동기
donggi[to̞ŋɡi]
The Korean word for sibling is 동기 (donggi).
The term refers to a person who shares the same parents.
Meaning: person who shares same parents (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
donggi
Did you know?
- In Korean, 동기 is often used to describe classmates or coworkers who entered an organization in the same year.
- If you use the 'sibling' word provided, 동기 (動機), it translates to 'motive' or 'motivation' in a psychological or legal context.
- While 'sibling' is a single word in English, Koreans almost always specify the gender and age of the sibling, using distinct terms like 형 for an older brother or 언니 for an older sister.
Examples in context
- 저는 형제자매가 없어요I don't have any siblings.
- 형이 있어요I have an older brother.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihoon are chatting about their families.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨는 동기가 있어요?Ji-hun ssi-neun dong-gi-ga it-seo-yo?Jihoon, do you have any siblings?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 누나가 한 명 있어요.ne, nu-na-ga han myeong it-seo-yo.Yes, I have one older sister.
- 민지 Min-ji정말요? 저는 외동딸이에요.jeong-mal-yo? jeo-neun oe-dong-ttal-i-e-yo.Really? I am an only daughter.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그렇군요. 동기가 없으면 편하겠어요.geu-reoh-gun-yo. dong-gi-ga eop-seu-myeon pyeon-ha-get-seo-yo.I see. It must be convenient not to have siblings.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 동기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 동기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
