어버이날 in 30 Seconds
- 어버이날 is South Korea's Parents' Day, celebrated every May 8th to honor both mothers and fathers simultaneously.
- The primary tradition involves giving red carnations and gifts like cash (용돈) or health supplements to express gratitude.
- Rooted in the Confucian value of filial piety (효), it is a day for family gatherings and showing respect to elders.
- Though not a public holiday, it is one of the most significant cultural anniversaries during the 'Month of Family' in May.
The word 어버이날 (Eobeoinal) is a compound noun in Korean that refers to 'Parents\' Day.' In South Korea, this special day is celebrated annually on May 8th. Unlike many Western countries that have separate days for mothers and fathers, South Korea combines them into one unified celebration to honor the love, sacrifice, and dedication of both parents simultaneously. The word itself is composed of '어버이' (eobeoi), an archaic or formal way of saying 'parents' (combining '어버' from 어머니/mother and '이' from 아버지/father), and '날' (nal), which means 'day.'
- Cultural Context
- This holiday is deeply rooted in the Confucian value of Hyo (효), or filial piety, which emphasizes the duty and respect children owe to their parents and ancestors. It is not just a commercial holiday but a day of profound social significance where the entire nation acknowledges the foundational role of the family unit.
내일은 어버이날이라서 부모님께 드릴 카네이션을 샀어요. (Since tomorrow is Parents' Day, I bought carnations to give to my parents.)
The tradition of Parents' Day in Korea began in 1956 as 'Mother's Day' (어머니날), but in 1973, it was renamed to Parents' Day to include fathers and ensure that the collective contribution of both parents was recognized. On this day, children typically gift their parents red carnations. This practice stems from Western influence but has become a quintessential Korean tradition. In schools, children often spend time making paper carnations or writing letters of gratitude to their parents. Adults often take their parents out for a nice meal or provide 'pocket money' (용돈), which has become one of the most popular gifts in recent years.
- Common Activities
- 1. Pinning carnations on parents' chests. 2. Giving cash gifts (용돈). 3. Family dinners at restaurants. 4. Sending heartfelt messages via KakaoTalk or letters.
어버이날을 맞아 온 가족이 모여 식사를 했습니다. (The whole family gathered for a meal to celebrate Parents' Day.)
Using 어버이날 in a sentence is relatively straightforward as it functions as a time-specific noun. Because it is a holiday, it is frequently used with particles like '-에' (at/on) to indicate when an action occurs. Furthermore, because it involves parents, you will almost always see it paired with honorific verbs and nouns to show proper respect.
- Sentence Structure 1: Time Marking
- Use '어버이날에' to say 'On Parents' Day.' Example: 어버이날에 무엇을 할 거예요? (What are you going to do on Parents' Day?)
어버이날 선물로 건강식품을 준비했어요. (I prepared health supplements as a Parents' Day gift.)
When discussing the act of giving gifts or performing filial duties, the verb '드리다' (the honorific form of '주다' - to give) is essential. Instead of saying '부모님한테 선물을 줬어요,' you should say '부모님께 선물을 드렸어요.' This linguistic nuance is critical when talking about 어버이날 because the holiday itself is centered on respect.
- Common Verb Pairings
- - 챙기다 (to celebrate/take care of): 어버이날을 챙기다. - 맞이하다 (to greet/welcome): 어버이날을 맞이하여. - 보내다 (to spend time): 어버이날을 부모님과 보내다.
이번 어버이날에는 고향에 내려갈 수 없어서 전화를 드렸어요. (I couldn't go to my hometown this Parents' Day, so I called them.)
You will encounter 어버이날 in various settings throughout late April and early May in South Korea. It is a peak season for retail, so advertisements are everywhere. Florists set up stalls on street corners specifically selling carnation baskets. Department stores and online malls run '어버이날 기획전' (Parents' Day Special Exhibitions) featuring massage chairs, red ginseng, and luxury goods.
- In the Media
- News broadcasts often feature stories about 'filial children' (효자/효녀) who have gone above and beyond for their parents. Variety shows might have special episodes where celebrities visit their parents or talk about their family history.
뉴스에서 어버이날 인기 선물 순위를 발표했습니다. (The news announced the ranking of popular Parents' Day gifts.)
In educational settings, teachers lead discussions about the meaning of family. You will hear students talking about what they made in art class. In the workplace, colleagues might ask each other, "어버이날에 부모님 뵈러 가세요?" (Are you going to see your parents on Parents' Day?). It is also a common topic in religious services, where sermons might focus on the commandment to honor one's father and mother.
