Korean word

이모

Pronunciation

Romanizationimo

Meaning

  • nounaunt

Example

제 이모는 외국에 살아요.che i mo neun oe gu ge sa ra yo

My aunt lives abroad.

Illustration for 이모 (aunt)

More examples

이모가 요리를 잘해요.i mo ga yo ri reul chal hae yo

My aunt cooks well.

Core concept

A close female relative on the mother's side of the family, specifically the mother's sister.

Common phrases

  • 제 이모che i mo

    my aunt

  • 이모에게 전화i mo e ge cheon hwa

    call my aunt

  • 이모와 이야기i mo wa i ya gi

    talk with my aunt

Similar words

고모komo: A father's sister is a paternal aunt, whether older or younger than him.
삼촌samchon: A family term for a parent's brother or another close male relative.
이모부imobu: A mother's sister's husband is an uncle by marriage.
아주머니ajumeoni: A polite, friendly way to address a middle-aged woman in everyday settings.

Definition in Korean

어머니의 누이나 여동생을 가리키는 말로, 어머니 쪽의 여성 친척을 뜻한다.eo meo ni ui nu i na yeo dong saeng eul ka ri ki neun mal lo eo meo ni jjo gui yeo seong chin cheo geul tteu tan da

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean formation whose parts refer to the mother's sister and the mother, linking its form to a maternal aunt.

Usage tips

  • English aunt can include a father's sister or an aunt by marriage, but this Korean word specifically points to the mother's sister.

Opposites

Related words

  • 이모님imonimauntienoun
  • 큰이모keunimoolder maternal auntnoun

Word lists with this word