Meaning
동생
dongsaeng
younger sibling / younger person
Real Feeling
What Koreans really mean
This word is essential for navigating Korean social life, as it immediately identifies the age hierarchy between speakers. It is not just for biological siblings; people frequently use it to refer to younger friends or colleagues to establish a protective or mentorship-based bond.
💬 Used in real life
• Used when introducing your younger sibling to a friend.
• Used by an older person to address or refer to a junior colleague or acquaintance.
How It's Used
Real example sentences — tap any bubble to explore it
Two people getting to know each other
neo dongsaeng isseo?
Do you have a younger sibling?
Two people getting to know each other
eung, namdongsaeng han myeong isseo.
Yes, I have one younger brother.
Similar Expressions
Related feelings and meanings — click to explore
Grammar Breakdown
Part by part — learn the structure, not just the meaning
동생dongsaengnoun
noun
A noun meaning a younger person or sibling, derived from Sino-Korean characters meaning 'same birth/following'.
Tags
Korean expressions carry layers of meaning that direct translation misses. The real meaning lives in the emotion, context, and cultural moment.
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