여동생
yeodongsaeng[jʌ̹do̞ŋsʰɛŋ]
The English phrase "younger girl" is translated into Korean as 여동생 (yeodongsaeng).
여동생 is used to mean "younger sister." While it specifically refers to a female sibling who is younger than the speaker, it can also be used to refer to non-family members who are younger females.
How do you pronounce it?
yeodongsaeng
Did you know?
- While 여동생 is the noun for a younger sister, a speaker will rarely call their own sister 여동생 to her face. Instead, they use her name or a nickname.
- In Korea, a woman may call a female friend or acquaintance 여동생 even if they are not related. This creates a 'pseudo-family' bond that defines their social hierarchy and closeness.
- The term 여동생 is derived from the Chinese characters 女 for 'female' and 同生 for 'younger sibling'.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 제 여동생이에요.She is my younger sister.
- 안녕, 동생아!Hi, little sister!
- 제 여동생은 고등학생이에요.je yeodongsaengeun godeunghaksaeng-ieyo.My younger sister is a high school student.
- 그는 여동생이 한 명 있어요.geuneun yeodongsaengi han myeong isseoyo.He has one younger sister.
- 여동생이랑 같이 쇼핑했어요.yeodongsaeng-irang gatchi syoping-haesseoyo.I went shopping with my younger sister.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are talking about their families.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨는 형제가 있어요?Seoyeon ssineun hyeong-jega isseoyo?Seoyeon, do you have any siblings?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 저는 여동생이 있어요.ne, jeoneun yeodongsaengi isseoyo.Yes, I have a younger sister.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말요? 몇 살이에요?jeongmalyo? myeot sarieyo?Really? How old is she?
- 서연 Seo-yeon여동생은 열 살이에요.yeodongsaeng-eun yeol sarieyo.My younger sister is ten years old.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 여동생, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여동생, CC BY-SA 4.0.
