What Does 동생 (Dongsaeng) Mean in Korean?
10-Second Answer
동생 (dongsaeng) means a younger sibling — or, by extension, a close younger friend. Unlike 오빠·형·언니·누나, it is used by anyone regardless of gender. But here's the catch: you usually don't address a younger person as 동생 — you just call them by name.
Quick Examples
제 동생은 고등학생이에요.
je dongsaeng-eun godeunghaksaeng-ieyo.
My younger sibling is a high school student.
남동생이 하나 있어요.
namdongsaeng-i hana isseoyo.
I have one younger brother.
지수는 제가 아끼는 동생이에요.
jisu-neun jega akkineun dongsaeng-ieyo.
Jisu is a younger friend I care about.
동생 describes the relationship when talking ABOUT someone.
The Key Difference: Reference vs Address
오빠, 형, 언니, 누나 are used both to talk about someone and to address them directly ("오빠, 뭐 해?"). 동생 is different — it mostly describes the relationship. Face to face, Koreans call a younger person by their name.
| Situation | What you say |
|---|---|
| Talking about your younger brother | 제 동생이에요 — "He's my dongsaeng." |
| Calling your younger brother over | 지호야! — his name + 야 (not "동생아!") |
| Introducing a close younger friend | 친한 동생이에요 — "a close younger friend." |
친한 동생 ("close dongsaeng") is a very common phrase for a younger friend you treat like a younger sibling — it signals warmth without romance.
남동생 vs 여동생
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 동생 (dongsaeng) | Younger sibling (gender unspecified) |
| 남동생 (namdongsaeng) | Younger brother (남 = male) |
| 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) | Younger sister (여 = female) |
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Addressing someone as 동생
Shouting "동생!" at a younger person sounds like a line from a historical drama. Use their name (+야/아 for casual closeness).
Mistake #2 — "동생 is only family"
Koreans routinely call close younger friends 동생 when describing the relationship — friendship circles often mirror family structure.
Mistake #3 — Assuming gender
동생 alone doesn't tell you brother or sister. If it matters, Koreans say 남동생 or 여동생.
Mini Quiz
1. How do you normally get your younger brother Jiho's attention?
2. What does 여동생 mean?
3. Someone introduces a friend: "친한 동생이에요." What does it mean?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
동생 is "younger than me"; 막내 is "the youngest of the whole group" — a word K-pop fans see constantly.
Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.