What Does “Hyung” (형) Mean & Who Should Say It?

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A complete guide to using honorific titles in Korea

Co-authored by Claire Wang and Aimee Payne, MFA

Last Updated: November 20, 2024 Fact Checked

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• What does “hyung” (형) mean?
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• How to Use “Hyung” (형)
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• Other Korean Honorific Titles
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• 7 Levels of Korean Formality
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• Korean Business Titles
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• Importance of Age in Korean Culture
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

If you’re a K-pop fan, you’ve probably heard male idols referring to each other as “hyung” and wondered what it meant. “Hyung” means “older brother” and is a title Korean boys and men use when talking to or about an older family member or close friend. This article covers the meaning and usage of “hyung,” plus several other Korean honorific titles. You’ll find information about the levels of formality in the Korean language and more!

A Quick Guide to Using “Hyung” (형)

“Hyung” means “older brother” but is often used to refer to an older male friend who is as close as a brother. The majority of the time, this term is used by a male to refer to an older brother or close male friend.

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Section 1 of 6:

What does “hyung” (형) mean?

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1. 
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   The literal translation of “hyung” is “older brother.” “Hyung” (pronounced h-YUH-ng) is primarily used by men and boys to refer to an older boy or man. In most cases, the male speaker is close to the man or boy in some way, like a brother, cousin, or friend. This term is casual and friendly – almost like slang.

   • Depending on the context of the conversation, “hyung” refers to a male speaker’s older biological brother, male cousins or other male relatives, male friends, or male schoolmates.
   • In some situations, young women call a male friend “hyung” because “oppa,” the traditional way for women to refer to close male friends, has become a flirty way for women to refer to attractive men. “Hyung” is not used romantically, so these women use it to emphasize their platonic friendships.
   • “Hyung” is the male equivalent to “unnie,” which is what women and girls call an older sister.
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   “Hyung” is often used among male K-pop idols to show respect. Many K-pop idols become close to the other members of their groups during the intense training period they go through. Then, after they debut, they live together for the early part of their career. This forges strong bonds between many of them. Because of their close relationships, they frequently call each other “hyung” or by name with “hyung” attached to the end. For example, “Su-Jin hyung writes all the lyrics for our songs” or “We’re very lucky to have hyung as a leader.”

   • Male idols also refer to other male idols who have debuted before them as “hyung” to show respect for their greater experience. This is especially true of groups that debuted with the same company.
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Section 2 of 6:

How to Use “Hyung” (형)

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   Use “hyung” as a male to refer to a close older male. The literal translation of “hyung” is “older brother,” but it’s also an affectionate and respectful way to talk about or address other male family members, like cousins. Here are a few examples of how to use “hyung”:

   • “Would you like banana milk with dinner, hyung?”
   • “Hyung, let’s watch that new movie after school.”
   • “My hyung is the best! He always watches out for me.”
   • “I’m so proud of my hyung for starting law school, but I never get to see him anymore.”
   • “I’m going out to pick up some fried chicken. Can you give me directions, hyung?”
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   Use “hyung” as a female to refer to older male friends. Women use the term with platonic male friends they are especially close with to emphasize their bond and seem less flirty. “Oppa” is the more traditional Korean honorific title used by most women and girls to refer to older brothers and male friends. However, “oppa” has started to be used by younger women to flirt with handsome men. Female K-pop fans also use it to show their appreciation for male idols.

   • “Hyung! Why are you so late? I’ve been waiting an hour!”
   • “We’re just friends. I think of him as my hyung.”
   • “Hey, hyung! Can you give me a ride home after school?”
   • “What are you doing tonight, hyung? My mom is making bibimbap, and I know it’s your favorite.”
   • “Ji-ho is my hyung! I can ask him if he’ll take you to the movie.”
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Section 3 of 6:

Other Korean Honorific Titles

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   Show respect in Korea by using the proper gendered title. In the Korean language, many honorific titles reflect the gender of the speaker and the person they’re speaking to. For example, “hyung” is customarily used by men to refer to other men. Here are a few other honorific titles used in South Korean culture:

