Korean Family Words – Immediate and Extended

Understanding Korean family words goes far beyond just knowing how to say "mom" and "dad." Korean culture places a strong emphasis on family roles, age hierarchy, and respect, so there are unique words for nearly every family member, depending on age, side of the family, and marital status. 👵👶

In this guide, you'll learn the essential family vocabulary used in everyday life—covering both immediate family (like parents and siblings) and extended family (like uncles and cousins). You'll also explore polite forms, honorifics, and how to use them naturally in conversation. Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the world of Korean family terms! 🇰🇷

👨 Immediate Family Vocabulary

Let’s start with the core of every family: the immediate members. These are the people you grow up with—your parents, siblings, and children. In Korean, each of these has its own unique term, and sometimes even multiple words depending on formality, gender, or age differences. 👩‍👧‍👦

 

One key thing to remember: Korean is a **context-driven and hierarchical language.** That means the word you use for “older brother” will be different if you are a male or female speaker. These nuances help convey respect and clarity in relationships.

 

Here’s a table of the most commonly used immediate family terms in Korean, along with Romanization and explanations. These are essential for introducing your family or talking about them in everyday conversation.

🏡 Immediate Family Terms

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Notes
Father	아버지 / 아빠	abeoji / appa	Formal / Casual
Mother	어머니 / 엄마	eomeoni / eomma	Formal / Casual
Older brother (male speaker)	형	hyeong	Used by males only
Older brother (female speaker)	오빠	oppa	Used by females only
Older sister (male speaker)	누나	nuna	Used by males only
Older sister (female speaker)	언니	eonni	Used by females only
Younger sibling	동생	dongsaeng	Gender-neutral
Son	아들	adeul	Child (male)
Daughter	딸	ttal	Child (female)

 

Using these words properly helps you sound more natural and respectful in Korean conversations. For example, when introducing your family, you might say: “이 사람은 제 아버지예요.” (This is my father.) Or, casually to a friend: “우리 엄마가 요리 잘해요.” (My mom is a great cook.)

 

Note that in many families, people may use even more affectionate or dialect-based terms, but these are the **standard Korean** forms that are widely understood and acceptable in most situations. 💬

👵 Extended Family Vocabulary

Korean extended family terms can be quite detailed! Unlike English, where “uncle” and “aunt” are generic, Korean has **different words** depending on whether they are on your **mother’s side** or **father’s side**, and even based on their relative **age**. 🧓👵

 

Understanding these distinctions helps you sound more respectful and culturally aware. Especially during family gatherings like 설날 (Lunar New Year) or 추석 (Chuseok), you'll hear these words used a lot! 👂

 

Here's a detailed table of essential extended family words in Korean, with notes to help you remember the context and side of the family they're used for.

👨‍👩‍👦 Extended Family Terms

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Notes
Grandfather (paternal)	할아버지	hal-abeoji	Dad’s father
Grandmother (paternal)	할머니	halmeoni	Dad’s mother
Grandfather (maternal)	외할아버지	oe-hal-abeoji	Mom’s father
Grandmother (maternal)	외할머니	oe-halmeoni	Mom’s mother
Uncle (father’s older brother)	큰아버지	keun-abeoji	Formal, married
Uncle (father’s younger brother)	작은아버지	jageun-abeoji	Formal, married
Uncle (mother’s brother)	외삼촌	oe-samchon	Maternal uncle
Aunt (father’s sister)	고모	gomo	Paternal aunt
Aunt (mother’s sister)	이모	imo	Maternal aunt
Cousin	사촌	sachon	All cousins

 

As you can see, Korean family terms reflect not just blood relations but also social structure. It may feel overwhelming at first, but hearing them used in real-life Korean dramas or family conversations makes them easier to remember. 📺

 

You’ll notice that many of the male relatives on your father’s side include the word “아버지,” even if they are not your actual dad. That’s because Korean culture traditionally centers on the father’s lineage. Meanwhile, maternal relatives often start with “외,” meaning “outside the family.”

 

In practice, you don’t need to memorize all of these at once. Start with the relatives you talk about most often—maybe “할머니” if you call your grandma often—and build your vocabulary from there. 👍

💍 In-laws and Spouse Terms

In Korean, once you get married, your vocabulary for family expands—**a lot**. Unlike in English where “mother-in-law” covers both sides, Korean has specific terms for every relationship on both the husband’s and wife’s side. 💬

 

What makes it even trickier? Many of these terms change depending on **gender** (whether you're the wife or the husband), **birth order**, and **formality**. That’s why understanding these in-law and spouse terms is key if you’re dating or married to a Korean, or even just watching Korean dramas! 🎬

 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to refer to your spouse, their parents, and their siblings, based on **your gender** and **relation**. The chart includes explanations so you’ll know exactly when and how to use each term.

