TOPIK I Core Vocabulary · Family & Greetings ③

Older siblings & friends — 형, 누나, 오빠, 언니, 친구

Korean uses different words for an older brother or sister. The right word depends on the speaker's gender. TOPIK listening questions often test this.

At a glance

You are	Older male	Older female
male	형	누나
female	오빠	언니

You can also use these words for an older person you are close to. Both people must accept this. The right word depends on your gender, the other person's gender, the age gap, and how you both see the relationship.

01형hyeong

older brother · used by a male speaker.

Examples 형이 있다 (to have an older brother) · 형과 놀다 (to spend time with one's older brother)

저는 형이 두 명 있어요. I have two older brothers.  |  두 명 = two people  |  This sentence tells you the speaker is male

02누나nuna

older sister · used by a male speaker.

Examples 누나가 있다 (to have an older sister) · 누나를 만나다 (to meet one's older sister)

누나가 요리를 잘해요. My older sister is a good cook.  |  요리 = cooking  |  잘해요 = polite form of 잘하다 (to be good at)

03오빠oppa

older brother · used by a female speaker.

Examples 오빠가 있다 (to have an older brother) · 오빠와 가다 (to go with one's older brother)

오빠와 영화를 봤어요. I watched a movie with my older brother.  |  영화 = movie  |  봤어요 = past polite form of 보다 (to see, to watch)

04언니eonni

older sister; older female friend · a female speaker uses it for her older sister, and sometimes for a close older woman.

Examples 언니가 있다 (to have an older sister) · 언니와 이야기하다 (to talk with one's older sister)

언니가 학교에 다녀요. My older sister goes to school.  |  다녀요 = polite form of 다니다, used for places you go to regularly

05친구chingu

friend · someone you are close to, usually a person of the same age.

Note 친구 usually means a person of your own age. It can also mean a close person who is a little older or younger. When the age gap is clear, speakers use 형, 누나, 오빠 or 언니 instead.

Examples 친구를 만나다 (to meet a friend) · 친구와 놀다 (to spend time with a friend)

저는 친구를 만나요. I'm meeting a friend.  |  만나요 = polite form of 만나다 (to meet)

Quick check3 questions

Fill in each blank in Korean. Check the speaker first.

1. 저는 __________이 두 명 있어요. (male speaker · I have two older brothers.)
2. __________와 영화를 봤어요. (female speaker · I watched a movie with my older brother.)
3. __________가 학교에 다녀요. (female speaker · My older sister goes to school.)

Show answers

1. 형   2. 오빠   3. 언니

Look at who is speaking before you choose

Study tip Learn these words in two pairs. Male speakers use 형 · 누나. Female speakers use 오빠 · 언니. In a listening question, these words help you find the speaker's gender.