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A2 noun #4,000 más común 9 min de lectura

자매

jamae Top 4,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 자매 en 30 segundos

Explicación 자매 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 자매 (Jamae) means 'sisters.' You will mostly use it to describe your family. For example, if someone asks, 'Do you have sisters?' you can answer using this word. It is a noun, so it doesn't change its form. You can simply say '자매가 있어요' (I have sisters) or '자매가 없어요' (I don't have sisters). At this stage, don't worry about the complex Hanja roots; just remember it as the word for a group of female siblings. You might also hear it in very simple introductions. It is a useful word to know alongside '형제' (brothers) and '가족' (family). Think of it as a label for a group of girls or women who share the same parents. In your first Korean classes, you will likely learn '언니' (older sister) and '여동생' (younger sister) first, but '자매' is the word that connects them both into one category. It’s like the 'folder' that holds all your female siblings.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 자매 in slightly more descriptive sentences. You can use it with numbers to say how many sisters are in a family, such as '우리 집은 삼 자매예요' (In our house, we are three sisters). You should also be able to recognize the difference between '자매' (sisters) and '남매' (brother and sister). At this level, you might encounter the word in simple reading passages about families or in basic listening exercises where people introduce their relatives. You should also be aware that '자매' is a more formal way to talk about sisters than just saying '언니와 동생.' If you are writing a short paragraph about your family for a class, using '자매' makes your Korean sound a bit more organized and clear. It's also the level where you might notice '자매' being used in signs for 'sister products' (자매품) in a Korean supermarket, which is a fun way to see the word in the real world.

By the B1 level, you should understand the social and cultural nuances of 자매. This includes knowing when to use the honorific version '자매분' when referring to someone else's sisters politely. You should also be familiar with the term '자매결연' (sisterhood relationship) used between schools or cities, as this often appears in intermediate-level news articles or social studies texts. You can use '자매' to describe relationships in more complex ways, such as '자매간의 갈등' (conflict between sisters) or '자매 사이가 좋다' (the sisters have a good relationship). You should also be comfortable using the word in religious contexts if necessary, understanding that '자매님' is a common way to address women in a church or temple. At this level, you're not just translating the word; you're understanding its role as a collective noun that defines a specific type of social bond in Korean culture.

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At the B2 level, you can use 자매 in academic and professional contexts. You should be able to discuss the portrayal of sisters in Korean literature and film, using the word to analyze themes of '자매애' (sisterly love) or the '자매' dynamic in patriarchal societies. You should also understand compound words and idiomatic expressions involving '자매,' such as '의자매' (sworn sisters). You can handle more complex grammar structures, like using '자매' with the particle '-이자' to say '그녀들은 자매이자 최고의 친구예요' (They are sisters and also best friends). Your understanding of the word should extend to its use in formal reports, such as '두 도시는 자매결연을 통해 문화 교류를 확대하기로 했다' (The two cities decided to expand cultural exchange through a sisterhood agreement). You should also be able to explain the subtle difference in register between '자매' and more colloquial sibling terms.

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At the C1 level, your command of 자매 should be near-native. You understand the historical weight of the word, including its Hanja origins and how it fits into the broader Confucian family structure. You can use the word in sophisticated literary analysis or when discussing complex social issues like the 'K-eldest daughter' syndrome within a '자매' relationship. You are aware of rare or specialized terms like '동기자매' (siblings/sisters from the same parents) and can use them in legal or highly formal writing. You can also use '자매' metaphorically in advanced rhetoric, such as describing the 'sisterhood of nations' or the 'sisterhood of scientific disciplines.' Your pronunciation and intonation when using the word in various registers—from the humble '자매' to the respectful '자매님'—are precise. You can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the word in others' speech, such as when someone accidentally uses '자매' for a mixed-gender group.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 자매 and all its connotations. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of sisterhood in Korean society versus Western societies, using '자매' as a focal point. You can write eloquent essays or give professional presentations that use '자매' and its related terms (like '자매결연', '자매품', '의자매') with perfect accuracy and stylistic flair. You understand the nuances of how the word has evolved in modern Korean, including its use in feminist discourse or its adaptation in North Korean dialect. You can interpret the word in classical Korean literature (written in Hanja) and explain its significance in historical family genealogies (족보). For a C2 learner, '자매' is not just a word for sisters; it is a linguistic window into the history, social hierarchy, and evolving gender roles of the Korean people.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

