Korean Dictionary
How to say "Family" in Korean
“Family” in Korean is 가족 (pronounced "Gajok").
가족
Gajok
Usage & Context
Family is central to Korean culture. Korean has very specific terms for each family member depending on whether you are male or female.
Example Sentence
우리 가족은 네 명이에요.
My family has four members.
How to use 가족 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Family” is 가족, romanized as Gajok.
Usage tip
Relationship words can sound too direct if the social context is wrong. Check the age, closeness, and formality before using it.
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 가족.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'ga-jok' — 'ga' is a quick 'gah,' and 'jok' rhymes with 'joke' but cut short with an unreleased 'k.'
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
가족분들
gajokbundeul
Honorific plural form, used to refer to someone else's family respectfully
More Example Sentences
describing your family to someone
우리 가족은 네 명이에요.
My family has four people.
talking about your evening
가족과 함께 저녁을 먹었어요.
I had dinner with my family.
expressing values
가족이 제일 소중해요.
Family is the most precious.
Cultural Context
Korean family structure is traditionally close and hierarchical — 가족 includes extended relatives, and family bonds are central to Korean identity. The terms 우리 가족 ('our family') and 우리 엄마 ('our mom') use the collective '우리' even when talking about your own family. 가족 같은 (like family) is a warm compliment for close friends.
Editorial note
We check relationship words like 가족 against age, closeness, and politeness rules, because a literal English match often misses the social meaning.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
우리 가족이에요.
This is my family.
가족 사진이에요.
It's a family photo.
가족과 함께 있어요.
I'm with my family.
Related Expressions
식구
sikgu
household member (lit. 'eats together')
부모님
bumonim
parents (honorific)
친척
chincheok
relatives
가정
gajeong
home / household
More Relationships Words
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