Korean Dictionary
How to say "Parents" in Korean
“Parents” in Korean is 부모님 (pronounced "Bumonim").
부모님
Bumonim
Usage & Context
Referring to one's parents with the honorific 님 suffix showing deep respect. 부모 without 님 sounds cold in Korean. Filial piety is extremely important in Korean culture — caring for aging parents is considered a moral duty. The Confucian concept of 효도 (hyodo, filial piety) is central to family values.
Example Sentence
부모님께 자주 전화 드리려고 해요.
I try to call my parents often.
How to use 부모님 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Parents” is 부모님, romanized as Bumonim.
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 부모님.
Pronunciation Guide
부 (bu) sounds like 'boo' in 'boo!'. 모 (mo) sounds like 'mo' in 'more' but without the 'r' sound. 님 (nim) sounds like 'nim' in 'nimble'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
Formal & Casual Forms
Casual (반말)
부모
Bumo
This is the base word without the honorific '-님'. While grammatically correct, it's rarely used when referring to one's own parents in conversation as it lacks the respect implied by '부모님' and can sound cold.
More Example Sentences
Expressing gratitude to parents.
부모님께 감사하다고 말씀드렸어요.
I told my parents thank you.
Planning a family visit.
이번 주말에 부모님 댁에 방문할 예정이에요.
I'm planning to visit my parents' house this weekend.
Talking about parental support.
저희 부모님은 항상 저를 믿어주세요.
My parents always believe in me.
Cultural Context
부모님 (bumonim) is the standard and most respectful way to refer to one's parents in Korean. The honorific suffix '-님' (nim) is crucial, reflecting the deep respect and filial piety (효도, hyodo) ingrained in Korean culture. Omitting '-님' and just saying '부모' (bumo) can sound cold or overly formal, like a dictionary definition, rather than a term of endearment or respect for one's own parents. This respect extends to caring for aging parents, which is considered a fundamental duty.
Editorial note
We check relationship words like 부모님 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
부모님께 전화하다
To call one's parents
부모님 사랑해요
I love my parents
부모님 건강하세요
May my parents be healthy (a wish/blessing)
Related Expressions
아버지
abeoji
father
어머니
eomeoni
mother
자녀
janyeo
children (offspring)
가족
gajok
family
More Relationships Words
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