자매 en 30 segundos

자매 (Jamae) means 'sisters' and is used as a collective noun for female siblings.
It is a Sino-Korean word combining the characters for 'elder sister' and 'younger sister'.
Beyond family, it is used for 'sister cities' (자매 도시) and 'sister products' (자매품).
In religious settings, '자매님' is a respectful way to address women.

The Korean word 자매 (Jamae) is a Sino-Korean noun that specifically refers to female siblings. Derived from the Hanja characters 姉 (자), meaning 'elder sister,' and 妹 (매), meaning 'younger sister,' the word encapsulates the entire spectrum of the female sibling relationship. Unlike English, where the word 'sisters' is used broadly in both formal and informal contexts, Korean often prefers specific terms like eonni (elder sister for females) or yeodongsaeng (younger sister) in daily conversation. However, 자매 serves as the essential collective noun used when discussing the concept of sisters as a group, in legal documents, in formal introductions, or when describing the biological relationship between two or more women.

Etymological Root: The first character '자' (姉) historically represents the elder sister, while '매' (妹) represents the younger. Together, they form a balanced unit representing the hierarchy and bond of female siblings.

In South Korean society, family titles are deeply rooted in Confucian values, which emphasize hierarchy based on age. While 자매 is the technical term, the way sisters interact is governed by these hierarchical titles. You will hear this word most frequently when someone is asking about family composition. For example, '자매가 어떻게 되세요?' (What is your sister situation/How many sisters do you have?) is a standard, polite way to inquire about someone's female siblings. It is considered more formal and sophisticated than simply asking if someone has an 'eonni'.

그들은 아주 닮은 자매입니다. (They are sisters who look very much alike.)

Beyond biological relationships, 자매 is used metaphorically. In modern administrative and international contexts, you will encounter terms like 자매 도시 (sister cities) or 자매 학교 (sister schools). This usage mirrors the English 'sisterhood' concept, implying a supportive, bonded relationship between two entities. In religious contexts, particularly within the Catholic and Christian communities in Korea, women often refer to one another as '자매님' (Sister), reflecting a spiritual family bond regardless of biological kinship.

Social Nuance: In literature and drama, the '자매' dynamic is a popular theme, often exploring the tension between the 'K-eldest daughter' responsibility and the younger sister's freedom.

Finally, it is important to distinguish 자매 from other sibling terms. While 형제 (hyeongje) literally means 'brothers,' it is often used as a gender-neutral term for 'siblings' in general. However, if a group consists purely of females, 자매 is the only correct term. Using 자매 correctly demonstrates a high level of linguistic awareness regarding gender-specific collective nouns in Korean.

Using 자매 in a sentence requires an understanding of Korean counters and particles. Because it is a noun, it often acts as the subject or object of a sentence. When specifying the number of sisters, the most common structure is '[Number] + 자매'. For instance, '우리는 삼 자매예요' (We are three sisters). Note that when using Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼), the word flows naturally as a fixed phrase. If using native Korean numbers, you would typically say '자매 두 명' (two sisters).

Grammar Pattern: Noun + 간: The suffix '-간' (gan) meaning 'between' is frequently attached to '자매'. '자매간의 사랑' (love between sisters) or '자매간의 우애' (sisterly affection) are common literary and formal expressions.

In honorific settings, if you are talking about someone else's sisters, you might add the honorific suffix '-분' to the count, though '자매' itself is neutral. However, in religious settings, as mentioned, '자매님' is the standard address. When describing characteristics shared by sisters, you might say '자매가 모두 미인이에요' (The sisters are all beauties). Here, '자매' functions as the collective subject.

우리 자매는 성격이 정말 달라요. (Our sisters/We sisters have very different personalities.)

