시어머니
sieomeoni[ɕʰiʌ̹mʌ̹ni]
The English phrase mother-in-law is translated into Korean as 시어머니 (sieomeoni). Wiktionary also lists 장모 (jangmo).
Meaning: spouse's mother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 시어머니 | sieomeoni | [ɕʰiʌ̹mʌ̹ni] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 장모 | jangmo | [ˈt͡ɕa̠(ː)ŋmo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the term for mother-in-law changes depending on whether you are the husband or the wife in the relationship.
Which one should you use?
Use 시어머니 specifically when referring to a woman's mother-in-law (the husband's mother). Conversely, use 장모 specifically when referring to a man's mother-in-law (the wife's mother).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use 시어머님 as a more polite version of 시어머니. When addressing a mother-in-law directly, it is common to use the polite form 어머니 rather than the more formal titles.
How do you pronounce it?
sieomeoni
Did you know?
- The term 시어머니 is often used in Korean media and storytelling as a trope for a strict or overbearing maternal figure who manages the household rules.
- The word 시어머니 begins with the prefix 시, which is added to various family terms to indicate they belong to the husband's side of the family.
- The term 시어머니 carries a different social weight than 장모, as the former historically implied a more complex and often strained emotional bond.
Examples in context
- 장모님이 오늘 와줄 거예요.My mother-in-law is coming today.
- 시어머니는 친절하세요.sieomeonineun chinjeolhaseyo.My mother-in-law is kind.
- 시어머니께 선물을 드렸어요.sieomeonikke seonmureul deuryeosseoyo.I gave a gift to my mother-in-law.
- 이번 주말에 시어머니를 뵈러 가요.ibeon jumare sieomeonireul boereo gayo.I am going to see my mother-in-law this weekend.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are discussing a family visit.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 시어머니께서 언제 오세요?Jihun ssi, sieomeonikkeseo eonje oseyo?Jihun, when is your mother-in-law coming?
- 지훈 Ji-hun내일 오후에 도착하실 거예요.naeil ohue dochakhasil geoyeyo.She will arrive tomorrow afternoon.
- 수빈 Su-bin시어머니께서 좋아하실 음식을 준비할게요.sieomeonikkeseo joahasil eumsigeul junbihalgeyo.I will prepare food that my mother-in-law will like.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 고마워요, 수빈 씨.jeongmal gomawoyo, Subin ssi.Thank you so much, Subin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother-in-law” translations and entries 시어머니, 장모, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 시어머니, 장모, CC BY-SA 4.0.