백화점이 어버이날을 준비하는 손님들로 붐비고 있어요. (The department store is crowded with customers preparing for Parents' Day.)
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is assuming there is a separate Mother's Day and Father's Day in Korea. If you try to say '어머니날' (Mother's Day) or '아버지날' (Father's Day), people will understand you, but they will immediately correct you to 어버이날. Remember, it is a single day for both.
- Vocabulary Confusion
- Mistaking '어버이' for '부모'. While '부모님' is used to refer to parents in 99% of daily life, the holiday name is fixed as '어버이날'. You cannot say '부모님날'.
Incorrect: 부모님날에 선물을 드려요. Correct: 어버이날에 선물을 드려요.
Another mistake involves the date. Western Parents' Days often fall on Sundays (like Mother's Day in the US). However, Korean Parents' Day is always May 8th, regardless of the day of the week. It is not a public holiday (red day), so businesses and schools remain open, which often surprises foreigners. People usually celebrate in the evening or on the preceding/following weekend.
어버이날은 공휴일이 아니지만 매우 중요한 날입니다. (Parents' Day is not a public holiday, but it is a very important day.)
To broaden your vocabulary, it's helpful to look at words related to 어버이날 and how they differ in nuance and usage.
- 어버이 vs. 부모 (Parents)
- 부모 (Bumo): The standard, modern word for parents. Used in 99% of conversations. Usually appended with '-님' (부모님).
어버이 (Eobeoi): A more formal, literary, or traditional term. It carries a heavy emotional weight of gratitude and is rarely used in casual speech except when referring to the holiday.
그는 진정한 어버이의 사랑을 보여주었습니다. (He showed the true love of a parent.)
Other related holidays include 어린이날 (Children's Day, May 5th) and 스승의 날 (Teachers' Day, May 15th). Together with Parents' Day, May is known as '가정의 달' (Month of the Family). While Children's Day is a public holiday where schools close, Parents' Day and Teachers' Day are working days.
- Word Comparison
- - 효도 (Hyodo): Filial duty/piety. The action of taking care of parents. - 가족 (Gajok): Family. A broader term including siblings and relatives. - 기념일 (Ginyeom-il): Anniversary/Commemoration day. General term for special days.
Fun Fact
Before 1973, Korea celebrated 'Mother's Day' (어머니날) on May 8th. It was changed to 'Parents' Day' (어버이날) because fathers felt left out, and the government wanted to promote a more inclusive family-oriented social policy.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'eo' as 'oh'. It should be more open, like 'uh'.
- Mixing up '어버이' with '어린이' (children).
- Failing to pronounce the batchim 'ㄹ' in '날' clearly.
- Pronouncing 'i' as a short 'ih' sound instead of a long 'ee'.
- Adding an English-style stress on the first syllable.
Examples by Level
오늘은 어버이날입니다.
Today is Parents' Day.
The '-입니다' ending is the most formal polite way to say 'is'.
어버이날은 5월 8일이에요.
Parents' Day is May 8th.
'-이에요' is the standard polite ending for nouns ending in a consonant.
부모님, 어버이날 축하드려요!
Parents, Happy Parents' Day!
'축하드려요' is the honorific way to say 'Congratulations' or 'Happy...'.
저는 어버이날이 좋아요.
I like Parents' Day.
'-이 좋아요' means 'to like' or 'is good'.
카네이션은 예뻐요.
The carnation is pretty.
'-은/는' is the topic marker.
엄마, 아빠 감사합니다.
Mom, Dad, thank you.
'감사합니다' is the standard formal 'Thank you'.
어버이날에 꽃을 사요.
I buy flowers on Parents' Day.
'-에' marks the time of the action.
우리 가족은 행복해요.
Our family is happy.
'우리' means 'our' or 'we'.
어버이날에 부모님께 카네이션을 드렸어요.
I gave carnations to my parents on Parents' Day.
'-께' is the honorific version of '-한테' (to/for someone).
어버이날 선물로 무엇이 좋을까요?
What would be good as a Parents' Day gift?
'-로' indicates the status or capacity (as a gift).
이번 어버이날에는 부모님과 식사를 할 거예요.
I will have a meal with my parents this Parents' Day.
'-ㄹ 거예요' indicates future intent.
학교에서 어버이날 카드를 만들었습니다.
I made a Parents' Day card at school.
'-에서' marks the location of the action.
