What Do 엄마 and 아빠 Mean? Mom and Dad in Korean
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · How we write & review
After this page, you can call your parents 엄마 (eomma) and 아빠 (appa), and switch to 어머니 and 아버지 when the situation calls for it.
10-second answer
What does Eomma and Appa mean?
엄마 (eomma) means "mom" and 아빠 (appa) means "dad" — the everyday, affectionate versions used by children and adults alike. The more formal versions, 어머니 (eomeoni) and 아버지 (abeoji), are used in more serious or respectful contexts, or when talking ABOUT your parents to others.
Quick check — did that land?
1. Do Korean adults commonly still say 엄마/아빠, not just children?
Think Korean adults stop saying 엄마 and 아빠?
Quick Examples
엄마! 나 왔어!
eomma! na wasseo!
Mom! I'm home!
아빠, 저녁 뭐 먹어요?
appa, jeonyeok mwo meogeoyo?
Dad, what's for dinner?
저희 어머니께서는 선생님이세요.
jeohui eomeoni-kkeseoneun seonsaengnim-iseyo.
My mother is a teacher.
Formal register — 어머니 + honorific 께서는, talking ABOUT her to someone else.
A note on spelling. The official romanization of 엄마 is eomma, but you'll also see umma or omma; 아빠 (appa) is sometimes written apa. They're all the same words.
See also: Why Do Koreans Say 우리 (Our)?
엄마/아빠 vs 어머니/아버지
| Form | Feel | When |
|---|---|---|
| 엄마 / 아빠 | Warm, everyday, affectionate | Direct address, casual conversation, any age |
| 어머니 / 아버지 | Respectful, more formal | Introducing them, serious conversations, writing |
Unlike English, where adults often feel a bit self-conscious still saying "mommy/daddy," Korean adults use 엄마/아빠 constantly and naturally their entire lives — it isn't considered childish.
우리 엄마, 우리 아빠
As covered on the 우리 ("our") page, Koreans almost always say 우리 엄마 and 우리 아빠 rather than a bare 엄마/아빠 when talking ABOUT their parents, even as an only child. It's the same collective-belonging pattern applied to family.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Thinking 엄마/아빠 is only for young children
Grown adults use these forms all the time — they aren't "baby talk" in Korean the way they can feel in English.
Mistake #2 — Using 어머니/아버지 exclusively at home
The formal forms can feel distant or overly serious in casual, everyday family conversation — 엄마/아빠 is the warmer, more natural default.
Mini Quiz
2. When is 어머니/아버지 more appropriate than 엄마/아빠?
3. Why do Koreans say 우리 엄마 instead of just 엄마?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
What Does 하고/와/과 Mean? "And" in Korean
Basic family vocabulary is covered — this connecting word lets you list multiple people or things together.
Will you remember this tomorrow?
Save it — your daily review brings it back right before you'd forget. No account needed.