Age, Titles and Address: 언니, 오빠, 형, 누나, 선배
Learn how Koreans call each other: 언니, 오빠, 형, 누나, 선배, 씨, 님, 이모 and more, and why people ask 몇 년생이에요?
Narae · Everyday conversation & today's KoreanWhat you will learn in this lesson
- Use 언니, 오빠, 형 and 누나 correctly for your own gender
- Choose between 씨, 님, 선생님, 선배 and other titles
- Politely call people in shops and restaurants
- Understand Korean age and the question 몇 년생이에요?
In Korea, we rarely call people just by their name, especially if they're older. I call my older friend 언니, and my classmate's big brother 오빠. It's confusing at first, but there is a clear system. Let's learn it!
Why titles matter
In Korean, the word you use to call someone shows your relationship and respect. Calling an older person only by their name, or by 너 (you), can sound rude. Instead, Koreans use family words, school words or job titles, even for people who are not family.
Age is very important in this system. That's why Koreans often ask about age soon after meeting: they want to know which words to use.
Older brother and sister words
| Who you are talking to | If you are female | If you are male |
|---|---|---|
| An older woman | 언니 | 누나 |
| An older man | 오빠 | 형 |
The word depends on YOUR gender and THEIR gender.
Using family words with friends
- 언니, 이거 같이 먹어요. [언니, 이거 가치 머거요.] eonni, igeo gachi meogeoyo. Unnie, let's eat this together. A girl to an older female friend.
- 오빠, 어디야? oppa, eodiya? Oppa, where are you? A girl to an older male friend or boyfriend. Casual, so only if you are close.
- 형, 오늘 시간 있어요? [형, 오늘 시간 이써요?] hyeong, oneul sigan isseoyo? Hyung, do you have time today? A boy to an older male friend.
- 누나, 고마워요! nuna, gomawoyo! Noona, thank you! A boy to an older female friend.
- 민지 언니 minji eonni Minji (my older sister-friend) You can add the name before the title.
- 제 동생이에요. je dongsaengieyo. This is my younger sibling. 동생 means a younger brother or sister, or a younger friend. Older people usually call younger people by name, not 동생.
Use 언니, 오빠, 형, 누나 only after you become friendly. With someone you just met who is a little older, start with name + 씨 or just polite speech, and wait. Often they'll say 그냥 언니라고 불러! (Just call me unnie!)
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씨, 님, 선생님
- 지수 씨 jisu ssi Jisu (polite) Name + 씨 is polite for adults of similar age or younger, for example coworkers on the same level. Do not use 씨 with someone clearly older or higher, and never with only the family name (김 씨 can sound rude).
- 고객님 / 지수 님 gogaengnim / jisu nim Dear customer / Jisu (very polite) 님 is more respectful than 씨. It is used for customers, online users and in many companies. You also hear it with job titles: 부장님, 사장님.
- 선생님 seonsaengnim teacher; also a respectful "sir/madam" Used for teachers, doctors, and sometimes for any adult you respect when you don't know their title.
School and work
- 선배 seonbae a senior: someone who started school, a club or a company before you
- 후배 hubae a junior: someone who started after you
- 선배님 seonbaenim a more respectful way to call a senior
- 사장님 sajangnim boss, company president; also used for shop owners
Calling people in daily life
사장님: In many small shops and restaurants, customers call the owner 사장님. It is friendly and respectful.
이모: Literally "aunt on your mother's side." In casual restaurants, many people call a middle-aged female server 이모, like 이모, 여기 물 좀 주세요. It sounds warm, but some people don't like it. A safe choice is simply 저기요 (Excuse me) or 사장님.
아저씨 / 아주머니: A middle-aged man / woman. 아저씨 is common and okay in many situations, like with a taxi driver, but it can feel too casual. 아주머니 is the polite form; 아줌마 is casual and may sound rude to some women. When you are unsure, use 저기요 or 사장님, or 기사님 for drivers.
Young-looking adults: Don't guess. Calling a 35-year-old woman 아주머니 might hurt her feelings!
Polite ways to get attention
- 저기요, 주문할게요. [저기요, 주문할께요.] jeogiyo, jumunhalgeyo. Excuse me, I'd like to order. Works almost everywhere.
- 사장님, 계산해 주세요. sajangnim, gyesanhae juseyo. Excuse me (owner), the bill please.
- 기사님, 여기서 세워 주세요. gisanim, yeogiseo sewo juseyo. Driver, please stop here. 기사님 is respectful for taxi and bus drivers.
- 선생님, 질문 있어요. [선생님, 질문 이써요.] seonsaengnim, jilmun isseoyo. Teacher, I have a question.
Korean age
In the past, Korea commonly used a traditional way of counting age: you were 1 year old at birth, and everyone became one year older on New Year's Day. In June 2023, a law took effect to use the international age (만 나이) for legal and official purposes.
But in daily life, many people still think about age by birth year. People born in the same year are 동갑 (the same age) and can become friends who use 반말. So instead of asking your age, Koreans often ask 몇 년생이에요? (What year were you born?). It's not rude; it helps everyone choose the right words. If you don't want to answer, you can smile and say 비밀이에요 (It's a secret).
Finding the right title
Check quiz
Q1. You are a man. What do you call an older male friend?
Q2. You are a woman. What do you call an older female friend?
Q3. Which is the safest way to call a server in a restaurant?
Q4. What does 선배 mean?
Q5. Why do Koreans often ask 몇 년생이에요?
Q6. Which is NOT a good choice for a much older coworker?
Well done! When your Korean friend first calls you 언니 or 형, it means you're really close. When you're unsure, 저기요 and polite speech will always protect you. 잘했어요!
Key points
- Women say 언니 / 오빠; men say 누나 / 형 for older friends
- Name + 씨 for similar or younger adults; 님 is more respectful
- 선배 = senior, 후배 = junior, 동생 = younger sibling or friend
- 저기요 is a safe way to get attention; 사장님 and 기사님 are respectful
- Since June 2023, legal age uses international age, but people still ask 몇 년생이에요?
Recommended official free resources
- Korean Basic Dictionary (multilingual) — National Institute of Korean Language
- Korean Language Teaching & Learning Center — National Institute of Korean Language
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