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A2 adjective #7,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 9 دقيقة للقراءة

외동이다

الأكثر شيوعاً #7,000

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح 외동이다 في 30 ثانية

الشرح 외동이다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic form: '저는 외동이에요' (I am an only child). This is a vital part of your 'Self-Introduction' (자기소개) toolkit. You will likely learn this word alongside family members like '엄마' (mom), '아빠' (dad), '형' (older brother), and '누나' (older sister). Instead of listing siblings, you use this one word to explain your family status. It is important to learn that '외동' is the noun and '이에요' is the verb 'to be.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on stating the fact simply. Practice saying it clearly so that when people ask '형제 있어요?' (Do you have siblings?), you can answer confidently. This level is about survival communication and basic facts about your life.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use '외동이다' to provide reasons and connect ideas. You will learn to use the connective '~이라서' (because it is...) to say things like '외동이라서 혼자 놀았어요' (I played alone because I'm an only child). You also start to understand the difference between '외동' (only child), '외아들' (only son), and '외딸' (only daughter). You should be able to ask others about their family status using polite forms like '외동이세요?' (Are you an only child?). This level focuses on expanding the conversation beyond a simple 'yes' or 'no' and starting to describe the experience of being an only child in simple terms. You might also encounter this word in simple reading passages about family changes in Korea.

At the B1 level, you can discuss the pros and cons of being an only child. You should be able to use more complex grammar like '~기 때문에' or '~음에도 불구하고' (despite). For example, '외동임에도 불구하고 친구가 많아요' (Despite being an only child, I have many friends). You will also start to notice how this word is used in media, such as interviews or variety shows. You can explain your feelings about your family structure in more detail, perhaps discussing whether you wanted siblings or not. Your vocabulary should expand to include related terms like '독차지하다' (to have all to oneself) in the context of parental love. This level is about expressing opinions and participating in more fluid social interactions.

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At the B2 level, you can use '외동이다' in the context of social issues and demographic trends. You might discuss the 'low birth rate' (저출산) in Korea and how the number of '외동' children is increasing. You should be able to understand and use academic or formal variations like '독자' or '무남독녀' in appropriate contexts. You can write short essays or participate in debates about family dynamics, using '외동이다' as a starting point for deeper sociological discussions. You'll also understand the subtle stereotypes associated with being an only child in Korean culture, such as the idea of being 'spoiled' or 'lonely,' and be able to argue for or against these stereotypes using nuanced language.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the cultural and historical baggage associated with '외동이다.' You can analyze how the concept of the only child has shifted from the '3대 독자' (only son for three generations) of the Confucian past to the modern 'choice' of having only one child. You can use the word in literary or highly formal contexts, understanding the rhythmic and stylistic choices of using '외동' versus more archaic terms. You can follow complex discussions on the economic impact of a generation of only children, including topics like inheritance law and the 'lonely death' (고독사) phenomenon. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the use of idioms and subtle sarcasm if necessary.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you master the absolute nuance of '외동이다' within the broader tapestry of the Korean language. You can discuss the etymology of '외' and '동' in depth and compare the Korean concept of an only child with similar concepts in other cultures (like the 'Little Emperor' in China). You can use the term in creative writing, perhaps using the status of being an '외동' as a metaphor for existential loneliness or unique privilege. You understand the legislative nuances related to family registration (가족관계등록부) and how being an only child affects legal standing in various Korean contexts. Your mastery includes the ability to use the word in any register, from the most archaic to the most modern slang, with perfect cultural intuition.

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외동이다 في 30 ثانية

외동이다 means 'to be an only child' in Korean, combining '외동' (only child) and '이다' (to be).
It is gender-neutral, unlike '외아들' (only son) or '외딸' (only daughter).
Commonly used in introductions and discussions about family background and social personality.
Essential for navigating Korean social etiquette and understanding modern demographic trends in South Korea.

