Essential Words To know for Korean Drama Fan : Korean Relationship Terms Meaning
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Ever wondered what is the meaning of the words 'oppa', 'hyung', 'unni', 'nuna'? You may have come across these words while watching a Korean movie or a Korean Drama. Or even in some k-pop songs. (The worldwide hit 'Gangnam Style' start with 'Oppa Gangnam Style', right?) And as a Korean Drama watcher, there are a lot of terms to know, like these above words.
These are the next most commonly heard terms in Korean Dramas.
Sunbae - Senior.
A sunbae is a senior of you in school/ university/work place/or in the line of work you do. Both Males and Females can be addressed as 'sunbae'. This person might not be too close to you to call as 'oppa', 'hyung', 'nuna' or 'unni' yet. And you need to give respect to this person as he/she is older and senior than you. Hence the seniors is addressed as 'sunbae's.
(Just for a note to remember : The Japanese equivalent of 'sunbae' is 'sempai'.)
More Respectful Form of 'Sunabe' is : 'Sunbaenim'
Songseng - Teacher.
But you won't hear this term as itself. They either use the more respectful term 'Songsengnim'. Or the more friendly short form - 'Sem'.
So... Songsengnim - Teacher
and Sem - Teacher
(Just for a note to remember : The Japanese equivalent of 'songsengnim' is 'sensei'.)
3.Terms for Middle Aged or Old People
3.1 Parents
Appa - Dad
More respectful form for dad is, Abboji, and Abbonim
Omma - Mom
More respectful form for omma is, ommonni and ommonim
3.2 Non-Parent Middle Aged People
3.3 Grand Mother and Grand Father
Harabboji - grandfather
Halmonni - grandmother
Keep in mind that Korean (or basically all Asians) address any older person as 'grandfather' or 'grandmother' even if they are related by blood or not. Even a stranger can be addressed as 'grandfather'/'grandmother' ('Harabboji'/'Halmonni'). That is just giving them respect and love at the same time.
4. How older people address younger people
Now we had been saying how to give respect to older people. In Korea, when an older person is talking to a younger person, if that younger person is not an immediate family or really close to him/her, they will always use some sort of ways to address that younger one with respect too.
Goon - This word is added at the end of a name of a boy to address him more respectfully. For example if the name of the boy is Jin Yong, then someone older than him can address him as 'Jin Young goon' to talk to him with respect. It would be same as adding 'Mr.' to a name.
Yang - This word is added at the end of a name of a girl to address her more respectfully. For example if the name of the girl is Ji Yeon, then someone older than her can address her as 'Ji Yeon yang' to talk to her with respect. It would be same as adding 'Miss' to a name.
What if you do not know the name of the younger person? There is another way to call a younger person. But it's strictly limited to students. That is only people from age 10-24 or so would be ever called this.
Hakseng - It literally means 'student'. But in Korea, youngsters do get addressed as 'hakseng' a lot. Addressing him/her as 'hakseng' is another way of talking politely to a youngster.
Another word is...
Aggasshi - Young Miss.
It's a term used to address all young girls.
5. Addressing by designation
6. Adding '-nim'
By now, you may have noticed that many of the relationship terms is changed in to much politer form by adding 'nim' to the end of the word. 'nim' is a Honorific that can be added to many (not all) of addressing words to add more respect. '
The most common are
Hyung - Hyungnim
Noona - Noonim
Appa - Abbonim
Songseng- Songsengnim
Sajang - Sajangnim
'-nim' can also be added to names to give the name more respectful feeling. For example, saying the name 'Ban Ki Moon', as 'Ban Ki Moon nim' will give it more respect. (Adding 'nim' to a name is the highest level of respect. A bit lover level respect is addition of 'sshi' to a name. That is explained in section 7)
7. Calling One's Name
Koreans avoid calling someone by their name in most cases. But when they do call someone by their name, it's usually done in the following 3 ways.
7.1 Close/Friendly
When the person is a really close friend, or family they call the name attached with an 'aa' at the end.
For example the name 'Jin Young' will be called as 'Jin-youngaa'.
This type of call shows affection, love, closeness, and friendliness.
7.2 Respect/Formal
The syllable 'sshi' is added with names to show respect.
