Korean Family Titles
Olke (올케)
olke · Brother's wife (for a woman)
Relationship
my brother → his wife
Who uses it
A woman, about her brother's wife.
When you call them
An older brother's wife is called 새언니 (sae-eonni) or 언니; a younger brother's wife, 올케.
When you talk about them
To others, 올케 for either.
Example
새언니, 이번 명절엔 같이 장 보러 가요.Sae-eonni, let's go grocery shopping together this holiday.
Based on the standard etiquette of the National Institute of Korean Language; families and regions vary.
Frequently asked questions
What does 올케 (olke) mean in Korean?
올케 (olke) means brother's wife (for a woman) — in family-tree terms, my brother → his wife.
Who says 올케, and about whom?
A woman, about her brother's wife.
How do you address your brother's wife (for a woman) in Korean?
An older brother's wife is called 새언니 (sae-eonni) or 언니; a younger brother's wife, 올케.
How do you refer to your brother's wife (for a woman) when talking to others?
To others, 올케 for either.
What is an example sentence with 올케?
“새언니, 이번 명절엔 같이 장 보러 가요.” means “Sae-eonni, let's go grocery shopping together this holiday.”