Korean Dictionary
How to say "Au pair" in Korean
“Au pair” in Korean is 오페어 (pronounced "Opeeo").
오페어
Opeeo
Usage & Context
A young person who works as a live-in childcare provider. Some Korean families host au pairs from other countries.
Example Sentence
오페어는 가족과 함께 살면서 아이를 돌봅니다.
An au pair lives with the family and cares for children.
How to use 오페어 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Au pair” is 오페어, romanized as Opeeo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 오페어.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '오페어' as 'Oh-peh-uh'. '오' sounds like 'oh' in 'oh no'. '페' is like 'peh' in 'pet' but shorter. '어' is a soft 'uh' sound, similar to the 'a' in 'sofa'.
More Example Sentences
A parent discussing summer childcare plans with a friend.
우리 가족은 여름에 오페어를 고용할 계획이에요.
Our family plans to hire an au pair for the summer.
A student considering working abroad as an au pair.
오페어 프로그램에 참여하는 것은 좋은 경험이 될 거예요.
Participating in an au pair program will be a good experience.
Someone sharing a friend's experience of living and working abroad.
그녀는 프랑스에서 오페어로 일하면서 언어를 배웠어요.
She learned the language while working as an au pair in France.
Cultural Context
While common in many Western countries, the concept of an 'au pair' is relatively new and less widespread in Korea. It's often associated with affluent families or those with international backgrounds who might be looking for a native English speaker for their children. The term '오페어' is a direct transliteration and is understood, but a more traditional Korean childcare helper would be called '아이 돌보미' (ai dolbomi) or '가정부' (gajeongbu), though these roles have different connotations.
Editorial note
We review entries like 오페어 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
오페어를 찾고 있어요.
I'm looking for an au pair.
오페어 경험이 있으세요?
Do you have au pair experience?
오페어 비자를 신청해야 해요.
I need to apply for an au pair visa.
Related Expressions
아이 돌보미
ai dolbomi
childcare provider, babysitter
베이비시터
beibisiteo
babysitter (loanword)
가정부
gajeongbu
housekeeper, domestic helper
유모
yumo
nanny (traditional, less common now)
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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