할아버지
harabeoji[ha̠ɾa̠bʌ̹d͡ʑi]
The English phrase "grandpa" is translated into Korean as 할아버지 (harabeoji).
할아버지 means "grandfather". Beyond family relations, it is also used as a respectful way to address any elderly man in a social setting.
Meaning: grandfather (informal) (noun)
Which one should you use?
The female counterpart to 할아버지 is 할머니, which means grandmother.
How do you pronounce it?
harabeoji
Did you know?
- The word 할아버지 can be used in the phrase 산신할아버지 to refer to the 'Mountain Spirit', a deity in Korean shamanism often depicted as an old man.
- Depending on whether the grandfather is the father's father or the mother's father, Koreans may use different specific terms like 친할아버지 for the paternal side and 외할아버지 for the maternal side.
- In some Korean contexts, calling a man 할아버지 in a shop might actually make him feel older than he is, so using a more neutral term like 'ajusshi' is sometimes preferred if the man is middle-aged.
Examples in context
- 우리 할아버지는 아주 건강하세요.uri harabojineun aju geonganghaseyo.My grandfather is very healthy.
- 옆집 할아버지는 친절하세요.yeopjip harabojineun chinjeolhaseyo.The grandfather next door is kind.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are looking at a family photo.
- 수빈 Su-bin이분이 현우 할아버지야?ibuni hyeonu harabojiya?Is this person your grandpa, Hyunwoo?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 정말 멋있으시지?eung, jeongmal meosisu-siji?Yes, doesn't he look cool?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 인상이 정말 좋으셔.eung, insangi jeongmal joeusyeo.Yes, he has a great impression.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워, 수빈아.gomawo, subina.Thanks, Subin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandpa” translations and entries 할아버지, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
