Korean Dictionary
How to say "Younger sibling" in Korean
“Younger sibling” in Korean is 동생 (pronounced "Dongsaeng").
동생
Dongsaeng
Usage & Context
A younger sibling, regardless of gender. 남동생 (namdongsaeng) specifies a younger brother, 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) a younger sister. The term can also be used affectionately for younger friends or acquaintances. Older siblings in Korean culture have responsibility to look after and guide younger ones.
Example Sentence
동생이 몇 명이에요? 저는 여동생이 둘 있어요.
How many younger siblings do you have? I have two younger sisters.
How to use 동생 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Younger sibling” is 동생, romanized as Dongsaeng.
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 동생.
Pronunciation Guide
동 (dong) sounds like 'dong' in 'ding-dong'. 생 (saeng) sounds like 'sang' in 'sang a song', but with a slightly softer 's' and a more open 'ae' vowel, similar to 'a' in 'cat'. The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Describing family responsibility for a younger sibling.
우리 동생은 아직 어려서 제가 많이 돌봐줘요.
My younger sibling is still young, so I take care of them a lot.
Getting to know someone and asking about their family.
혹시 동생 있으세요? 저도 동생이 한 명 있어요.
Do you happen to have a younger sibling? I also have one.
Planning a trip with a younger, close friend.
제일 친한 동생이랑 같이 여행 가기로 했어요.
I decided to go on a trip with my closest younger friend/acquaintance.
Cultural Context
동생 (dongsaeng) is a versatile term that means 'younger sibling' but is also widely used for anyone younger than you, including friends, acquaintances, or even K-pop juniors. This reflects the age-based hierarchy in Korean culture. Older individuals (오빠, 형, 언니, 누나) are expected to look after their 동생, and in return, 동생s show respect. It's common to hear K-pop idols refer to younger group members or juniors as 동생, highlighting this affectionate yet hierarchical relationship.
Editorial note
We check relationship words like 동생 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
동생 있어요?
Do you have younger siblings?
우리 동생
My younger sibling/friend (affectionate)
동생이랑 같이
With my younger sibling/friend
Related Expressions
남동생
namdongsaeng
younger brother
여동생
yeodongsaeng
younger sister
형
hyeong
older brother (male speaker)
언니
eonni
older sister (female speaker)
More Relationships Words
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