How to Say "Older Lady" in Korean

아주머니

ajumeoni[a̠d͡ʑumʌ̹ni]

The English phrase "older lady" is translated into Korean as 아주머니 (ajumeoni).

The term 아주머니 is used to address or refer to a middle-aged woman. It is a way to acknowledge a woman who is middle-aged or elderly.

Which one should you use?

While 아주머니 is the standard polite term, the form 아줌마 is used in informal settings and also refers to a middle-aged or married woman.

ajumeoni

Avoid using 아주머니 to address much younger women, as the term specifically implies that the woman is middle-aged or older.

In modern Korea, the 'ajumma' phenomenon refers to a specific cultural stereotype of middle-aged women known for being assertive, loud and possessing great bargaining power in markets.
The historical form of 아주머니 was recorded as early as 1103 in the text 계림유사, making it a term with nearly a millennium of usage in the Korean language.
In Korea, people often use the word for 'teacher' 선생님 to address a woman instead of 아주머니 to show a higher level of professional respect.

실례합니다, 할머니. 가장 가까운 우체국까지 가는 방법을 알려주시겠어요?
Excuse me, Halmoni. Could you please tell me the way to the nearest post office?
할머니, 친절한 말씀에 감사드립니다. 정말로 큰 의미가 있어요.
Halmoni, thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot to me.
아줌마, 소금 좀 건네주세요.
Ajumma, could you please pass me the salt?
저 아주머니는 정말 친절하세요.
jeo ajumeonineun jeongmal chinjeolhaseyo.
That older lady is very kind.
옆집 아주머니가 선물을 주셨어요.
yeopjip ajumeoniga seonmureul jusyeosseoyo.
The older lady next door gave me a gift.
아주머니, 길을 좀 알려주세요.
ajumeoni, gireul jom allyeojuseyo.
Ma'am, please tell me the way.

Seoyeon and Jihun are at a traditional market.

서연 Seo-yeon

지훈 씨, 저 아주머니가 파시는 과일 좀 봐요.
Jihun ssi, jeo ajumeoniga pasineun gwail jom bwayo.
Jihun, look at the fruit that older lady is selling.
지훈 Ji-hun

정말 싱싱해 보이네요.
jeongmal singsinghae boineyo.
It looks really fresh.
서연 Seo-yeon

아주머니, 사과 한 봉지만 주세요.
ajumeoni, sagwa han bongjiman juseyo.
Ma'am, please give me one bag of apples.
지훈 Ji-hun

좋아요, 제가 같이 들게요.
joayo, jega gachi deulgeyo.
Okay, I will help you carry them.

Sources

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