[Learn][Korean] Understanding "형, 누나, 오빠, 언니" in Korean – How Koreans Address Older Siblings

older younger siblings

In Korean culture, the way people address their family members and friends depends on age and gender. Unlike English, where "brother" and "sister" are used regardless of the speaker’s gender, Koreans use different terms depending on who is speaking.

The four most commonly used words for older siblings are:

• 형 (hyeong) – Used by a younger brother to refer to an older brother
• 누나 (nuna) – Used by a younger brother to refer to an older sister
• 오빠 (oppa) – Used by a younger sister to refer to an older brother
• 언니 (eonni) – Used by a younger sister to refer to an older sister

These words are not only used within families but also in friendship and social settings when addressing close, older friends.

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1. 형 (hyeong) – What a Younger Brother Calls His Older Brother

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Who uses it? → A younger male talking to his older brother

Example:

• "형, 같이 축구하러 갈래?"
  → "Hyung, do you want to go play soccer together?"

Additional Usage:

• In informal settings, 형 is also used between male friends if one is older.
• In Korean pop culture, male idols call their older male group members 형.

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2. 누나 (nuna) – What a Younger Brother Calls His Older Sister

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Who uses it? → A younger male talking to his older sister

Example:

• "누나, 저녁 뭐 먹을까?"
  → "Nuna, what should we have for dinner?"

Additional Usage:

• A younger male can also call an older female friend "누나" if they are close.
• Some Korean male celebrities refer to their older female fans as "누나".

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3. 오빠 (oppa) – What a Younger Sister Calls Her Older Brother

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Who uses it? → A younger female talking to her older brother

Example:

• "오빠, 학교 끝나고 데리러 와줄 수 있어?"
  → "Oppa, can you pick me up after school?"

Additional Usage:

• In romantic relationships, Korean women often call their boyfriends "오빠" if they are older.
• "오빠" is also used by younger female friends when speaking to an older male friend.

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4. 언니 (eonni) – What a Younger Sister Calls Her Older Sister

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Who uses it? → A younger female talking to her older sister

Example:

• "언니, 이 옷 어때?"
  → "Eonni, how does this outfit look?"

Additional Usage:

• A younger female can call an older female friend "언니" in friendly situations.
• In Korean entertainment, female idols refer to older female members as "언니".

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5. Summary: Who Uses Which Word?

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Speaker	Talking to Older Brother	Talking to Older Sister
Younger Brother	형 (hyoung)	누나 (nuna)
Younger Sister	오빠 (oppa)	언니 (eonni)

 

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6. Cultural Significance

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1. Respect & Hierarchy
   • Korean culture places a strong emphasis on respecting older individuals.
   • Using 형, 누나, 오빠, 언니 is a way to show respect and closeness.
2. Not Just for Family
   • These words are also used in friendships and relationships, especially in informal or affectionate settings.
3. Romantic Connotation of "오빠"
   • While "오빠" literally means "older brother," it is commonly used by women to address their older boyfriends, making it a famous Korean term in K-dramas.

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7. What About "동생" (dongsaeng)?

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If you are talking about a younger sibling, Koreans use 동생 (dongsaeng) for both genders.

• 남동생 (namdongsaeng) → Younger brother
• 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) → Younger sister

However, unlike 형, 누나, 오빠, 언니, younger siblings do not use "동생" when speaking directly to their older siblings.

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Final Thoughts

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Korean family and friendship terms are deeply connected to age and social hierarchy. Learning when and how to use 형, 누나, 오빠, 언니 will help you sound more natural in conversations. Whether in a family setting, among friends, or even in romantic relationships, these words play a key role in Korean social interactions.

If you're learning Korean, try practicing by using the correct term when speaking with Korean friends. It will help you sound more fluent and respectful in everyday conversations.