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부모님

A1 noun 8 min read

부모님

bumonim

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 부모님 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 부모님 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '부모님' is one of the first essential nouns you learn. It represents 'parents' in a respectful way. You should focus on how to say 'My parents' (우리 부모님) and simple sentences like 'My parents are in Korea' (우리 부모님은 한국에 계세요). At this stage, you don't need to worry too much about complex honorifics, but you should remember to always use '부모님' instead of '부모' to sound polite. You will use this word to introduce your family and answer basic questions about your background. It is a foundational word for building social connections in Korean.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '부모님' with basic honorific grammar. This includes using the subject marker '-께서' and the honorific verb endings '-(으)세요'. You will also learn the dative particle '께' (to). For example, '부모님께 전화를 드려요' (I call my parents). You should be comfortable describing what your parents do, where they live, and your relationship with them using slightly more varied vocabulary. You will also encounter the word in the context of holidays like Parents' Day (어버이날) and learn about the cultural importance of family in Korea.

At the B1 level, you can use '부모님' in more complex sentence structures, such as those involving reasons, intentions, and experiences. You might discuss your parents' influence on your life or your plans to support them in the future. You will start to see the word in more formal contexts, like news articles about social issues or in workplace small talk. You should also be aware of related terms like '학부모' (parents of students) and how they differ from '부모님'. Your ability to maintain honorific agreement consistently throughout a conversation about parents is a key indicator of reaching the B1 level.

At the B2 level, you can engage in deeper discussions about parental roles, societal expectations, and the concept of filial piety (효). You might analyze how the portrayal of '부모님' in media has changed over time. You will understand the nuance between '부모님', '어버이', and '양친' and choose the appropriate term based on the register. You can also use '부모님' in more abstract discussions, such as the legal rights of parents or the economic impact of an aging society on families. Your language use should be natural, reflecting an understanding of both the linguistic and cultural weight of the word.

At the C1 level, you possess a sophisticated understanding of '부모님' and its related idioms and proverbs. You can discuss complex family dynamics, including conflicts and reconciliations, using nuanced language. You understand historical terms for parents used in literature and can appreciate the subtle emotional shifts when a writer chooses '어버이' over '부모님'. You can participate in academic or professional debates regarding family policy, education, and social welfare with high-level vocabulary. Your use of honorifics when referring to parents (yours or others') is flawless and adapts perfectly to the social context.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the word '부모님' and its place in the Korean psyche. You can interpret and use the word in high-level literary, philosophical, and legal contexts. You understand the deepest cultural connotations of the word, including its connection to ancestral rites and the historical evolution of the Korean family structure. You can use '부모님' in creative writing to evoke specific emotions or to critique social norms. Your mastery includes an effortless command of all honorific forms and the ability to navigate even the most complex social hierarchies with ease and grace.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

부모님 in 30 Seconds

부모님 means 'parents' and is the respectful way to refer to them in Korean.
It combines '부' (father), '모' (mother), and the honorific suffix '-님'.
Always use this word instead of the neutral '부모' in social situations.
It requires honorific grammar, like '-께서' (subject) and '-(으)세요' (verb).

The Korean word 부모님 (Bumonim) is the standard, respectful way to refer to one's parents or someone else's parents. In Korean culture, language is deeply intertwined with social hierarchy and respect. While the base word for parents is 부모 (Bumo), which combines the Hanja characters for father (父 - 부) and mother (母 - 모), it is rarely used in spoken conversation without the honorific suffix -님 (-nim). Adding this suffix elevates the status of the person being spoken about, reflecting the Confucian values of filial piety that are foundational to Korean society. When you say '부모님', you are not just identifying biological progenitors; you are acknowledging their role, authority, and the respect they deserve within the family structure.

Linguistic Composition: The word is a compound of '부' (Father), '모' (Mother), and the honorific '님'. This structure is common in Korean for titles of respect, such as '선생님' (Teacher) or '사장님' (Boss).
Social Context: In Korea, referring to your own parents as '부모' without the '님' can sound cold, clinical, or even disrespectful in a social setting. It is primarily used in legal documents, news reports, or academic contexts where emotional distance or objective categorization is required.

