Koreanhonorifics-titles
Korean Manhwa Honorifics & Social Titles Glossary
Korean honorifics and social titles are crucial for understanding character relationships and social dynamics in manhwa. Unlike English, Korean language extensively uses titles to show respect, intimacy, and hierarchy, often replacing personal names. For readers, knowing these terms helps grasp subtle social cues, while for translators, accurately rendering them into English requires careful consideration of context to convey the intended politeness level and relationship without sounding unnatural. Many of these terms are untranslatable directly and rely on contextual English equivalents.
25 Terms
Korean| Term | Romanization | Literal Meaning | Usage | Example | Translation Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 씨 | ssi | Mr./Ms./Miss | A common honorific added to a person's full name or given name (never just the family name). Used for acquaintances, colleagues, or people of similar social standing. It's polite but not overly formal. | A new colleague introduces themselves, and another person addresses them as '김민준 씨' (Kim Min-jun Ssi). | Often translated as 'Mr./Ms.' or omitted entirely if the context implies general politeness. Sometimes rendered as simply using the name without an honorific in English, or with a slightly more formal tone in dialogue. |
| 님 | nim | Honored one/Sir/Ma'am | A highly respectful honorific attached to names, titles, or professions. Used for superiors, customers, or people deserving high respect. | A store employee addresses a customer as '손님' (sonnim - customer) or a subordinate addresses their boss as '부장님' (bujangnim - department head). | Often translated as 'Sir/Ma'am', 'esteemed', or implied through polite sentence structure in English. When attached to job titles, the title itself is usually sufficient (e.g., 'Director', 'Professor'). |
| 아저씨 | ajeossi | Uncle (informal) | Used by younger people to address or refer to an older man who is not a close relative, often middle-aged or elderly. Can also be used to refer to a stranger. | A child asks a middle-aged man for directions, saying '아저씨, 저기 어디에요?' (Ajeossi, where is that?). | Commonly translated as 'Mister', 'Sir', or sometimes 'old man' (if derogatory or casual). In specific contexts, 'uncle' might be used if the relationship implies a family-like bond without being actual kin. |
| 아줌마 | ajumma | Aunt (informal) | Used by younger people to address or refer to an older woman who is not a close relative, typically middle-aged or elderly. Can sometimes carry a slightly informal or even rude connotation if used carelessly. | A student refers to the school cafeteria worker as '식당 아줌마' (Sikdang Ajumma - cafeteria lady). | Often translated as 'Ma'am', 'Madam', or 'Auntie'. In some cases, 'old woman' if the context is negative. Localizers are careful to avoid the potentially rude implications in English. |
| 오빠 | oppa | Older brother | Used by a younger female to address or refer to an older male, whether a biological brother, close friend, or romantic interest. Implies affection or closeness. | A younger sister calls her older brother '오빠!' or a female character affectionately calls her boyfriend '오빠'. | Usually retained as 'Oppa' in community translations or sometimes 'Big Brother' when strictly familial. In professional localization, it's often omitted, replaced with the character's name, or conveyed through affectionate dialogue. Sometimes used to imply a more intimate relationship. |
| 언니 | eonni | Older sister | Used by a younger female to address or refer to an older female, whether a biological sister, close friend, or admired senior. | A younger female student greets her senior in high school, '언니, 안녕하세요!' (Eonni, hello!). | Often retained as 'Unnie' or sometimes 'Big Sister' in familial contexts. Like 'Oppa', it's frequently omitted or replaced by the character's name in professional English translations, relying on context for relationship dynamics. |
| 형 | hyeong | Older brother | Used by a younger male to address or refer to an older male, whether a biological brother, close friend, or admired senior. | A younger male friend playfully punches his older friend's shoulder, saying '형, 잘 지내셨어요?' (Hyeong, have you been well?). | Often retained as 'Hyung' or 'Big Brother'. Professional translations may omit it, use the character's name, or translate the implied camaraderie through dialogue. |
| 누나 | nuna | Older sister | Used by a younger male to address or refer to an older female, whether a biological sister, close friend, or admired senior. | A younger male character seeks advice from his female senior, '누나, 저 좀 도와줄 수 있어요?' (Nuna, can you help me a bit?). | Often retained as 'Noona' or 'Big Sister'. Similar to other sibling terms, professional translations often replace it with the character's name or omit it, conveying the relationship through context. |
| 선배 | seonbae | Senior (in school or work) | Used to address or refer to someone with more experience or higher seniority in a school, company, or organization. | A junior employee asks for help from an experienced colleague, '선배님, 이거 어떻게 하는 거예요?' (Seonbae-nim, how do I do this?). | Commonly translated as 'Senior' or simply by the person's name with context conveying the seniority. Sometimes retained as 'Sunbae' in community translations. |
| 후배 | hubae | Junior (in school or work) | Used to refer to someone with less experience or lower seniority in a school, company, or organization. Not typically used as a direct address. | An older student refers to a younger student as '내 후배' (nae hubae - my junior). | Translated as 'Junior' or 'Underclassman'. Usually a descriptive term rather than an address, so it fits more naturally into English sentences. |