The Korean expression 외동이다 is a descriptive phrase that translates to "to be an only child." In linguistic terms, it is a combination of the noun 외동 (only child) and the copula 이다 (to be). This word is essential in Korean social contexts because family structure is a frequent topic of conversation when people are getting to know one another. Unlike English, where you might simply say "I'm an only child," the Korean version carries a specific cultural weight regarding family lineage and social expectations. Historically, being an only child in Korea was relatively rare compared to the large families of the mid-20th century, but with the modern demographic shift toward low birth rates, 외동이다 has become an increasingly common self-identification among younger generations.

Etymological Breakdown: The prefix '외' (oe) signifies 'single' or 'alone,' often used in words like 외롭다 (to be lonely) or 외삼촌 (maternal uncle, specifically 'single' branch). The '동' (dong) part is derived from the Hanja for child (童). Thus, it literally means 'single child.'
Social Context: When you introduce yourself in Korea, people often ask about your siblings. Saying "외동이에요" (I am an only child) often prompts follow-up questions about whether you were lonely growing up or if you receive a lot of attention from your parents.

저는 형제나 자매가 없어요. 외동이다 보니까 부모님의 사랑을 독차지했어요.

Translation: I don't have brothers or sisters. Since I am an only child, I had my parents' love all to myself.

The usage of 외동이다 is not restricted to children. An adult in their 50s can still say "저는 외동입니다" to describe their family background. It is a permanent status of birth rather than a temporary stage of life. In formal settings, you will hear the honorific form 외동입니다, while in casual settings with friends, 외동이야 is the standard way to express this. It is important to note that while '외아들' (only son) and '외딸' (only daughter) specify gender, 외동 is gender-neutral and covers both cases.

Nuance of Attention: There is a stereotype in Korea that only children might be 'spoiled' (버릇없다), but modern usage of the term focuses more on the unique pressure of being the sole focus of parental expectations.

우리 아이는 외동이라서 친구들과 어울리는 법을 더 가르치고 싶어요.

Furthermore, 외동이다 is often used in discussions about inheritance, family responsibility, and the rapid changes in Korean society's demographic makeup. As the 'Only Child' generation grows, the term is shifting from a rarity to a social norm, influencing how Korean people perceive family dynamics and social support networks in the future.

Using 외동이다 correctly requires an understanding of Korean sentence structure and conjugation. Since 이다 is the copula, it attaches directly to the noun 외동. You cannot use it as a standalone adjective like 'lonely' (외롭다); it must function as a predicate describing a person's state of being. For example, to say "I am an only child," you would say "저는 외동이에요" or "나는 외동이야."

Politeness Levels: Formal (Hasipsio-che): 외동입니다.
Polite (Haeyo-che): 외동이에요.
Casual (Hae-che): 외동이야.

그는 외동임에도 불구하고 사회성이 아주 좋습니다.

Translation: Despite being an only child, his social skills are very good.

A common pattern is to use the clausal connective ~이라서 or ~이라 to explain a reason. For example, "외동이라서 심심해요" (I'm bored because I'm an only child). This construction is incredibly frequent in daily speech. Another common usage involves the modifier form 외동인, which allows you to describe a noun: "외동인 친구" (a friend who is an only child). This is useful when you want to specify a person's status within a larger sentence.

Past Tense and Future Tense: Past: 외동이었어요 (I was an only child - implies siblings were born later).
Future/Supposition: 외동일 거예요 (He/she is probably an only child).

제 사촌도 외동이라 우리 집은 명절에도 조용해요.

When talking about someone else, you might use the honorific 외동이세요. For example, "선생님 자제분이 외동이세요?" (Is your child an only child?). This shows respect to the person you are talking to. Understanding these variations ensures that you can use 외동이다 in any social hierarchy, which is vital for natural-sounding Korean.

In South Korea, you will encounter the word 외동이다 in various real-life scenarios, ranging from casual small talk to serious news broadcasts. One of the most common places is during a 'Sogating' (blind date) or a first meeting. Koreans often use family background as a way to understand a person's personality and upbringing. You might hear, "형제 관계가 어떻게 되세요?" (What is your sibling relationship?) followed by the answer, "저는 외동이에요." This immediately sets a context for the conversation, often leading to discussions about childhood and loneliness.

TV Shows and Dramas: K-Dramas often feature characters who are '외동' to emphasize their wealth or, conversely, their isolation. A 'Chaebol' (conglomerate) heir is often an only child, and the word is used to highlight the immense pressure they face to succeed and carry on the family name.