우리 부모님은 서울에 사십니다. (My parents live in Seoul.)

Note the use of '우리' (our) instead of '제' (my), which is a common cultural nuance.

People use this word daily. Whether you are introducing your family to a friend, discussing your weekend plans, or filling out a form at a hospital, '부모님' is the go-to term. It bridges the gap between the informal '엄마' (Mom) and '아빠' (Dad) and the overly formal or archaic terms sometimes found in literature. It is safe to use in almost any situation, making it one of the most essential nouns for a beginner to master. It signifies a transition from child-like speech to adult-like, respectful communication.

부모님께 선물을 드렸어요. (I gave a gift to my parents.)

Using '부모님' correctly involves more than just plugging it into an English sentence structure. Because '부모님' is an honorific noun, it often triggers specific grammar patterns in the rest of the sentence. This is known as 'honorific agreement.' For instance, when '부모님' is the subject of a sentence, you should use the honorific subject marker -께서 instead of the standard '-이/가', although in casual conversation, '-이/가' is still frequently heard. More importantly, the verb ending should change to the honorific -(으)시다 form.

The Dative Particle: Instead of using '에게' or '한테' (to), use '께'. For example, '부모님께' (to parents) is the polite way to indicate they are the recipients of an action.
The Possessive 'Our': Koreans rarely say '내 부모님' (my parents). Instead, they use '우리 부모님' (our parents). This reflects the communal nature of Korean culture where the family is viewed as a collective unit rather than individual possessions.

부모님께서 지금 주무세요. (My parents are sleeping now.)

Note the honorific verb '주무시다' used instead of '자다'.

When asking a question about someone else's parents, '부모님' is the only appropriate term. Asking '부모가 어디 있어?' (Where are the parents?) sounds like you are looking for the biological owners of a lost child in a very detached way. Instead, '부모님은 어디 계세요?' (Where are your parents?) is the polite and expected inquiry. The verb '계시다' (to exist/stay) is used here instead of '있다' to maintain the honorific level established by '부모님'. Mastering these pairings is the key to sounding natural and respectful in Korean.

내일은 부모님을 뵈러 고향에 가요. (I'm going to my hometown to see my parents tomorrow.)

In South Korea, '부모님' is a word that permeates every stage of life. From elementary school students talking about their weekend to elderly adults discussing their aging parents, it is a constant. In K-Dramas, you will often hear it during emotional scenes where a character expresses gratitude or regret toward their family. It is also a staple in news reports concerning family welfare, demographic shifts (like the aging population), and holiday travel. During 'Chuseok' (Korean Thanksgiving) or 'Seollal' (Lunar New Year), the word '부모님' is heard everywhere as millions of people travel across the country to visit their ancestral homes.

Educational Settings: Teachers will frequently use '부모님' when addressing students about permission slips or parent-teacher conferences. '부모님께 이 편지를 전해드려라' (Give this letter to your parents).
Public Announcements: In malls or parks, if a child is lost, the announcement will often say, '아이의 부모님을 찾습니다' (We are looking for the child's parents).

어버이날에는 부모님 가슴에 카네이션을 달아드려요. (On Parents' Day, we pin carnations on our parents' chests.)

Another interesting place you'll hear it is in the workplace. Even in professional settings, colleagues might ask about each other's parents' health as a form of polite small talk. '부모님은 건강하시죠?' (Your parents are healthy, right?) is a common way to show care and build rapport. This demonstrates that '부모님' isn't just a family word; it's a social lubricant that signals empathy and shared values. You'll also see it in marketing, especially around May (Family Month), where advertisements for health supplements or massage chairs target those looking to buy gifts for their parents.

요즘 부모님 모시고 여행 가는 사람들이 많아요. (These days, there are many people who go on trips with their parents.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is omitting the honorific suffix '-님'. In English, 'parents' is neutral. In Korean, '부모' is neutral but socially risky. If you say '우리 부모가...', it can sound like you are talking about your parents as if they are objects or people you don't respect. Always default to '부모님' unless you are writing a technical report or a dictionary definition. Another common error is using the wrong pronouns. English speakers naturally want to say '제 부모님' (my parents), but in Korean, '우리 부모님' (our parents) is the standard. Using '제' isn't grammatically wrong, but it can sound a bit individualistic or even slightly awkward in a traditional context.

