Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sibling rivalry" in Korean
“Sibling rivalry” in Korean is 형제 자매 싸움 (pronounced "Hyungje jamae ssaum").
형제 자매 싸움
Hyungje jamae ssaum
Usage & Context
Competition and conflict between siblings. Korean parents often manage sibling rivalry by emphasizing family harmony and cooperation.
Example Sentence
형제 자매 싸움은 흔한 일입니다.
Sibling rivalry is common.
How to use 형제 자매 싸움 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sibling rivalry” is 형제 자매 싸움, romanized as Hyungje jamae ssaum.
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 형제 자매 싸움.
Pronunciation Guide
형 (hyung) sounds like 'hyung' as in 'hyung-nim'. 제 (je) is like 'jeh' as in 'jet' without the 't'. 자 (ja) is like 'jah' as in 'jar'. 매 (mae) is like 'meh' as in 'mat'. 싸 (ssa) is a tense 'ssah' sound, like 'psst' but with an 'ah'. 움 (um) is like 'oom' as in 'boom'. Each part is pronounced distinctly.
More Example Sentences
A parent discussing their children's behavior.
우리 아이들은 형제 자매 싸움이 잦은 편이에요.
Our children tend to have frequent sibling rivalry.
A child development expert's opinion.
형제 자매 싸움은 아이들이 사회성을 배우는 과정이기도 합니다.
Sibling rivalry is also a process for children to learn social skills.
An adult reminiscing about childhood.
부모님은 형제 자매 싸움을 중재하기 위해 노력하셨어요.
Our parents tried to mediate our sibling rivalry.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, family harmony (가족 화목, gajok hwamok) is highly valued, and sibling relationships are considered lifelong bonds. While sibling rivalry is a universal phenomenon, Korean parents often emphasize cooperation and mutual respect among siblings. K-dramas frequently depict the complex dynamics of sibling relationships, from intense rivalry to deep loyalty, reflecting the importance placed on family ties.
Editorial note
We review entries like 형제 자매 싸움 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
형제 자매 싸움이 잦다
to have frequent sibling rivalry
형제 자매 싸움을 중재하다
to mediate sibling rivalry
형제 자매 간의 갈등
conflict between siblings
Related Expressions
남매
nammae
brother and sister
자매
jamae
sisters
형제
hyeongje
brothers
다툼
datum
quarrel, dispute
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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