뉴스에서 "최근 저출산 문제로 외동인 가구가 급증하고 있습니다"라고 했어요.

Translation: On the news, they said "Due to the recent low birth rate, households with only children are rapidly increasing."

Another common setting is at a doctor's office or during a psychological consultation. Therapists might ask about birth order, and 외동이다 is a key descriptor in 'Birth Order Theory' (출생 순위 이론). You'll also hear it at school parent-teacher conferences. Teachers might say, "외동이라서 그런지 혼자서도 잘 놀아요" (Perhaps because he is an only child, he plays well by himself). This reflects the pervasive cultural belief that family structure dictates behavior.

Common Questions: - 외동이면 부모님이 정말 예뻐하시겠네요? (Since you're an only child, your parents must really adore you?)
- 외동이라서 외롭지는 않았어요? (Weren't you lonely being an only child?)

예능 프로그램에서 연예인이 "제가 외동이라 욕심이 좀 많아요"라고 농담을 했어요.

Lastly, in the workplace, during 'Hwesik' (company dinners), personal questions are common. Superiors might ask about your family to build rapport. Using 외동이다 correctly in these moments helps you navigate the complex social landscape of Korea with ease and cultural sensitivity.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make when using 외동이다 is confusing it with the word 혼자 (alone). While '혼자' describes the act of being by oneself, 외동 describes a permanent family status. For instance, you cannot say "나는 혼자예요" to mean "I am an only child"; that would mean "I am alone right now" or "I am single." You must use 외동이다 to refer to siblings.

Misuse of Gendered Terms: Learners often forget that '외아들' (only son) and '외딸' (only daughter) are more specific. If you are a woman, you can say '저는 외동이에요' (gender-neutral) or '저는 외딸이에요' (specific). Using '외아들' if you are a woman is a major error. However, '외동' is always safe.

Incorrect: 저는 외동을 있어요.
Correct: 저는 외동이에요.

Explanation: You cannot 'have' an only child in the sense of possession using '있어요' when talking about yourself. You ARE an only child.

Another mistake involves the particle usage. Some students try to use '외동' as an adjective without the copula 이다. In English, 'only' is an adjective, so learners try to say "외동 친구" (Only friend) when they mean "The friend who is an only child." In Korean, you must use the modifier form: "외동인 친구." Without the '인' (from 이다), the sentence is grammatically incomplete.

Confusing '외동' with '막내': Sometimes learners confuse being the 'youngest' (막내) with being an 'only child.' Remember: A '막내' has older siblings. An '외동' has none.

Incorrect: 우리 언니는 외동이에요.
Correct: (This is a logical contradiction. If you have an '언니' (older sister), she cannot be an only child, and neither can you!)

Finally, be careful with the pronunciation. The '외' (oe) sound can be tricky for English speakers. It is a single vowel sound in modern Korean, similar to the 'we' in 'wet' but shorter. If you mispronounce it as '우이' (u-i), it might be misunderstood. Practicing the transition from 'oe' to 'dong' is crucial for clarity.

While 외동이다 is the most versatile term, there are several other words that describe similar family positions but with different nuances or gender specificities. Understanding these helps you sound more like a native speaker and allows for more precise communication.

외아들 (Oe-adeul): Specifically means 'only son.' It is used frequently by parents when introducing their son: "우리 집 외아들이에요" (This is our only son). It carries a traditional nuance of being the 'heir' to the family line.
외딸 (Oe-ttal): Specifically means 'only daughter.' Similar to 외아들, it is very common in speech. Note that '외동딸' is also a very common variant that combines 외동 and 딸.

저는 외동딸이라 아버지와 아주 친해요.

Translation: Since I am an only daughter, I am very close with my father.

For more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 독생자 (Dok-saeng-ja), which is often used in a religious context (e.g., "the only begotten son" in Christianity). You would rarely use this to describe yourself in a cafe. Another formal term is 무남독녀 (Mu-nam-dong-nyeo), which literally means "a family with no sons and only one daughter." It sounds quite traditional and is often used in storytelling or formal introductions.

