할머니
halmeoni[ha̠ɭmʌ̹ni]
The English phrase 'grandma' is translated into Korean as 할머니 (halmeoni).
The term for grandma is 할머니.
Meaning: grandmother (informal) (noun)
Which one should you use?
Adding the honorific suffix –님 to 할머니 results in 할머님, which is used to show higher respect toward a grandmother or an elderly woman.
How do you pronounce it?
halmeoni
Did you know?
- A common cultural trope in Korea is the 할머니 손맛, or 'grandmother's hand-taste', referring to the intuitive, soulful seasoning of traditional home cooking.
- The word 할머니 is etymologically built from the Middle Korean word 하다, which meant 'to be big' or 'great'. This makes the term literally translate to 'great mother'.
- In many Korean families, you might call a woman who is not your biological grandmother 할머니 if she is of a similar age to your own grandmother. It is a common way to show respectful affection to elderly strangers.
Examples in context
- 할머니, 저는 한국어를 배우고 있어요.Grandma, I am learning Korean.
- 할머님의 건강을 기원합니다.I wish you good health, Grandma.
- 할머니가 아주 인자하세요.hal-meo-ni-ga a-ju in-ja-ha-se-yo.Grandma is very kind.
- 우리 할머니는 요리를 잘하세요.u-ri hal-meo-ni-neun yo-ri-reul jal-ha-se-yo.My grandma is good at cooking.
- 할머니, 안녕하세요?hal-meo-ni, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo?Grandma, hello?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are talking about their grandparents.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지야, 너희 할머니는 어디 사셔?min-ji-ya, neo-hui hal-meo-ni-neun eo-di sa-syeo?Minji, where does your grandma live?
- 민지 Min-ji우리 할머니는 서울에 사셔.u-ri hal-meo-ni-neun seo-ul-e sa-syeo.My grandma lives in Seoul.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo할머니를 자주 만나?hal-meo-ni-reul ja-ju man-na?Do you see her often?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 매달 뵈러 가.eung, mae-dal boe-reo ga.Yes, I go to see her every month.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandma” translations and entries 할머니, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 할머니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