Another common usage is in the phrase '자매결연을 맺다' (to form a sisterhood relationship). This is used for schools, cities, or even military units forming a formal bond of cooperation. In this context, '자매' symbolizes a close, familial-like partnership. You will see this in news headlines frequently: '서울시와 파리시, 자매결연 20주년' (Seoul and Paris, 20th anniversary of sister-city relationship).

When writing about sisters in an essay or a formal report, 자매 is preferred over the more colloquial '언니랑 동생'. It provides a cleaner, more academic tone. For example, '자매 사이의 갈등' (conflict between sisters) sounds more professional than '언니와 동생의 싸움' (the fight between the older and younger sister). This distinction is crucial for learners aiming for the TOPIK II level or higher.

Compound Words: Words like '자매품' (sister product/related product) use '자매' to indicate that a product is made by the same company as another famous one.

You will encounter 자매 in various real-world scenarios in Korea, ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. One of the most common places is at a hospital or government office when filling out family relationship forms (가족관계증명서). The form will categorize siblings into 형제 (brothers/mixed) or 자매 (sisters). Hearing a clerk ask, '자매분이 몇 명이죠?' (How many sisters are there?) is very common.

'두 자매의 이야기'는 한국 문학에서 흔한 주제입니다. (The story of two sisters is a common theme in Korean literature.)

In the world of Korean entertainment, specifically K-Dramas and Variety Shows, the word is used to describe famous celebrity sisters. For example, the 'Jung Sisters' (Jessica and Krystal) are frequently referred to as '정자매' (Jung-ja-mae) in the media. Fans and news outlets use this shorthand to discuss their shared activities, fashion, or public appearances. Similarly, the 'Kong Sisters' or any famous pair of female siblings will be labeled with their surname followed by 자매.

Religious Context: In Catholic mass or Protestant services, the terms '형제님' (Brother) and '자매님' (Sister) are the standard honorific titles for fellow congregants, emphasizing a spiritual equality and bond.

In retail and marketing, the term 자매품 (sister product) is ubiquitous. If you are buying a specific brand of spicy noodles, you might see a sign or an ad saying '자매품인 짜장면도 드셔보세요' (Try our sister product, the Jjajangmyeon, as well). This usage helps consumers identify products belonging to the same brand family. It's a clever way to leverage the positive, reliable connotations of the word 'sister'.

Lastly, in literature and film, the word is used to evoke a specific emotional atmosphere. The famous Korean horror film 'A Tale of Two Sisters' (장화, 홍련) uses the concept of the 자매 bond to drive its psychological narrative. Hearing the word in these contexts often suggests a deep, sometimes complicated, emotional connection that goes beyond just 'having a sibling'.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Korean is the confusion between 자매 (Jamae) and 형제 (Hyeongje). In English, 'siblings' is a gender-neutral term. In Korean, 형제 literally means 'older brother and younger brother,' but it is often used loosely to mean 'siblings' in general. However, if you have only sisters, using 형제 is technically incorrect and can be confusing. You must use 자매 to specify that all siblings are female.

Mistake: Using '자매' for mixed siblings: If you have one brother and one sister, you cannot use '자매'. You must use '남매' (nammae), which refers to a brother-sister pair.

Another mistake is the over-reliance on the word 자매 in casual speech. While it is the correct word for 'sisters,' using it to address your sister directly is a major social faux pas. You should never say 'Hey, 자매!' Instead, use '언니' (if she's older) or her name followed by '야' or '아' (if she's younger). 자매 is a descriptive term about the relationship, not a term of address.

Wrong: 우리 자매는 오빠가 한 명 있어요. (Incorrect because '자매' implies only females.)
Correct: 우리 삼남매는 오빠 한 명과 자매 두 명이에요.

Learners also often struggle with the count. In English, we say 'two sisters.' In Korean, saying '두 자매' is correct, but sometimes learners try to pluralize it as '자매들'. While '자매들' is grammatically possible, it is often redundant because 자매 inherently refers to a plural relationship (you can't be a 'sister' by yourself in the collective sense). It is much more natural to say '자매가 있어요' or '우리는 자매예요'.