독자 (Dok-ja): This term is specifically for 'only son' and was historically significant for military service exemptions in Korea (though laws have changed). It is more formal than 외아들.

그는 집안의 3대 독자라 어른들의 기대가 큽니다.

Translation: He is an only son for three generations, so the elders have high expectations.

In summary, while 외동이다 is your "go-to" phrase for general conversation, knowing terms like '외동딸,' '외아들,' and '무남독녀' allows you to understand the depth of Korean family descriptions and the traditional values still embedded in the language.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

In old Korean, '외' was often used to describe things that were mismatched or singular, like '외눈' (one eye). The use of '동' (child) specifically highlights the status within the family line.

دليل النطق

UK /we.doŋ.i.da/

US /we.dɔŋ.i.dɑ/

In Korean, stress is generally even, but a slight emphasis may fall on the first syllable '외' (oe).

يتقافى مع

공 (gong - ball) 동 (dong - east) 종 (jong - bell) 통 (tong - container) 용 (yong - dragon) 봉 (bong - peak) 송 (song - pine) 농 (nong - farming)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing '외' as two syllables 'u-i'. It should be one smooth sound.
Over-emphasizing the 'ng' sound at the end of 'dong'.
Confusing '이다' (i-da) with '있다' (it-da).
Failing to aspirate the 'd' in 'da' correctly.
Vowel length errors in 'oe'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

Easy to recognize in text once you know '외' and '동'.

الكتابة 3/5

Requires correct conjugation of the copula '이다'.

التحدث 3/5

The 'oe' sound requires practice for native-like fluency.

الاستماع 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in conversation.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

이다 아이 하나 없다 형제

تعلّم لاحقاً

외롭다 가족관계 저출산 독립적이다 양보하다

متقدم

무남독녀 종손 가계도 부양하다 상속인

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Copula 이다 (to be)

외동이다, 학생이다, 의사이다

Reason connective ~이라서

외동이라서 외로워요.

Noun modifier ~인

외동인 사람

Contrastive ~이지만

외동이지만 친구가 많아요.

Substantive ~임

그가 외동임이 밝혀졌다.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

저는 외동이에요.

I am an only child.

Simple polite present tense.

친구가 외동이야.

My friend is an only child.

Casual present tense.

동생이 없어요. 외동이에요.

I don't have a younger sibling. I'm an only child.

Negative existence + copula.

우리 아이는 외동입니다.

Our child is an only child.

Formal present tense.

민수 씨는 외동이에요?

Is Minsu an only child?

Polite question form.

아니요, 저는 외동이 아니에요.

No, I am not an only child.

Negative copula (이/가 아니다).

제 여자친구는 외동이에요.

My girlfriend is an only child.

Possessive + copula.

외동은 한 명이에요.

An only child is one person.

Topic marker + counting unit.

외동이라서 혼자 놀아요.

Because I'm an only child, I play alone.

Reason connective (~이라서).

외동인 친구가 많아요.

I have many friends who are only children.

Noun modifier form (~인).

저는 외동이지만 외롭지 않아요.

I am an only child, but I am not lonely.

Contrast connective (~이지만).

외동이라서 부모님이 많이 사랑해 주세요.

Since I'm an only child, my parents love me a lot.

Reason + honorific giving/receiving.

어렸을 때부터 외동이었어요.

I have been an only child since I was young.

Past tense (~이었어요).

외동이면 선물을 많이 받아요?

If you are an only child, do you get many presents?

Condition connective (~이면).

제 동료는 외동이라서 조용해요.

My colleague is quiet because they are an only child.

Reason connective (~이라서).

외동인 것이 가끔은 좋아요.

Being an only child is good sometimes.

Gerund form (~인 것).

외동이다 보니 형제가 있는 친구들이 부러워요.

Since I'm an only child, I'm envious of friends with siblings.

Observation/Reason (~다 보니).

외동임에도 불구하고 사회성이 아주 좋아요.

Despite being an only child, their social skills are very good.

Despite (~음에도 불구하고).

부모님은 제가 외동이라서 걱정을 많이 하세요.