The 'Si' Suffix Neglect: Using '부모님' as the subject but failing to add '-(으)시' to the verb. For example, '부모님이 와요' is grammatically okay but socially incomplete. It should be '부모님께서 오세요'.
Confusing with 'Parents-in-law': Learners sometimes use '부모님' for their spouse's parents. While technically they are parents, Korean has specific terms for parents-in-law like '시부모님' (husband's parents) or '처부모님' (wife's parents).

Incorrect: 부모님이 밥을 먹어요. (Parents eat food.)
Correct: 부모님께서 진지를 드세요. (Parents eat - honorific.)

Finally, be careful with the particle '-의' (possessive). While '부모님의 집' (parents' house) is correct, in spoken Korean, the '-의' is often dropped or replaced by '우리' if it's your own parents. Saying '내 부모님의 친구' sounds like a direct translation from English. It's more natural to say '우리 부모님 친구분' (A friend of my parents). Paying attention to these small nuances will separate a beginner from a more intermediate, culturally-aware speaker.

Avoid: 제 부모님 (My parents)
Prefer: 우리 부모님 (Our parents)

While '부모님' is the most common term, Korean has several other words to refer to parents depending on the level of formality, the specific relationship, or the literary context. Understanding these alternatives will help you navigate different social situations and better understand Korean media. For example, '어버이' is a beautiful, somewhat poetic term that encompasses both parents. It is most famously used in '어버이날' (Parents' Day). It carries a sense of deep gratitude and emotional weight that '부모님' sometimes lacks in its everyday usage.

양친 (Yangchin): A formal Sino-Korean term for 'both parents'. You might see this in legal documents or hear it in very formal announcements. It literally means 'both (양) relatives (친)'.
가친 (Gachin) / 자친 (Jachin): These are highly formal, traditional ways to refer to one's own father or mother when speaking to someone else. They are rarely used in modern daily life but appear in historical dramas (Sageuk) or very traditional families.

그분은 양친을 일찍 여의셨어요. (That person lost both their parents at an early age.)

'양친' is used here to emphasize the collective loss in a formal tone.

On the other hand, '엄마' and '아빠' are the terms children (and many adults) use when speaking *to* their parents directly. However, when speaking *about* them to someone else, you would switch to '어머니' (Mother) and '아버지' (Father), or the collective '부모님'. There is also the term '학부모' (Hak-bumo), which specifically refers to parents of students. This is a word you will hear constantly in the context of the Korean education system. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the word that best fits the social distance and context of your conversation.

학교 정문 앞에 학부모들이 모여 있어요. (Parents of students are gathered in front of the school gate.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, the characters for father and mother were often used to represent the sky and the earth, symbolizing the foundation of life.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bu.mo.nim/

US /bu.moʊ.nɪm/

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but the 'nim' is often slightly emphasized to show respect.

Rhymes With

선생님 (Seonsaengnim) 사장님 (Sajangnim) 형님 (Hyeongnim) 누님 (Nunim) 스님 (Seunim) 임님 (Imnim) 장님 (Jangnim) 고객님 (Gogaeknim)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'bu' as 'pu'.
Failing to pronounce the 'm' in 'nim' clearly.
Making the 'o' sound like 'u' (bumunim).
Over-emphasizing the first syllable.
Using a hard 'p' sound for 'b'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize and read as it appears early in learning.

Writing 1/5

Simple characters with no complex batchim.

Speaking 2/5

Requires attention to honorific verb agreement.

Listening 1/5

Clear pronunciation and very high frequency.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

어머니 아버지 님 가족 나

Learn Next

조부모님 형제 자매 친척 효도

Advanced

부양하다 가부장적 슬하 여위다 함자

Grammar to Know

Honorific Suffix -님

선생님, 사장님, 부모님

Honorific Subject Marker -께서

부모님께서 오십니다.