Finally, confusing 자매 with 자매품 in a sentence can lead to humorous errors. '저는 자매품이 있어요' would mean 'I have a sister product' instead of 'I have a sister.' Always ensure you are using the base noun when referring to people.

Understanding the family of terms related to siblings is essential for mastering Korean. While 자매 (Jamae) covers sisters, several other words occupy similar semantic spaces. The most important counterpart is 형제 (Hyeongje). While it specifically means 'brothers,' it is the default term for 'siblings' in a broad, often patriarchal, historical context. If you don't know the gender of someone's siblings, you ask about their 형제.

자매 vs. 남매: '자매' is strictly female-female. '남매' (nammae) is strictly male-female. Using the wrong one immediately signals a lack of fluency.

For more specific terms, we have 언니 and 여동생. An '언니' is what a female calls her older sister. A '여동생' is what anyone calls their younger sister. Note that if a male is talking about his older sister, he uses 누나 (nuna). Thus, the word 자매 is the overarching umbrella that covers all these specific dynamic pairings when they consist of women.

그녀들은 친자매처럼 가깝게 지내요. (They stay close like biological sisters.)

In formal or poetic language, you might encounter 동기 (donggi), which means 'siblings of the same parents.' This is a very formal term often found in legal or classical literature. Another related term is 의자매 (uijamae), which means 'sworn sisters'—women who are not biologically related but have pledged a sisterly bond to each other. This was common in historical dramas and traditional stories.

Comparing 자매 to 동료 (colleague) or 친구 (friend) is also useful. While 자매 implies a blood relation or a very deep, permanent bond, 친구 is more casual. However, in Korea, very close female friends often adopt the titles of '언니' and '동생', effectively acting out a 자매 relationship even without the biological link. This reflects the 'family-centric' nature of Korean social structures.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

In ancient Hanja, the character for elder sister (姉) contains the radical for 'woman' (女) plus a phonetic component, emphasizing the female role in the family hierarchy.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /t͡ɕa.mɛ/

US /dʒɑ.meɪ/

Stress is even on both syllables, as is typical in Korean.

Rima con

남매 (nammae) 매매 (maemae) 소매 (somae) 건매 (geonmae) 담매 (dammae) 연매 (yeonmae) 전매 (jeonmae) 구매 (gumae)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing '자' as a hard English 'Z' (there is no Z sound in Korean).
Making the '매' sound too long like 'may' in English.
Aspirating the 'j' sound in '자' too much.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to common usage.

Escritura 3/5

Spelling is simple, but knowing when to use it over '언니/동생' takes practice.

Expresión oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Escucha 2/5

Clear sound, often appears in family contexts.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

가족 여자 언니 동생 사람

Aprende después

형제 남매 친척 부모 조부모

Avanzado

자매결연 항렬 족보 동기 우애

Gramática que debes saber

Counting people with '명'

자매 세 명

The suffix '-간' for relationships

자매간

The honorific '-님' for titles

자매님

Using '와/과' for 'and'

언니와 자매

Possessive particle '-의'

자매의 가방

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Ejemplos por nivel

저는 자매가 두 명 있어요.

I have two sisters.

Uses the object particle '-가' and the verb '있어요'.

자매가 있어요?

Do you have sisters?

Simple question form.

우리는 자매예요.

We are sisters.

Uses the polite ending '-예요'.

제 친구는 자매가 없어요.

My friend doesn't have sisters.

Uses '없어요' for negation.

그녀들은 예쁜 자매입니다.

They are pretty sisters.

Uses the formal '-입니다'.

자매가 몇 명이에요?

How many sisters are there?

Uses '몇 명' as a counter for people.

언니와 저는 자매예요.

My older sister and I are sisters.

Connects two people with '와'.

여기에 자매가 살아요.

Sisters live here.

Uses the location particle '-에'.

우리 집은 삼 자매입니다.

Our family has three sisters.

Uses Sino-Korean '삼' with '자매'.

