Korean word

외동

Pronunciation

Romanizationoedong

Meaning

  • nounonly child

Example

저는 외동이에요.cheo neun oe dong i e yo

I'm an only child.

Illustration for 외동 (only child)

More examples

어릴 때 외동이라 혼자 노는 일이 많았어요.eo ril ttae oe dong i ra hon ja no neun i ri ma na sseo yo

When I was young, I was an only child, so I often played alone.

Core concept

A child who grows up without any brothers or sisters in the family.

Common phrases

  • 외동아들oe dong a deul

    only son

  • 외동딸oe dong ttal

    only daughter

  • 외동가정oe dong ga jeong

    one-child family

Similar words

외동자녀oedongjanyeo: A formal, gender-neutral term for a child without any brothers or sisters.
외아들oeadeul: A family's sole son, who has no brothers or sisters.

Definition in Korean

형제자매 없이 태어나거나 자라는, 한 가족의 유일한 아이를 뜻하는 명사.hyeong je ja mae eop ssi tae eo na geo na cha ra neun han ka jo gui yu il han a i reul tteu ta neun myeong sa

Word origin

The word's history is uncertain, but connecting it with the English phrase only child provides a useful memory cue without inventing meanings for its parts.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can use this word for adults as well as children, because it describes family position rather than current age.

Opposites

  • 형제자매hyeongjejamaesiblingsnoun
  • 다둥이tadungilarge familynoun

Related words

  • 외동아들oedongadeulonly sonnoun
  • 외동딸oedongttalonly daughternoun
  • 외동가정oedonggajeongone-child familynoun

Word lists with this word