How to Say Little Sister in Korean- Complete Guide

How to Say Little Sister in Korean

Learning Korean family terms is trickier than you think. "Little sister" isn't a one-to-one translation. It depends on who's speaking and who they're talking about.

Here's what you actually need to know.

The Main Term: 여동생 (Yeodongsaeng)

여동생 is the general word for "younger sister." Anyone can use it.

• 형이 여동생이랑 전화해. — My older brother is calling his younger sister.
• 나는 여동생이 둘 있어. — I have two younger sisters.

Use this when you're talking about a younger sister. It's neutral and works in every situation.

The Casual/Slang Term: 동생 (Dongsaeng)

동생 is the shortened, casual version. Younger guys use this a lot when talking about their younger sister or even a female friend who's younger.

• 동생아, 밥 먹었어? — Hey little sis, have you eaten?

It's affectionate but still casual. Don't use this with strangers.

The Family Position Matters

Korean isn't just about the word. It's about the relationship. You need different terms depending on whether you're the older sibling or the younger one.

If You're a Male Talking to Your Older Sister

You call her 누나 (nuna). Not "little sister" in the traditional sense, but this is how a younger brother refers to his older sister.

• 누나, 도와줘. — Sister, help me out.

If You're a Female Talking to Your Older Sister

You call her 언니 (eonni). Same deal—it's what a younger sister calls her older sister.

• 언니, 이거 봐. — Sis, look at this.

The Comparison Table

How to Use These Terms in Sentences

Practice these common sentence patterns:

• 여동생이 학교에 갔어. — My younger sister went to school.
• 동생한테 선물을 샀어. — I bought a gift for my little sister.
• 누나가 요리 잘해. — My sister cooks well.
• 언니 나 좀 도와줘. — Sis, help me out here.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't call an older woman "동생" unless you want to sound condescending. It's a power move in Korean culture.

Don't confuse 언니 and 누나. Guys use 누나 for older sisters. Girls use 언니. Mixing these up marks you as a non-native speaker immediately.

여동생 works both ways—you can be the older sibling talking about your younger sister. The "younger" part is built into the word.

Quick Reference for Your Korean Studies

Bookmark these key points:

• Use 여동생 when describing your younger sister to anyone
• Use 동생 casually when speaking directly to her
• Use 누나 if you're a guy talking to or about your older sister
• Use 언니 if you're a girl talking to or about your older sister

Getting Started

Pick one term and use it today. If you're a guy with a younger sister, say 동생아 ("hey little sis") instead of her name. If you're talking about her to a friend, say 여동생.

Korean family terms stick better when you attach them to real people in your life. Practice out loud. Get the pronunciation wrong. Correct it. Repeat.

That's it. Now you know how to say little sister in Korean—and more importantly, when to use each term.