두 자매는 얼굴이 비슷해요.

The two sisters look similar.

Uses the adjective '비슷해요'.

자매끼리 여행을 가요.

The sisters are going on a trip together.

'-끼리' means 'among themselves/together'.

자매의 생일은 언제예요?

When is the sister's birthday?

Uses the possessive particle '-의'.

이것은 그 과자의 자매품이에요.

This is a sister product of that snack.

'자매품' means sister product.

자매가 모두 학생이에요.

The sisters are all students.

'모두' means all.

저는 자매 중에서 첫째예요.

I am the first among the sisters.

'- 중에서' means 'among'.

자매는 서로 옷을 빌려 입어요.

The sisters borrow and wear each other's clothes.

'서로' means each other.

두 학교는 자매결연을 맺었습니다.

The two schools formed a sisterhood relationship.

'자매결연' is a formal term for twinning.

자매간의 우애가 정말 깊군요.

The sisterly affection is truly deep.

'-간' means 'between', '-군요' is an exclamation.

자매님, 오늘 기도회에 오시나요?

Sister, are you coming to the prayer meeting today?

'-님' is an honorific used in religious contexts.

자매는 성격이 정반대라 자주 싸워요.

The sisters have opposite personalities, so they fight often.

'-라' is a causal connective.

그녀는 친자매처럼 저를 돌봐줬어요.

She took care of me like a biological sister.

'친자매' emphasizes biological relationship.

자매가 함께 사업을 시작했어요.

The sisters started a business together.

'함께' means together.

자매분이 참 미인이시네요.

Your sisters are truly beautiful.

Uses honorific '-분' and '-시-'.

자매 사이에는 비밀이 없어요.

There are no secrets between sisters.

'사이' means relationship or space between.

이 소설은 네 자매의 성장 과정을 다룹니다.

This novel deals with the growth process of four sisters.

'다룹니다' means to deal with or handle.

자매 도시 간의 문화 교류가 활발합니다.

Cultural exchange between sister cities is active.

'활발하다' means to be active or vigorous.

그들은 피를 나눈 자매보다 더 가까워요.

They are closer than blood sisters.

'피를 나누다' is an idiom for being blood-related.

자매가 나란히 고등고시에 합격했습니다.

The sisters passed the high-level civil service exam side by side.

'나란히' means side by side or together.

어린 시절 자매끼리의 경쟁은 흔한 일이죠.

Competition between sisters in childhood is a common thing.

'경쟁' means competition.

그녀는 의자매를 맺을 정도로 친구를 아껴요.

She cherishes her friend enough to become sworn sisters.

'의자매' means sworn sisters.

자매의 목소리가 너무 비슷해서 구분이 안 돼요.

The sisters' voices are so similar that I can't distinguish them.

'구분' means distinction.

자매품을 구매하시면 할인을 해 드립니다.

If you purchase a sister product, we will give you a discount.

Conditional '-시면'.

한국 사회에서 자매는 종종 서로의 가장 든든한 조력자가 됩니다.

In Korean society, sisters often become each other's most reliable supporters.

'조력자' means helper or supporter.

이 영화는 자매라는 이름 아래 숨겨진 애증의 관계를 조명합니다.

This movie illuminates the love-hate relationship hidden under the name of sisters.

'조명하다' means to illuminate or highlight.

자매결연을 통해 양국 간의 우호 증진을 도모합시다.

Let's promote the enhancement of friendship between the two countries through sisterhood.

'도모하다' means to promote or aim for.

그녀는 자매 중 막내로서의 고충을 토로했습니다.

She expressed the grievances of being the youngest among the sisters.

'토로하다' means to speak one's mind freely.

자매간의 재산 분쟁이 법정 싸움으로 번졌습니다.

A property dispute between sisters escalated into a legal battle.

'번지다' means to spread or escalate.

두 작가는 문학적 자매라고 불릴 만큼 화풍이 유사합니다.

The two authors have such similar styles that they could be called literary sisters.

'화풍' usually means painting style, but here used for artistic style.

