What does 어머님 (eomeonim) mean?
- 어머님eomeonim
Mother (honorific)
Polite: safe with most people
어머님 (eomeonim) is a very respectful word for "mother." Koreans use it for a mother-in-law, a friend's or partner's mother, and as a polite way to address middle-aged women.
Where it comes from
어머님 is 어머니 (mother) plus the honorific suffix 님.
How to use 어머님
A married woman calls her husband's mother 어머님. Many husbands also call their wife's mother 어머님 to her face, even though the title for her is 장모님.
When you meet a friend's or partner's mother, 어머님 is the polite way to greet her. You also hear salespeople and service staff use it to address middle-aged women customers.
For your own mother, people usually say 엄마 or 어머니, not 어머님.
Examples
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Meeting your partner's mother for the first time
A clothing store clerk helping a customer
Complimenting a friend's mom at dinner
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 어머니 | mother | Respectful word, used for your own mother. |
| 시어머니 | mother-in-law (husband's mother) | Used when talking about her. |
| 장모님 | mother-in-law (wife's mother) | Used by husbands. |
| 아버님 | father (honorific) | Male counterpart. |
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between eomeoni and eomeonim?
어머님 has the honorific 님, so it is more respectful. It is used for other people's mothers and in-laws, while 어머니 is used for your own mother.
Why do shop staff call women eomeonim?
It is a polite, warm way to address a middle-aged customer. Many find it nicer than 아줌마, which can sound blunt.