형
hyeong[çʌ̹ŋ]
The Filipino term 'kuya' can be expressed in Korean as 형 (hyeong).
The term 형 is used to address an older brother, an older male relative or an older male acquaintance. Similar to the Filipino 'kuya', it is used for both biological brothers and for older male friends to demonstrate both closeness and respect.
Which one should you use?
The choice of term depends on the gender of the speaker. A male speaker uses 형 to address an older male, whereas a female speaker would use 오빠 instead.
How do you pronounce it?
hyeong
Did you know?
- Because 형 is a homonym for the word meaning 'punishment', a poorly timed sentence in a serious discussion could accidentally sound like you are talking about a legal penalty rather than a brother.
- In some Korean social circles, men may use 형 to address a superior at work to signal a closer, more familial bond than the standard professional titles allow.
- The word 형 is a Sino-Korean term, meaning its roots lie in ancient Chinese characters rather than native Korean. It belongs to a large family of words derived from Chinese that form the backbone of much formal Korean vocabulary.
Examples in context
- 형, 언제 와요?hyeong, eon-je wa-yo?Kuya, when are you coming?
- 형은 정말 친절해요.hyeong-eun jeong-mal chin-jeol-hae-yo.Kuya is really kind.
- 우리 형을 소개할게요.u-ri hyeong-eul so-gae-hal-ge-yo.I will introduce my kuya.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are talking about Minjun's older brother.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 형은 어디에 있어요?Minjun hyeongeun eodie isseoyo?Where is your older brother, Minjun?
- 민준 Min-jun지금 회사에 갔어요.jigeum hoesae gasseoyo.He went to work now.
- 수빈 Su-bin형이 정말 멋있으시네요.hyeongi jeongmal meoshisseusineyo.Your kuya is really cool.
- 민준 Min-jun고마워요, 수빈 씨.gomawoyo, Subin ssi.Thank you, Subin.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 형, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 형, CC BY-SA 4.0.
