older sister in korean
How to Say "Older Sister" in Korean (언니 / 누나): Who Says Which
언니 / 누나
unnie / noona
Quick answer
Girls say 언니 (unnie) to an older sister; boys say 누나 (noona). Which word you use depends on your own gender as the speaker.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| female speaker → older sister | 언니 | unnie | What a girl calls her older sister — also used for older female friends or seniors. |
| male speaker → older sister | 누나 | noona | What a boy calls his older sister — also used by younger men for older women they're close to. |
| referring to an older sister in third person | 언니 / 누나 | unnie / noona | Use the form appropriate to the speaker's gender. |
| affectionate form (female-to-female) | 언니~ | unnie~ | Stretching the ending sounds affectionate and warm in K-dramas. |
How it changes by relationship
언니, 나 여기 있어!
Unnie, na yeogi isseo!
girl calling her own older sister: Eonni, I'm right here! — a classic sibling call.
누나, 같이 먹자.
Noona, gachi meokja.
boy calling his own older sister: Noona, let's eat together — natural between siblings.
누나, 고마워요!
Noona, gomawoyo!
younger man calling an older female friend: Thanks, noona! — warm and affectionate from a younger man.
언니, 도와줘서 고마워!
Unnie, dowajwoseo gomawo!
younger woman calling an older female friend: Thanks for helping, unnie! — common in female friendships in K-dramas.
Examples
언니, 이 옷 어때?
Unnie, i ot eottae?
Unnie, how does this outfit look?
누나, 오늘 너무 예뻐요.
Noona, oneul neomu yeppeoyo.
Noona, you look so pretty today.
우리 언니는 요리를 잘 해요.
Uri unn-ineun yorireul jal haeyo.
My older sister cooks really well.
Usage note
In K-dramas, a younger man calling an older woman 누나 (noona) in a romantic context carries a specific sweet, slightly forbidden charm — it's a popular relationship dynamic precisely because of the age-reversal nuance baked into the word.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "older sister" here?
FAQ
Can a girl use 누나?
No — 누나 is only used by male speakers. A girl calls an older female 언니 (unnie).
Is 언니 romantic?
It can have a warm undertone but it's not inherently romantic. The context and relationship decide that.
What's the male equivalent of 언니?
For an older male: females say 오빠 (oppa); males say 형 (hyung). For an older female: females say 언니 (unnie); males say 누나 (noona).