Honorific Verb Ending -(으)시다

부모님께서 주무십니다.

Honorific Dative -께

부모님께 드립니다.

Humble Verbs (드리다, 뵙다)

부모님께 선물을 드립니다.

Examples by Level

우리 부모님은 집에 계세요.

My parents are at home.

Uses '계시다' (honorific 'to be') for parents.

부모님을 사랑해요.

I love my parents.

Standard object marker '을' is used here.

부모님은 어디에 사세요?

Where do your parents live?

Uses honorific ending '-(으)세요'.

우리 부모님은 친절해요.

My parents are kind.

Simple adjective usage.

부모님께 편지를 써요.

I write a letter to my parents.

Uses honorific dative '께'.

부모님은 한국 사람이에요.

My parents are Korean.

Basic '-(이)에요' ending.

부모님과 같이 밥을 먹어요.

I eat with my parents.

Uses '-과 같이' (together with).

부모님 성함이 뭐예요?

What are your parents' names?

Uses '성함' (honorific for name).

부모님께 선물을 드리고 싶어요.

I want to give a gift to my parents.

Uses '드리다' (humble 'to give').

부모님께서 어제 서울에 오셨어요.

My parents came to Seoul yesterday.

Uses honorific subject marker '-께서'.

부모님은 주말마다 등산을 가세요.

My parents go hiking every weekend.

Uses '-마다' (every) and honorific ending.

이번 방학에 부모님을 뵈러 갈 거예요.

I will go to see my parents this vacation.

Uses '뵙다' (humble 'to see/meet').

부모님께서 저를 많이 걱정하세요.

My parents worry about me a lot.

Honorific '-(으)시다' in '걱정하시다'.

부모님 말씀을 잘 들어야 해요.

You must listen to your parents' words.

Uses '말씀' (honorific for words/speech).

부모님께 안부 전화를 자주 드려요.

I often call my parents to check in.

Uses '안부' (safety/well-being).

부모님은 제가 행복하기를 바라세요.

My parents want me to be happy.

Uses '바라다' (to hope/want) in honorific form.

부모님께 허락을 받고 여행을 가기로 했어요.

I decided to go on a trip after getting permission from my parents.

Uses '-기로 하다' (decided to).

부모님의 기대에 부응하고 싶어서 열심히 공부해요.

I study hard because I want to meet my parents' expectations.

Uses '기대에 부응하다' (meet expectations).

부모님께서 반대하셨지만 저는 제 꿈을 포기하지 않았어요.

Although my parents opposed it, I didn't give up on my dream.

Uses '-지만' (but/although).

부모님을 모시고 맛있는 식당에 다녀왔어요.

I went to a delicious restaurant with my parents (accompanying them).

Uses '모시다' (to accompany/take care of an elder).

부모님께서는 제가 어릴 때부터 자립심을 키워주셨어요.

My parents have fostered independence in me since I was young.

Uses '자립심' (independence).

부모님과 떨어져 살면서 가족의 소중함을 깨달았어요.

Living apart from my parents, I realized the preciousness of family.

Uses '-면서' (while).

부모님의 건강이 예전만 못해서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because my parents' health isn't what it used to be.

Uses '예전만 못하다' (not as good as before).

부모님께 효도하는 방법은 여러 가지가 있어요.

There are many ways to show filial piety to parents.

Uses '효도하다' (to practice filial piety).

부모님의 가치관이 저의 인생관에 큰 영향을 미쳤습니다.

My parents' values have greatly influenced my outlook on life.

Uses '영향을 미치다' (to influence).

부모님 세대와 우리 세대 사이에는 가치관의 차이가 존재합니다.

There is a difference in values between our parents' generation and ours.

Uses '세대' (generation).

부모님께서는 자식이 올바른 길을 가도록 항상 이끌어 주십니다.

Parents always lead their children to follow the right path.

Uses '-도록' (so that/in order to).

부모님의 희생 덕분에 제가 지금 이 자리에 있을 수 있었습니다.

