Korean word

삼촌

Pronunciation

Romanizationsamchon

Meaning

  • noununcle

Example

우리 삼촌은 요리를 잘 해요.u ri sam cho neun yo ri reul chal hae yo

My uncle cooks well.

Illustration for 삼촌 (uncle)

More examples

저는 삼촌과 자주 통화해요.cheo neun sam chon gwa cha ju tong hwa hae yo

I often call my uncle.

Core concept

A male family relative in the parent generation, with a warm extension to familiar adult men.

Common phrases

  • 우리 삼촌u ri sam chon

    my uncle

  • 외삼촌oe sam chon

    maternal uncle

  • 삼촌과 통화하다sam chon gwa tong hwa ha da

    talk to one's uncle on the phone

Similar words

외삼촌oesamchon: A male relative on the mother's side, specifically the mother's brother.
큰아버지keunabeoji: The older brother of one's father in the family.
작은아버지chageunabeoji: The younger brother of one's father in the family.
아저씨ajeossi: A familiar term for a middle-aged or older man outside the family.

Definition in Korean

가족 내에서는 부모의 남자 형제를 이르고, 비공식적으로는 아이들이 친근하게 성인의 남자를 부를 때도 쓰이는 말.ka jok nae e seo neun pu mo ui nam ja hyeong je reul i reu go pi gong sik jjeo geu ro neun a i deu ri chin geun ha ge seong i nui nam ja reul pu reul ttae do sseu i neun mal

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean formation combines words for three and a kinship degree, reflecting an old way of measuring a family relationship.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may reserve uncle for a real family member, but Korean children can use this familiar word for a known adult man, so the setting helps identify the intended relationship.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word