For Example the name 'Ji Yeon' will be called with respect as 'Ji-yeonsshi'.
This can be used between close people and at formal meetings as well.
In Kdramas, we usually hear this type of addressing between couples, who where not classmates or friends. It's close but still respecting each other sort of relationship.
Also, this type of addressing is used in work places to address co-workers and subordinates. In short, you can add 'sshi' to names and address anyone with respect.
7.3 Calling in Full Names
This is another commonly used method. Situations like where 'you are not close enough to call affectionately, and you don't need to address him/her respectfully either', 'Or maybe you just hate that person to either respect or love', then how will you call that person? They use Full Name to call the person in that case.
Usually classmates who are not friends address each other like this.
Calling by full name denotes, 'non-affectionate-non-respect', so even people who usually address each other by the above two methods can suddenly jump to 'Full Name Basis' in some situations, where they need to be strict, or slightly rude with the person.
These three level need to be remembered really well by a KDrama fan, I think. Because if male and female leads suddenly jump from 'full name basis' or 'sshi' stage to 'aa' stage it denotes that they have become that much close. So if you don't know these levels you miss to enjoy that part.
[Like in 'Personal Taste', the leads call each other by 'sshi' added to name, but when Gae In faints after glass floor incident, Jeon Jin Ho calls like this while trying to wake her up - 'Gae In sshi... Gae In aa... Yah, Park Gae In!". There if you don't know the significance of each way of calling, you totally miss the point.
Also in 'Heartstrings' Lee Kyu Won and Lee Shin goes from 'full name basis' to calling 'Kyu Won aa' and 'Shin aa' after they have become couple.
And in 'Boys Over Flowers' Guem Jan Ji calls Gu Jun Pyo as 'Gu Jun Pyo' till the end. That Full Name calling is what's special and interesting thing in that Drama.]
So do please keep in mind these three level to address names...
8. Between couples
Usually couples can address each other by name in either of the three above ways, or as 'oppa', but there are two words that is used only between couples.
Chagi - It literally means 'darling' or 'dear'. This word is often used by lovey-dovey couple to address each other. It's called as 'chagi-aa' with a lot of love and affection mixed in.
(To avoid confusion - this word can also be used in casual conversation in the place of 'you' to address a person in a more lovable way. But in that situations it does not mean that the two persons talking are a couple.)
Yobo - Yobo is the word used between (only between) a husband and a wife to address each other. The English subtitles of Kdrama and movies usually translate this in to 'honey', but 'yobo' doesn't actually mean 'honey' or anything that affectionate term. It's not an affectionate term too as it could be used between a married couple even when they are having the worst fight. If we vaguely translate it the word yobo could mean 'husband' or 'wife'. But that doesn't mean you can use this word like 'your wife's cooking is tasty' or 'what does your husband do?' Because it's more like a method to 'call' your wife or husband, and doesn't literally mean 'husband' or 'wife'.
9. Other Relationship Terms
One of the most heard but really unique term is...
Seobang - It means 'Son-in-law' and 'husband'. A wife can address her husband as 'seobang' or 'seobangnim'(with more respect). But wife calling a husband 'seobangnim' is actually getting rare, and it's more like an old custom.
But the wife's parents can/should address their son-in-law as seobang. It's more like, it's disrespectful to call a son-in-law by his name. And in Korean culture, girls's parents are supposed to give the son-in-law the highest respect. So they always address him as 'seobang'.
But usually the surname of the Son-in-law is added with the seobang word. So if the man's name is Lee Jin Yong, he will be 'Lee Seobang' for his in-laws. And if his name is 'Park Jin Young' he will be 'Park Seobang' for his in-laws.
Other usual relationship terms are...
Myonuri - daughter-in-law
Hyungbu - Elder Sister's Husband (term used only by females)
Maehyung - Elder Sister's Husband (term used only by males)
Hyungsoo/Hungsoonim - Brother's Wife (term used only by males)
Chajae - Wife's younger sister
Chonam - Wife's younger brother
Dhuryonnim - Husband's Younger Brother
Agasshi - Hunsband's Younger Sister
Chaesusshi - Friend's wife (term used only by males)
Eemo - Maternal aunt
Ghumo - Paternal Aunt
Samchun - Paternal Uncle
Vesamchun - Maternal Uncle
Saachun - Cousin
10. Historical Drama Terms
There are a few terms that are norrmally headrd during Historical Korean Dramas only. Will explain a few of them here...