자매의 연은 끊으려야 끊을 수 없는 천륜입니다.

The bond of sisters is a heavenly tie that cannot be broken even if one tries.

'천륜' means a bond ordained by heaven.

기업들은 자매품 출시를 통해 브랜드 이미지를 강화합니다.

Companies strengthen their brand image by releasing sister products.

'강화하다' means to strengthen.

자매라는 혈연적 유대는 근대화 과정에서도 변치 않는 가치를 지닙니다.

The biological bond of sisterhood holds unchanging value even in the process of modernization.

'유대' means bond or tie.

가부장적 질서 속에서 자매는 연대를 통해 저항의 기반을 마련하기도 했습니다.

Within the patriarchal order, sisters sometimes established a foundation for resistance through solidarity.

'연대' means solidarity.

해당 지자체는 해외 유수 도시들과의 자매결연을 통해 글로벌 역량을 강화하고 있습니다.

The local government is strengthening its global capabilities through sisterhood ties with leading overseas cities.

'지자체' is short for local government.

문학 비평가는 두 작품의 자매적 텍스트성에 주목하여 분석을 시도했습니다.

The literary critic attempted an analysis by focusing on the sisterly intertextuality of the two works.

'텍스트성' means textuality.

자매간의 심리적 역동은 프로이트 심리학에서도 흥미로운 연구 대상입니다.

The psychological dynamics between sisters are an interesting subject of study in Freudian psychology.

'역동' means dynamics.

그녀들은 자매이자 동지로서 평생을 인권 운동에 헌신했습니다.

As both sisters and comrades, they dedicated their lives to the human rights movement.

'동지' means comrade.

자매결연 협약식은 양측의 신뢰를 재확인하는 자리가 되었습니다.

The sisterhood agreement ceremony became a place to reaffirm the trust of both sides.

'재확인' means reaffirmation.

자매의 정(情)은 그 어떤 논리로도 설명할 수 없는 깊은 울림을 줍니다.

The affection of sisters gives a deep resonance that cannot be explained by any logic.

'울림' means resonance or echo.

Colocaciones comunes

자매가 있다

삼 자매

자매 도시

자매결연을 맺다

자매품 출시

친자매 사이

자매간의 갈등

자매님이라 부르다

자매가 닮다

자매 여행

Frases Comunes

자매가 어떻게 되세요?

— A polite way to ask how many sisters someone has.

실례지만 자매가 어떻게 되세요?

우리는 자매예요.

— A simple way to state that you and another person are sisters.

저희는 자매예요.

자매끼리 왜 이래?

— A rhetorical question used when sisters are fighting or acting strangely.

야, 자매끼리 왜 이래? 사이좋게 지내.

자매의 정

— The deep affection or bond shared between sisters.

자매의 정은 무엇보다 소중합니다.

자매 사이가 좋다

— To have a good relationship with one's sister.

그 집은 자매 사이가 참 좋아요.

자매가 나란히

— Used when sisters do something together or achieve something at the same time.

자매가 나란히 대학에 합격했어요.

의좋은 자매

— Sisters who get along very well.

동네에서 의좋은 자매로 소문이 났어요.

자매를 두다

— To have sisters (often used by parents about their daughters).

그는 슬하에 세 자매를 두었다.

자매 간의 우애

— Sisterly love and friendship.

자매 간의 우애를 다지기 위해 여행을 떠났다.

자매 학교

— A school that has a formal partnership with another.

우리 학교는 일본에 자매 학교가 있어요.

Se confunde a menudo con

자매 vs 형제

Means brothers, but sometimes used for all siblings. Use '자매' only for females.

자매 vs 남매

Used for a brother and sister. Don't use it if there are only sisters.

자매 vs 자매품

Means sister product. Don't use it when referring to a person.

Modismos y expresiones

"피를 나눈 자매"

— Biological sisters (emphasizing the blood bond).

우리는 피를 나눈 자매니까 서로 도와야 해.

Neutral

"언니만 한 동생 없다"

— There is no younger sister better than the older sister (implies the elder's wisdom).

