dad in korean
How to Say "Dad" in Korean (아빠 / 아버지): Casual & Formal
아빠
appa
Quick answer
Say 아빠 (appa) when speaking to or about your own dad in everyday conversation, and 아버지 (abeoji) when the situation calls for more formality or respect.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual / direct address | 아빠 | appa | The warm, everyday word most Koreans use to call their own father at home. Like 'dad' in English — intimate and natural for daily family speech. |
| formal / respectful | 아버지 | abeoji | Father — used in formal writing, speeches, serious conversations, or when adopting a more respectful register with your own father. More gravity than 아빠. |
| respectful (someone else's father) | 아버님 | abeonim | Honorific form — used specifically for a partner's father, a friend's father you're addressing directly, or any elder's father. Shows you're taking the relationship seriously. |
| talking about dad to others (casual) | 우리 아빠 | uri appa | My dad — 우리 (uri, 'our') is the culturally natural Korean possessive for family members. Even when speaking about your own dad, 우리 아빠 sounds warmer and more natural than 내 아빠. |
How it changes by relationship
아빠, 집에 있어?
Appa, jibe isseo?
calling your own dad: Dad, are you home? — casual, everyday family check-in. This is how most Korean children and young adults address their fathers directly.
우리 아빠가 요리를 잘 해.
Uri appaga yorireul jal hae.
talking about your dad (casual): My dad cooks well — 우리 아빠 (our/my dad) is the standard casual possessive.
저희 아버지는 회사원이세요.
Jeohui abeojineun hoesawoniseyo.
formal reference to your father: My father is an office worker — 저희 is the formal/humble first-person possessive (more respectful than 우리 in formal contexts).
아버님, 처음 뵙겠습니다.
Abeonim, cheoeum boepgetsseumnida.
addressing someone else's father (respectful): Hello, sir / nice to meet you, father — the standard respectful greeting for a partner's father. 처음 뵙겠습니다 is the formal 'nice to meet you.'
Examples
아빠, 나 왔어요!
Appa, na wasseoyo!
Dad, I'm home!
아버지, 식사하셨어요?
Abeoji, siksahasyeosseoyo?
Father, have you eaten?
우리 아빠 보고 싶어.
Uri appa bogo sipeo.
I miss my dad.
Usage note
아빠 is the warm, daily word for dad while 아버지 carries more weight and formality — similar to 'dad' versus 'father' in English, though the gap may be slightly wider in Korean culture. Among younger Koreans, 아빠 dominates even in semi-formal contexts; switching to 아버지 to your own father's face signals you're being particularly serious or respectful. Critically, when meeting a partner's father, 아버님 (not 아빠 or 아버지) is the required form — using 아빠 for someone else's father sounds presumptuous, while 아버지 is neutral but slightly distant compared to the warm 아버님.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "dad" here?
FAQ
What's the difference between 아빠 and 아버지?
아빠 is casual and warm — like 'dad.' 아버지 is more formal — like 'father.' Both refer to your own father; the register fits the situation and your relationship's tone.
How do I address my Korean girlfriend's dad?
아버님 (abeonim) is the respectful honorific for someone else's father. Using this shows maturity and that you're taking the relationship seriously — it will make a good impression.
Is 아부지 a real word?
아부지 (aboji/abuji) is a regional/dialectal form of 아버지, most associated with the Gyeongsang dialect in southeastern Korea. You'll hear it in older K-dramas and from older speakers.
How do Koreans say 'my dad' vs 'your dad'?
우리 아빠 (uri appa) = my dad (lit. 'our dad'). Your dad would be 네 아빠 (ne appa, casual) or 아버님 when speaking directly to someone's father.
Can I use 아빠 to describe someone else's dad?
Only informally, when talking about a third party's father in casual conversation. When addressing someone's father directly, always use 아버님.
What do Koreans call their dad's older brother vs their dad?
Their own dad is 아빠/아버지. The father's older brother is 큰아버지 (keunabeoji) — literally 'big father.' Korean family terms are highly specific to each relationship.