Respect For Elders: 96 Essential Korean Vocabulary For Family
Original blog post: https://ling-app.com/ko/korean-vocabulary-for-family/
With the values of Confucianism, respect for elders among Korean families is still prominent. That is why learning Korean vocabulary for family 가족 (gajok) is important. Koreans don’t call their family members by name. Instead, they use honorifics and titles. Koreans value their family a lot, and you can see it by the way they talk and act in front of their families. Older members are expected to be treated with respect and certain reverence that can be shown differently. You can change the manner of your speaking, check your grammar, and make sure that the elders will go first during different activities like having a meal.
Koreans are very family-oriented. Korean family members are very loyal to each other. However, the Korean family can also be so defining, so the individual act of a family member can impact the perception of the other family members.
There’s a lot more to discover when you want to learn about family in Korean culture. But, in this blog, you will learn some Korean vocabulary for family, which can be useful when you come to visit Korea, meet locals, watch a Kdrama, and even study an elective language course at school. So, sit back, and enjoy reading!
Vocabulary For Family In Korean
Before we dive into the family members in Korean, let us first learn some basic vocabulary for a family in Korean. Take a look at these words and phrases that you should learn first.
가족 (gajok)
This is the Korean word for family. If you want to say “my family” you can say 나의 가족 (naui gajok).
친정 (chinjeong)
To say parent’s family, use the Korean word 친정 (chinjeong).
시집 (sijip)
Koreans use 시집 (sijip) to say “husband’s family.”
Family Members In Korean
Now that you have learned some essential words related to the Korean family, you need to know a Korean vocabulary list, starting from parents down to relatives.
Parents -부모 (Bumo)
In Korean culture, the ultimate goal of parents is to see their children successful, prosperous, and educated. Therefore, they can be way too involved and devoted to their children’s success. Nowadays, parents also share disciplinary power over their children, unlike the traditional way of broadly the father’s role.
Father
Traditionally, Confucianism defines the family hierarchies, which emphasized patriarchal authority. In this family model, the father/husband is expected to show kindness and dominance to his wife and children. A father should also provide guidance and protection to his children and receive filial piety. The family upholds the father as the decision-maker
Now that you have learned a bit of what a father must be in Korean culture, let us now learn two ways to address your father in the Korean language:
Mother
In traditional Korean culture, being obedient, serving the husband and the in-laws, taking care of the child and raising them well, and doing household chores is the mother’s primary role. But after the Korean war, some families began to adopt the modern family dynamics. Women have gained more status and power in society.
There are two ways to address your mother in the Korean language:
Children (아이들 aideul)
In Korean culture and traditions, children should be obedient to their parents. But, nowadays, younger generations slowly reject this which somehow causes conflicts among families.
Siblings — 형제 (hyeongje)
When talking to your siblings, you should also use the honorific title. Honorifics for siblings are gender-specific, and it depends on the person who uses them and who they’re used for.
Remember!
- “형” (hyeong) -If a male is talking about a male sibling, specifically an older male. It’s used for calling or talking about an older male sibling.
- 누나” (nuna) — If a male is talking about a female sibling, specifically an older female.
- 언니” (eonni) -If a female is talking about a female sibling (older female).
- “오빠” (oppa) — If a female is talking about a male sibling (older male).
You may also hear women calling other women 언니 (eonni) even though they are not siblings. This is a common occurrence in Korea, and it is a sign of courtesy. You may also hear women calling Kpop idols and actors오빠 (oppa), and surprisingly, other fans from all over the world also do this.
Siblings’ Spouses
The bonds of siblings are irreplaceable but, if they decided to get married, their spouses would become your family as well. Of course, if you are not marrying a Korean, this won’t be that important for you. But since we are learning about Korean vocabulary for family, here are different ways to address your siblings’ spouse.
Grand Parents -조부모 (jobumonim)
Grandparents should be treated with much respect and reverence. As the eldest in the family, their opinion about certain family issues and problems are really considered. Take note that etiquette is being observed when you are talking with your grandparents. As stated above, changing the manner of your speaking, changing your grammar structures, and letting them go first in certain activities is a sign of respect. Here is some Khmer vocabulary for family related to grandparents:
Grandfather
Grandmother
Relatives -친척 (chincheok)
Relatives are also valued in Korean families. Usually, the whole family, including your distant relatives, get together during special occasions. Therefore, they are also important family members in a Korean family. Here is some Korean vocabulary for family related to relatives:
In-Laws — 사돈 (sadon)
When you got married, one of the most important things that you consider is your in-laws. In fact, during the wedding ceremony, there is a part where the couple gives thanks to each other’s parents for raising their children. This is probably one of the most touching parts of a wedding ceremony. So, here is a list of Korean vocabulary for family related to in-laws.
Brother-In-Law
You might find it complicated to address your brother-in-law. But of course, this is not that important if you are not married to a Korean. But, for the sake of learning Korean vocabulary for family, here are different ways to address your brother-in-law.
Sister-In-Law
There are different ways to address your sister-in-law depending if she’s an older or younger sister.
Married Couple — 부부 (Bubu)
Planning to marry a Korean? Do you have a relative or a best friend who married a Korean? Well, these words might be useful for you. You may also want to learn some endearing Korean love words and phrases. Here is some Korean vocabulary for family related to Married couples.
Let’s Practice These Sentences About Korean Family
Want To Learn Korean? Ask me How!
The Korean language is a concrete example and reflection of a well-preserved culture. From the sentence structure down to the manner of talking to each other, we can see nothing but respect and politeness. That is why it is an excellent language to invest in if you love Korean culture.
There are different ways to learn Korean. You can read blog posts like this for free. There are other blog posts that you can start with, like Basic Words And Phrases In Korean, Basic Greetings In Korean, and Ways To Say Thank You In Korean.
But, since you have reached this far, you can also use Ling App. If you want to expand your knowledge and skills about the Korean language, Ling App is a perfect choice because it’s convenient and fun to use. Have a meaningful and engaging language-learning experience through Ling App. Say goodbye to conflicting schedules, books, and classes. Learn Korean now!
