Korean word

별명

Pronunciation

Romanizationpyeolmyeong

Meaning

  • nounnickname

Example

친구들이 별명으로 저를 불러요.chin gu deu ri pyeol myeong eu ro cheo reul pul leo yo

My friends call me by my nickname.

Illustration for 별명 (nickname)

More examples

학교에서 제 별명이 퍼졌어요.hak kkyo e seo che pyeol myeong i peo jeo sseo yo

My nickname spread at school.

Core concept

A name used by other people instead of someone's real name, often based on a personal trait or a friendly relationship.

Common phrases

  • 별명으로 부르다pyeol myeong eu ro pu reu da

    call someone by a nickname

  • 별명을 붙이다pyeol myeong eul pu chi da

    give someone a nickname

  • 별명으로 불리다pyeol myeong eu ro pul li da

    be called by a nickname

Similar words

애칭aeching: An affectionate name used between people who feel close to each other.
별칭pyeolching: A separate name linked to a noticeable trait or particular circumstance.
닉네임ningneim: A chosen name displayed during online activity.

Definition in Korean

주로 주변 사람이 붙여 부르는, 본명과 다른 호칭이나 별칭chu ro chu byeon sa ra mi pu chyeo pu reu neun pon myeong gwa ta reun ho ching i na pyeol ching

Word origin

The Sino-Korean compound combines 별 (byeol, "separate") with 명 (myeong, "name"), giving it the basic idea of another name.

Usage tips

  • The tone depends on context, so this word can describe an affectionate name as well as a playful or unwanted one.

Other meanings

  • pet namenoun

Opposites

  • 본명ponmyeongreal namenoun

Word lists with this word