What does 동생 (dongsaeng) mean?
- 동생dongsaeng
Younger sibling
Fine in most situations
동생 (dongsaeng) means "younger sibling" and can refer to a younger brother or a younger sister. Koreans also use it for younger friends and acquaintances they feel close to, much like calling someone a little brother or little sister.
Where it comes from
동생 is a Sino-Korean word, usually traced to characters meaning "same" and "born," as in born of the same parents.
How to use 동생
Anyone can say 동생, male or female. To be specific, add 남 (male) or 여 (female): 남동생 is a younger brother and 여동생 is a younger sister.
Koreans rarely call a younger sibling 동생 to their face. Older siblings usually just use the younger one's name, while the younger sibling calls them 오빠, 언니, 형 or 누나. 동생 is mostly used when talking about someone.
Outside the family, a phrase like 아는 동생 (a younger person I know) is a common way to describe a younger friend. Saying someone is "like a 동생 to me" shows warm, protective feelings.
Examples
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Introducing your little sister to a friend
Asking a new classmate about their family
Showing a friend a photo of your little brother
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 남동생 | younger brother | Add 남 for male. |
| 여동생 | younger sister | Add 여 for female. |
| 친동생 | my real younger sibling | Makes clear you mean a blood relative. |
| 아는 동생 | a younger person I know | Common way to describe a younger friend. |
Questions learners ask
Is dongsaeng a brother or a sister?
It can be either. 동생 just means a younger sibling. Say 남동생 for a younger brother and 여동생 for a younger sister.
Do Koreans call their younger sibling dongsaeng?
Not usually when talking to them. Older siblings call younger ones by name, and use 동생 when talking about them to other people.
Can a friend be my dongsaeng?
Yes. Koreans often call a close younger friend a 동생, or describe them as 아는 동생, "a younger person I know."