Cette page dans ta langue
English العربية Deutsch Español 日本語 한국어 Português हिन्दी فارسی 中文
A2 noun Neutre 2 min de lecture

외아들

oeadeul /we̞adɯl/
Entraîne-toi

Overview

The Korean word '외아들' (pronounced 'oe-a-deul') directly translates to 'only son' in English. It's a compound word formed from '외' (oe), meaning 'single,' 'sole,' or 'only,' and '아들' (a-deul), meaning 'son.' This term specifically refers to a male child who has no siblings, meaning he is the sole son in the family.

Culturally, having an '외아들' has carried significant implications in traditional Korean society. Historically, there was a strong preference for sons due to their role in carrying on the family lineage, performing ancestral rites (제사 - jesa), and inheriting property. Therefore, an '외아들' was often seen as particularly precious and important for the continuation of the family name. This cultural emphasis could sometimes lead to an '외아들' being doted upon or experiencing unique pressures and responsibilities compared to children with siblings.

In contemporary Korean society, while the traditional emphasis on sons has diminished considerably, the term '외아들' is still commonly used to describe a family's only son. It's a neutral descriptive term, much like 'only child' in English, but it carries the gender-specific connotation. The social dynamics surrounding '외아들' have evolved; while they may still experience a certain level of parental attention, the intense pressure for lineage continuation is less prevalent than in past generations. The term can be used in various contexts, from casual conversations to more formal discussions about family structure or personal background.

Example sentences:

  • 그는 외아들이라서 부모님의 사랑을 독차지했다. (Geuneun oeadeuriraseo bumonimui sarangeul dokchajihaetda.) - He was an only son, so he monopolized his parents' love.
  • 외아들을 가진 어머니는 자식에게 거는 기대가 크다. (Oeadeureul gajin eomeonineun jasigege geoneun gidaega keuda.) - A mother who has an only son has great expectations for her child.
  • 저의 친구는 외아들입니다. (Jeoui chingu neun oeadeurimnida.) - My friend is an only son.

Exemples

1

그녀에게는 외아들이 하나 있다.

General conversation

She has one only son.

2

그는 외아들이라서 귀하게 자랐다.

Describing upbringing

He was an only son, so he was raised preciously.

3

외아들이 군대에 가서 부모님의 걱정이 많다.

Family concerns

Their only son went to the army, so his parents are very worried.

4

우리 집 외아들은 공부를 아주 잘해요.

Proud parent

Our only son is very good at studying.

5

그는 외아들이라 가문의 대를 이어야 했다.

Traditional family roles

As the only son, he had to carry on the family line.

Collocations courantes

귀한 외아들
늦둥이 외아들
하나뿐인 외아들

Souvent confondu avec

외아들 vs 외동딸
외아들 refers to an only son, while 외동딸 refers to an only daughter. Both describe a child without siblings, but differentiate based on gender.

Modèles grammaticaux

외아들 + 입니다/이다 (is an only son) 외아들로 태어나다 (to be born as an only son) 우리 외아들 (our only son)

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

The term '외아들' (oeaduel) is used to specifically refer to a family's single male child, implying that there are no other sons in the family. It can be used descriptively in sentences like '그는 외아들입니다' (Geu-neun oeaduel-imnida - He is an only son). While it literally means 'only son,' its usage often carries an underlying connotation of the special position or expectations associated with being the sole male heir. It's not typically used for a male child who has sisters but no brothers; in that case, one might simply say '아들' (adeul - son) or specify the number of children. The term can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall sentence structure and the relationship between the speakers. For example, a parent might refer to their 'oeaduel' fondly, while a third party might use it in a more neutral, descriptive way when discussing family composition. It's important to understand the cultural backdrop to fully grasp the nuances of '외아들' beyond its literal translation.

Erreurs courantes

A common mistake might be confusing '외아들' (oe-a-deul) with just '아들' (adeul). While '아들' simply means 'son', '외아들' specifically denotes an 'only son' in the family, meaning there are no other male siblings. Another potential mistake could be mispronouncing the '외' (oe) syllable, which can be tricky for non-native speakers, often sounding like 'we' or 'way' if not articulated correctly. The '외' vowel is pronounced by rounding your lips as if to say 'ooh' but then keeping your tongue in the position for 'eh'. It's a diphthong that requires practice. Additionally, some might mistakenly try to use it for an 'only child' regardless of gender, but '외아들' is specifically for a male child. For an only child without specifying gender, you might use '외동' (oe-dong) or '외동아이' (oe-dong-a-i).

