언니 고마워요
eonni gomawoyo
In Korean, "thank you elder sister" is said as 언니 고마워요 (eonni gomawoyo).
This phrase is used by female speakers to express gratitude to an older sister or an older female friend. The term 언니 (eonni) is used not only for biological sisters but also for any female friend who is older than the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 언니 (eonni) literally means "older sister" when used by a female speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the expression informal and suitable for very close relationships, you can use 언니 고마워 by dropping the 요 (yo) from the end.
How do you pronounce it?
eonni gomawoyo
Did you know?
- If a male were to say 'thank you elder sister', he would not use 언니 at all, but would instead use 누나 (nuna) to address the same person.
- Some linguists believe 언니 originated as a playful, childish way to pronounce the more formal term 형님.
- In Korean culture, using 언니 for a female friend is a way to signal a transition from a formal acquaintance to a closer, sisterly bond.
Examples in context
- 언니 고마워요.eonni gomawoyo.Thank you, elder sister.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is thanking an older female friend who helped her study.
- 서연 Seo-yeon언니 고마워요, 이제 다 이해했어요.eonni gomawoyo, ije da ihaehaesseoyo.Thank you elder sister, I understand everything now.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo다행이다, 시험 잘 봐!dahaeng-ida, siheom jal bwa!I'm glad, do well on your exam!
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 꼭 그럴게요!ne, kkok geureolgeyo!Yes, I definitely will!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그래, 나중에 맛있는 거 먹자.geurae, najunge masinneun geo meokja.Okay, let's eat something delicious later.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 언니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
