Korean Family Titles
What to call your in-laws, aunts, cousins — and why.
Korean has a separate word for almost every relative, and the word depends on whose side they're on, whether they're older or younger, and even who is speaking. Each page shows how to address the person directly and how to mention them to others.
All family titles
- 시어머니Mother-in-law (husband's mother)
- 시아버지Father-in-law (husband's father)
- 장모Mother-in-law (wife's mother)
- 장인Father-in-law (wife's father)
- 며느리Daughter-in-law
- 사위Son-in-law
- 형수Older brother's wife (for a man)
- 제수Younger brother's wife (for a man)
- 올케Brother's wife (for a woman)
- 시누이Sister-in-law (husband's sister)
- 도련님Husband's younger brother
- 아주버님Husband's older brother
- 처남Wife's brother
- 처형Wife's older sister
- 처제Wife's younger sister
- 매형Older sister's husband (for a man)
- 형부Older sister's husband (for a woman)
- 매제Younger sister's husband
- 조카Niece or nephew
- 사촌Cousin
- 외삼촌Uncle (mother's brother)
- 삼촌Uncle (father's unmarried younger brother)
- 고모Aunt (father's sister)
- 이모Aunt (mother's sister)
- 큰아버지Uncle (father's older brother)
- 작은아버지Uncle (father's married younger brother)
- 친할머니Grandmother (father's mother)
- 외할머니Grandmother (mother's mother)
- 사돈The other family's in-laws
- 동서Sibling-in-law by marriage (spouses of siblings)
Based on the standard etiquette of the National Institute of Korean Language; families and regions vary.
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