👰🤵 Spouse & In-Laws Terms

Relation	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Used By
Husband	남편	nampyeon	Wife refers to husband
Wife	아내 / 집사람	anae / jipsaram	Husband refers to wife
Father-in-law (husband’s father)	시아버지	si-abeoji	Used by wife
Mother-in-law (husband’s mother)	시어머니	si-eomeoni	Used by wife
Father-in-law (wife’s father)	장인어른	jangin-eoreun	Used by husband
Mother-in-law (wife’s mother)	장모님	jangmo-nim	Used by husband
Brother-in-law (husband’s older brother)	형님	hyeongnim	Used by wife
Sister-in-law (husband’s sister)	형님 / 아가씨	hyeongnim / agassi	Used by wife

 

As you can see, these words are specific and show a **deep respect** toward your partner’s family. For example, “장모님” is the polite way a man refers to his wife’s mother, often with “-님” attached for honorific form. If you don’t use honorifics, it can come off as rude. 😬

 

You might also notice that the word “형님” appears twice. That’s because it can refer to both a husband’s older brother or sister, depending on context—but pronunciation and tone matter here too. Use context to decide if it’s a brother or sister.

 

Married life in Korean culture comes with built-in respect dynamics, especially around the in-laws. Being able to call your spouse’s family correctly is one of the most appreciated signs of cultural sensitivity. ❤️

 

Also, many modern couples are beginning to simplify these terms or opt for more neutral language, especially in casual or international marriages. But for formal settings like holidays or traditional weddings, knowing the correct form is essential!

🗣️ Formality & Age-Based Variations

Korean is a language built on **respect and hierarchy**, especially within families. That’s why how you refer to a family member depends not just on their relationship to you, but also on **your age**, **gender**, and **level of formality**. 📏

 

For example, you wouldn't call your older sister the same way your younger sibling would. And depending on whether you're speaking directly to someone or talking about them to others, the term might shift. Let’s explore the most common variations so you can avoid social slip-ups. 🔍

 

👥 Age & Gender-Based Family Terms

Relation	Term Used	Who Says It	Context
Older Brother	형 / 오빠	형 = male / 오빠 = female	Used toward older male sibling
Older Sister	누나 / 언니	누나 = male / 언니 = female	Used toward older female sibling
Parents	아버지 / 어머니 → 아빠 / 엄마	All children (formal/informal)	Formal vs. casual context
Grandparents	할아버지 / 할머니	Everyone	Always formal/respectful
Uncles/Aunts (formal)	삼촌 / 이모 / 고모님	Children, younger relatives	Honorific often added (-님)

 

The key takeaway here is that **gender and age determine word choice**. For example, a woman calling her older brother must say "오빠", but a man would say "형". These rules are strict and part of everyday speech—especially within families. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

 

Also, when talking *about* family members (rather than to them), Korean speakers often add polite titles. For example:
👉 “우리 아버지께서 오셨어요.” = “My father came (honorific).”
👉 “이모님이 선물 주셨어요.” = “My aunt gave me a gift.”

 

These small additions show **respect and closeness**. It’s especially important when talking about elders to others or in formal settings like weddings, holidays, or meeting your in-laws for the first time. 🎎

 

Some families might also use regional dialects or affectionate nicknames, but the terms above are considered standard and widely accepted across Korea. 🗺️

💬 How to Use These Words in Sentences

Now that you've learned all the key family words in Korean, it's time to see how they're actually used in real-life conversations. Whether you're introducing your family, talking about them, or addressing them directly, knowing the right sentence structure is essential. 🧠

 

Korean sentences follow the basic structure of **Subject + Object + Verb**, and family terms often come at the beginning of a sentence as the subject. Also, don’t forget to adjust honorifics depending on who you're talking to or about. 🙇

 

🗣️ Real-Life Korean Sentences with Family Words

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization
This is my father.	이 사람은 제 아버지예요.	i sarameun je abeoji-yeyo
My mom is a teacher.	우리 엄마는 선생님이에요.	uri eomma-neun seonsaengnim-ieyo
Do you have siblings?	형제자매가 있어요?	hyeongjejeamae-ga isseoyo?
My older sister lives in Busan.	언니는 부산에 살아요.	eonni-neun busan-e sarayo
My grandfather passed away.	할아버지께서 돌아가셨어요.	hal-abeoji-kkeseo doragashyeosseoyo
My cousin is younger than me.	사촌은 저보다 어려요.	sachon-eun jeo-boda eoryeoyo

 

In Korean, it's very common to say “우리” (our) instead of “my” even when referring to your own family. For example, “우리 엄마” literally means “our mom,” but is used the same way as “my mom” in English. 🇰🇷

 

If you’re speaking to someone older or in a formal setting, remember to use honorifics like **-님** and subject particles like **께서** (instead of **이/가**) to show respect. This is especially important with parents, in-laws, and grandparents. 🙏

