What does 아버지 (abeoji) mean?
- 아버지abeoji
Father
Polite: safe with most people
아버지 (abeoji) means "father." It is the respectful, standard word, while 아빠 is the casual "dad."
Where it comes from
아버지 is a native Korean word. 아빠 is its softer everyday version.
How to use 아버지
Adults use 아버지 to talk about their father respectfully, for example to a teacher, coworker or someone older. Some people, especially sons in traditional families, also call their own father 아버지 directly.
Use honorific forms when talking about your father politely: 아버지께서 (as the subject) and 아버지께 (to Father).
For someone else's father or a father-in-law, say 아버님, which is even more respectful.
Examples
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Coming home and greeting your father
Introducing your family at a job interview
Telling a sibling you checked in on Dad
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 아빠 | dad | Casual, everyday word. |
| 아버님 | father (honorific) | For someone else's father or a father-in-law. |
| 아버지께 | to Father | Honorific form of 에게 (to). |
Questions learners ask
Is abeoji the same as appa?
Both mean father. 아빠 is casual like "dad," while 아버지 is respectful like "father."
Who do you call abeonim?
아버님 is for someone else's father or your father-in-law. It is more respectful than 아버지.