Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 아씨 | assi | [ˈa̠(ː)ɕ͈i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 아가씨 | agassi | [a̠ɡa̠ɕ͈i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 아줌마 | ajumma | [a̠d͡ʑumma̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The terms for madam in Korean vary significantly depending on the age of the woman and the social context, ranging from historical titles for noblewomen to casual terms for middle-aged women.
Which one should you use?
아줌마 (ajumma) is used for middle-aged women or an 'auntie'. While 아씨 (assi) is a term used in historical contexts to address the daughters of noble families, the formal term 여사님 (yeosanim) is used to address a married woman in a respected position, typically one who is older than the speaker.
How do you pronounce it?
assi
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid calling a woman 아줌마 (ajumma) unless you are certain of her age or social standing, as it can be perceived as rude or taken as an insult to her youth.
When do people say it?
When addressing a woman in a position of respect, especially a married woman older than yourself, use 여사님 (yeosanim).
Did you know?
- The term 아가씨 (agassi) shares its roots with the word 아기 (agi), which means 'baby'.
- While 아가씨 (agassi) is often used to address young, unmarried women, it is also the standard way to address a waitress in many restaurants.
- Using 아가씨 (agassi) to address a woman in a professional setting can sometimes feel patronizing, similar to calling a woman 'young lady' in English.
Examples in context
- 여사님, 안녕하세요?Madam, hello?
- 대표님, 회의실로 안내해 드리겠습니다.Madam, let me guide you to the meeting room.
- 여사, 지금 어디에 계세요?Madam, where are you currently?
Example conversation
A waiter addresses a female customer at a restaurant.
- 민지 Min-ji아씨, 주문하시겠어요?assi, jumunhasigesseoyo?Madam, would you like to order?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 메뉴판 좀 보여주세요.ne, menyupan jom boyeojuseyo.Yes, please show me the menu.
- 민지 Min-ji여기 있습니다, 아씨.yeogi isseumnida, assi.Here it is, madam.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워요. 조금만 더 볼게요.gomawoyo. jogeumman deo bolgeyo.Thank you. I will look a bit more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “madam” translations and entries 아씨, 아가씨, 아줌마, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아가씨, 아줌마, CC BY-SA 4.0.
