외삼촌
oesamchon[ˈwe̞(ː)sʰa̠mt͡ɕʰo̞n]
The Korean word for maternal uncle is 외삼촌 (oesamchon).
외삼촌 is a noun used specifically to refer to the brother of one's mother.
Meaning: brother of one's mother (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
This literally implies an uncle from the 'outside' family, referring to the mother's side of the family.
Which one should you use?
While 외삼촌 refers specifically to a maternal uncle, the term 큰아버지 is used for a paternal uncle (the father's older brother).
How do you pronounce it?
oesamchon
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean culture, a person's 외삼촌 was often viewed as a more lenient and indulgent figure compared to the stricter paternal uncles.
- The prefix 외 in 외삼촌 means 'outside' because traditionally a married woman was considered to have left her birth family to join her husband's family.
- If you are speaking to your maternal uncle directly, it is often more natural to call him 삼촌 rather than using the full 외삼촌. Using the full term can sometimes feel slightly too clinical or distant in a close relationship.
Examples in context
- 외삼촌은 아주 다정해요.oesamchon-eun aju dajeonghaeyo.My maternal uncle is very kind.
- 이번 주말에 외삼촌을 만나요.ibeon jumare oesamchon-eul mannayo.I am meeting my maternal uncle this weekend.
- 외삼촌이 선물을 주셨어요.oesamchon-i seonmul-eul jusyeosseoyo.My maternal uncle gave me a gift.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Ji-eun are looking at a family photo.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 분이 누구세요?i bun-i nuguseyo?Who is this person?
- 지은 Ji-eun저 분은 제 외삼촌이에요.jeo bun-eun je oesamchon-ieyo.That person is my maternal uncle.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 인상이 좋으시네요.jeongmal insang-i joeusineyo.He looks like a very nice person.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 정말 좋은 분이세요.ne, jeongmal joeun bun-iseyo.Yes, he is a wonderful person.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maternal uncle” translations and entries 외삼촌, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