Thanks to my parents' sacrifice, I was able to be where I am today.

Uses '희생' (sacrifice) and '- 덕분에' (thanks to).

부모님을 부양하는 문제로 형제들 사이에 갈등이 생기기도 합니다.

Conflicts sometimes arise between siblings over the issue of supporting parents.

Uses '부양하다' (to support/provide for).

부모님께서는 제가 어떤 선택을 하든 저를 믿어 주셨습니다.

My parents trusted me no matter what choice I made.

Uses '-든' (no matter what).

부모님의 사랑은 조건 없는 헌신이라고 생각합니다.

I believe parents' love is unconditional devotion.

Uses '헌신' (devotion).

부모님과 진솔한 대화를 나누는 시간을 갖는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to have time for sincere conversations with parents.

Uses '진솔하다' (sincere/frank).

부모님의 엄격한 훈육 방식이 저를 강하게 만들었습니다.

My parents' strict discipline made me strong.

Uses '훈육' (discipline/upbringing).

부모님에 대한 그리움이 사무칠 때면 고향 하늘을 바라봅니다.

When my longing for my parents becomes piercing, I look at the sky of my hometown.

Uses '사무치다' (to pierce/penetrate deeply).

부모님의 함자를 함부로 부르는 것은 예의에 어긋나는 행동입니다.

Calling parents' names carelessly is a behavior that goes against etiquette.

Uses '함자' (honorific for name) and '어긋나다' (to go against).

부모님께서는 평생을 자식 뒷바라지에만 전념하셨습니다.

My parents devoted their entire lives solely to supporting their children.

Uses '뒷바라지' (taking care/supporting) and '전념하다' (to devote oneself).

부모님의 가르침은 제 삶의 이정표와도 같습니다.

My parents' teachings are like a milestone in my life.

Uses '이정표' (milestone/signpost).

부모님을 여읜 슬픔은 말로 다 표현할 수 없습니다.

The sorrow of losing one's parents cannot be fully expressed in words.

Uses '여위다' (to lose a loved one - formal).

부모님의 노후 대책을 마련하는 것은 자식의 도리입니다.

Preparing for parents' old age is a child's duty.

Uses '노후 대책' (old age preparation) and '도리' (duty/way).

부모님이라는 존재는 우리에게 영원한 안식처입니다.

The existence of parents is an eternal sanctuary for us.

Uses '안식처' (sanctuary/resting place).

부모님의 자애로운 눈빛 속에서 무한한 위로를 얻습니다.

I find infinite comfort in my parents' benevolent gaze.

Uses '자애롭다' (benevolent/affectionate).

부모님의 함자를 여쭙는 것은 전통적인 예법의 기초입니다.

Inquiring about someone's parents' names is the basis of traditional etiquette.

Uses '여쭙다' (humble 'to ask/inquire').

부모님의 유지를 받들어 가업을 이어가기로 결심했습니다.

I decided to continue the family business, upholding my parents' dying wishes.

Uses '유지' (dying wish) and '받들다' (to uphold/revere).

부모님의 은혜는 하늘보다 높고 바다보다 깊다고 합니다.

It is said that parents' grace is higher than the sky and deeper than the sea.

Uses '은혜' (grace/kindness).

부모님께서는 풍파 속에서도 흔들림 없이 가정을 지키셨습니다.

My parents protected the family without wavering even amidst hardships.

Uses '풍파' (hardships/trials).

부모님의 헌신적인 삶은 그 자체로 하나의 숭고한 서사시입니다.

A parents' devoted life is in itself a sublime epic.

Uses '숭고하다' (sublime) and '서사시' (epic poem).

부모님이라는 거울을 통해 우리는 자신의 내면을 들여다봅니다.

Through the mirror of our parents, we look into our own inner selves.

Metaphorical usage.

부모님의 부재는 삶의 커다란 구멍처럼 느껴질 때가 있습니다.

There are times when the absence of parents feels like a large hole in one's life.

Uses '부재' (absence).

