오빠
oppa[o̞p͈a̠]
In Korean, 'elder brother' can be translated as 오빠 (oppa).
The term 오빠 is used specifically by females to refer to their own older brother or to an older male friend.
Which one should you use?
The term used depends on the gender of the speaker: a female uses 오빠 to refer to an older brother, whereas a male uses 형 to refer to his older brother. Additionally, 형님 serves as a formal way to address an elder brother, typically in professional or hierarchical settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form of the word, you can add the suffix 들 to form 오빠들, meaning 'elder brothers' or 'older male friends'.
How do you pronounce it?
oppa
Did you know?
- Calling a man 오빠 when he is actually younger than the speaker can be a flirtatious gesture or a way to acknowledge his maturity.
- While 오빠 literally means 'elder brother', it is frequently used by women to refer to a boyfriend or a romantic interest. This usage has become a common trope in K-dramas and pop songs.
- The historical root of 오빠 is thought to be a contraction of 오라비 and the vocative particle -아.
Examples in context
- 형, 와서 도와줄래?Hyeong, would you come and help me?
- 오빠, 나랑 같이 영화 볼래?Oppa, would you like to watch a movie with me?
- 형님, 이번 주말에 가족들이랑 만나서 식사하실 건가요?Hyeongnim, are you going to have a meal with your family this weekend?
- 형님, 제 생각에 이 계획은 잘 될 것 같습니다.Hyeongnim, I believe this plan will work well.
- 오빠, 어디 가요?oppa, eodi gayo?Oppa, where are you going?
- 우리 오빠는 정말 멋져요.uri oppaneun jeongmal meotjyeoyo.My older brother is really cool.
- 오빠, 배고파요.oppa, baegopayo.Oppa, I'm hungry.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are walking together in a park.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 오빠, 오늘 날씨 진짜 좋네요.Hyunwoo oppa, oneul nalssi jinja jonneyo.Hyunwoo oppa, the weather is really nice today.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그러게, 산책하기 딱 좋은 날씨야.Geureoge, sanchaekhagi ttak joeun nalssiya.You're right, it's perfect weather for a walk.
- 수빈 Su-bin오빠, 근처에 예쁜 카페가 있어요.Oppa, geuncheoe yeppeun kaphaega isseoyo.Oppa, there is a pretty cafe nearby.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그래? 그럼 거기 가서 좀 쉬자.Geurae? Geureom geogi gaseo jom swija.Really? Then let's go there and rest a bit.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 오빠, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 오빠, CC BY-SA 4.0.
