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.is often used in traditional or formal settings.
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.
Here’s how to say grandparents in Korean language (grandma and grandpa in Korean) in 8 ways.
- 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)
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 greeting 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.
Your grandparents’ siblings (aka your parents’ aunts and uncles)
Here’s how to address your grandparents’ siblings in Korean language
(aka your parents’ aunts and uncles)
- Your grandaunt: wang-gomo (왕고모), gomo halmeoni (고모할머니)
- Your granduncle: keun harabeoji (큰할아버지), jageun harabeoji
- Your maternal grandaunt: dae-imo (대이모) or imo-halmeoni (이모할머니)
- Your maternal granduncle: jin-oeharabeoji (진외할아버지)
Your father’s side of the family, chin-ga (친가)
In Korean, the word “chin-ga (친가)” refers to a person’s father’s side of the family or the family members who are related through the father’s lineage.
This includes the person’s paternal grandparents, uncles and aunts, and cousins on the father’s side.
The word “chin-ga” is composed of the Chinese characters “親” (chin) and “家” (ga), which together mean “family.”
The character “親” (chin) can also be translated as “close” or “related,” and the character “家” (ga) means “house” or “family.”
- Uncle (younger, unmarried): 삼촌 (samchon)
- Uncle (younger, married): 작은아빠 (jageunappa)
- Uncle (older, unmarried or married): 큰아빠 (keunappa)
- Aunt: 고모 (gomo)
- Younger uncle’s wife: 작은엄마 (jageuneomma)
- Older uncle’s wife: 큰엄마 (keuneomma)
- Aunt’s husband: 고모부 (gomobu)
- Dad’s side of the family: 친가 (chinga)
Examples
I am going to visit my uncle.
난 우리 삼촌을 뵈러 갈 거야.
I’ve just become an uncle.
내가 방금 삼촌이 됐어요.
Your uncle was great at hip-hop.
너네 작은아빠가 힙합 아주 잘하셨어!
I met my cousins, uncles, and aunts.
사촌들, 삼촌들, 그리고 고모들을 만났어.
My mom and aunts will cook some food together.
우리 엄마와 고모들은 함께 음식을 준비하실 거야.
Don’t forget about Aunt Susan and Uncle John.
수잔 고모와 존 고모부도 잊지 말아라.
Our daughter favors her father’s side of the family.
우리 딸은 친가 쪽을 닮았어.
I will visit my mother’s side and father’s side family.
나는 외가와 친가 가족들을 방문할 것이다.
Your mother’s side of the family,oe-ga (외가)
In Korean, the word “chin-ga (친가)” refers to a person’s father’s side of the family or the family members who are related through the father’s lineage.
This includes the person’s maternal grandparents, uncles and aunts, and cousins on the mother’s side.
- Maternal Grandfather: oe harabeoji (외할아버지)
- Maternal Grandmother: oe halmeoni (외할머니)
- your mother’s brother(Maternal Uncles):oe sookbu (외숙부)
- your mother’s brother’s wife(Maternal Uncles): oe sookmo (외숙모)
- your mother’s sister(Maternal Aunts): eemo (이모)
- your mother’s sister’s husband eemobu (Maternal Aunts):(이모부)
Examples
grandchild visited his grandfather.
손자가 외할아버지를 방문했다
Who is the mother of your mother?
누가 너의 외할머니 이시니?
My grandmother had them at her house.
외할머니 집에 가면 있었어.
Is your grandmother’s name DARAE?
외할머니 이름이 Darae야?
The lady over there is one of my aunts.
저쪽에 계신 여자 분이 내 이모 중의 한 분이에요.
Harry potter is an orphan who lives with his aunt and uncle.
해리포터는 그의 이모와 이모부랑 함께 사는 고아이다.
Husband and wife in Korean – 부부 (Bubu)
Husband and wife in Korean is called 부부 (Bubu).
In Korean word for “husband” is 남편 (nampyeon) and the word for “wife” is 아내 (anae).
Here is some Korean vocabulary for family, related to married couples.
Calling your husband:
- Yeobo (여보) – ‘honey’
- Dangshin (당신) – ‘you’.
- Sarang (사랑) – ‘love’.
- Seobang (서방) – husband,
- Nampyeon (남편) – ‘husband’(used to address husband when talking to relatives and friends)
- Joo-in (주인)/Bakkat yangban (바깥양반)/ Joo-in yangban (주인양반) – husband when talking to other people.
- Aebi (애비) – husband (used to address husband in front of the parents of your children’s friends)
Calling your wife:
- Yeobo (여보) – ‘honey’.
- Dangshin (당신) – ‘you’.
- Anae (아내) – the wife(used to address wife in front of the non-relatives.)
