아빠
appa
dad (casual/affectionate)
아버지
abeoji
father (formal/respectful)
Appa vs Abeoji: Casual Dad vs Formal Father in Korean
아빠 is the affectionate, everyday word for dad, while 아버지 is the respectful formal term used in serious or public contexts.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 아빠 (appa) | 아버지 (abeoji) | |
|---|---|---|
| Formality level | Informal, affectionate | Formal, respectful |
| Typical speaker age | Children and young adults | Adults in formal settings |
| Usage context | Everyday home conversation | Introductions, speeches, official documents |
| Emotional distance | Warm and close | More distant and deferential |
| Written usage | Casual texts and SNS | Official letters and formal writing |
Examples in Context
A child asks their father for a snack — using 아빠
아빠, 과자 사줘!
Dad, buy me some snacks!
A young adult texts their father — using 아빠
아빠, 지금 집에 있어요?
Dad, are you home now?
An adult introduces their father to others — using 아버지
이분이 저의 아버지이십니다.
This is my father.
A person gives a formal speech thanking their father — using 아버지
아버지의 희생 덕분에 오늘의 제가 있습니다.
I am who I am today thanks to my father's sacrifices.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using 아빠 in a formal speech or introduction — this sounds childish and out of place.
- ✗Using 아버지 when talking directly and casually to your father — it can feel cold or distant in everyday speech.
- ✗Learners sometimes confuse 아버지 with 아버님, the extra-polite form used for someone else's father or a father-in-law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which form should I use when meeting my Korean partner's father?
Use 아버님 (abeeonim), which is the most respectful form for someone else's father or a father-in-law.
Do Korean adults ever use 아빠 with their own father?
Yes, many Korean adults continue using 아빠 with their own fathers even into adulthood as it expresses warmth.
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