10.1 Word that exist in present times also, but heard more in Historical Dramas
Dhuryonnim - It means 'young master'. It's used to address the son of a wealthy family. In Historical Kdramas it's usually the noblemen's son that is addressed this way.
But this term is not limited to Historical dramas only, but is still used in present day to address the sons of the family.
Agasshi - It means 'young girl'. It's used to address the daughters of a wealthy family. In Historical Korean Dramas usually noblemen's daugher's are addressed this way.
In present days time, all young girls are addressed as 'aggasshi'.
Orabonni - It's the more respectful form of 'oppa'. Although it could be used rarely in present time Kdramas, it's a commonly heard word in Historical dramas.
Nagja - Means 'Young woman'/'Young Lady' etc.
10.2 Royal Titles & Adressing
10.2.1 Royal Titles
Jusang Johna / Wang - King
Jungjon mama - Queen
Seja Joha/Wang Seja - Crown Prince
Wangja - Prince
Gumju - Princess
Bigung mama/Sejabin - Crown Princess (Not King's daughter, but Crown Prince's wife)
Debimama - Dowager Queen (The Former Queen, King's mother or Step-mother)
10.2.2 Royal Addressing
The Kings and the royal family calls address their family with these terms
Abamama - It means, 'His highness Royal Father', or something similar to that. It's used by the Prince(s) and Princess(s) to address their father, the King.
Ommamama - It means, 'Her highness Royal Mother', or something similar to that. It's used by the Prince(s) and Princess(s) to address their mother, the Queen
Halmamama - It mean 'Her highness Royal Grandmother', or something similar to that. It's used by the Prince(s) and Princess(s) to address their grandmother, the dowager queen.
10.4 Adding '-mama'
Royal addressing is usually done by adding the term '-mama' to the title or term. The suffix '-mama' adds a royal reverence to the term.
These are all the commonly heard terms in Korean Dramas/Movies. I hope that after reading this post, your Drama/Movie watching experience will improve a lot in a good way.
Thank you...
Today, I am going to explain in detail, the meanings of each word. Also this will be a bit of a cultural analysis too, as we are going to discuss more than just the meanings of these words. We are going to discuss, the addressing of people in Korea. How to address someone. Or more like, when you watch a K-drama and hear/see them addressing someone else, by various methods, how to interpret that situation.
In America, Europe and most of the western countries, they just call each other with name. There the concept is of being friendly than of respect. But Asians are really particular about giving respect. In almost all Asian countries younger people can't call older people by their name. They have terms for 'older brother', 'older sister', 'uncle' and 'auntie'. And here, the elder persons may need not be blood related.
Every older boy is 'older brother', every older girl is 'older sister', and every middle aged man except your own father is 'uncle' and every middle aged women except your mother is 'auntie'. And blood related or not, every old person is 'grandpa' or 'grandma'.
Now, let's get back to Korean Words and Korean Culture. Koreans seems to be a bit on a higher level in giving respect than any other country. They have a various selection of terms to address people. We can categorize those to make it easy.
1. Brother-Sister Terms
In Korea the term a girl should use for addressing a 'bother' or 'sister' is different from what a boy should use to address a 'brother' or 'sister'.
1.1 Used by girls/women
Oppa - Older Brother
It literally means Older brother. But a girl can(/should) call any older boy as 'oppa'. This word is only used by girls to address older boys. And just because a girl is calling a boy as 'oppa' doesn't make them unable to have a romantic relationship. Even girlfriends can call older boyfriends as 'oppa'.
More respectful form of Oppa : 'Orabonni'(Orabonni will translate to 'respected older brother')
Unni - Older Sister (it's pronounced more like 'onni')
It literally means Older Sister. But a girl can(/should) call any older girl as 'unni'. This word is only used by girls to address older girls.
