여동생
yeodongsaeng[jʌ̹do̞ŋsʰɛŋ]
The Korean phrase for 'baby sister' is 여동생 (yeodongsaeng).
여동생 is used to refer to any sister who is younger than the speaker. While you use 여동생 to describe your sister to others, you typically call her by her name or a nickname when speaking directly to her, rather than using the title 여동생.
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'baby sister' which implies a very young child, 여동생 is the standard term for any sister younger than the speaker, regardless of her age.
How do you pronounce it?
yeodongsaeng
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, the age difference between siblings determines the social hierarchy, meaning a 여동생 is expected to use polite language when speaking to her older siblings.
- The word 여동생 contains the Hanja character 同, which means 'same'. In this context, it implies that you and your sister were born into the same family lineage.
- While 여동생 means 'younger sister', the word 동생 on its own is gender-neutral and refers to any younger sibling, regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl.
Examples in context
- 막둥이 수진이Baby sister Sujin
- 저는 여동생이 한 명 있어요.jeoneun yeodongsaengi han myeong isseoyo.I have one younger sister.
- 여동생은 지금 대학생이에요.yeodongsaengeun jigeum daehaksaengieyo.My younger sister is a college student now.
- 여동생이랑 쇼핑하러 갈 거예요.yeodongsaengirang syopinghareo gal geoyeyo.I am going shopping with my younger sister.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are talking about their families at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨는 여동생이 있어요?Minji ssineun yeodongsaengi isseoyo?Minji, do you have a younger sister?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 여동생이 두 명 있어요.Ne, yeodongsaengi du myeong isseoyo.Yes, I have two younger sisters.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo와, 정말 많네요!Wa, jeongmal manneyo!Wow, that's a lot!
- 민지 Min-ji그래도 사이가 아주 좋아요.Geuraedo saiga aju joayo.But we get along very well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 여동생, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여동생, CC BY-SA 4.0.