- Emi (에미) –mother((used to address wife in front of the parents of your children’s friends)
- Boo-in (부인) – literal meaning of ‘Mrs’
- An-saram (안사람) – wife while talking to other people(means ‘the inside person)
If you’re not married yet, here’s how you can address the person you’re dating
- Boyfriend: 남자친구 (namjachingu)
- Girlfriend: 여자친구 (yeojachingu)
- Fiancé (male): 약혼자 (yakhonja)
- Fiancée (female): 약혼녀 (yakhonnyeo)
Here are some examples of how you can use the words “husband” and “wife” in Korean in sentences:
My husband works at a job.
남편은 직장에서 일하고 있어요.
(nampyeon-eun jikjang-eseo ilhago itseoyo)
My wife takes care of the housework.
아내는 집안일을 관리하고 있어요.
(anae-neun jibanil-eul gwanrihago itseoyo) –
My sweetheart and I get along well.
우리 애인은 서로 잘 어울려요.
(uri aein-eun seoro jal eoullyeyo)
At the wedding ceremony, we were chosen as the groom and the bride.
결혼 식장에서 우리는 신랑과 신부로 선택됐어요.
(gyeolhon sikjang-eseo urineun sinlang-gwa sinbur-o seontaekdaewaesseoyo) –
In Korean culture, marriage is considered an important milestone and is typically marked by a formal ceremony.
It is common for couples to live with the husband’s family after marriage, and for the wife to take on the role of managing the household and caring for the children.
However, this traditional gender role division has been changing in recent years, and it is becoming more common for couples to share household and parenting responsibilities.
How to address Your husband side family in Korean
In Korean, your husband’s family members would be referred to as “결혼 외적인 사람” or “결혼 외적인 친척,” which translates to “in-laws” or “family members from the spouse’s side.”
The specific terms for your husband’s siblings would depend on their gender and your relationship with them.
Here’s a list of terms you can use to address people from Your husband’s side family
- Father-in-law/your husband’s father: si-abeoji (시아버지)
- Mother-in-law/your wife’s mother: si-eomoni (시어머니)
- Brothers-in-law: your husband’s older brother: ajubeonim (아주버님)
- Brothers-in-law: your husband’s older brother’s wife: hyeong-nim (형님)
- Brothers-in-law: your husband’s younger brother: si-dongsaeng (시동생)
- Brothers-in-law: your husband’s younger brother, unmarried and addressed directly: doryeonnim (도련님)
- Brothers-in-law(your husband’s younger brother, married 0r not) -seobangnim (서방님)
- Brothers-in-law: your husband’s younger brother’s wife: dongseo (동서)
- Sisters-in-law: your husband’s older sister: hyeong-nim (형님) or eonni (언니)
- Sisters-in-law: your husband’s older sister’s husband: seobangnim (서방님)
- Sisters-in-law: your husband’s younger sister: agasshi (아가씨) or asshi (아씨)
- Sisters-in-law: your husband’s younger sister’s husband: seobangnim (서방님)
Examples
My father-in-law celebrated my and my husband’s birthday together.
시아버지는 저와 제 남편의 생일을 같이 축하해줬어요.
My mother-in-law is currently working at a pharmacy.
제 시어머니는 요즘 약국에서 일하고 있어요.
My brother-in-law and my wife always have a fun conversation.
아주버님과 제 아내는 언제나 재밌게 얘기해요.
My sister-in-law is good at cooking at our house
형님은 저희 집에서 요리 잘해요.
My brother-in-law is younger than me and my younger brother.
시동생은 저보다 젊고 저의 작은 남동생이에요.
My brother-in-law is younger than my husband and me and is a young friend.
도련님은 제 남편과 저보다 젊고 젊은 친구예요.
My brothers-in-law are younger than my husband and me and are young friends.
서방님은 제 남편과 저보다 젊고 젊은 친구들이에요.
How to address Your wife’s side family in Korean
In Korean, your wife’s family members would be referred to as “결혼 외적인 사람” or “결혼 외적인 친척,” which translates to “in-laws” or “family members from the spouse’s side.”
The specific terms for your wife’s siblings would depend on their gender and your relationship with them.
Here’s a list of Korean family terms you can use to address people from Your wife’s side family.
- Father-in-law/your wife’s father: jang-in (장인)
- Mother-in-law/your wife’s mother: jangmo (장모)
- Brothers-in-law: your wife’s older brother: hyeong-nim (형님)
- Brothers-in-law: your wife’s older brother’s wife: ajumeonim (아주머님)
- Brothers-in-law: your wife’s younger brother: cheonam (처남)
- Brothers-in-law: your wife’s younger brother’s wife: cheonamdaek (처남댁)
- Sisters-in-law: your wife’s older sister: cheohyeong (처형)
- Sisters-in-law: your wife’s older sister’s husband: hyeong-nim (형님)
- Sisters-in-law: your wife’s younger sister: cheoje (처제)
- Sisters-in-law: your wife’s younger sister’s husband: dongseo (동서)
Son and daughter in Korean
son in Korean is 아들 (adul) and the Korean word for “daughter” is 딸 (ttal).