| 학생 | haksaeng | Student | Used to address or refer to a student. Can be used formally by teachers or generally to refer to young people attending school. | A teacher calls on a student, '학생, 대답해 보세요.' (Haksaeng, please answer.). | Translated directly as 'student' or 'pupil'. Sometimes 'young man/woman' or omitted if the context is clear. |
| 교수님 | gyosunim | Professor + nim | A respectful title for a university professor. | A university student asks a question to their lecturer, '교수님, 질문 있습니다.' (Gyosunim, I have a question.). | Translated as 'Professor' or 'Doctor' depending on the specific academic role. The '-nim' is usually absorbed into the English formal title. |
| 선생님 | seonsaengnim | Teacher + nim | A respectful title for a teacher, doctor, lawyer, or any respected professional. | A student bows to their teacher, '선생님, 감사합니다.' (Seonsaengnim, thank you.). Or a patient addresses their doctor. | Translated as 'Teacher', 'Doctor', 'Mr./Ms.' (if used broadly for a respected professional), or 'Sensei' (especially in martial arts contexts, though less common in general manhwa). |
| 사장님 | sajangnim | Company President/Boss + nim | A respectful title for the president or owner of a company, or a store owner. | An employee greets their company president, '사장님, 좋은 아침입니다!' (Sajangnim, good morning!). | Translated as 'Boss', 'President', 'CEO', or 'Owner'. The specific term depends on the scale and nature of the business. |
| 과장님 | gwajangnim | Section Chief/Manager + nim | A respectful title for a section chief or manager in a company. | A junior employee reports to their manager, '과장님, 보고서 다 됐습니다.' (Gwajangnim, the report is finished.). | Translated as 'Manager', 'Section Chief', or sometimes 'Mr./Ms.' + last name if the rank isn't strictly necessary. |
| 부장님 | bujangnim | Department Head/General Manager + nim | A respectful title for a department head or general manager in a company, a higher rank than 과장님 (gwajangnim). | A mid-level employee addresses the head of their department, '부장님, 회의 준비 완료했습니다.' (Bujangnim, meeting prep is complete.). | Translated as 'Department Head', 'General Manager', or 'Director'. Similar to 'Manager', the English equivalent depends on the company structure. |
| 이사님 | isanim | Director/Board Member + nim | A respectful title for a director or board member in a company, a senior executive rank. | An employee bows deeply to a company director, '이사님, 수고 많으셨습니다.' (Isanim, you've worked hard.). | Translated as 'Director' or 'Executive'. Specific context might call for 'Board Member'. |
| 회장님 | hoejangnim | Chairman + nim | A respectful title for the chairman of a large company or group, the highest executive position. | The CEO addresses the founder and chairman of the conglomerate, '회장님, 이번 프로젝트 잘 진행되고 있습니다.' (Hoejangnim, this project is proceeding well.). | Translated as 'Chairman' or 'CEO' (if they also hold that role). It denotes the highest authority figure in a major corporation. |
| 아가씨 | agassi | Young lady/Miss | Used to address an unmarried young woman. Can be polite, but also used by servants to address their young mistress, or informally by older men to young women (sometimes with a slightly suggestive or familiar tone, depending on context). | A shop owner addresses a young female customer, '아가씨, 뭐 찾으세요?' (Agassi, what are you looking for?). Or a butler addresses his employer's daughter. | Translated as 'Young lady', 'Miss', or 'Ma'am'. Localization needs to capture the specific nuance—whether it's polite, formal, or slightly forward. |
| 도련님 | doryeonnim | Young master | Historically used by servants to address the unmarried son of a noble or wealthy family. In modern manhwa, often used in historical or fantasy settings, or dramatically to emphasize a character's high status. | A maid in a historical manhwa bows to her young master, '도련님, 식사 준비되었습니다.' (Doryeonnim, dinner is ready.). | Translated as 'Young Master'. This is a direct equivalent and often retained for its distinct flavor, especially in period pieces. |
| 마님 | manim | Mistress/Madam (of a household) | Historically used by servants to address the married lady of a noble or wealthy household. Similar to 도련님, primarily seen in historical/fantasy contexts. | A house servant addresses the lady of the estate, '마님, 손님이 오셨습니다.' (Manim, a guest has arrived.). | Translated as 'Madam' or 'Mistress'. Retained for its specific historical or fantasy role. |
| 저하 | jeoha | His/Her Royal Highness | A very formal, high-ranking honorific used in historical dramas/manhwa to address a crown prince or princess. | A court official kneels before the Crown Prince, '저하, 분부대로 행하겠습니다.' (Jeoha, I will act as commanded.). | Translated as 'Your Royal Highness' or 'My Prince/Princess'. Specific to royal court settings. |
| 폐하 | pyeha | His/Her Imperial Majesty | The highest royal honorific, used in historical dramas/manhwa to address an emperor or empress. | A subject prostrates before the Emperor, '폐하, 만수무강하시옵소서.' (Pyeha, may Your Majesty live for ten thousand years.). | Translated as 'Your Imperial Majesty' or 'Your Majesty'. Also specific to imperial/royal settings. |
| 대감 | daegam | Lord/Minister (historical) | A historical title for a high-ranking government official or minister, typically from the Joseon Dynasty. | A lower official addresses a powerful minister, '대감마님, 소인에게 명을 내려주시옵소서.' (Daegam-manim, please bestow your command upon this humble servant.). | Translated as 'Lord' or 'Minister'. Often used with 'manim' for added respect. Specific to historical contexts. |
| 사모님 | samonim | Wife of a respected man/Madam | A polite term used to address the wife of a respected man (e.g., a teacher, boss, or doctor), or a respectful term for a married woman. | A subordinate politely greets the wife of their company president, '사모님, 오랜만입니다.' (Samonim, it's been a long time.). | Translated as 'Madam' or 'Mrs.' + last name, depending on context. It implies respect for both the woman and her husband's status. |
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