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[For K-pop Beginners] Useful ways to address people, like “oppa,” that are good to know

[For K-pop Beginners] Useful ways to address people, like “oppa,” that are good to know
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The word “oppa,” which you often hear in K-pop, Korean films, and dramas.

PSY’s " released in 2012Gangnam StyleIt was a globally massive hit with an addictive sound, and the phrase “Oppa Gangnam Style” was sung repeatedly in both the intro and the chorus.

You probably often hear people—both among idols themselves and K‑pop fans (with “pen” meaning “fan” in Korean)—saying things like “○○ oppa ~.”

“Oppa” means “older brother,” but can anyone use this term?

What should I call (your) older sister?

Here are some useful terms for addressing people—starting with “oppa”—that are handy to know when enjoying Korean entertainment!

Speaking of oppa, PSY’s “Gangnam Style.”

PSY’s “Gangnam Style” was released in 2012 and became a huge hit not only in Korea and Japan, but also across Western countries such as the United States.

The choreography that looks like riding a horse—often called the “horse-riding dance”—was striking, and I imagine many people tried to imitate it.

Gangnam is an area in Seoul, South Korea, where fashion buildings, clubs, sports stadiums and halls, and museums are concentrated, and many wealthy people live in high-rise condominiums.

The horse-riding dance originates from the image of wealthy kids in Gangnam—where horseback riding is seen as their thing.

Now, this video is the version featuring HyunA from 4Minute (after their disbandment in 2017, the members went solo as singers or actors).

At the beginning of the song and in the chorus, Hyuna sings “Oppa Gangnam Style,” which means something like “Older brother (oppa) is Gangnam style.”

There’s a reason why I deliberately chose the version that features HyunA.

Actually, oppa isn’t a word just anyone can use!

Words for addressing people that you must not get wrong

South Korea is a country with strong Confucian values that places great importance on hierarchical relationships.

Respecting our elders is an important value shared around the world, isn’t it?

I’ve heard that English doesn’t have honorifics, but Japanese does, and Korean does as well.

In Korea, people are said to be especially conscious of hierarchy, with multiple manners for handshakes and dining, as well as several different ways to address others.

Therefore,It can be rude if used incorrectly.So you need to have a solid grasp of it.

Conversely, once you understand that, the relationship becomes clear right away...For example, with idols, things like age differences become immediately clear.

oppa (a Korean term meaning 'older brother' or a friendly way for a younger woman to address an older male)

Now, onto the main topic: oppa.

Oppa is in Hangul: "오빠You write: ”

When a woman addresses an older man as “older brother” (how she would call an older brother)I will use it.Translation

Besides one’s older brother by blood, many people also call a close older male friend, a boyfriend (남자 친구: namja chingu), or a husband “oppa.”

I think it’s a phrase that gives the impression of being charming and cute—the kind of wording younger women use.

In BLACKPINK’s “붐바야 (BOOMBAYAH),” the members also shout “oppa!” in part of the chorus, and YG Entertainment, known for its distinctive, cool style (BIGBANGIt blends a coolness and cuteness characteristic of idols from that agency (the one that artists like — belong to).

In Korean, there aren’t long vowels, so in principle people don’t stretch it out and say “Oppa~,” but on Korean variety shows and the like, you often see people drawing it out when calling someone, to add friendliness or cuteness.

Words used with close/intimate peopleTherefore, if you suddenly call an older man “oppa” when you first meet him, it will surprise him.

When I actually asked Koreans, many women said they use it to address an older boyfriend.

When referring to an older man who isn’t your boyfriend, you would use the term “senpai.”Sunbae (선배)by standardizing on either “Name + title (such as teacher or department head)” or the equivalent of “-san”Name + -ssi (-씨)It seems like they’re going to call it using “”.

In some cases, people deliberately use it with the nuance of “not a boyfriend, but close.”HyunIt’s said that there are also women who use the term (hyeong: a word younger men use to address an older brother they’re close to).

It seems she wants to call a particularly special person “oppa”!

However, I’ve also heard that from a man’s perspective, many would rather be called “older brother” than “uncle,” so once you’ve gotten closer, it might be fine to ask, “Can I call you oppa?”

An oppa that pen(fans) call

Female fans often affectionately call their favorite older male idols “oppa” or “[Name] oppa.”

This is Xiumin, the eldest member of EXO, and in the latter part he says, “Call me oppa” (오빠라고 부르고: oppa-rago bulleoyo).

The term “oppa” is a form of communication that expresses familiarity and affection for both fans and idols.I think that might be the case.

https://twitter.com/exo_mmxiu99/status/978107676335906816

freebie

When a woman addresses an older woman, she uses “unnie.”

The word “oppa” refers to an older male, but what do you call an older female when a woman is addressing her?

It corresponds to the Japanese word “oneesan.”Unnie (older sister; used by a woman to address an older female)It is.

Like oppa, unnie is a term that can be used regardless of blood relation.

Since it's also considered a polite form of address, it seems you can use it with your boss at work as well.

When a woman refers to an older female idol, she also calls her “___ eonni.”

Mothers and aunts

When calling your mother in a polite manner,Omma (Korean: 어머니, meaning “mother”)。

A casual way to say it isEomma (Mom)It is.

This is a phrase that can be used regardless of gender.

When calling a staff member at a shop or restaurant, you can use “jeogiyo (저기요),” which corresponds to the Japanese “sumimasen.” If the staff member is an older woman, you can also use “ajumeoni (아주머니),” a term used to address an older woman who isn’t a blood relative.

There’s also the term “ajumma” (아줌마) used to address older women who aren’t related by blood, but since it’s a casual way of addressing someone, I think it would be rude to use it out of the blue.

However, since both ajumoni and ajumma strongly carry the image of “auntie/older woman,” it seems softer and better to use imo (이모), which is used when referring to a maternal aunt.

Please give it a try when you travel to Korea.

In conclusion

Today I introduced terms like “oppa” for addressing an older man and “unni” for addressing an older woman.

Please be careful, because if a man uses it by mistake or if you use it with someone younger, it can lead to an awkward situation.

I often hear it used in Korean variety shows, movies, and dramas, and I think it’s a convenient word that helps you understand the relationships within a group or between characters.

Try using this when calling out to your favorite idol or when actually talking with someone from Korea!