These terms are used to refer to a person’s children, regardless of their age.
Here are some other words related to children in Korean:
- 자녀 (janyeo) – Children
- 아이 (ai) – Child
- 손자 (sonja) – Grandson
- 손녀 (sonnyeo) – Granddaughter
- Son-아들 (adul)
- Daughter-in -law-사위 (sa-wi).
- daughter-딸 (ttal).
- son-in -law-며느리
- Stepdaughter-의붓딸(uibusttal)
- stepson-의붓아들(uibus-adeul)
Examples
Does he have a grandchild?
손자 없어요?
I have three children, including one son and two grandsons.
저는 자녀가 세 명이에요, 그 중에 아들이 한 명이고 손자가 두 명이에요.
My child has liked music since they were young.
제 아이는 어릴 때부터 음악을 좋아했어요.
My grandson is living in my house now.
손자는 지금 저의 집에 살고 있어요.
My granddaughter is living in my house now.
손녀는 지금 저의 집에 살고 있어요.
My son is living with my daughter-in-law’s son now.
아들은 지금 저의 사위의 아들과 함께 살고 있어요.
She didn’t like her son-in-law that much.
그녀는 사위가 별로 탐탁지 않았다
My son is being bullied at school.
우리 아들이 학교에서 괴롭힘을 당하고 있어요.
In Korean culture, it is common for parents to be very involved in their children’s lives and to show love and affection towards them.
It is also common for people to address their children with affectionate terms, such as 애기 (aegi) or 아기 (agi) for young children, and 사람 (saram) or 자기 (jagi) for older children.
Korean family terms related to marriage and relationships and family in Korean.
- Neighbor-이웃 (iut)
- Relative-친척(chinchok)
- Person-사람 (sa-ram)
- People-사람들 (sa-ram-deul)
- Men: 남자 (namja)
- Women: 여자 (yeoja)
- Gentleman: 신사 (shinsa)
- Lady: 아가씨(agassi)
- King: 왕 (wang)
- Queen: 여왕 (yeowang)
- 결혼 (gyeolhon) – Marriage
- 신랑 (sinlang) – Groom (male partner in a marriage)
- 신부 (sinbu) – Bride (female partner in a marriage)
- 애인 (aein) – Sweetheart, significant other
- 연인 (yeonin) – Couple, partner
General Terms to address any person in Korean
Let’s look at the common terms used to address any person who is not in the family.
- Child-아이
- Kids-애들
- Uncle in 40’s-아저씨
- Uncle in 30’s-삼촌
- Lady in 30’s-아가씨
- Lady in 50’s-아줌마
- Owners of shop, store-사장님
Example
My child is sleeping with my wife now
아이는 지금 저의 아내와 함께 자고 있어요.
My kids are exercising with my father now.
애들은 지금 저의 아버지와 함께 운동을 하고 있어요.
My uncle in his 40’s is cooking with my older sister now.
아저씨는 지금 저의 언니와 함께 요리를 하고 있어요.
My uncle in his 30’s is exercising with my wife now.
삼촌은 지금 저의 아내와 함께 운동을 하고 있어요.
My lady in her 30’s is drinking with my friend now.
아가씨는 지금 저의 친구와 함께 술을 마시고 있어요.
My lady in her 50’s is listening to music with my older sister now.
아줌마는 지금 저의 언니와 함께 음악을 듣고 있어요.
My shop owners are working with my older sister now.
사장님은 지금 저의 언니와 함께 일을 하고 있어요
How to remember family in Korean easily?
I know saying “family in Korean language” is a bit confusing and so many ways make 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 Korean family words” in no time.
Anki Isn’t The Only Game In Town.
Did you know you can sing a song and master Korean family terms without lifting a finger?
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 the list
https://quizlet.com/28076594/Korean-family-flash-cards/
https://www.studystack.com/flashcard-2442650
https://quizlet.com/585458675/Korean-honorifics-flash-cards/
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Korean_terms_of_family_and_kinship
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the diverse and meaningful ways to talk about family in Korean and essential Korean family terms.
From the close-knit bonds between siblings to the respect and reverence given to elders, understanding these terms is an important part of both learning the Korean language and gaining insight into Korean culture.
Of course, learning the Korean family tree is an easy job
But As you continue to learn Korean, we encourage you to keep practicing these Korean family words and phrases to your Korean vocabulary list.
And don’t forget to branch out and explore other aspects of Korean culture as well.
The more you learn, the more you’ll be able to connect with others and appreciate the rich Korean culture.
Thank you for joining us on this exploration of Korean family vocabulary.
if you think of more Korean family words, please add them in the comment section below in Korean and English, and we will add them to this list!
Happy studying!
