The literal translation of “dongsaeng” is “younger sibling.” Both male and female Koreans use “dongsaeng” (pronounced “dong-SANG”) for a younger sibling of any gender. They also use it to refer to young friends that they feel especially close to.
``Dongsaeng'' is a gender-neutral term that refers to someone who is younger than you in age. It isn't strictly to be used for familial relationships the way ``남동생/namdongsaeng'' (little brother) or ``여동생/yeodongsaeng'' (little sister) might be.
What is the difference between Maknae and Dongsaeng?
Maknae is like the youngest or the ones who are the youngest. So Jungkook is the maknae, but Jimin, V, and Jungkook are considered the maknae line. Dongsaeng is anyone younger than you.
The word oppa is used when you're a female and you're talking to or about older males. If you're a female, you can use this to refer to your boyfriend, brothers, or friends. You can call your older male friends “oppa,” even if you're not talking to them directly.
Jungkook's mother reportedly asked Jin to stay close to her son amid rampant intrusions!
What do Koreans call girlfriends?
Korean nicknames used for women:
Now let's look at a couple of words of endearment for women: “여자친구” (yeojachingu) – Girlfriend: While not really a nickname, it's good to know! It combines “여자” (woman) and “친구” (friend)
“Unnie” (언니) is a term used by females to address older sisters or older female friends. It carries similar connotations of respect and affection as “oppa” but is specific female-to-female relationships.
A younger brother or a younger man will use the Korean word. 누나 (noona) to address a female friend who is older. Nuna is the opposite of oppa. While oppa is used exclusively by females when addressing older males, nuna is used exclusively by males when addressing older females.
The term “noona” also indicates closeness and affection, adding a personal touch when addressing an older female. Is calling a girl "noona" flirty? Not necessarily! When a man calls an older woman “noona,” it usually means he views her as an older sister.
3) -Nuna (누나) & -Unnie (언니) refer to “Older sister” and they're used to address your close female friends who are older than you. - Nuna (누나) is used by guys and -Unnie (언니) is used by girls.
배: “Bae” - Did you know this Korean word has many meanings? It can mean stomach, boat/ship, or pear! If you hear this word, listen closely to the context to figure out which meaning applies.
Koreans often use cute and affectionate terms when addressing their romantic partners. The most common ones include: 자기야 (jagiya) – “Honey” or “Baby”; the most popular and gender-neutral pet name for lovers. 여보 (yeobo) – Traditionally used by married couples, similar to “darling” or “dear.”
내 [nae] is the simplified version of the word 나 [na] meaning "I" and 의 [ui], the possessive particle. Let's do some examples so you can learn how to use each word for “my” correctly. When you introduce yourself at a job interview, you should use 제 [je]. For example, 제 이름은 이재휘입니다. [Je ireumeun ijaehwiimnida.]
Using noona shows respect and affection, and it can be used in various contexts. Younger guys often call their older female friends noona to express that they value their relationship. It's also common in romantic settings.
BoA is regarded as one of South Korea's most influential singers and is widely referred to as the "Queen of K-pop", in recognition of her contributions in spearheading the Korean wave into Japan.
The "intensely competitive" K-pop industry is worth an estimated £8 billion annually to the South Korean economy, said The Telegraph, and its stars have been "bound by contracts" that have “no dating” rules. They cannot get married without permission.