1.2 Used by boys/men
Hyung - Older Brother
It sterility means Older Brother. But a boy can call any older boy as 'hyung'. This word is only used by boys/men to address older boys
More Respectful Form of Hyung : Hyungnim(hyungnim will traslate to 'respected older brother')
Nuna - Older Sister
It literally means Older Sister. But a should can(/should) call any older girl as 'nuna'. This word is only used by boys to address older girls . And just because a boy is calling a girl as 'nunaa' doesn't make them unable to have a romantic relationship. Even boyfriends can call older girlfriends as 'nuna'.
More Respectful Form of Nuna : Nunim
And not, even when I have said as 'boy' and 'girl' even older people, even grandmas and grandpas can address each other as 'oppa' 'unnni' hyung' nuna' if they are in the same age rage.
[Also...the point is just because a girl calls a boy ‘oppa’ or a boy calls a girl ‘nuna’ that doesn't make them unable to have romantic relationships.]
1.3 Used by both girls and boys
Dongseng - Younger sibling.
It literally means 'Younger sibling'. A dongseng can either be a girl or a boy. A boy can call his younger brother and/or younger sister as 'dongseng'. Like wise a girl can also call her younger sister and/or younger brother as 'dongseng'.
2. Senior and Teacher
2. Senior and Teacher
These are the next most commonly heard terms in Korean Dramas.
Sunbae - Senior.
A sunbae is a senior of you in school/ university/work place/or in the line of work you do. Both Males and Females can be addressed as 'sunbae'. This person might not be too close to you to call as 'oppa', 'hyung', 'nuna' or 'unni' yet. And you need to give respect to this person as he/she is older and senior than you. Hence the seniors is addressed as 'sunbae's.
(Just for a note to remember : The Japanese equivalent of 'sunbae' is 'sempai'.)
More Respectful Form of 'Sunabe' is : 'Sunbaenim'
But you won't hear this term as itself. They either use the more respectful term 'Songsengnim'. Or the more friendly short form - 'Sem'.
So... Songsengnim - Teacher
and Sem - Teacher
(Just for a note to remember : The Japanese equivalent of 'songsengnim' is 'sensei'.)
3.Terms for Middle Aged or Old People
3.1 Parents
Appa - Dad
More respectful form for dad is, Abboji, and Abbonim
Omma - Mom
More respectful form for omma is, ommonni and ommonim
3.2 Non-Parent Middle Aged People
Ajjushi – It can mean ‘uncle’ but can also mean ‘mister’. Used in both context. It is used to address any grown up man. Even same age people can call the other adult man as ‘ajjushi’, at that time, it won’t mean as ‘uncle’. But when a small child is calling someone ‘ajjushi’ it usually mean ‘uncle’.
Ajjumma – The female form of ajjushi. That is, used to address an adult female. It can mean ‘auntie’ or ‘mrs.’. Same as above.
3.3 Grand Mother and Grand Father
Harabboji - grandfather
Halmonni - grandmother
Keep in mind that Korean (or basically all Asians) address any older person as 'grandfather' or 'grandmother' even if they are related by blood or not. Even a stranger can be addressed as 'grandfather'/'grandmother' ('Harabboji'/'Halmonni'). That is just giving them respect and love at the same time.
4. How older people address younger people
Now we had been saying how to give respect to older people. In Korea, when an older person is talking to a younger person, if that younger person is not an immediate family or really close to him/her, they will always use some sort of ways to address that younger one with respect too.
Goon - This word is added at the end of a name of a boy to address him more respectfully. For example if the name of the boy is Jin Yong, then someone older than him can address him as 'Jin Young goon' to talk to him with respect. It would be same as adding 'Mr.' to a name.
Yang - This word is added at the end of a name of a girl to address her more respectfully. For example if the name of the girl is Ji Yeon, then someone older than her can address her as 'Ji Yeon yang' to talk to her with respect. It would be same as adding 'Miss' to a name.
What if you do not know the name of the younger person? There is another way to call a younger person. But it's strictly limited to students. That is only people from age 10-24 or so would be ever called this.
Hakseng - It literally means 'student'. But in Korea, youngsters do get addressed as 'hakseng' a lot. Addressing him/her as 'hakseng' is another way of talking politely to a youngster.
Another word is...
Aggasshi - Young Miss.
It's a term used to address all young girls.
