할머니
halmeoni[ha̠ɭmʌ̹ni]
The Korean word for old lady is 할머니 (halmeoni).
할머니 translates to 'grandmother' and is used to refer to older ladies, particularly those who are elderly.
Meaning: informal: elderly woman (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When the elderly woman is the subject of a sentence, you should use the honorific particle 께서 instead of the standard 이/가 to show proper respect (e.g., 할머니께서).
How do you pronounce it?
halmeoni
When do people say it?
In Korea, it is common to call women of your grandmother's age 할머니 even if you are not related to them, as a sign of respect and social closeness.
Did you know?
- In some Korean traditional religions, 할머니 is used as a title for ancestral spirits or deities, such as the 'Grandmother Spirit' who protects a household.
- The term 할머니 is often used in the phrase 할머니 손은 약손, which means 'grandmother's hand is a healing hand'.
- The word 할머니 originally meant 'great mother' rather than just 'grandmother', as the prefix 'han-' in Middle Korean signified 'great' or 'big'.
Examples in context
- 저 할머니는 정말 친절하세요.jeo halmeonineun jeongmal chinjeolhaseyo.That old lady is really kind.
- 우리 할머니는 요리를 잘 하세요.uri halmeonineun yorireul jal haseyo.My grandmother is a good cook.
- 할머니, 건강하세요.halmeoni, geonganghaseyo.Grandmother, please stay healthy.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are talking about Subin's grandmother.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 우리 할머니가 보내주신 거예요.Jihun ssi, uri halmeoniga bonaejusin geoyeyo.Jihun, my grandmother sent this.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말요? 할머니께서 정말 인심이 좋으시네요.Jeongmalyo? Halmeoni-kkeseo jeongmal insimi joeusineyo.Really? Your grandmother is very generous.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 할머니는 항상 맛있는 걸 챙겨주세요.Ne, halmeonineun hangsang masinneun geol chaenggyeojuseyo.Yes, my grandmother always takes care of me with delicious food.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨는 정말 행복하겠어요.Subin ssi-neun jeongmal haengbokhagesseoyo.You must be very happy, Subin.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 할머니, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 할머니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
