언니
eonni[ʌ̹nni]
The Korean phrase for "older sister" is expressed as 언니 (eonni) or 누나.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 언니 | eonni | [ʌ̹nni] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 누나 | nuna | [ˈnu(ː)na̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms refer to an older sister or an older female. Beyond biological relations, these words are commonly used to address close older female friends or acquaintances within a similar age group.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends entirely on the gender of the person speaking. A female speaker uses 언니 to refer to an older sister or an older female, while a male speaker uses 누나.
How do you pronounce it?
eonni
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the same word for "older sister" regardless of their own gender. In Korean, you must choose the term based on whether you are male or female.
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that 언니 may have originated from a childish or cute way of pronouncing 형님, which means 'older sibling'.
Examples in context
- 나 너네 언니 만나고 싶어I'd like to meet your older sister.This sentence shows how to use 언니 when expressing a desire to meet someone's older sister.Tatoeba #8306577 by ljj, translation #997875 by CK
- 우리 누나는 날마다 피아노를 친다.My older sister plays the piano every day.This sentence demonstrates the use of 누나 when describing an older sister's daily habit.Tatoeba #3677082 by ssuss32, translation #3953987 by KoreanBeaver
- 나에게는 누나가 있다.I have an older sister.This sentence shows how to use 누나 to state that you have an older sister.Tatoeba #11106025 by intertime, translation #9186798 by CK
- 언니, 제 숙제 도와주실래요?Eonni, can you help me with my homework?
- 언니, 영화 보러 가자!Eonni, let's go watch a movie!
- 누나, 제일 좋아하는 음식이 뭐예요?Nuna, what is your favorite food?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are talking about Subin's family at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 언니가 있어요?Subin-ssi, eonni-ga isseoyo?Subin, do you have an older sister?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 언니가 한 명 있어요.Ne, eonni-ga han myeong isseoyo.Yes, I have one older sister.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo언니는 지금 어디에 있어요?Eonni-neun jigeum eodi-e isseoyo?Where is your older sister now?
- 수빈 Su-bin언니는 지금 회사에 있어요.Eonni-neun jigeum hoesa-e isseoyo.My older sister is at work now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older sister” translations and entries 언니, 누나, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 누나, 언니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
