Korean word

누나

Pronunciation

Romanizationnuna

Meaning

  • nounolder sister

Example

제 누나가 지금 집에 있어요.che nu na ga chi geum chi be i sseo yo

My older sister is at home now.

Illustration for 누나 (older sister)

More examples

이번 주말에 누나한테 전화할 거예요.i beon chu ma re nu na han te cheon hwa hal kkeo ye yo

I will call my older sister this weekend.

Core concept

A younger man addresses or refers to an older sister or another older woman through a familiar family-style title.

Common phrases

  • 제 누나che nu na

    my older sister

  • 누나가nu na ga

    older sister

  • 누나한테nu na han te

    to an older sister

Similar words

언니eonni: A warm family-style title used by a younger woman for an older sister or older woman.
누님nunim: A respectful way to address an older sister or another older woman.
오빠oppa: A warm family-style title used by a younger woman for an older brother or older man.
형hyeong: A warm family-style title used by a younger man for an older brother or older man.

Definition in Korean

남성 화자가 자신의 언니나 자신보다 나이가 많은 여성을 부르거나 가리킬 때 쓰는 말.nam seong hwa ja ga cha si nui eon ni na cha sin bo da na i ga ma neun yeo seong eul pu reu geo na ka ri kil ttae sseu neun mal

Word origin

This is a native Korean kinship term, but its deeper origin is uncertain and cannot be reliably separated into meaningful parts.

Usage tips

  • For a male speaker, using this word for a nonrelative can sound warm and familiar, so the relationship and setting affect how it is received.

Opposites

Related words

  • 누님nunimrespected older sisternoun
  • 큰누나keunnunaoldest sisternoun

Word lists with this word