Family in Korean: all 20 words
| Korean | Sounds like | English | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가족 | gajok | family | |
| 엄마 | eomma | mom | |
| 아빠 | appa | dad | |
| 어머니 | eomeoni | motherpolite | |
| 아버지 | abeoji | fatherpolite | |
| 할머니 | halmeoni | grandmother | |
| 할아버지 | harabeoji | grandfather | |
| 형 | hyeong | older brother (said by a male) | |
| 오빠 | oppa | older brother (said by a female) | |
| 누나 | nuna | older sister (said by a male) | |
| 언니 | eonni | older sister (said by a female) | |
| 남동생 | namdongsaeng | younger brother | |
| 여동생 | yeodongsaeng | younger sister | |
| 아들 | adeul | son | |
| 딸 | ttal | daughter | |
| 남편 | nampyeon | husband | |
| 아내 | anae | wife | |
| 아기 | agi | baby | |
| 삼촌 | samchon | uncle (father's brother) | |
| 이모 | imo | aunt (mother's sister) |
Good to know
Korean family words depend on who is speaking. An older brother is 형 if you are male and 오빠 if you are female. An older sister is 누나 for a male speaker and 언니 for a female speaker. Younger siblings are simpler: 동생, or 남동생 and 여동생 to say brother or sister.
These words don't stay in the family. Koreans call close older friends 오빠, 언니, 형 or 누나, which is why you hear them so often in K-dramas. 엄마 and 아빠 are casual, like "mom" and "dad"; 어머니 and 아버지 are the polite forms.
Want to practice typing these words? Play Hangul Rain with the family words.
Frequently asked questions
What does oppa mean?
오빠 means "older brother", but only a female speaker uses it. Women also use it for older male friends and boyfriends. A male speaker says 형 instead.
What is the difference between unnie and noona?
Both mean "older sister". Women say 언니 and men say 누나.
Romanization: Revised Romanization of Korean, with sound changes. Audio: a recorded native-sounding Korean voice.
Last checked: 2026-10-20