Korean word

동생

Pronunciation

Romanizationtongsaeng

Meaning

  • nounyounger sibling

Example

저는 동생이 있어요.cheo neun tong saeng i i sseo yo

I have a younger sibling.

Illustration for 동생 (younger sibling)

More examples

주말에 제가 동생을 도와줘요.chu ma re che ga tong saeng eul to wa jwo yo

I help my younger sibling on weekends.

Core concept

A family member who is younger than the speaker, whether a brother or a sister.

Common phrases

  • 동생을 도와주다tong saeng eul to wa ju da

    help a younger sibling

  • 동생과 놀다tong saeng gwa nol da

    play with a younger sibling

  • 동생에게 말하다tong saeng e ge mal ha da

    talk to a younger sibling

Similar words

남동생namdongsaeng: A male sibling who is younger than the person speaking.
여동생yeodongsaeng: A female sibling who is younger than the person speaking.
형hyeong: A male speaker's term for an older brother.
누나nuna: A male speaker's term for an older sister.

Definition in Korean

자신보다 나이가 어린 형제자매를 가리키는 말.cha sin bo da na i ga eo rin hyeong je ja mae reul ka ri ki neun mal

Word origin

The word's historical formation is uncertain, and its useful modern meaning is simply a younger sibling.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English, this word does not show whether the younger sibling is a brother or a sister, so that detail comes from context or an added word.

Other meanings

  • younger brothernoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word