Common Korean Terminology

This page contains a list of common Korean honorifics and terms. They are romanized Korean to English terms. For a list of Lucid Adventure specific terminology, see here.

A

* **A/ ya** (아, 야): a casual title used at the end of names. It is not gender exclusive. If a name ends in a consonant *-a* is used (e.g. *Jinyoung-a* 진영아), while -*ya* is used if the name ends in a vowel (e.g. *Youngjae-ya* 영재야). -*a /* -*ya* has connotations of endearment and affection. It usually connotes very close personal relationship and is used only between close friends and people who are familiar with each other, and its use between strangers or distant acquaintances would be considered extremely rude. -*ya /* -*a* is only used hierarchically horizontally or downwards: an adult or parent may use it for young children, and those with equal social standing may use it with each other, but a young individual will not use -*a* or -*ya* towards one who is older than oneself or holds a higher status than oneself. 아/야 does not denote respect/honor or indicate a social hierarchy, only the relationship or level of affection you have with the person. The interlocutor can be either a man or woman
* **Ajumeoni** (아주머니): more respectful term for Ajumma (See below). In circumstances where the addressed person is not considerably older than the speaker, or is socially higher than the speaker, it is highly likely that the addressee will be offended when called ajumma. Therefore it is better to use *ajumeoni*, *eomonim* (a respectful term for someone else's mother), or *samonim*.
* **Ahjumma / Ajumma** (아줌마 ): It comes from the Korean word Ajumeoni (Korean: 아주머니). It is a respectful call name for married woman a neighbourhood auntie or middle aged woman. Although it is sometimes translated "aunt", it does not actually refer to a close family relationship. It is most often used to refer to middle-aged or older woman since referring to an elder by name without a title in Korea is not socially acceptable. (Caution! : Single women (women that have yet to marry / entered matrimonial) will be angry / annoyed if you use it on them.)

* **Ahjussi / Ajussi** (아저씨): Respectful call name for married man or neighbourhood uncle. Middle aged men.
* **Ajae** (아재): Short form of Ajussi. A middle aged guy who has old-fashioned style and makes old school jokes

D

* **Dongsaeng** (동생): Younger Sibling. A word describing a family or friendship relationship. It is used to refer to one's younger sibling or a close friend that is younger than oneself. if you want to put more emphasis on the gender of the 동생 (dongsaeng) you are talking about, you can add 여 (yeo) for girls and 남 (nam) for boys. However, usually these gender markers are used only when talking about your actual blood-related siblings.

G

* **Gosu** (고수): A Korean term used to refer to a highly skilled person. In computer gaming the term is usually used to refer to a person who dominated games like *StarCraft*, *Counter-Strike*, Tekken, *Warcraft III*, *Diablo II*, *DotA*, *League of Legends*, *Heroes of the Storm*, *Overwatch* and others. The term was adopted by gaming communities in many countries because of a large South Korean presence in online gaming communities.
* **Gosunim**: A more respectful way of saying Gosu.

H

* **Hoobae/Hubae** (후배): used to refer to someone younger than you who usually goes to the same school or works in the same place as you. Your friends at university who started later than you can be referred to as 후배 (hubae) aka “junior”. Usually, people in senior and junior relationships call each other '선배님 (Seonbaenim)' (e.g. Jisung seonbaenim and '후배님(Hubaenim)' at the first meeting.
* **Hyeong/Hyung** (형)**:** Elder brother of a male. It is used by males to refer to an older male. It can be their actual older brother or someone they are close to. Even between twins, the older brother usually addressed as “hyung” by his younger twin brother.
* **Hyungnim**: more respectful way of saying Hyung.

N

* **Nim** (님): A formal term showing respect. It is usually attached after a name, an occupation or title.
* **Nuna/ Noona** (누나)**:** Elder sister. A term used by males to refer to an older female. It usually symbolises closeness.
* **Noonim**: A more respectful way of saying Noona.

O

* **Oppa** (오빠)**:** Elder brother. A term used by females to refer to males slightly older than them that they respect. It symbolises closeness.
* **Orabeoni** (오라버니): A more respectful way for females to refer to older males. More commonly used in the older days.

S

* **Sabu** (싸부): Master; teacher (usually for martial arts)
* **Sunseng** (선생): Teacher
* **Sunsengnim** (선생님): A more respectful way of saying Teacher (선생, Sunseng).
* **Seuseungnim** (스승님): Master; teacher; mentor, instructor, guide (in life). 스승님 is the absolute formal form of 선생님, which is already a respectful way of calling a teacher.  It is mostly used for a special teacher who had a large influence on your education and life. 스승님 is also used to a person who trains a person train for Martial Arts. e.g Taekwondo, Judo, Kung-fu which means "master".
* **Sahyung/Sahyeong** (사형): Elder brother. A term of respect
* **Ssi** (씨)'*:  **A title of respect and a form of honorific. It is usually attached after actual names.is the most commonly used honorific used amongst people of approximately equal speech level. It is attached after the full name, such as** Park Jaehyung ssi'' (박제형 씨)*, or simply after the first name, *''Jaehyung ssi'' (제형 씨)* if the speaker is more familiar with someone. Appending *ssi* to the surname, for instance ''Park ssi'' (박 씨) can be quite rude, as it indicates the speaker considers himself to be of a higher social status than the person he is speaking to. It is like the English equivalent of "Mister" or "Miss".
* **Sunbae/*Seonbae*** (선배)**:** Senior or Older alumnus. A term of respect used to refer to someone older than you who usually goes to the same school or works in the same place as you. It is often used in Korean Universities instead of oppa, hyung, noona, or unnie. Usually, people in senior and junior relationships call each other '선배님 (Seonbaenim)' (e.g. Jisung seonbaenim and '후배님(Hubaenim)' at the first meeting.

U

* **Unni** (언니): Elder sister, used by females to refer to females slightly older than them.

## References

1. ↑ koreanclass101.com: *korean-honorific-titles*
2. ↑ 90daykorean: *Oppa-hyung-noona-unnie*