안녕 언니
annyeong eonni
In Korean, 'hi sister' is 안녕 언니 (annyeong eonni).
The phrase is an informal greeting used by a female to address an older sister or an older female friend. The term 언니 is used not only for biological sisters but also for older female friends or women slightly older than the speaker in a social setting.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 언니 (eonni) literally means 'older sister' when used by a female speaker.
How do you pronounce it?
annyeong eonni
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that 언니 may have originated as a purposefully childish or cute way to pronounce the more formal term 형님 (hyeongnim).
- In Korean culture, calling a female stranger 언니 in a shop or cafe is a common way to establish an immediate, friendly rapport.
- While 언니 is used exclusively by women today, historical dictionaries from the 1890s show it was once used by anyone to refer to an older sibling of the same gender.
Examples in context
- 안녕, 누나! 뭐 해?Hi sister! What are you doing?
- 안녕 언니!annyeong eonni!Hi, sister!
Example conversation
A girl greets her older sister at the front door.
- 지은 Ji-eun안녕 언니, 학교 다녀왔어?annyeong eonni, hakgyo danyeowasseo?Hi sister, are you back from school?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 나 왔어. 너 뭐 하고 있었니?eung, na wasseo. neo mwo hago isseotni?Yes, I'm home. What were you doing?
- 지은 Ji-eun그냥 책 읽고 있었어.geunyang chaek ikgo isseosseo.I was just reading a book.
- 민준 Min-jun그렇구나. 배고픈데 간식 먹자.geureokuna. baegopeunde gansik meokja.I see. I'm hungry, let's have some snacks.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 안녕, 언니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
