Hey there! If you’ve ever been curious about Korean culture, you’ll know that family is a big deal.
We’ve seen it through a few articles already, like “How to say dad in Korean” or “How to say mom in Korean“. But even more when we were talking about brothers and sisters.
Today, we’re diving into other family related terms. We will see how to say grandmother and grandfather in Korean. And if you’re watching kdramas, you might have heard these words a lot already!
Grandparents, with their endless wisdom and love, are especially cherished. Whether you’re diving into Korean for the first time or just want to pick up a few polite terms, knowing how to address the elder members of the family is essential. So, let’s break down how to say “grandparents,” “grandma,” and “grandpa” in Korean, covering everything from casual to formal use! 🙂
How to Say “Grandparents” in Korean
General Term : Grandparents in Korean
The go-to word for “grandparents” on the father’s side in Korean is 조부모 (jobumo). It’s a combo of 조부 (jobu), which means “grandfather,” and 조모 (jomo), which means “grandmother.”
Maternal Grandparents
Now, if you’re talking specifically about your mom’s parents, just add 외 (oe) to the front to make 외조부모 (oejobumo). That little prefix signals that you’re talking about the maternal side of your family.
Great Grandparents
And just when you thought we were done, there’s more! Of course, you also need to learn how to say “great grandparents” in Korean.
For “great grandparents,” Koreans use the term 증조부모 (jeungjobumo). If you need to be specific, 증조부 (jeungjobu) is for your great-grandfather and 증조모 (jeungjomo) for your great-grandmother.
How to Say “Grandmother” in Korean
General Usage
할머니 (halmeoni) is your all-purpose term for grandma here. Whether it’s your grandma or someone else’s, this word is perfect for showing respect and affection. If you need to specifically speak about your grandmother on your mother’s side, add “외” to “할머니” : 외할머니 (oehalmeoni).
Please note that 할머니 (halmeoni) can be used for both sides of the family! 🙂
Formal Situations
Got a formal event or feeling extra respectful? Upgrade 할머니 to 할머님 (halmeonim). For your mother’s side grandma, it’s 외할머님 (oehalmeonim).
Pronunciation
할머니
How to Say “Grandfather” in Korean
General Usage
할아버지 (harabeoji) is your standard term for grandpa, handy for any occasion. If you’re specifically talking about your grandpa on your mom’s side, say 외할아버지 (oeharabeoji).
Once again, 할아버지 (harabeoji) can be used for both sides of the family! 🙂
Formal Situations
For those moments when you need to be super formal, 할아버님 (harabeonim) is the term you’re looking for.
Pronunciation
할아버지
Cultural note
An interesting thing to note is that, in Korean, not only will you call your grandparents this way, but you will do the same for the elderly that you don’t know. Of course, not all of them! But if you feel some sort of attachment to an elderly that is not in your family, you can also call this person by the terms we’ve just seen.
Wrap up
Mastering these Korean terms for family members will not only help you in conversations but also deepen your connection to Korean culture. Whether you’re learning Korean for fun, travel, or family reasons, these basics are great to have in your pocket. Happy learning! 🙂
