Korean word

장남

Pronunciation

Romanizationchangnam

Meaning

  • nouneldest son

Example

저는 장남이에요.cheo neun chang na mi e yo

I am the eldest son.

Illustration for 장남 (eldest son)

More examples

부모님이 아프시면 장남으로서 먼저 돌봐요.pu mo ni mi a peu si myeon chang na meu ro seo meon jeo tol bwa yo

When my parents are ill, I look after them first as the eldest son.

Core concept

The oldest son among siblings, often seen as the son who carries an important family role.

Common phrases

  • 장남으로서chang na meu ro seo

    as the eldest son

  • 장남 역할chang nam yeo kal

    the eldest son's role

Similar words

맏아들madadeul: The oldest son among all the children in a family.
큰아들keunadeul: A casual term for a family's oldest son.
맏이maji: The oldest child in a family, regardless of gender.
첫째 아들cheotjjae adeul: The first son born into a family, even if older children are daughters.

Definition in Korean

가족에서 맏이로서 책임을 맡는 남자, 또는 형제 중 첫째인 남자ka jo ge seo ma ji ro seo chae gi meul man neun nam ja tto neun hyeong je chung cheot jjae in nam ja

Word origin

This Sino-Korean compound combines elements meaning eldest and male to identify the eldest son in a family.

Usage tips

  • Unlike firstborn, this word specifically identifies a son, so it can apply even when an older sibling is a daughter.

Opposites

  • 막내mangnaeyoungest childnoun
  • 막내아들mangnaeadeulyoungest sonnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word