성인
seong'in[sʰʌ̹ŋin]
The English word 'adult' can be translated into Korean as 성인 (seong'in) or 어른.
Meaning: fully grown human (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 성인 | seong'in | [sʰʌ̹ŋin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈsʰɘ(ː)ŋin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 어른 | eoreun | [ˈɘ(ː)ɾɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, there are different ways to refer to an adult depending on the context. 어른 is the primary gender-neutral word for adult in Korean. 성인 is a formal term for adults that is more technical and used in legal or official contexts. Additionally, the adjective 다 자란 can be used to mean 'fully grown', while 성인의 means 'intended for adults'.
Which one should you use?
성인 is a formal or technical term often used in legal, statistical or official contexts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
seong'in
When do people say it?
In Korean social structures, how you address someone often depends on their age and gender. For example, 형 is used by males to address an older male.
Did you know?
- The native Korean word 어른 originally comes from a verb root meaning 'to have sex' or 'to marry'. In its earliest forms, being an adult was defined specifically as being someone who was married.
- The word 성인 is a homonym in Korean. While it commonly means 'adult', when written with different characters it can also mean 'saint' or 'holy person'.
- In traditional Korean hierarchy, 어른 is not just about age but about status and wisdom. A person might be legally a 성인 but not yet considered an 어른 by their elders.
Examples in context
- 톰은 어른이면서도 어른답게 행동을 안 해.Tom is an adult, but he doesn't act like one.This sentence is useful for seeing how 어른 is used to describe an adult and how to express acting like one.Tatoeba #8363183 by Eunhee, translation #7540749 by CK
- 성인은 본인의 신분이자 자유와 권리가 보장되어야 합니다.Adults should have their status and freedoms protected.
- 어르신들은 학생들에게 많은 조언을 해 주셨습니다.The adults (elderly) gave a lot of advice to the students.
- 성인 인증이 필요합니다.seongin injeung-i piryo-hamnida.Adult verification is required.
- 이 영화는 성인용이에요.i yeonghwa-neun seongin-yong-ieyo.This movie is for adults.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are at a cinema.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 영화는 성인만 볼 수 있어요.i yeong-hwanun seong-in-man bol su isseoyo.Only adults can watch this movie.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 그럼 못 보겠네요.jeong-mallyo? geureom mot bogetneyo.Really? Then I guess I can't watch it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun신분증을 확인하시겠어요?sin-bun-jeung-eul hwag-in-hasigesseoyo?Would you like to check your ID?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 저는 이미 성인이에요.ne, jeoneun imi seong-in-ieyo.Yes, I am already an adult.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “adult” translations and entries 성인, 어른, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 성인, 어른, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
