Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 고모 | gomo | [ko̞mo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 이모 | imo | [imo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈi(ː)mo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 이모님 | imonim | honorific | |
| 백모 | baengmo | ||
| 백모님 | baengmonim | honorific | |
| 둘째어머니 | duljjaeeomeoni | ||
| 중모 | jungmo | ||
| 큰어머니 | keuneomeoni | ||
| 큰어머님 | keuneomeonim | honorific | |
| 큰엄마 | keuneomma | ||
| 큰어미 | keuneomi | ||
| 숙모 | sungmo | ||
| 숙모님 | sungmonim | honorific | |
| 작은어머니 | jageuneomeoni | ||
| 작은어머님 | jageuneomeonim | honorific | |
| 작은엄마 | jageuneomma | [t͡ɕa̠ɡɯnʌ̹mma̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 작은어미 | jageuneomi | ||
| 삼촌댁 | samchondaek | ||
| 외숙모님 | oesungmonim | honorific | |
| 외삼촌댁 | oesamchondaek | ||
| 구모 | gumo |
The Korean language uses specific terms for an aunt based on her relationship to the speaker's parents. Use 고모 for a father's sister and 이모 for a mother's sister. These terms can also refer to sisters-in-law. Additionally, 이모 is often used colloquially to address women working in restaurants, similar to 'auntie'.
Which one should you use?
Korean terms for aunt are highly specific to lineage. 고모 refers specifically to a father's sister. 이모 refers specifically to a mother's sister. When referring to the wives of uncles, use 숙모 for the wife of a father's brother and 외숙모 for the wife of a mother's brother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Several forms include the honorific suffix -님 to increase the level of respect shown to the person. For example, you can use 이모님, 백모님, 큰어머님 or 숙모님 to show higher respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -님 to kinship terms like 이모님 or 숙모님 increases the level of respect shown to the person.
How do you pronounce it?
gomo
When do people say it?
In addition to its familial meaning, 이모 is often used colloquially to address women working in restaurants, similar to 'auntie'.
Did you know?
- While calling a waitress 이모 is common, you should never use the term 고모 for a stranger in a shop. Using 고모 for a non-relative can feel strangely intimate or even slightly patronizing, whereas 이모 is a widely accepted friendly social lubricant.
- The term 큰어머니 uses the word 'big' or 'great' to denote seniority. This distinguishes the eldest aunt from 'small' or 'little' aunts in a way that sounds strange to English speakers who use 'older' or 'younger'.
- The term 삼촌댁 is used to refer to the household or the wife of a father's brother, treating the 'aunt' as part of the uncle's domestic unit.
Examples in context
- 톰에게는 감옥에 들어간 이모가 있다.Tom has an aunt who is in prison.This sentence demonstrates the use of 이모.Tatoeba #11107556 by intertime, translation #1025438 by CK
- 이모, 안녕!Hi, aunt!
- 오늘 이모 집에 갈 거야.I'm going to aunt's house today.
- 우리 고모는 요리를 정말 잘하세요.uri gomo-neun yori-reul jeongmal jal-haseyo.My aunt is a really good cook.
- 고모가 선물로 가방을 주셨어요.gomo-ga seonmul-lo gabang-eul jusyeosseoyo.My aunt gave me a bag as a gift.
Example conversation
Ji-hun and Seo-yeon are looking at a family photo.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 분이 누구세요?i bun-i nuguseyo?Who is this person?
- 서연 Seo-yeon이분은 제 고모예요.ibun-eun je gomoyeyo.This person is my aunt.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 젊어 보이세요.jeongmal jeolmeo boiseyo.She looks really young.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사합니다, 지훈 씨.gamsahamnida, Jihun ssi.Thank you, Ji-hun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “aunt” translations and entries 고모, 이모, 작은엄마, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
