동생
dongsaeng[to̞ŋsʰɛŋ]
The English phrase "younger sibling" is 동생 (dongsaeng) in Korean.
동생 is a gender-neutral term used to refer to a sibling who is younger than the speaker or the person being discussed. Because it is neutral, it can refer to both a younger brother and a younger sister. If you need to be specific about gender, you can use 남동생 for a younger brother and 여동생 for a younger sister.
Which one should you use?
While 동생 is a general term for any younger sibling, Korean language uses different specific terms for older siblings depending on the gender of the person speaking (such as 형, 오빠, 누나 or 언니).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form of "younger sibling," you can add the suffix –들 to the word to form 동생들.
How do you pronounce it?
dongsaeng
Did you know?
- In many social contexts, even people who are not related can be called 동생 if they are younger than you. This is a common way to establish a friendly, hierarchical rapport.
- The word 동생 is a Sino-Korean term derived from the characters meaning 'same' and 'life'.
- In Korean culture, the relationship between a speaker and their 동생 involves a specific social hierarchy where the younger person is expected to use polite language.
Examples in context
- 저는 다섯 명의 남동생이 있어요.I have five younger brothers.
- 제 여동생은 매우 예쁘다고 생각해요.I think my younger sister is very pretty.
- 언니야, 우리 여동생이 어제 만든 음식 정말 맛있어!Sister, the food our younger sister made yesterday was really delicious!
- 동생이 있어요?dongsaengi isseoyo?Do you have a younger sibling?
- 제 동생은 대학생이에요.je dongsaengeun daehaksaengieyo.My younger sibling is a college student.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about their families.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨는 형제나 자매가 있어요?Subin ssineun hyeongjena jamaega isseoyo?Subin, do you have any siblings?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 남동생이 한 명 있어요.ne, namdongsaengi han myeong isseoyo.Yes, I have one younger brother.
- 민준 Min-jun동생분은 몇 살이에요?dongsaeng-bun-eun myeot sarieyo?How old is your younger sibling?
- 수빈 Su-bin제 동생은 열다섯 살이에요.je dongsaengeun yeoldaseot sarieyo.My younger sibling is fifteen years old.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 동생, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 동생, CC BY-SA 4.0.