Common Collocations

부모님께 효도하다

부모님을 모시다

부모님 말씀

부모님의 기대

부모님 성함

부모님 동의

부모님의 은혜

부모님 곁

부모님 건강

부모님 용돈

Common Phrases

부모님 안부

— Inquiring about parents' well-being. It is a common social courtesy.

부모님 안부 좀 전해 주세요.

부모님 슬하

— Under the care of parents. '슬하' literally means 'under the knees'.

그는 부모님 슬하를 떠나 유학을 갔다.

부모님 덕분

— Thanks to one's parents. Used to express gratitude for success.

제가 성공한 것은 다 부모님 덕분입니다.

부모님 얼굴

— To see one's parents. Often used when someone hasn't visited in a while.

오랜만에 부모님 얼굴 보러 가요.

부모님 마음

— A parent's heart/feelings. Usually refers to unconditional love or worry.

자식을 걱정하는 건 다 부모님 마음이죠.

부모님 반대

— Parents' opposition. Common in discussions about marriage or career.

부모님 반대에 부딪혔어요.

부모님 허락

— Parents' permission. Required for many things for minors.

부모님 허락 없이는 안 돼요.

부모님 기일

— The anniversary of parents' death. An important day for ancestral rites.

내일이 부모님 기일이라 고향에 가요.

부모님 선물

— A gift for parents. Very common topic during holidays.

부모님 선물로 뭐가 좋을까요?

부모님 원망

— Resenting one's parents. A heavy emotional topic.

그는 부모님을 원망하며 살았다.

Often Confused With

부모님 vs 부부

Means 'married couple' (husband and wife). Don't confuse it with '부모' (parents).

부모님 vs 어버이

A more emotional/poetic term for parents, mainly used on Parents' Day.

부모님 vs 학부모

Specifically refers to parents in their role as guardians of students.

Idioms & Expressions

"부모님을 호강시켜 드리다"

— To let one's parents live in luxury or comfort after a life of hard work.

돈 많이 벌어서 부모님 호강시켜 드리고 싶어요.

Spoken/Common

"부모님 가슴에 못을 박다"

— To break one's parents' heart deeply (literally 'to drive a nail into parents' chest').

자식이 부모님 가슴에 못을 박으면 안 된다.

Emotional/Idiomatic

"부모님 속을 썩이다"

— To cause one's parents a lot of worry or trouble.

그는 어릴 때 부모님 속을 많이 썩였다.

Common

"부모님 낯을 깎다"

— To bring shame to one's parents (literally 'to shave parents' face').

그런 행동은 부모님 낯을 깎는 일이다.

Traditional

"부모님 등골을 빼먹다"

— To live off one's parents' hard-earned money without contributing (literally 'to eat the marrow of parents' spine').

서른이 넘어서도 부모님 등골을 빼먹고 살면 안 되지.

Critical/Slangy

"부모님 손을 빌리다"

— To get help or support from one's parents.

결혼할 때 부모님 손을 좀 빌렸어요.

Neutral

"부모님 그림자도 밟지 않는다"

— To show extreme respect to parents (literally 'to not even step on parents' shadow').

예전에는 부모님 그림자도 밟지 않을 정도로 공경했다.

Archaic/Proverbial

"부모님 눈에 흙이 들어가기 전까지"

— As long as parents are alive (literally 'until dirt enters parents' eyes'). Often used in opposition.

내 눈에 흙이 들어가기 전까지 그 결혼은 안 된다!

Dramatic/Traditional

"부모님 그늘"

— Under the protection or influence of parents.

그는 아직 부모님 그늘에서 벗어나지 못했다.

Metaphorical

"부모님께 효도하면 자식에게 효도 받는다"

— If you treat your parents well, your children will treat you well.

부모님께 효도하면 자식에게 효도 받는 법이다.

Proverbial

Easily Confused

부모님 vs 부모

It's the base word without the honorific.

부모 is neutral/clinical; 부모님 is respectful and used in 99% of social interactions.

부모의 역할 (The role of parents - academic context)

부모님 vs 조부모님

Sounds similar but refers to grandparents.

조부모님 includes the '조' (grandfather/ancestor) character.

조부모님 댁은 시골에 있어요.

