조카
joka[t͡ɕo̞kʰa̠]
The Korean word for "nephew" is 조카 (joka).
조카 is used to refer to a nephew, whether they are the son of one's brother or one's sister.
Meaning: fraternal or sororal nephew (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
joka
Did you know?
- The word 조카 is used for both nephews and nieces, meaning Korean has no gender-specific distinction for this relative.
- Linguists suggest 조카 may be related to the Old Turkic word cïqan, which also meant 'nephew'.
- In Korean culture, the specific relationship to the 조카 is often clarified using additional kinship terms to distinguish between a brother's child and a sister's child.
Examples in context
- 우리 조카는 정말 똑똑해요.uri joka-neun jeongmal ttokttak-haeyo.My nephew is really smart.
- 조카 선물을 샀어요.joka seonmul-eul sass-eoyo.I bought a gift for my nephew.
- 조카가 아주 귀여워요.joka-ga aju gwiyeowo-yo.My nephew is very cute.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their family over coffee.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨, 조카가 몇 명이에요?Jieun ssi, joka-ga myeot myeong-ieyo?Jieun, how many nephews do you have?
- 지은 Ji-eun한 명 있어요.Han myeong iss-eoyo.I have one.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo조카는 잘 지내요?Joka-neun jal jinaeyo?Is your nephew doing well?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 아주 잘 지내요.Ne, aju jal jinaeyo.Yes, he is doing very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nephew” translations and entries 조카, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 조카, CC BY-SA 4.0.
