Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “mom” and “dad” in Korean! Whether you’re learning the language, planning a trip to Korea, or simply want to embrace the Korean culture, knowing how to address parents is essential. In this guide, we’ll provide you with formal and informal ways to say mom and dad in Korean, along with some tips and examples to help you master the language. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways
Formal terms are typically used when speaking to someone older or to show respect to elders. In Korean, there are different words for “mom” and “dad” depending on whether you are speaking about your own parents or someone else’s:
1. Mother (your own)
The formal way to say “mother” when referring to your own mom is “어머니 (eomeoni).” This term is often used in formal situations, such as when addressing your mother in a respectful manner or when speaking about her to others.
Example: 어머니, 오늘 저녁에 식사하셨어요? (Eomeoni, oneul jeonyeoge siksa hasyeosseoyo?) – Mother, have you had dinner yet?
2. Father (your own)
When referring to your own father in a formal way, the word to use is “아버지 (abeoji).” This term signifies respect and should be used in formal situations or when speaking about your own father to others.
Example: 아버지는 오늘 회의에 참석하셨어요. (Abeojineun oneul hoeui-e chamsokhasyeosseoyo.) – Father attended a meeting today.
3. Mother (someone else’s)
To address someone else’s mother formally, use the term “어머님 (eomeonim).” This term shows respect and is commonly used when talking to someone about their mother in a formal setting.
Example: 어머님께서 요리를 정말 잘 하셔요. (Eomeonimggeseo yorireul jeongmal jal hasyeoyo.) – Your mother is an amazing cook.
4. Father (someone else’s)
Similarly, to address someone else’s father formally, use the term “아버님 (abeonim).” This word conveys respect and should be used when speaking to someone about their father in a formal context.
Example: 아버님은 항상 친절하게 대해주셔서 감사합니다. (Abeonimeun hangsang chinjeolhage daehaejusyeoseo gamsahamnida.) – Thank you for always treating me kindly, sir.
Informal Ways
Informal terms for addressing parents in Korean are used among family members, close friends, or when speaking to younger people. Let’s explore the informal ways to say “mom” and “dad” in Korean:
1. Mom (informal)
The informal way to say “mom” to your own mother or someone you have a close relationship with is “엄마 (eomma).” You can use this term when you’re around family, friends, or between parents and children.
Example: 엄마, 오늘 영화 보러 갈래요? (Eomma, oneul yeonghwa boreo gallaeyo?) – Mom, do you want to go watch a movie today?
2. Dad (informal)
To refer to your own father or address someone close to you as “dad” in an informal way, use the term “아빠 (appa).” This word is commonly used among family members, relatives, and friends.
Example: 아빠, 저녁 식사 뭐 먹을까요? (Appa, jeonyeok siksa mwo meogeulkka yo?) – Dad, what would you like to eat for dinner?
Regional Variations
While the terms mentioned above are commonly used throughout Korea, it’s important to note that there might be regional variations in how people address their parents. These regional differences are mostly related to dialects or local customs. However, the formal and informal terms mentioned earlier will be well understood and appropriate to use in any region of Korea.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing our guide on how to say “mom” and “dad” in Korean! By now, you should have a strong understanding of both the formal and informal ways to address parents in Korean, along with some examples to help you practice. Remember to adapt your vocabulary based on the formality of the situation and the relationship you have with the person you are speaking to. Learning these terms will not only enable you to communicate more effectively with native Korean speakers but also showcase your respect for Korean culture and customs. Happy learning!
