KOREA · CULTURE
How to Address People in Korean
In Korean you often call people by their relationship to you, not their name. Choose who you are talking to and see what to call them.
Find the right word
- 오빠 (oppa)older brother (said by females)
Close friends who are older are called like siblings. Use polite speech until they say it’s fine to speak casually.
Use polite speech (존댓말, jondaenmal).
Customs vary between people and groups. If someone tells you how they like to be called, go with that.
Sibling terms for friends
| Word | For | Said by |
|---|---|---|
| 오빠 (oppa) | Older male | Female speaker |
| 언니 (eonni) | Older female | Female speaker |
| 형 (hyeong) | Older male | Male speaker |
| 누나 (nuna) | Older female | Male speaker |
Why it matters
Korean has different levels of politeness, and what you call someone shows how close you are and who is older. Age is counted by birth year, so people born in the same year are usually treated as the same age.
These are common uses, not strict rules. Families, schools and workplaces each have their own habits.
Frequently asked questions
What does oppa mean?
오빠 (oppa) means “older brother” when a woman or girl is speaking. Women also use it for an older male friend, a boyfriend or a male celebrity they like. Men do not say oppa; they say 형 (hyeong).
What do unnie and noona mean?
언니 (unnie, also spelled eonni) is what a woman or girl calls an older woman, including her older sister. 누나 (noona, also spelled nuna) is what a man or boy calls an older woman, including his older sister.
Can I call someone oppa if I’m a guy?
No. 오빠 (oppa) and 언니 (eonni) are used by women and girls. Men and boys say 형 (hyeong) for an older male and 누나 (nuna) for an older female.
Is it rude to call someone by name?
Calling someone older by their first name alone can sound rude. Use a sibling term, a title or 선배 for older people, and name + 씨 for peers at work.
What does -nim mean?
님 (-nim) is an honorific added to titles, such as 선생님 (teacher) or 팀장님 (team leader), to show respect.
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Sources and last updated
- Explanations are written for this site from everyday Korean usage.
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