남편
nampyeon[na̠mpʰjʌ̹n]
nampyeon is the Korean word for husband.
The term 남편 is used to refer to a man's male spouse.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This makes the phrasing sound more natural and humble.
How do you pronounce it?
nampyeon
Did you know?
- Korean has several words for 'husband' that change based on the social status of the speaker and the listener, such as 바깥사람 which literally means 'outside person'.
- While 남편 means 'husband', the character 便 inside the word can also mean 'convenience', suggesting a husband is a helpful partner in life's affairs.
- In modern Korean society, referring to one's own husband as nampyeon is standard, but using it to address him directly is often considered too formal or distant.
Examples in context
- 제 남편은 요리를 잘해요.je nampyeon-eun yo-ri-reul jal-hae-yo.My husband is good at cooking.
- 그의 남편은 아주 친절해요.geu-ui nampyeon-eun a-ju chin-jeol-hae-yo.His husband is very kind.
- 남편은 지금 회사에 있어요.nampyeon-eun ji-geum hoe-sa-e iss-eo-yo.My husband is at the office now.
Example conversation
Subin introduces her husband to a colleague.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 이쪽은 제 남편이에요.Dohyun ssi, i-jjogeun je nampyeon-ieyo.Dohyun, this is my husband.
- 도현 Do-hyeon처음 뵙겠습니다. 반갑습니다.cheoeum boep-get-seumnida. bangapseumnida.Nice to meet you.
- 수빈 Su-bin남편이 도현 씨 이야기를 많이 했어요.nampyeon-i Dohyun ssi iyagi-reul mani haesseoyo.My husband has talked about you a lot.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말요? 저도 궁금했어요.jeongmalyo? jeodo gung-geum-haesseoyo.Really? I was curious too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 남편, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