Astuces

💡

Word Decomposition

The word '외아들' (oeadeul) is composed of two parts: '외' (oe) and '아들' (adeul). '외' means 'single,' 'one,' or 'sole,' and '아들' means 'son.' So, literally, '외아들' translates to 'single son' or 'sole son.'
💡

Cultural Context

In Korean culture, particularly in traditional contexts, having an '외아들' (only son) often carried significant weight due to societal expectations regarding lineage continuation and family headship. While these traditions are evolving, the term can still evoke a sense of special status or responsibility for the individual.
💡

Usage in Sentences

You can use '외아들' in sentences like: - 그는 우리 집의 외아들이에요. (Geuneun uri jibui oeadeurieyo.) - He is the only son of our family. - 외아들이라서 부모님의 기대가 커요. (Oeadeuliraseo bumonimui gidaega keoyo.) - Because he's an only son, his parents have high expectations.

Origine du mot

The Korean word '외아들' (oeadeul) refers to an 'only son.' Its etymology can be broken down into two main components: '외-' (oe-) and '아들' (adeul). 1. **외- (oe-)**: This prefix carries the meaning of 'single,' 'one,' or 'alone.' It is frequently used in Korean to denote uniqueness or singularity. For instance, '외동딸' (oedongttal) means 'only daughter,' and '외길' (oegil) means 'a single path' or 'one way.' This '외-' element is believed to have ancient origins, possibly stemming from proto-Koreanic roots related to isolation or singularity. Over time, its usage solidified in various compound words to specifically indicate a sole instance of something. 2. **아들 (adeul)**: This is the standard Korean word for 'son.' It is a fundamental term in family vocabulary and has a long history in the Korean language. The etymology of '아들' can be traced back to Middle Korean '아' (a.tʌl) and even further to Old Korean. While the exact proto-form is debated, it is generally accepted to be an ancient indigenous Korean word for a male offspring, without significant influence from Chinese characters (Hanja) in its core form, unlike many other Korean words. However, it's worth noting that Hanja such as 子 (ja, meaning son or child) or 兒 (a, meaning child) are often used in more formal or written contexts, but '아들' remains the most common spoken term. Combining these two elements: * **외- (single/only)** + **아들 (son)** = **외아들 (only son)** The compound '외아들' perfectly reflects its meaning: a male child who is the sole offspring of his parents, or the only male child among his siblings. This structure is very typical of Korean word formation, where a descriptive prefix is attached to a noun to specify its characteristic. Historically, especially in societies with strong patriarchal traditions or a preference for male heirs, the concept of an 'only son' (외아들) carried significant cultural weight. Such a son would often be seen as the sole inheritor of the family line, name, and property. While modern Korean society has evolved, the term '외아들' retains its clear and direct meaning, understood universally within the language.

Contexte culturel

In Korean culture, the concept of an 'only son' (외아들 - oeaduel) carries significant traditional weight, stemming from historical Confucian influences that prioritized the continuation of the family lineage through male heirs. Historically, having an only son was often seen as both a blessing and a burden. On one hand, it ensured the direct continuation of the family name and ancestral rites. On the other hand, it placed immense pressure on the 'oeaduel' to succeed, marry, and produce male offspring. This societal expectation could lead to a highly protective upbringing, where the only son might be doted upon and given preferential treatment. Families without a son, or with only daughters, might even adopt a son to fulfill these cultural duties, highlighting the deep-seated importance of male lineage. While modern South Korea has seen shifts in these patriarchal norms, the echoes of this cultural significance can still be found in family dynamics and social expectations, albeit in a less stringent form.

Astuce mémo

Visualize a lonely '외' (oe) standing by himself, emphasizing the 'only' aspect. The '아들' (adeul) part is common for 'son'. So, '외아들' (oe-a-deul) is the 'only son'.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions
'외아들' (oeadeul) is a Korean word that directly translates to 'only son'. It refers to a male child who has no siblings, meaning he is the sole son in a family. This term can carry cultural significance in Korea, as historically, having a son was often seen as very important for continuing the family line and traditions.
You can use '외아들' in various contexts. For example, you might say '저는 외아들이에요' (jeoneun oeadeurieyo), meaning 'I am an only son.' Or, '그는 집안의 외아들이었다' (geuneun jibaneui oeadeurieotda), which translates to 'He was the only son of the family.' It's a straightforward term to describe a family dynamic.
Yes, there can be. Traditionally, only sons often carried significant responsibility for the family, including upholding the family name, taking care of elderly parents, and performing ancestral rites. While modern Korean society is more egalitarian, some of these expectations or perceived roles might still subtly influence an only son's upbringing or life path. They might also be seen as especially cherished.
Yes, the term for an 'only daughter' in Korean is '외동딸' (oedongttal). Similar to '외아들', it refers to a female child who has no siblings. Both terms are commonly used to describe a child's birth order and family structure. There are also terms like '외동' (oedong) which can generally refer to an only child, regardless of gender.

Teste-toi

fill blank

그녀에게는 _____이 하나 있다.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

우리 할아버지의 _____은 우리 아버지이시다.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

그 부부는 ______을 애지중지 키웠다.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

Contenu associé

Ce mot dans d'autres langues

独生子 Chinois
C'tait utile ?

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !