what to call people

[iDoof]

Is there any kind of generic guide for how to address different people? It can be different depending on the situation, your age, your position (within a company, for example). There are so many different names to call people it's hard to keep track...

Specifically, I'm 22 and I've been seeing this married couple (around 28-29) a couple times via church, and I can never remember what to call them. I feel awkward calling them 아줌마/아저시. Does 선생님 apply? What about just by name (with -씨)?

[manyakumi]

How about 형님 and 형수님?

[julialim]

Hello~ iDoof님

It's kind of rude to call someone "아줌마 or 아저씨".

Especially, in church.
I recommend "name+씨" to call someone. (For example, 지현씨!)
sometimes, people use 선생님 as well.
(such as when you don't remember names)

After getting to know, they will ask you call them "형/오빠 or 누나/언니".
or you can ask them.*^^*

[manyakumi]

I recommend "name+씨" to call someone. (For example, 지현씨!)

Not offense but I think it's not a good idea.
It feels not so good to hear __씨 by someone who is quite younger than me.
At least... to me.

아주머니 and 아저씨 is not bad though,
they seem too young to be called that way.
It works with peoples after mid 30s.

[julialim]

Thank you! manyakumi

you're right! iDoof is younger than they are.
So ---씨 is not good idea.

What about " 자매님/형제님"?
I used to call friends in a church. (only church)
Or 성도님?

Korean is difficult...HMM even though Im Korean.

[iDoof]

Thanks for the input...this stuff is really hard. I will probably ask them...

[wittygineli3424]

may i know what that really means or what's the story behind that word? i have known from a previous lesson that it means old man or something like that but i have heard from watching the drama dong yi that it was also a title or some sort of thing like that. what could be a good explanation behind this? yorobun plz help me

[wittygineli3424]

may i know what that really means or what's the story behind that word? i have known from a previous lesson that it means old man or something like that but i have heard from watching the drama dong yi that it was also a title or some sort of thing like that. what could be a good explanation behind this? yorobun plz help me

[madisonk6013]

may i know what that really means or what's the story behind that word? i have known from a previous lesson that it means old man or something like that but i have heard from watching the drama dong yi that it was also a title or some sort of thing like that. what could be a good explanation behind this? yorobun plz help me

Hi wittygineli3424,


This is Madison from Koreanclass101.com!

아줌마/아저씨 basically mean for 'married' people and with 'kids'. Possibly that's why around 28-29 do not apply so well(most of Koreans start to get married around that age!)'. Sometimes they call that way just for a joke but it is usually meant for round 30-50. After that might turn to 할아버지/할머니 which mean grand father or mother!


Thank you,

Madison, Koreanclass101.com