5. Addressing by designation
Also, its's really common to address someone by their job designation. Koreans doesn't normally use words like 'sir' or 'madam'. They just call by the job designations.
So if you are new to Korean Dramas it may sound a but weird to hear a person being addressed as 'CEO', or 'Team Leader' to his/her face in a really casual way. But that's just the way it is.
The common terms uses are...
Sajangnim - CEO
Eesajagnim - Chairman/Chair person
Teamjangnim - Team Leader
Bhumbujangnim - Manager/Department Head
Khamdongnim - Director (of a movie)
Chakka/Chakkanim - Writer or Artist
Khija/Khijanim - News Reporter (of Television/News Paper/Magazines)
Piso - Secretary
But you don't need to learn all these words, just keep that in mind these words can really come a lot in Korean Movies and Dramas. And ya, it really don't feel wired to call someone as CEO all the time. We get used to it after a while. Coz that's just a part of their language. That's how it is.
6. Adding '-nim'
By now, you may have noticed that many of the relationship terms is changed in to much politer form by adding 'nim' to the end of the word. 'nim' is a Honorific that can be added to many (not all) of addressing words to add more respect. '
The most common are
Hyung - Hyungnim
Noona - Noonim
Appa - Abbonim
Songseng- Songsengnim
Sajang - Sajangnim
'-nim' can also be added to names to give the name more respectful feeling. For example, saying the name 'Ban Ki Moon', as 'Ban Ki Moon nim' will give it more respect. (Adding 'nim' to a name is the highest level of respect. A bit lover level respect is addition of 'sshi' to a name. That is explained in section 7)
7. Calling One's Name
Koreans avoid calling someone by their name in most cases. But when they do call someone by their name, it's usually done in the following 3 ways.
7.1 Close/Friendly
When the person is a really close friend, or family they call the name attached with an 'aa' at the end.
For example the name 'Jin Young' will be called as 'Jin-youngaa'.
This type of call shows affection, love, closeness, and friendliness.
7.2 Respect/Formal
The syllable 'sshi' is added with names to show respect.
For Example the name 'Ji Yeon' will be called with respect as 'Ji-yeonsshi'.
This can be used between close people and at formal meetings as well.
In Kdramas, we usually hear this type of addressing between couples, who where not classmates or friends. It's close but still respecting each other sort of relationship.
Also, this type of addressing is used in work places to address co-workers and subordinates. In short, you can add 'sshi' to names and address anyone with respect.
7.3 Calling in Full Names
This is another commonly used method. Situations like where 'you are not close enough to call affectionately, and you don't need to address him/her respectfully either', 'Or maybe you just hate that person to either respect or love', then how will you call that person? They use Full Name to call the person in that case.
Usually classmates who are not friends address each other like this.
Calling by full name denotes, 'non-affectionate-non-respect', so even people who usually address each other by the above two methods can suddenly jump to 'Full Name Basis' in some situations, where they need to be strict, or slightly rude with the person.
These three level need to be remembered really well by a KDrama fan, I think. Because if male and female leads suddenly jump from 'full name basis' or 'sshi' stage to 'aa' stage it denotes that they have become that much close. So if you don't know these levels you miss to enjoy that part.
[Like in 'Personal Taste', the leads call each other by 'sshi' added to name, but when Gae In faints after glass floor incident, Jeon Jin Ho calls like this while trying to wake her up - 'Gae In sshi... Gae In aa... Yah, Park Gae In!". There if you don't know the significance of each way of calling, you totally miss the point.
Also in 'Heartstrings' Lee Kyu Won and Lee Shin goes from 'full name basis' to calling 'Kyu Won aa' and 'Shin aa' after they have become couple.
And in 'Boys Over Flowers' Guem Jan Ji calls Gu Jun Pyo as 'Gu Jun Pyo' till the end. That Full Name calling is what's special and interesting thing in that Drama.]
So do please keep in mind these three level to address names...
8. Between couples
Usually couples can address each other by name in either of the three above ways, or as 'oppa', but there are two words that is used only between couples.
Chagi - It literally means 'darling' or 'dear'. This word is often used by lovey-dovey couple to address each other. It's called as 'chagi-aa' with a lot of love and affection mixed in.
