애비
aebi[ɛbi]
애비 (aebi) is the Korean way to say abby.
애비 is a casual or derogatory term for one's father. It can function as a casual or derogatory way to refer to a father, whether it is one's own or someone else's.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
애비 is highly informal and can be used disparagingly. However, in specific older styles of speech, a father might refer to himself in the third person as 애비 when speaking to his children.
How do you pronounce it?
aebi
Did you know?
- Calling someone's father 애비 is often interpreted as an insult to the child's character and upbringing, not just the father.
- While it sounds like a name, 애비 is purely a native Korean word without any Chinese characters (Hanja) attached to it.
- The use of 애비 can change from a term of endearment in a very specific, old-fashioned paternal context to a harsh slur for an outsider.
Examples in context
- 안녕, 에비! 오늘 영화 볼래?Hi, Abby! Do you want to watch a movie today?
- 애비가 없으면 어떡해?aebi-ga eop-seu-myeon eo-tteok-hae?What if he doesn't have a father?
- 우리 애비는 술을 너무 좋아해.u-ri aebi-neun sul-eul neo-mu jo-a-hae.My father loves alcohol too much.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about family issues.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo요즘 우리 애비랑 맨날 싸워.yojum uri aebirang maennal ssawǒ.I've been fighting with my father every day lately.
- 지은 Ji-eun왜 그렇게 자주 싸우는데?wae geureoke jaju ssaununde?Why do you fight so often?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo애비가 너무 고집이 세거든.aebiga neomu gojibi segeodeun.It's because my father is so stubborn.
- 지은 Ji-eun시간이 지나면 괜찮아질 거야.sigani jinamyen gwaenchanhajil geoya.It'll get better as time passes.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 애비, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
