Korean word

아줌마

Pronunciation

Romanizationajumma

Meaning

  • nounauntie

Example

저기 아줌마가 있어요.cheo gi a jum ma ga i sseo yo

There is an auntie over there.

Illustration for 아줌마 (auntie)

More examples

옆집 아줌마가 고양이를 돌봐 줬어요.yeop jjip a jum ma ga ko yang i reul tol bwa chwo sseo yo

The auntie next door took care of the cat for us.

Core concept

A casual way to picture and address a middle-aged woman, with warmth in some settings but a rough edge in others.

Common phrases

  • 옆집 아줌마yeop jjip a jum ma

    auntie next door

  • 시장 아줌마si jang a jum ma

    market auntie

  • 마트 아줌마ma teu a jum ma

    supermarket auntie

Similar words

아주머니ajumeoni: A respectful way to address a middle-aged woman in everyday situations.
아가씨agassi: A familiar term for a woman who is young or looks young.
아저씨ajeossi: A common everyday address for a middle-aged or older man outside the family.

Definition in Korean

상대의 연령대를 가리키는 구어체 호칭으로, 친근한 뜻으로도 쓰이나 듣는 이에게 무례하게 들릴 수 있다.sang dae ui yeol lyeong dae reul ka ri ki neun ku eo che ho ching eu ro chin geun han tteu seu ro do sseu i na teun neun i e ge mu rye ha ge teul lil ssu it tta

Word origin

It is the shortened spoken form of a longer Korean address term, and frequent everyday use made the shorter form common.

Usage tips

  • In English, auntie usually means a relative or close family friend, but this word can also address an unrelated woman, so context matters.

Other meanings

  • middle-aged womannoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word