In Korean culture, the language reflects deep-seated values of respect and hierarchy, especially within the family. We already saw that in other articles, like how to say mom, or how to say dad.
When it comes to addressing a “brother,” the terms vary significantly based on your gender and whether your brother is older or younger than you. This article delves into the various expressions for “brother” in Korean, providing insights into when and how these terms are used, both in family and social contexts. 🙂
Let’s dive into it!
Table of Contents
Basics : Brother in Korean
Korean distinguishes between older and younger siblings with specific terms that also depend on the speaker’s gender:
- 오빠 (Oppa): Used by females to refer to an older brother. This term is also used by women to address older male friends or boyfriends.
- 형 (Hyeong): Used by males to address an older brother or an older male friend.
- 남동생 (Namdongsaeng): A gender-neutral term used by both males and females for a younger brother.
Formal Terms for Brother in Korean
While everyday conversations usually employ the terms above, there are more formal expressions reserved for certain contexts, like in dramas or formal speeches:
- 형님 (Hyeongnim): A formal term used by males to address an older brother.
- 오라버니 (Orabeoni): Similarly formal, used by females to address an older brother.
These terms are rarer in casual dialogue but can occasionally be heard in more traditional or formal settings. For example, you can hear “형님” a lot in the drama “You’re Beautiful”, and “오라버니” in the drama “Goblin”. (I recommend watching these dramas!)
In Depth : Brother in Korean
General term : “Brothers” in Korean
When talking about brothers collectively, whether they are older or younger, the term 형제 (Hyeongje) is used.
Note about “Younger Brother” in Korean
As noted in the “Basics : Brother in Korean“, 남동생 (Namdongsaeng) means “brother”. It is a gender-neutral term used by both males and females for a younger brother. But you can also call a younger brother “동생” (Dongsaeng). It is a term used to call a younger sibling of any gender – male or female.
Stepbrother & Half-Brother in Korean
Stepbrother in Korean
- 의붓형 (Uibutyeong) and 의붓오빠 (Uibudoppa) are used for older stepbrothers by males and females, respectively.
- Younger stepbrothers are referred to as 의붓동생 (Uibutdongsaeng) regardless of the speaker’s gender.
Half-brother in Korean
- 이복형 (Ibokyeong) and 이복오빠 (Ibokoppa) apply similarly for older half-brothers.
- Younger half-brothers are referred to as 이복동생 (Ibokdongsaeng) regardless of the speaker’s gender.
Brother-in-Law in Korean
The terminology for brother-in-law is complex and varies depending on numerous factors, including the relative’s marital status and their relationship to your spouse. I will try to be as clear as possible. You can read about it in the “표준 언어 예절”.
Your husband’s brother – if you are a woman
Husband’s older brother
- You call him : “아주버님“
- You talk about/mention him : 큰아버지 / 큰아버님 to your children, 아주버님 to your husband’s blood relatives, 시아주버니 or ~큰아버지 to others.
Husband’s younger brother
- You call him : “도련님” if he is unmarried and “서방님” if he is married
- You talk about/mention him : 작은아버지, 작은아버님 or 삼촌 to your children, 도련님 / 서방님 to your husband’s blood relatives, 시동생, ~작은아버지, or ~삼촌 to your blood relatives, 도련님 / 서방님, 시동생, ~작은아버지, or ~삼촌 to others.
Your wife’s brother – if you are a man
Wife’s older brother
- You call him : 형님
- You talk about/mention him : 형님 to your wife, wife’s parents, wife’s older siblings and spouses, 형 to your wife’s younger brothers and husband’s of your wife’s younger sisters, 오빠 to your wife’s younger sisters and wives of your wife’s younger brothers, 외삼촌, 외숙부, or 외숙부님 to your children, 처남 or ~외삼촌 to others.
Wife’s younger brother
- You call him : 처남 / 자네
- You talk about/mention him : 처남 to your wife, wife’s older siblings and spouses, 처남 / 동생 to your wife’s younger siblings (older than him), and their spouses (older than him), 형 / 형님 to your wife’s younger brothers (younger than him) and your wife’s younger sisters’ husbands (younger than him), 오빠 to your wife’s younger sisters (younger than him) and your wife’s younger brothers’ wives (younger than him), 외삼촌, 외숙부, or 외숙부님 to your children, 처남 or ~외삼촌 to others.
Your Sister’s husband – if you are a woman
Older sister’s husband
- You call him : 형부
- You talk about/mention him : 형부 to your your parents and siblings, spouses of your siblings, 이모부 or 이모부님 to your children, 형부 or ~이모부 to others.
Younger sister’s husband
- You call him : ~서방 or 제부
- You talk about/mention him : ~서방 or 제부 to your your parents and siblings, spouses of your siblings, 이모부 to your children, 동생 남편, 동생의 남편, ~이모부, or 제부 to others.
Your Sister’s Husband – if you are a man
Older sister’s husband
- You call him : 매형, 자형, or 매부
- You talk about/mention him : 매형, 자형, or 매부 to your parents and siblings, spouses of your siblings, 고모부 or 고모부님 to your children, 매형, 자형, 매부, ~고모부 to others.
Younger sister’s husband
- You call him : ~서방, 매부, or 매제
- You talk about/mention him : ~서방, 매부, or 매제 to your parents and siblings, spouses of your siblings, 고모부 to your children, 매부, 매제, or ~고모부 to your wife’s other blood relatives, ~서방, 매부, 매제, or ~고모부 to others.
The husband of your husband’s sister – if you are a woman
The husband of your husband’s older sister
- You call him : 아주버님
- You talk about/mention him : 고모부 or 고모부님 to your children, 시누이 남편, 아주버님, ~아주버님, ~고모부, or ~ 고모부님 to others.
The husband of your husband’s younger sister
- You call him : 서방님
- You talk about/mention him : 고모부 or 고모부님 to your children, 시누이 남편, 서방님, ~서방님, ~서방, ~고모부, or ~고모부님 to others.
The husband of your husband’s sister – if you are a man
The husband of your wife’s older sister
- You call him : 형님 — (동서 if he’s younger than you)
- You talk about/mention him : 형님/동서 to your wife, 형님 to your wife’s parents, older siblings and their spouses, 매형, 자형, or 매부 to your wife’s younger brothers and the husbands of your wife’s younger sisters, 형부 to your wife’s younger sisters and the wives of your wife’s younger brothers, 이모부 / 이모부님 to your children, 동서 or ~이모부 to others.
The husband of your wife’s younger sister
- You call him : 동서 or ~서방
- You talk about/mention him : 동서 or ~서방 to your wife, your wife’s parents, older siblings and their spouses, 매형, 자형, or 매부 to your wife’s younger brothers and the husbands of your wife’s younger sisters, 형부 to your wife’s younger sisters and the wives of your wife’s younger brothers, 이모부 / 이모부님 to your children, 동서 or ~이모부 to others.
Cultural Nuances
Understanding these terms is not just about language proficiency; it’s about grasping the underlying cultural norms that prioritize respect, seniority, and familial bonds. These terms often extend into social relationships, reflecting the communal nature of Korean society.
Wrap up
That’s it for now ! I know, it might seem confusing at the beginning. The word “brother” in Korean and all the words related can be complicated to learn if you study them altogether. But I suggest you learn them as you go in life – when you will be needing them.
For now, just remember the basics : 오빠, 형 and 남동생 !