부모님 vs 시부모님

Refers to a specific type of parent.

Specifically the husband's parents.

시부모님과 함께 살아요.

부모님 vs 처부모님

Refers to a specific type of parent.

Specifically the wife's parents.

처부모님을 뵈러 가요.

부모님 vs 양친

Formal Sino-Korean synonym.

Used in very formal or legal contexts to mean 'both parents'.

양친이 모두 생존해 계십니다.

Sentence Patterns

우리 부모님은 [Place]에 계세요.

우리 부모님은 미국에 계세요.

부모님께 [Noun]을/를 드려요.

부모님께 꽃을 드려요.

부모님께서 [Verb]-(으)세요.

부모님께서 운동하세요.

부모님을 뵈러 [Place]에 가요.

부모님을 뵈러 부산에 가요.

부모님 덕분에 [Result].

부모님 덕분에 공부를 마쳤어요.

부모님을 모시고 [Action].

부모님을 모시고 여행을 가요.

부모님의 기대에 부응하기 위해 [Action].

부모님의 기대에 부응하기 위해 노력해요.

부모님의 유지를 받들어 [Action].

부모님의 유지를 받들어 가업을 이었습니다.

Word Family

Nouns

부모 (Parents - neutral)

어머니 (Mother)

아버지 (Father)

엄마 (Mom)

아빠 (Dad)

Verbs

부모 노릇하다 (To act as a parent)

부모님을 모시다 (To serve/take care of parents)

Adjectives

부모답다 (To be like a parent)

가족 (Family)

효도 (Filial piety)

조부모님 (Grandparents)

형제 (Siblings)

자녀 (Children)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Korean.

Common Mistakes

Using '부모' instead of '부모님' in conversation. → 우리 부모님은...
Using '부모' sounds cold and clinical. Adding '-님' is necessary for social politeness.
Using '제 부모님' instead of '우리 부모님'. → 우리 부모님
Koreans prefer the collective '우리' (our) when referring to family members.
Using '부모님이 있어요' instead of '부모님께서 계세요'. → 부모님께서 계세요.
Honorific subjects require honorific verbs like '계시다'.
Using '부모님에게' instead of '부모님께'. → 부모님께
The particle '께' is the honorific version of '에게' (to).
Referring to parents-in-law as just '부모님'. → 시부모님 / 처부모님
Korean has specific terms for in-laws that should be used to avoid confusion.

Tips

Subject Marker Choice

When using '부모님' as a subject, prefer '-께서' over '-이/가' to show maximum respect. It makes you sound very polite and well-educated.

Use 'Our' Not 'My'

Always try to say '우리 부모님' (Our parents). Even if you are an only child, this is the standard way to refer to your own parents in Korean society.

Honorific Pairings

Memorize '부모님' along with honorific verbs like '계시다' (to be), '주무시다' (to sleep), and '드시다' (to eat). They always go together.

Asking About Others

Asking '부모님은 잘 계시죠?' is a great way to show you care about someone's family. It's a standard polite inquiry in Korea.

Formal Letters

In letters to your parents, you can use '올림' or '드림' at the end to show humility, while referring to them as '부모님' throughout.

Names are Sacred

Never call your parents by their names. If you must provide their names to someone else, use the term '함자' instead of '이름' to be respectful.

Listen for '-님'

The suffix '-님' is a huge clue. Whenever you hear it, you know the speaker is showing respect to the person they are talking about.

Tone Matters

When talking about your parents, maintain a respectful and warm tone. Your attitude is just as important as the words you choose.

Association

Associate '부모님' with the carnation flower, which is the symbol of Parents' Day in Korea. It will help you remember the word's importance.

Sino-Korean Roots

Learning the Hanja (父 - Father, 母 - Mother) will help you understand many other related words like '부친' (father) and '모친' (mother).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Bu' as 'Blue' (Father) and 'Mo' as 'Mom'. Together they are your 'Blue-Mom' (Parents) whom you respect with '-nim'.

Visual Association

Imagine a child bowing to their father and mother while holding a gift. The '-nim' is like a crown on their heads.