어버이날에는 꽃집에 사람이 아주 많아요.
There are many people at the flower shop on Parents' Day.
'많아요' means 'to be many/a lot'.
부모님께 감사 편지를 썼어요.
I wrote a thank-you letter to my parents.
'썼어요' is the past tense of '쓰다' (to write).
어버이날을 위해 용돈을 모았어요.
I saved up pocket money for Parents' Day.
'-을 위해' means 'for' or 'for the sake of'.
어버이날은 한국에서 아주 중요한 날이에요.
Parents' Day is a very important day in Korea.
'중요한' is the adjective form of '중요하다' (to be important).
어버이날을 맞아 부모님 은혜에 다시 한번 감사하게 됩니다.
On the occasion of Parents' Day, I feel grateful for my parents' grace once again.
'-을 맞아' means 'to meet/greet an occasion'.
부모님께서 어버이날 선물로 현금을 가장 선호하신다고 해요.
They say parents prefer cash the most as a Parents' Day gift.
'-고 해요' is a shortened form of indirect quotation.
어버이날에는 평소보다 식당 예약이 훨씬 어렵습니다.
It is much harder to make restaurant reservations on Parents' Day than usual.
'-보다' is used for comparisons (than).
멀리 살고 있어서 어버이날에 부모님을 찾아뵙지 못해 죄송해요.
I'm sorry I couldn't visit my parents on Parents' Day because I live far away.
'찾아뵙다' is the humble form of 'to visit'.
어린 시절에는 어버이날마다 종이 카네이션을 만들곤 했어요.
When I was young, I used to make paper carnations every Parents' Day.
'-곤 했다' indicates a past habit.
어버이날은 부모님의 사랑을 되새기는 소중한 시간입니다.
Parents' Day is a precious time to reflect on parents' love.
'되새기는' means 'reflecting' or 'ruminating'.
요즘은 어버이날에 여행을 보내드리는 자녀들도 많아졌어요.
These days, there are many children who send their parents on trips for Parents' Day.
'-아/어지다' indicates a change in state (become).
어버이날을 기념하여 특별한 이벤트를 준비했습니다.
I prepared a special event to celebrate Parents' Day.
'-하여' is the formal version of '-해서' (because/and).
어버이날의 유래가 원래는 어머니날에서 시작되었다는 사실을 알고 계신가요?
Did you know that the origin of Parents' Day actually started from Mother's Day?
'-는 사실' means 'the fact that...'.
어버이날이 다가오면 유통업계는 각종 할인 행사로 분주해집니다.
As Parents' Day approaches, the retail industry becomes busy with various discount events.
'-면' indicates 'when' or 'if'.
진정한 효도는 어버이날 하루만 잘하는 것이 아니라 평소에 잘하는 것입니다.
True filial piety is not just doing well on Parents' Day, but doing well usually.
'-는 것이 아니라' means 'not ... but ...'.
어버이날을 공휴일로 지정해야 한다는 목소리가 높아지고 있습니다.
Voices calling for Parents' Day to be designated as a public holiday are increasing.
'-어야 한다' means 'must' or 'should'.
바쁜 일상 속에서도 어버이날만큼은 부모님과 시간을 보내려고 노력합니다.
Even in a busy daily life, I try to spend time with my parents at least on Parents' Day.
'-만큼은' emphasizes 'at least' or 'specifically'.
어버이날 노래인 '어머니 마음'을 들으면 가슴이 뭉클해져요.
When I hear the Parents' Day song 'Mother's Heart', I get choked up with emotion.
'뭉클해지다' means to be touched or moved emotionally.
자녀들이 정성껏 준비한 어버이날 선물을 보고 부모님께서 감동하셨어요.
The parents were moved by the Parents' Day gifts that the children prepared with sincerity.
'정성껏' is an adverb meaning 'with all one's heart'.
어버이날 풍경도 시대에 따라 많이 변화하고 있습니다.
The landscape of Parents' Day is also changing a lot according to the times.
'-에 따라' means 'according to'.
어버이날은 단순한 기념일을 넘어 한국의 전통적인 효 사상을 계승하는 날입니다.
Parents' Day goes beyond a simple anniversary and is a day to inherit Korea's traditional thought of filial piety.
'-을 넘어' means 'beyond' or 'surpassing'.
핵가족화가 진행되면서 어버이날의 의미가 퇴색되고 있다는 우려도 있습니다.
There are concerns that the meaning of Parents' Day is fading as nuclearization of families progresses.
