What does 아가씨 (agassi) mean?
- 아가씨agassi
Young lady / Miss
Fine in most situations
아가씨 (agassi) means "young lady" or "miss" and refers to a young, unmarried woman. In historical dramas it also means "my lady," the daughter of a noble family.
Where it comes from
In older Korean, 아가씨 was a respectful word for a young lady from a well-off or noble household, which is why servants use it in historical dramas.
How to use 아가씨
Older people sometimes use 아가씨 to address a young woman they do not know, like "Miss." Many young women today find it old-fashioned or a little condescending from strangers, so it is best not to use it yourself.
In the family, a married woman calls her husband's younger sister 아가씨. This is a standard in-law title, and it is respectful, not rude.
In historical dramas, servants call the daughter of the house 아가씨, much like "my lady" or "young mistress."
Examples
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An older man telling a young woman she dropped something
A woman offering tea to her husband's younger sister
A servant speaking to a noble daughter in a historical drama
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 아가씨들 | young ladies | Plural. |
| 도련님 | young master / husband's younger brother | Male counterpart in historical dramas and in-law titles. |
Questions learners ask
Is agassi rude?
It is not a rude word, but from a stranger it can sound old-fashioned or talking down to a young woman. Learners should avoid using it to address strangers.
Why does a wife call her sister-in-law agassi?
It is the traditional title a married woman uses for her husband's younger sister. It sounds polite within the family.