역시 언니만 한 동생 없다고, 언니가 다 해결해 주네.

Informal

"자매는 닮는다"

— Sisters tend to resemble each other in looks or behavior.

말투까지 똑같은 걸 보니 자매는 닮나 봐요.

Neutral

"의자매를 맺다"

— To pledge to be sisters despite no blood relation.

그녀들은 고등학교 때 의자매를 맺었다.

Neutral

"자매가 한 배를 타다"

— Sisters being in the same situation or sharing the same fate.

이제 우리 자매는 한 배를 탄 거야.

Literary

"자매의 난"

— A humorous or dramatic way to describe a big fight between sisters.

어제 우리 집에서 자매의 난이 일어났어.

Slang/Informal

"자매는 거울이다"

— Sisters reflect each other's strengths and weaknesses.

자매는 서로의 거울이라는 말이 딱 맞아.

Literary

"한 뿌리 자매"

— Sisters from the same root (parents).

우리는 한 뿌리 자매인데 싸우지 말자.

Poetic

"금실 좋은 자매"

— Sisters who have an exceptionally harmonious relationship.

그들은 금실 좋은 자매로 유명하다.

Neutral

"자매의 힘"

— The power of sisterhood and mutual support.

자매의 힘으로 역경을 이겨냈다.

Inspirational

Fácil de confundir

자매 vs 형제

Both refer to siblings.

Hyeongje is male-male or general; Jamae is female-female.

그들은 형제고, 우리는 자매예요.

자매 vs 남매

Both refer to sibling groups.

Nammae is mixed gender; Jamae is only female.

오빠가 있으면 남매라고 불러야 해요.

자매 vs 동기

Both mean siblings.

Donggi is very formal and gender-neutral.

법적 서류에는 동기라고 적기도 합니다.

자매 vs 자매품

Contains the word '자매'.

It refers to commercial products, not people.

이 비누는 저 샴푸의 자매품입니다.

자매 vs 의자매

Sounds like 'sisters'.

Refers to non-biological sworn sisters.

우리는 피는 안 섞였지만 의자매예요.

Patrones de oraciones

N(자매)이/가 있어요.

자매가 있어요.

Number + 자매예요.

두 자매예요.

자매간의 N

자매간의 사랑

N와/과 자매결연을 맺다

미국 학교와 자매결연을 맺다.

자매로서의 N

자매로서의 책임감

자매적 N

자매적 유대감

자매품인 N

자매품인 라면

자매끼리 V

자매끼리 놀아요.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

자매애 (sisterly love)

자매품 (sister product)

자매지 (sister magazine)

자매관 (sister building)

Verbos

자매결연하다 (to form a sisterhood)

Adjetivos

자매다운 (sister-like)

Relacionado

형제

남매

언니

여동생

누나

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Korean.

Errores comunes

Using '자매' for a brother and sister. → 남매 (Nammae)
자매 is only for female-female pairs.
Calling your sister '자매' directly. → 언니 (Eonni) or Name
자매 is a descriptive category, not a direct address term.
Using '자매' to mean a general friend. → 친구 (Chingu)
Unless it's a 'sworn sister' (의자매) context, '자매' implies biological relation.
Saying '자매들이' too often. → 자매가
Korean often omits the plural '들' when the context (like 'two' or 'three') makes it clear.
Confusing '자매' with '자매품' in conversation. → 자매
Don't say 'I have two sister products' (자매품) when you mean sisters.

Consejos

Collective Noun Usage

Always remember '자매' is a noun that describes a set. It's perfect for introductions like '우리는 자매예요'.

Hierarchy Matters

Even though '자매' groups them together, the age hierarchy (who is the '언니') is still very important in their interaction.

Sister Cities

If you see '자매 도시' on a sign at a city entrance, it's about international friendship!

The 'Nim' Suffix

Adding '-님' to '자매' makes it a respectful title for a woman in a church.

Product Families

Look for '자매품' in stores to find related items from brands you already like.

Sworn Sisters

In historical dramas, '의자매' is a common trope for deep, non-biological friendship.