   • Oppa (오빠): Females use “oppa” to refer to an older male they are close with. It translates to “older brother.”
   • Unnie (언니): Females use it to refer to an older female they are close with. It also translates as “older sister.”
   • Noona (누나): Males use it to refer to an older female they are close with. It translates to “older sister.”
   • Sunbae (선배): This translates as “senior.” Younger males and females use it to refer to anyone who is older or has more experience. In some cases, an older person may refer to a younger person with more experience as “sunbae.”
   • Hubae (후배): “Hubae” translates as “junior,” and older people use it to refer to younger people in a university setting or in business. They also use it to refer to someone with less experience in a field.
   • Dongsaeng (동생): Males and females use it to refer to a younger person they are close with. It translates to “younger sibling.”
   • Yeodongsaeng 여동생: This translates to “younger sister” and both males and females use it.
   • Namdongsaeng (남동생): Both males and females use this word to talk about a younger brother. The translation is “little brother.”
   • Chingu (친구): “Chingu” means “friend.” Use it to refer to someone who is the same age as you.
   • Donggab (동갑): “Donggab” means “same age.” Use this word to identify that you were born in the same year as the other person, so you don’t have to observe the obligations and responsibilities to an older/younger person.
   • Eomeonim (어머님): This is the formal way to say “mother” in Korean. More commonly, Koreans would call their mother eomma (엄마), which means “mom.”
   • Abunim (아버님): This is the formal way to say “father.” Koreans would more commonly use appa (아빠), which means “dad.”
   • Ajumoni (아주머니): This is translated as “middle-aged woman” and is a respectful way to address a woman in her 40s-60s.
   • Ajusshi (아저씨): This is translated as “middle-aged man” and is a respectful way to address a man in his 40s-60s.
   • Halabuji (할아버지): This is translated as “grandfather” and is a respectful way to address a man older than 70. This is a generic term that’s not necessarily used for your biological grandfather.
   • Halmeoni (할머니): This is translated as “grandmother” and is a respectful way to address a woman older than 70. This is a generic term that’s not necessarily used for your biological grandmother.
   • Agassi (아가씨): This is translated as “young lady” and is used to refer to an unmarried woman, similar to the English word “miss.”
   • Imonim (이모님): The literal translation is “my aged aunt” and refers to a woman in her 50-60s in a casual setting. This is a generic term that’s not necessarily used for your biological aunt.
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   Add “ssi” (씨) or “nim” (님) to the end of a name to show respect. In Korean culture, the suffixes “ssi” or “nim” are similar to Mr. and Ms. in English-speaking countries. These suffixes are gender neutral, so they’re appropriate to use for anyone. When adding them to a name, place them at the end of the full name. For example, Park Hoseok-ssi in Korean would be Mr. Hoseok Park in English.

   • Place the “ssi” after the given name for a more casual title that still shows respect. For example, Hoseok-ssi in Korean would be Mr. Hoseok in English.
   • The suffix “nim” is slightly more formal than “ssi,” so use it in more formal or professional settings.
   • Koreans customarily list their surname first and the given name second.
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Section 4 of 6:

7 Levels of Korean Formality

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1. 
   There are 7 levels of politeness in Korean speech. However, only 4 are commonly used today. For formal speech, Koreans use hasipsioche. The most commonly used level is haerache, a plain yet formal way of speaking. Koreans use haeyoche, an informal but polite way to speak with strangers, colleagues, and those of higher rank or older age. When speaking with friends or younger people, Koreans use haeche. Here are descriptions of all 7 of the speech levels from the most casual to the most formal:

   • Haeche (해체): This is the most casual and informal level of speech. Only use it with siblings, close friends, relatives, and younger people.
   • Haeyoche (해요체): This is an informal but polite way of speaking that Koreans use in everyday life.
   • Haerache (해라체): This is a plain style that’s still formal. It’s commonly used in newspaper or magazine writing. It’s also how close friends or family members of a similar age speak to each other.
   • Hageche (하게체): This is a slightly outdated way of speaking to those of a similar or lower rank. It’s mostly used by older people.
   • Haoche (하오체): This is a formal level of speech used with those who have a similar or lower social status. It’s more commonly used in historical dramas than in real life.
   • Hasipsioche (하십시오체): This way of speaking is 1 step down from hasoseoche and is often used in public speeches, business, and by those in the service industry. It’s also the type of speech used with elders, strangers, and those of higher rank.
   • Hasoseoche (하소서체): The most formal and polite way of speaking is hasoseoche (하소서체). It’s the language used when speaking to a king, queen, or high official. It was mostly used in the past but is commonly seen in historical dramas.

Section 5 of 6:

Korean Business Titles

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1. 
   There are honorific titles based on age and experience in the workplace. While someone who is older than you will mostly likely call you by you name with “ssi” added to the end to show respect, many Koreans use work titles that refer to their status. Here are some of the most commonly used work titles used in Korean and their English translations:

   • Hoejang-nim 회장님: Chairman or Chairwoman
   • Sajang-nim 사장님: President or CEO
   • Jeonmuisa-nim 전무이사님: Sr. Managing Director
   • Sangmooisa-nim 상무이사님: Managing Director
   • Isa-nim 이사님: Director
   • Bujang-nim 부장님: Division Head
   • Chajang-nim 차장님: Vice Head of a Division
   • Gwajang-nim 과장님: Head of a Unit
   • Daeri-nim 대리님: Assistant Manager
   • Timjang-nim 팀장님: Team Leader
   • Sawon 사원: Employee
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Section 6 of 6:

Importance of Age in Korean Culture

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1. 
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   Koreans use age to determine the formality of their speech. One of the first things Koreans ask each other when they first meet them is, “How old are you?” They use age to figure out the appropriate way to speak and act toward one another. For example:

   • Older people take responsibility and be a leader for younger people. They also often buy meals. However, they may ask younger people to perform tasks.
   • Younger people bow more deeply, set the table, or pour drinks for older people.
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   Before 2023, Korean age was based on the number of new years plus 1. In South Korea, people were 1 year old the moment they were born. They turn 2 years old on January 1 of the year after they were born. However, they also used international age, which is the same as people use in the US.

   • As of June 28, 2023, South Korea no longer uses the traditional age-counting system. They now use the international age.
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