My parents worry a lot because I am an only child.

Reason (~이라서) + Honorific.

외동으로 자라는 것은 장단점이 있어요.

Growing up as an only child has pros and cons.

Adverbial form (~으로).

그녀는 외동이라 모든 것을 혼자 결정해야 했어요.

She had to decide everything alone because she was an only child.

Reason (~이라) + obligation (~해야 했다).

외동인 아이들은 가끔 이기적이라는 편견이 있어요.

There is a prejudice that only children are sometimes selfish.

Indirect quotation (~이라는).

제가 외동이라는 사실을 잊지 마세요.

Don't forget the fact that I am an only child.

Appositive clause (~이라는 사실).

외동이라면 누구나 한 번쯤 동생을 원해요.

If you're an only child, everyone wants a sibling at least once.

Universal conditional (~이라면 누구나).

한국 사회에서 외동인 가구의 비율이 높아지고 있습니다.

The proportion of single-child households is rising in Korean society.

Formal progressive (~고 있습니다).

외동이다 보니 부모님의 기대를 한 몸에 받게 됩니다.

Being an only child, one ends up receiving all the parental expectations.

Passive/Resultative (~게 된다).

그는 외동임이 분명한 행동을 자주 한다.

He often acts in a way that makes it clear he is an only child.

Substantive form (~임) + certainty.

외동이라서 겪는 고충에 대해 이야기해 봅시다.

Let's talk about the difficulties one faces as an only child.

Relative clause (~는) + suggestion (~해 봅시다).

현대인들에게 외동이다라는 것은 더 이상 낯선 일이 아니다.

To modern people, being an only child is no longer a strange thing.

Nominalized phrase + double negative.

외동인 자녀를 둔 부모들의 고민이 깊어지고 있다.

The worries of parents with only children are deepening.

Past participle modifier (~둔).

그녀가 외동이었기에 가능한 선택이었을지도 모른다.

It might have been a choice possible because she was an only child.

Causal connective (~었기에) + speculation.

외동이라고 해서 모두가 외로움을 타는 것은 아니다.

Just because someone is an only child doesn't mean they are all lonely.

Partial negation (~라고 해서 ... 것은 아니다).

외동이라는 정체성이 그의 예술 세계에 큰 영향을 미쳤다.

The identity of being an only child had a great influence on his artistic world.

Abstract noun modification.

저출산 기조 속에서 외동인 세대가 주류가 되고 있다.

Amidst the low birth rate trend, the only-child generation is becoming the mainstream.

Sociological terminology.

외동임에서 비롯된 독립심이 그녀의 성공 비결이다.

The independence stemming from being an only child is the secret to her success.

Derived from (~에서 비롯된).

그가 외동이라 할지라도 그런 무례한 행동은 용납될 수 없다.

Even if he is an only child, such rude behavior cannot be tolerated.

Concessive connective (~이라 할지라도).

외동인 아이의 심리적 발달에 관한 논문을 읽고 있다.

I am reading a thesis regarding the psychological development of only children.

Formal prepositional phrase (~에 관한).

우리 사회는 외동이다라는 사실을 지나치게 일반화하는 경향이 있다.

Our society tends to over-generalize the fact of being an only child.

Complex noun phrase + tendency.

그가 외동이었음이 밝혀지자 사람들의 태도가 변했다.

When it was revealed he was an only child, people's attitudes changed.

Past substantive (~었음) + result.

외동이라는 굴레에서 벗어나 자신만의 길을 개척했다.

He broke free from the 'shackles' of being an only child and forged his own path.

Metaphorical usage.

외동이다라는 명제는 그에게 있어 실존적 고독의 근원이었다.

The proposition of being an only child was the source of existential loneliness for him.

Philosophical/Abstract register.

가족 제도의 해체와 더불어 외동인 개인이 파편화된 사회의 상징이 되었다.

Along with the dissolution of the family system, the only-child individual has become a symbol of a fragmented society.

Advanced sociological analysis.

그가 외동임을 전제로 한 모든 가설은 여지없이 무너졌다.

All hypotheses based on the premise that he was an only child collapsed without exception.

Logical/Legalistic phrasing.

외동이라는 사실이 상속 분쟁의 핵심 쟁점으로 부각되었다.

The fact of being an only child emerged as a key issue in the inheritance dispute.

Legal register.

그녀의 문학은 외동임에서 기인한 내면의 공허를 탐구한다.

Her literature explores the inner emptiness resulting from being an only child.

Literary analysis register.

외동이다라는 것은 단순히 형제가 없음을 넘어선 문화적 현상이다.

Being an only child is a cultural phenomenon that goes beyond simply having no siblings.

Comprehensive definition.

사료에 따르면 그는 왕실의 귀한 외동이었다고 전해진다.

According to historical records, it is said he was a precious only child of the royal family.

Historical/Narrative register.

외동임이 도리어 그에게는 무한한 자유의 공간을 제공했다.

Being an only child, on the contrary, provided him with a space of infinite freedom.

Paradoxical rhetorical structure.

تلازمات شائعة

외동인 친구

외동이라서 외롭다

외동으로 자라다

외동임을 밝히다

외동인 가구

귀한 외동

외동인 자녀

외동이라 그런지

외동인 척하다

외동이 확실하다

العبارات الشائعة

저는 외동이에요.

— Standard way to say 'I am an only child.'

만나서 반가워요. 저는 외동이에요.

외동이세요?

— Polite way to ask someone if they are an only child.

혹시 외동이세요? 분위기가 그래 보여요.

외동이라 좋겠어요.

— Common remark implying only children are lucky.

외동이라 좋겠어요. 부모님 사랑을 다 받잖아요.

외동이라 심심해요.

— Common complaint from only children.

집에 가면 외동이라 심심해요.

외동인 게 어때요?

— Asking about the experience of being an only child.

외동인 게 어때요? 장점이 많나요?

외동치고는...

— Used when someone breaks a stereotype of an only child.

외동치고는 양보를 참 잘하시네요.

외동이라 다행이다.

— Expressing relief at being an only child.

학비가 비싸서 외동이라 다행이에요.

외동이라 부담된다.

— Feeling pressure as the sole child.

외동이라 부모님을 혼자 모셔야 해서 부담돼요.

외동인 줄 알았어요.

— Saying you suspected someone was an only child.

행동이 의젓해서 외동인 줄 알았어요.

외동처럼 보이다

— To look like an only child.

민수 씨는 외동처럼 보여요.

يُخلط عادةً مع

외동이다 vs 혼자이다

Means 'to be alone' or 'to be single,' not specifically 'only child.'

외동이다 vs 외롭다

An adjective meaning 'to be lonely,' often a result of being an only child, but not the status itself.

외동이다 vs 막내이다

Means 'to be the youngest,' which implies having older siblings.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"금지옥엽 외동"

— A very precious only child, treated like gold and jade.

그는 금지옥엽 외동으로 자랐다.

Literary

"외동이라 오냐오냐하다"

— To spoil an only child by saying 'yes' to everything.

외동이라 오냐오냐 키우면 안 된다.

Informal

"외동이 효자 노릇 한다"

— The only child acts as the devoted offspring (often used when they succeed).

결국 외동이 효자 노릇 하네요.

General

"외동이라 손이 귀하다"

— Children are scarce in the family, making the only child very precious.

그 집은 외동이라 손이 귀해요.

Traditional

"외동이라 찬밥 신세 아니다"

— Because they are an only child, they are never neglected (not 'cold rice').

외동이라 찬밥 신세 될 일은 없죠.

Casual

"외동이라 독불장군"

— An only child who acts like a 'lone general' (stubborn/independent).

외동이라 독불장군처럼 굴 때가 있어요.

Negative Nuance

"외동이라 무남독녀 만세"

— Humorous way to celebrate being an only daughter.

나는 외동이라 무남독녀 만세다!

Slangy/Humorous

"외동이라 입이 짧다"

— Stereotype that only children are picky eaters because they are pampered.

외동이라 그런지 입이 짧네요.

Colloquial

"외동이라 기가 살다"

— An only child having a lot of confidence/spirit due to support.

외동이라 기가 살아서 학교에 갔어요.

General

"외동이라 품 안의 자식"

— The only child remains 'the child in the bosom' (close to parents) longer.

외동이라 아직도 품 안의 자식 같아요.

Idiomatic

سهل الخلط

외동이다 vs 외동

Often confused with '외로움'.

외동 is the status of being an only child; 외로움 is the feeling of loneliness.

외동이라서 외로움을 느껴요.

외동이다 vs 독자

Both mean only child.

독자 is formal/legal and usually refers to an only son; 외동 is conversational and gender-neutral.

그는 법적으로 독자입니다.

외동이다 vs 외아들

Both refer to a single child.

외아들 is gender-specific (son); 외동 is gender-neutral.

그는 외아들이자 외동이에요.

외동이다 vs 하나

Means 'one'.

하나 is a number; 외동 is a kinship term.

자식이 하나예요 (I have one child) vs 저는 외동이에요 (I am an only child).

외동이다 vs 첫째

Means 'first'.

첫째 is the first-born (usually implying others follow); 외동 is the only one.

저는 첫째이자 외동이에요 (Possible, but '외동' is more common).

أنماط الجُمل

저는 [Noun]이에요.

저는 외동이에요.

[Noun]이라서 [Adjective].

외동이라서 심심해요.

[Noun]임에도 불구하고...

외동임에도 불구하고 양보를 잘해요.

[Noun]이라고 해서 다 ... 것은 아니다.

외동이라고 해서 다 이기적인 것은 아니다.

[Noun]이라는 사실이 [Verb]...

외동이라는 사실이 그를 힘들게 했다.

[Noun]임에서 기인한 [Noun]...

외동임에서 기인한 고독감.

[Noun]인 [Noun]...

외동인 친구

[Noun]이다 보니...

외동이다 보니 혼자 있는 게 편해요.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

외동 (only child)

외아들 (only son)

외딸 (only daughter)

외동딸 (only daughter)

독자 (only son)

الأفعال

외동으로 자라다 (to grow up as an only child)

الصفات

외롭다 (to be lonely - often associated)

오냐오냐하다 (to be pampered)

مرتبط

형제 (siblings)

남매 (brother and sister)

자매 (sisters)

가족 (family)

저출산 (low birth rate)

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كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely frequent in personal introductions and social surveys.

أخطاء شائعة

저는 외동을 있어요. → 저는 외동이에요.
You don't 'have' an only child status like an object; you 'are' that status.
그는 혼자예요. (meaning only child) → 그는 외동이에요.
'혼자' means 'alone' (temporary state), while '외동' is the family position.
외동 아들 → 외아들 or 외동아들
While '외동 아들' is understood, '외아들' or the compound '외동아들' is the standard word.
외동예요. → 외동이에요.
'동' ends in a consonant, so '이에요' is grammatically required.
외동인 때문에... → 외동이기 때문에...
Before '때문에', you need the nominalized form '이기', not the modifier '인'.

نصائح

Conjugation Check

Always remember that 외동 ends in a consonant (ㅇ), so use '이에요' in polite speech, not '예요'.

Expect the 'Loneliness' Question

If you say you are an only child, 90% of the time, a Korean person will ask if you were lonely. Have a response ready!

Gender Specificity

If you want to be more specific, use 외아들 (son) or 외딸 (daughter). It sounds very natural.

Small Talk Gold

Asking '혹시 외동이세요?' is a great way to keep a conversation going during a first meeting.

Hanja Knowledge

Knowing that '외' (外) means outside/single and '동' (童) means child helps you remember the word.

Modifier Form

Use '외동인' when you need to put 'only child' before another noun, like '외동인 주인공' (an only-child protagonist).

The 'Oe' Sound

Keep your lips rounded but don't move them while saying '외'. It's a monophthong for many speakers.

Prejudice Awareness

Be aware of the 'selfish' stereotype, but don't take it personally; it's an old-fashioned cliché.

Context Clues

If you hear '형제' (siblings) and '없다' (none) in the same sentence, '외동' is likely to follow.

Not Just for Kids

Remember you can use this to describe your parents or grandparents too! '우리 아버지는 외동이셨어요' (My father was an only child).

