How to say “family” in Korean

  1. 가족gajok

    family

"Family" in Korean is 가족 (gajok). To say "my family," Koreans say 우리 가족 (uri gajok), and you may also hear 식구 (sikgu), a warm word for the people who live and eat together.

Ways to say it

KoreanLevelWhen to use it
가족
gajok		AnyThe standard word for family.
우리 가족
uri gajok		Any"My family," literally "our family." The natural way to talk about your own family.
식구
sikgu		AnyFamily members who live together, literally "mouths to eat." Also used warmly for close teams or pets.
가정
gajeong		FormalHousehold or home. Used in more formal or written contexts, like 가정의 달 (family month).
가족분들
gajokbundeul		Polite"Your family" in a polite, respectful way.

Examples

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Describing your family

There are five people in my family.

Talking about your evening

I have dinner with my family.

A warm wish at the end of a letter

I hope your whole family stays healthy.
Kkachi the magpie

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Tips

Koreans say 우리 가족 ("our family") even when speaking only about their own. 내 가족 sounds unnatural in most situations.

식구 has a homey feeling. Coworkers or a close team might say 우리는 한 식구야, "we're one family."

May is called 가정의 달 (family month) in Korea, with Children's Day on May 5 and Parents' Day on May 8.

Questions learners ask

How do you say "my family" in Korean?

Say 우리 가족 (uri gajok), literally "our family."

What is the difference between 가족 and 식구?

가족 is the general word for family. 식구 means the people who live and eat together, and it sounds warmer and more everyday.

How do you ask how many people are in someone's family?

Ask 가족이 몇 명이에요? (gajogi myeot myeongieyo?), "How many people are in your family?"

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