What does 아줌마 (ajumma) mean?
- 아줌마ajumma
Middle-aged woman / ma'am
Casual: friends and people younger than you
아줌마 (ajumma) means "middle-aged woman" or "ma'am." It usually refers to a married woman or a woman of about forty and older who is not a relative.
Where it comes from
아줌마 is a casual form of 아주머니, a native Korean word for a married woman or a woman of one's parents' generation.
How to use 아줌마
Be careful with it. Many women feel 아줌마 sounds old or a bit disrespectful, especially from a stranger. When calling a woman you don't know, 아주머니 is more polite, and in restaurants people often say 이모 ("auntie") or 사장님 ("boss").
It is very common when talking about women in general, like "the ajummas in my neighborhood," and women in their forties or fifties often use it about themselves with a laugh.
It also brings to mind a stereotype of a tough, practical older woman, which is why it shows up often in comedy.
Examples
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Asking for more side dishes at a small diner
Gossiping about the neighborhood
Joking about getting older
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 아주머니 | ma'am (polite) | More polite version. |
| 아줌마들 | ajummas | Plural. |
| 이모 | auntie | Friendly way to call a woman who works in a restaurant. |
Questions learners ask
Is ajumma rude?
It can be. It is not a swear word, but many women dislike being called 아줌마 by strangers. 아주머니, 이모, or 사장님 are safer choices.
What is the difference between ajumma and ajumeoni?
They mean the same thing. 아주머니 (ajumeoni) is the more polite form and 아줌마 is the casual one.