'-고 있다는 우려' means 'concerns that ... is happening'.
어버이날을 맞아 경로당을 방문하여 어르신들께 식사를 대접하는 봉사활동이 이어졌습니다.
On the occasion of Parents' Day, volunteer activities to visit senior centers and serve meals to the elderly continued.
'대접하다' is a formal verb for 'to treat' or 'to serve'.
부모님의 끝없는 사랑과 희생을 기리는 어버이날은 우리 사회의 근간을 이룹니다.
Parents' Day, which commemorates the endless love and sacrifice of parents, forms the foundation of our society.
'기리는' means 'commemorating' or 'honoring'.
어버이날 선물로 현금 박스가 유행하는 현상은 물질주의적 가치관의 투영이라는 비판도 있습니다.
There is also criticism that the trend of cash boxes as Parents' Day gifts is a reflection of materialistic values.
'-라는 비판' means 'criticism that ...'.
어버이날의 숭고한 정신을 잊지 않고 부모님께 효를 다하는 자세가 필요합니다.
It is necessary to have an attitude of doing one's best in filial piety without forgetting the noble spirit of Parents' Day.
'숭고한' means 'noble' or 'sublime'.
어버이날 즈음이면 카네이션 가격이 폭등하여 소비자들의 불만이 나오기도 합니다.
Around Parents' Day, the price of carnations skyrockets, leading to complaints from consumers.
'폭등하다' means 'to skyrocket' or 'to soar'.
어버이날 행사에 참석한 대통령은 고령화 사회에 대비한 복지 정책의 중요성을 강조했습니다.
The President, who attended the Parents' Day ceremony, emphasized the importance of welfare policies in preparation for an aging society.
'-에 대비한' means 'in preparation for'.
어버이날은 유교적 가치관과 근대적 기념일이 결합되어 한국만의 독특한 문화를 형성하고 있습니다.
Parents' Day forms a unique Korean culture by combining Confucian values with modern anniversaries.
'-가 결합되어' means 'being combined with'.
동양의 효 사상이 어버이날이라는 형식을 통해 현대 사회에서 어떻게 재해석되는지 고찰해 볼 필요가 있습니다.
It is necessary to consider how the Eastern idea of filial piety is reinterpreted in modern society through the format of Parents' Day.
'재해석되는지' means 'whether/how it is reinterpreted'.
어버이날의 제도적 변천사는 한국 현대사의 가족주의 담론 변화를 극명하게 보여주는 사례입니다.
The institutional transition of Parents' Day is a clear example of the change in familial discourse in modern Korean history.
'극명하게' means 'clearly' or 'distinctly'.
국가 차원에서 거행되는 어버이날 기념식은 노인 복지에 대한 사회적 관심을 환기시키는 역할을 수행합니다.
The Parents' Day ceremony held at the national level plays a role in raising social awareness about elderly welfare.
'환기시키는' means 'arousing' or 'evoking'.
어버이날의 상업적 변질에 대한 자성적 목소리가 높아지며 '진정한 감사'의 본질을 되찾으려는 움직임이 일고 있습니다.
As self-reflective voices against the commercial distortion of Parents' Day rise, there is a movement to regain the essence of 'true gratitude'.
'자성적' means 'self-reflective'.
어버이날을 맞이하여 발간된 수필집에는 부모님에 대한 애틋한 그리움과 회한이 서려 있습니다.
The collection of essays published for Parents' Day is filled with tender longing and regret for parents.
'서려 있다' means 'to be permeated with' or 'to be filled with'.
어버이날의 사회적 기능은 단순히 가족 내의 화합을 넘어 공동체 의식을 공고히 하는 데 기여합니다.
The social function of Parents' Day goes beyond simple harmony within the family and contributes to strengthening the sense of community.
'공고히 하는 데' means 'in making (something) firm/solid'.
글로벌 시대에 어버이날의 가치를 세계적으로 공유하고 발전시키기 위한 다각적인 노력이 요구됩니다.
Multifaceted efforts are required to share and develop the value of Parents' Day globally in the era of globalization.
'다각적인' means 'multifaceted' or 'many-sided'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— The grace/kindness of parents celebrated on this day. It is a very formal and emotional phrase.
어버이날을 맞아 부모님의 은혜에 감사드립니다.
— Parents' Day events or ceremonies. Refers to both private and public celebrations.
우리 아파트 단지에서 어버이날 행사를 해요.
— A greeting card for Parents' Day. Often handmade by children.
