Family Relations in Korean Language

 Korean family titles are deeply rooted in Confucian values, emphasizing age, gender, and marital status. Let’s break them down systematically:

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1. Immediate Family (직계 가족)

Korean	English	Notes
아버지	Father	Formal term. Often shortened to 아빠 (Dad).
어머니	Mother	Formal term. Often shortened to 엄마 (Mom).
형	Older brother (male)	Used by males to address older brothers.
누나	Older sister (male)	Used by males to address older sisters.
오빠	Older brother (female)	Used by females to address older brothers.
언니	Older sister (female)	Used by females to address older sisters.
동생	Younger sibling	Gender-neutral. Add 남동생 (younger brother) or 여동생 (younger sister) for specificity.
아들	Son
딸	Daughter
남편	Husband
아내	Wife

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2. Extended Family (대가족)

Paternal Side (아버지 쪽)

Korean	English	Notes
할아버지	Paternal grandfather
할머니	Paternal grandmother
큰아버지	Father’s older brother	Literally "big uncle."
작은아버지	Father’s younger brother	Literally "small uncle."
고모	Father’s sister	Aunt (paternal).

Maternal Side (어머니 쪽)

Korean	English	Notes
외할아버지	Maternal grandfather	외 (外) = maternal side.
외할머니	Maternal grandmother
외삼촌	Mother’s brother	Maternal uncle.
이모	Mother’s sister	Maternal aunt.

Cousins

Korean	English	Notes
사촌	Cousin	Gender-neutral. Add 형, 누나, 오빠, 언니 based on age/gender.

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3. In-Laws (배우자 가족)

Spouse’s Parents

Korean	English	Notes
시아버지	Father-in-law (husband’s father)	Used by wife.
시어머니	Mother-in-law (husband’s mother)	Used by wife.
장인	Father-in-law (wife’s father)	Used by husband.
장모	Mother-in-law (wife’s mother)	Used by husband.

Siblings’ Spouses

Korean	English	Notes
형수	Older brother’s wife	Used by males.
제수	Younger brother’s wife	Used by males.
처남	Wife’s brother	Used by husband.
처제	Wife’s younger sister	Used by husband.
매제	Sister’s husband	Used by siblings.

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4. Stepfamily & Adoption (의붓가족/입양)

Korean	English	Notes
의붓아버지	Stepfather
의붓어머니	Stepmother
의붓형제	Step-sibling
입양아들	Adopted son
입양딸	Adopted daughter

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5. Other Relatives

Korean	English	Notes
조카	Niece/Nephew	Gender-neutral.
손자	Grandson
손녀	Granddaughter
증조할아버지	Great-grandfather
증조할머니	Great-grandmother

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6. Honorific Titles

Korean uses 높임말 (honorifics) to show respect:

• 아버님 (Honorable father)

• 어머님 (Honorable mother)

• 할아버님 (Honorable grandfather)

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Key Notes

1. Age Hierarchy:

   • Older siblings are addressed differently by gender (e.g., 형 vs. 오빠).

   • Younger siblings are simply 동생.

2. Maternal vs. Paternal:

   • Maternal relatives include 외 (外), e.g., 외할머니 (maternal grandmother).

3. In-Laws:

   • Terms differ based on whether you’re the husband or wife (e.g., 시아버지 vs. 장인).

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Example Sentences

1. "우리 할머니는 요리를 잘 하세요."
   (My grandmother is good at cooking.)

2. "처남과 함께 여행을 갔어요."
   (I went on a trip with my brother-in-law.)

3. "사촌들이 주말에 놀러 올 거예요."
   (My cousins will visit this weekend.)

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This hierarchy reflects Korea’s Confucian values, where respect for elders and clear familial roles are central.