Word Web

Family Respect Love Home Care Honor Father Mother

Challenge

Try to say '우리 부모님' five times fast while thinking of something you are grateful to them for.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean word derived from the characters '父' (father) and '母' (mother). The suffix '-님' is a native Korean honorific.

Original meaning: The collective term for the male and female heads of a household who provided life.

Sino-Korean (Hanja) + Native Korean suffix.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using '부모님' around people who may have lost their parents or have a difficult relationship with them. While it's the standard term, it can be a sensitive topic.

In English, 'parents' is neutral. In Korean, '부모님' carries a much stronger sense of social obligation and honor.

The song '어머님께' (To Mother) by g.o.d. The movie 'Ode to My Father' (국제시장) which focuses on parental sacrifice. The poem '엄마는 그래도 되는 줄 알았습니다' (I thought Mom was supposed to be like that).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Introducing Family

우리 부모님을 소개할게요.
부모님은 두 분 다 계세요.
부모님은 한국에 계세요.
부모님은 공무원이세요.

Holidays & Celebrations

부모님 댁에 가요.
부모님께 용돈을 드려요.
부모님 선물을 샀어요.
부모님과 식사해요.

Health & Well-being

부모님 건강은 어떠세요?
부모님이 편찮으세요.
부모님 모시고 병원 가요.
부모님 오래 사세요.

School/Education

부모님 동의서 가져와.
부모님 상담이 있어요.
부모님께 연락드려.
학부모 회의입니다.

Social Small Talk

부모님은 잘 계시죠?
부모님 안부 전해 주세요.
부모님께서 좋아하시겠어요.
부모님 닮으셨네요.

Conversation Starters

"부모님은 어디에 사세요? (Where do your parents live?)"

"부모님 성함이 어떻게 되세요? (What are your parents' names?)"

"부모님은 어떤 일을 하세요? (What kind of work do your parents do?)"

"부모님과 자주 연락하세요? (Do you contact your parents often?)"

"부모님께 가장 감사한 점이 뭐예요? (What are you most grateful to your parents for?)"

Journal Prompts

부모님에 대해 가장 기억에 남는 추억을 써 보세요. (Write about your most memorable memory of your parents.)

부모님께 드리고 싶은 편지를 한국어로 써 보세요. (Write a letter you want to give to your parents in Korean.)

부모님의 성격과 나의 성격이 어떻게 닮았는지 써 보세요. (Write about how your parents' personalities and yours are similar.)

부모님을 위해 내가 할 수 있는 효도는 무엇일까요? (What kind of filial piety can I do for my parents?)

부모님이 나에게 해 주신 가장 큰 희생은 무엇인가요? (What is the biggest sacrifice your parents made for you?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in fact, you should! Using '부모님' for your own parents shows that you respect them and have good manners. If you use '부모', it sounds very detached or even rude in a social setting.

While '제 부모님' is grammatically correct, '우리 부모님' is much more natural and culturally appropriate in Korean. It reflects the idea that the family is a shared collective.

If they are the subject, use '-께서' for high respect or '-이/가' for neutral politeness. If they are the recipient of an action, use '-께' instead of '-에게'.

Yes, to be fully respectful, you should use honorific verb forms like '-(으)세요' or '-(으)십니다'. For example, instead of '있다', use '계시다'.

Use '어버이' in poetic contexts, songs, or specifically for 'Parents' Day' (어버이날). In daily conversation, '부모님' is much more common.

It's a combination of '학생' (student) and '부모' (parents). It refers to parents in the context of their children's school or education.

No, you usually address them as '어머니' (Mother) and '아버지' (Father), or '엄마' and '아빠'. '부모님' is used when talking ABOUT them to others.

It can be both, but it's almost always used to refer to both parents collectively. If you want to specify one, use '어머니' or '아버지'.

For a woman, it's '시부모님'. For a man, it's '처부모님'. You can also use '장인어른' and '장모님' for the wife's parents specifically.

It is the act of being a good, respectful, and supportive child to your parents. It's a very important concept in Korean culture related to '부모님'.