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'O.E.' as 'Only Exist.' You 'Only Exist' as a 'Dong' (child) in your family. O-E-DONG.

ربط بصري

Imagine a single tree (외) in a large field (the family land) with one small bird (동) sitting on it.

Word Web

외동 외아들 외딸 형제 없음 부모님 사랑 외로움 독립심 상속

تحدٍّ

Try to use '외동이다' in three different politeness levels today while talking to your Korean language partner.

أصل الكلمة

The word is a native Korean compound. '외' (oe) is a prefix meaning 'single,' 'one,' or 'outside.' '동' (dong) comes from the Hanja '童' (dong) meaning child.

المعنى الأصلي: Literally 'one child' or 'single child.'

Koreanic (Sino-Korean influence on the second syllable).

السياق الثقافي

Be careful not to assume being an only child is always 'sad' or 'lonely'; many Koreans are proud of the close bond they have with their parents.

In the West, 'only child syndrome' is a common concept. In Korea, similar stereotypes exist but are more focused on the child's ability to 'Nunchi' (measure social situations) without siblings to practice with.

Many K-Drama protagonists are '외동' to explain their complex relationship with their parents. The movie 'Parasite' features family dynamics that contrast with the 'only child' ideal of the wealthy. K-pop idols often mention being '외동' in 'TMI' segments.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Self-Introduction

저는 외동이에요.
형제는 없어요.
외동이라 혼자 지냈어요.
부모님과 셋이 살아요.

Dating/Socializing

외동이세요?
외동인 줄 알았어요.
외동이라 사랑 많이 받았겠네요.
외동이면 외롭지 않아요?

School/Education

외동인 학생
외동이라 친구가 중요해요.
외동 교육법
외동인 아이의 특징

Demographics/News

외동 가구 급증
저출산과 외동
외동인 자녀의 비중
외동 세대의 특징

Psychology/Counseling

외동의 심리
외동이라 겪는 문제
외동의 독립심
외동의 사회성

بدايات محادثة

"혹시 형제나 자매가 있으세요, 아니면 외동이세요?"

"외동으로 자라는 것의 가장 큰 장점이 뭐라고 생각하세요?"

"요즘 한국에는 외동인 아이들이 정말 많은 것 같아요."

"외동이라서 부모님과의 관계가 더 특별할 것 같아요."

"어렸을 때 외동이라서 동생이 있었으면 좋겠다고 생각한 적 있나요?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

만약 당신이 외동이라면, 그 경험이 당신의 성격에 어떤 영향을 주었나요? 외동이 아니라면, 외동인 삶은 어떨 것 같나요?

한국의 저출산 문제로 인해 외동인 아이들이 많아지는 현상에 대해 어떻게 생각하시나요?

외동에 대한 사회적 편견(예: 이기적이다)에 대해 자신의 의견을 써 보세요.

외동인 친구와 형제가 많은 친구의 차이점은 무엇이라고 생각하나요?

부모님이 당신을 외동으로 키우셨다면, 그분들의 교육 방식은 어땠을까요?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, that sounds like you possess an only child. To say you are an only child, say '저는 외동이에요'. To say you have an only child, say '제 아이는 외동이에요' or '자식이 하나뿐이에요'.

Not at all. It is a neutral factual statement about your family. However, be prepared for follow-up questions about loneliness, as it is a common cultural topic.

외동 is gender-neutral (only child). 외동딸 is specific to a girl (only daughter). If you are a girl, both are correct, but 외동딸 is more specific.

Yes, an adult of any age can say '저는 외동이에요' to describe their family background.

There isn't a widely used single-word slang, but people might say '외동버프' (Only-child buff) to refer to the financial support only children get.

Say '저는 외동이 아니에요. 형제가 있어요' (I'm not an only child. I have siblings).

Usually no. People use '외동묘' (only cat) or '외동견' (only dog) jokingly, but it's primarily for humans.

Koreans use family background to build 'Jeong' (connection) and understand your personality better.

It is a Noun + Copula (이다), so it functions as a descriptive verb/predicate in a sentence.

There isn't one word, but '형제가 많다' (having many siblings) is the functional opposite.

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