조카
joka[t͡ɕo̞kʰa̠]
In Korean, the word for "niece" is 조카 (joka). Wiktionary also lists 조카딸 (jokattal).
Meaning: fraternal or sororal niece (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 조카 | joka | [t͡ɕo̞kʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 조카딸 | jokattal | [t͡ɕo̞kʰa̠t͈a̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The specific term for a female niece, 조카딸, is composed of 조카 (niece/nephew) and 딸 (daughter).
Which one should you use?
조카 is a neutral term that can refer to either a nephew or a niece. In contrast, 조카딸 is a specific form used to identify a female niece.
How do you pronounce it?
joka
Did you know?
- The word 조카 shares a possible linguistic ancestor with the Old Turkic word cïqan, meaning 'nephew or son of one's aunt'.
- In many Korean families, rather than using the formal word for niece, elders often simply call a niece by her given name to show affection.
Examples in context
- 조카딸이 성가시지만 정말 귀엽습니다.My niece can be a handful, but she's really cute.
- 지난 주말에 조카와 함께 공원에 갔어요.I went to the park with my niece last weekend.
- 우리 조카는 정말 귀여워요.uri jokaneun jeongmal gwiyeowoyo.My niece is really cute.
- 조카가 벌써 초등학생이에요.jokaga beolsseo chodenghaksaeng-ieyo.My niece is already an elementary school student.
- 이번 주말에 조카를 만나요.ibeon jumare jokal-eul mannayo.I am meeting my niece this weekend.
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are looking at photos on a phone.
- 민준 Min-jun이 아이가 제 조카예요.i ai-ga je joka-ye-yo.This child is my niece.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 예쁘게 생겼네요!jeongmal yeppeuge saenggyeot-ne-yo!She looks really pretty!
- 민준 Min-jun감사합니다. 성격도 아주 좋아요.gamsahamnida. seonggyeok-do aju jo-ayo.Thank you. She has a very good personality too.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨를 많이 닮았어요.Minjun ssi-reul mani dalmasseoyo.She looks a lot like you, Minjun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “niece” translations and entries 조카, 조카딸, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 조카, CC BY-SA 4.0.