(To avoid confusion - this word can also be used in casual conversation in the place of 'you' to address a person in a more lovable way. But in that situations it does not mean that the two persons talking are a couple.)
Yobo - Yobo is the word used between (only between) a husband and a wife to address each other. The English subtitles of Kdrama and movies usually translate this in to 'honey', but 'yobo' doesn't actually mean 'honey' or anything that affectionate term. It's not an affectionate term too as it could be used between a married couple even when they are having the worst fight. If we vaguely translate it the word yobo could mean 'husband' or 'wife'. But that doesn't mean you can use this word like 'your wife's cooking is tasty' or 'what does your husband do?' Because it's more like a method to 'call' your wife or husband, and doesn't literally mean 'husband' or 'wife'.
9. Other Relationship Terms
One of the most heard but really unique term is...
Seobang - It means 'Son-in-law' and 'husband'. A wife can address her husband as 'seobang' or 'seobangnim'(with more respect). But wife calling a husband 'seobangnim' is actually getting rare, and it's more like an old custom.
But the wife's parents can/should address their son-in-law as seobang. It's more like, it's disrespectful to call a son-in-law by his name. And in Korean culture, girls's parents are supposed to give the son-in-law the highest respect. So they always address him as 'seobang'.
But usually the surname of the Son-in-law is added with the seobang word. So if the man's name is Lee Jin Yong, he will be 'Lee Seobang' for his in-laws. And if his name is 'Park Jin Young' he will be 'Park Seobang' for his in-laws.
Other usual relationship terms are...
Myonuri - daughter-in-law
Hyungbu - Elder Sister's Husband (term used only by females)
Maehyung - Elder Sister's Husband (term used only by males)
Hyungsoo/Hungsoonim - Brother's Wife (term used only by males)
Chajae - Wife's younger sister
Chonam - Wife's younger brother
Dhuryonnim - Husband's Younger Brother
Agasshi - Hunsband's Younger Sister
Chaesusshi - Friend's wife (term used only by males)
Eemo - Maternal aunt
Ghumo - Paternal Aunt
Samchun - Paternal Uncle
Vesamchun - Maternal Uncle
Saachun - Cousin
10. Historical Drama Terms
There are a few terms that are norrmally headrd during Historical Korean Dramas only. Will explain a few of them here...
10.1 Word that exist in present times also, but heard more in Historical Dramas
Dhuryonnim - It means 'young master'. It's used to address the son of a wealthy family. In Historical Kdramas it's usually the noblemen's son that is addressed this way.
But this term is not limited to Historical dramas only, but is still used in present day to address the sons of the family.
Agasshi - It means 'young girl'. It's used to address the daughters of a wealthy family. In Historical Korean Dramas usually noblemen's daugher's are addressed this way.
In present days time, all young girls are addressed as 'aggasshi'.
Orabonni - It's the more respectful form of 'oppa'. Although it could be used rarely in present time Kdramas, it's a commonly heard word in Historical dramas.
Nagja - Means 'Young woman'/'Young Lady' etc.
10.2 Royal Titles & Adressing
10.2.1 Royal Titles
Jusang Johna / Wang - King
Jungjon mama - Queen
Seja Joha/Wang Seja - Crown Prince
Wangja - Prince
Gumju - Princess
Bigung mama/Sejabin - Crown Princess (Not King's daughter, but Crown Prince's wife)
Debimama - Dowager Queen (The Former Queen, King's mother or Step-mother)
10.2.2 Royal Addressing
The Kings and the royal family calls address their family with these terms
Abamama - It means, 'His highness Royal Father', or something similar to that. It's used by the Prince(s) and Princess(s) to address their father, the King.
Ommamama - It means, 'Her highness Royal Mother', or something similar to that. It's used by the Prince(s) and Princess(s) to address their mother, the Queen
Halmamama - It mean 'Her highness Royal Grandmother', or something similar to that. It's used by the Prince(s) and Princess(s) to address their grandmother, the dowager queen.
10.4 Adding '-mama'
Royal addressing is usually done by adding the term '-mama' to the title or term. The suffix '-mama' adds a royal reverence to the term.
These are all the commonly heard terms in Korean Dramas/Movies. I hope that after reading this post, your Drama/Movie watching experience will improve a lot in a good way.
Thank you...