 

Here are a few more examples:
👩 “오빠, 배고파요.” → “Oppa, I’m hungry.” (used by a younger sister)
👨 “형, 오늘 영화 볼래?” → “Hyung, wanna watch a movie today?” (used by a younger brother)
👩 “아빠는 회사에 계세요.” → “Dad is at work.” (with honorific verb)

 

These phrases will help you sound more natural and confident when talking about family in Korean. Try practicing them out loud or writing your own family introductions using these sentence structures! 📝

🌏 Cultural Notes on Korean Family Titles

Korean family terms aren’t just vocabulary—they’re a window into Korea’s culture, values, and social structure. Unlike English, where “uncle” or “aunt” can be vague, Korean distinguishes between older vs. younger siblings, maternal vs. paternal sides, and more. Why? Because **hierarchy, age, and family role really matter** in Korean society. 🧭

 

One of the biggest influences is **Confucianism**, which emphasizes respect for elders, family lineage, and maintaining harmony. That’s why you’ll find so many unique and specific terms like “큰아버지” (father’s older brother) and “작은어머니” (father’s younger brother’s wife). Each person has a clearly defined role. 📚

 

Let’s break down some of the cultural values behind the language and how they influence family titles in Korean.

🧠 Culture Behind Korean Family Vocabulary

Cultural Value	How It Affects Family Words	Example
Respect for elders	Specific words & honorifics used for older relatives	할아버지 (grandfather), 어머니 (mother)
Confucian hierarchy	Detailed terms based on age and lineage	큰아버지 (dad's older brother), 외삼촌 (mom's brother)
Formality & speech levels	Family terms change in formal vs. casual settings	아버지 vs. 아빠, 어머니 vs. 엄마
Role-based identity	Names replaced by role titles in daily speech	Calling your brother “형” instead of his name

 

One unique part of Korean culture is that **you rarely use personal names in the family.** Instead, you use their role: 형 (older brother), 이모 (aunt), 엄마 (mom), etc. It keeps the structure respectful and helps clarify relationships immediately. 🤝

 

Also, the word “우리” (our) reflects Korea’s collectivist culture. People say “우리 엄마” (our mom) instead of “my mom” because it implies belonging to a group or family unit rather than individual possession. 🇰🇷

 

Another interesting point: when marrying into a family, the titles you use change entirely. A woman refers to her husband's mother as “시어머니” and her own mom as “어머니.” The vocabulary itself helps draw a social boundary between biological and marital ties.

 

Understanding these titles isn't just about grammar—it's about connecting with Korean people in a meaningful and respectful way. When you use the right term, it shows that you understand their values, and that's deeply appreciated. 💖

💡 FAQ

Q1. Why are there different Korean words for "uncle" based on which side of the family?

 

A1. Korean distinguishes maternal and paternal sides to reflect Confucian lineage structure. This helps clarify family roles and honor the father's line, which traditionally holds more weight in Korean heritage.

 

Q2. Is it rude to call someone by their name instead of their family title?

 

A2. Yes, especially if they are older or within your family. Using their title like 형, 누나, or 이모 shows respect. Calling someone by name can sound overly casual or disrespectful unless you're very close in age or it's expected.

 

Q3. How do I refer to my spouse’s parents politely?

 

A3. If you're a wife, use 시아버지 (father-in-law) and 시어머니 (mother-in-law). If you're a husband, use 장인어른 (father-in-law) and 장모님 (mother-in-law). These include honorifics and are essential for respectful communication.

 

Q4. Is “우리” (our) always used instead of “my” for family?

 

A4. Yes! Koreans typically say “우리 엄마” (our mom), even when they mean "my mom." It reflects collectivist culture and emotional closeness. Using “내” (my) is grammatically fine, but can feel slightly distant in family contexts.

 

Q5. Do family terms change depending on who’s speaking?

 

A5. Absolutely. For example, only a female can call her older brother “오빠,” while a male would use “형.” Gender and age always affect the word choice. Knowing who is speaking is crucial to choosing the correct term.

 

Q6. What does “-님” at the end of a title mean?

 

A6. “-님” is an honorific suffix used to show respect. Adding it to titles like 어머니 → 어머님 or 이모 → 이모님 makes your speech more polite, especially in formal or in-law situations.

 

Q7. Can I use English family terms instead when speaking Korean?

 

A7. It’s best not to. Using English terms like "mom" or "grandpa" in a Korean sentence sounds unnatural and breaks flow. Stick to Korean terms unless speaking English entirely or in a very casual bilingual setting.

 

Q8. Is it okay to shorten family titles?

 

A8. In informal situations, you can say “엄마” instead of “어머니,” or “아빠” instead of “아버지.” But in formal settings like weddings or when talking to in-laws, always use full and polite forms.