TOPIK Preparation

Focus on collocations like '자매결연을 맺다' for the TOPIK II writing and reading sections.

Gender Specificity

Never use '자매' if there is a male in the sibling group. Use '남매' or '형제' instead.

Formal Tone

Use '자매' in formal letters or reports to describe female family relationships clearly.

Identify Surnames

News often says '[Surname] 자매' (e.g., '김자매') to refer to famous sisters.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Ja' (as in 'Junior' - though it means elder, it helps to remember it's family) and 'Mae' (like 'Maiden'). Sisters are the 'Junior Maidens' of the family.

Asociación visual

Imagine two girls holding hands, one slightly taller (자) and one slightly shorter (매).

Word Web

Sisters Family Hanja Sister City Sister Product Religion Bond Hierarchy

Desafío

Try to count how many '자매' you know in your friend circle and say their names in Korean.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from Sino-Korean Hanja characters: 姉 (자) meaning 'elder sister' and 妹 (매) meaning 'younger sister'.

Significado original: The combination of elder and younger female siblings.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Contexto cultural

Avoid using '자매님' to women who are not religious, as it can be perceived as an unwanted religious advance.

In English, 'sisters' can be very informal. In Korean, '자매' is the formal version, while '언니/동생' is what people actually use in conversation.

A Tale of Two Sisters (Horror Movie) Little Women (Korean Drama adaptation) The Jung Sisters (K-pop idols Jessica and Krystal)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Family Introduction

자매가 몇 명이에요?
저는 삼 자매예요.
자매가 다 예쁘네요.
자매 사이가 좋아요.

Church/Religion

자매님, 안녕하세요.
기도합시다, 자매님.
새로 오신 자매님입니다.
자매님을 축복합니다.

Shopping

이건 자매품이에요.
자매품도 할인하나요?
자매품이 더 인기가 많아요.
세트로 나온 자매품입니다.

News/Politics

자매 도시를 방문하다.
자매결연 10주년.
자매 학교 교류 프로그램.
자매 협약을 체결하다.

Literature/Movies

두 자매의 슬픈 이야기.
자매의 운명.
자매애를 다룬 영화.
자매의 갈등과 화해.

Inicios de conversación

"자매가 있으세요? 아니면 외동이세요?"

"자매끼리 옷을 같이 입기도 하나요?"

"한국 드라마에서 가장 좋아하는 자매 캐릭터는 누구예요?"

"자매가 있다면, 언니랑 더 친해요 아니면 동생이랑 더 친해요?"

"자매 도시라는 개념에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

Temas para diario

당신의 자매에 대해 써 보세요. 없다면 가상의 자매를 상상해 보세요.

자매 사이에서 가장 중요한 것은 무엇이라고 생각합니까?

자매결연을 맺고 싶은 도시가 있다면 어디인가요? 그 이유는 무엇입니까?

유명한 자매(예: 정자매)의 장단점에 대해 자신의 생각을 적어 보세요.

어릴 적 자매와 싸웠던 기억이 있다면 그 이야기를 써 보세요.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, you should use '남매' (nammae) for a mixed-gender sibling group.

It is used for both. It is a collective noun for all female siblings in a group.

Use it primarily in religious contexts (like at church) or if someone has explicitly introduced themselves that way.

It means 'Sister City,' a formal agreement between two cities in different regions or countries.

No, '언니' is more common in daily speech. '자매' is used when talking about the relationship formally.

Yes, a man can use '자매' to describe his sisters as a group (e.g., '제 자매들은...'), though it's more common to say '제 누나와 여동생은...'.

It means 'sister product,' referring to a product made by the same company as another well-known product.

You can say '두 자매' (two sisters) or '삼 자매' (three sisters). Use Sino-Korean numbers for the fixed 'X 자매' phrase.

Not quite. 'Siblings' is gender-neutral, while '자매' is specifically for females. '형제' is the closer equivalent to 'siblings'.

Usually no. It refers to immediate siblings. For cousins, you would use '사촌 자매'.

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