어버이날 카드를 직접 만들었어요.
— Flowers for Parents' Day. Almost always refers to carnations.
어버이날 꽃을 사러 시장에 갔어요.
— Parents' Day dinner. Usually a special meal with family.
어버이날 저녁에는 갈비를 먹으러 갈 거예요.
— Official Parents' Day commemoration ceremony. Often held by the government.
시청에서 어버이날 기념식이 열렸습니다.
— Ranking of Parents' Day gifts. A common topic in news and blogs.
어버이날 선물 순위 1위는 현금입니다.
— Parents' Day messages or phrases. Used for cards or texts.
감동적인 어버이날 문구를 추천해 주세요.
— A gift box that combines flowers and cash. A modern trend.
어버이날 용돈 박스가 유행이에요.
— Parents' Day day off. Used to ask if a business is closed (though it's not a public holiday).
어버이날 휴무인 병원이 많나요?
Idioms & Expressions
— Parents' grace is like the sky (infinite). Used to describe the immeasurable love of parents.
어버이 은혜는 하늘 같아서 다 갚을 길이 없습니다.
Formal/Poetic— There are no filial sons at the end of a long illness. Means that even the most devoted children struggle with long-term care.
어버이날이지만 '긴 병에 효자 없다'는 말이 생각나서 마음이 아파요.
Proverb— There's no point in raising children. Often said jokingly by parents when children forget Parents' Day.
어버이날에 전화도 안 하니 자식 키워봐야 소용없네.
Informal/Sarcastic— To make parents' hearts rot (to cause them great worry).
어버이날만큼은 부모님 속을 썩이지 말고 잘해 드리자.
Common Idiom— Is there a special way for filial piety? (Meaning: Small acts are also filial piety).
자주 전화 드리는 게 효도지, 효도가 따로 있나요?
Common Saying— So precious that it wouldn't hurt even if put in one's eye. Describes a parent's love for a child.
어버이날 부모님은 눈에 넣어도 안 아픈 자식들을 기다리십니다.
Emotional— A child in one's bosom. Means children are only under parental control when they are young.
어버이날이 되니 자식들이 다 커서 '품 안의 자식'이 아니라는 게 느껴져요.
Proverb— The heart is half of it. (The intention is what matters most).
비싼 선물은 아니지만 어버이날에는 마음이 반이죠.
Encouraging— To barely put paste on one's mouth (to survive). Used when talking about parents' sacrifices during hard times.
부모님은 입에 풀칠하기도 힘든 시절에 우리를 키워주셨어요.
Historical/Empathic— While they are still alive. Emphasizes doing good to parents before they pass away.
어버이날에 부모님 살아 계실 제 잘해 드려야겠다고 다짐했어요.
Traditional/PoeticWord Family
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Word Origin
The word '어버이' is a Middle Korean term that combined the roots of 'mother' and 'father'. '어버' likely comes from the ancient roots of '어머니' and the '이' suffix was a common noun-forming or person-identifying marker.
Original meaning: The word originally meant 'the one who gave birth and raised me', covering both parents collectively.
Koreanic (Native Korean word, not Sino-Korean).Summary
어버이날 is more than just a holiday; it is a vital expression of 'Hyo' (filial piety) in Korean culture. For example, '어버이날에 부모님께 카네이션을 달아 드렸어요' (I pinned a carnation on my parents on Parents' Day) shows the deep-rooted tradition of showing visible respect.
- 어버이날 is South Korea's Parents' Day, celebrated every May 8th to honor both mothers and fathers simultaneously.
- The primary tradition involves giving red carnations and gifts like cash (용돈) or health supplements to express gratitude.
- Rooted in the Confucian value of filial piety (효), it is a day for family gatherings and showing respect to elders.
- Though not a public holiday, it is one of the most significant cultural anniversaries during the 'Month of Family' in May.
Example
어버이날에 부모님께 카네이션을 드렸다.
Related Content
More family words
백일
A2100th day celebration (of a baby).
환갑
A260th birthday celebration.
칠순
A270th birthday celebration.
팔순
A280th birthday celebration.
알아주다
B1To recognize/understand (feelings); to acknowledge someone's thoughts or efforts.
입양아
A2Adopted child; a child legally taken into another family.
양녀
B1Adopted daughter.
입양
A2Adoption; legally taking another's child as one's own.
귀여워하다
A2To adore, to find cute, to cherish.
정답다
A2To be affectionate; to be friendly.
