🌐English

언니

Eonni

A woman uses 언니 for an older sister, but it can also be a friendly way to address an older woman she is close to.

What does it mean?

A woman uses 언니 for her older sister. It can also be used for an older female friend or another woman she is close to.

How it sounds

A: 언니, 오늘 뭐 해? B: 나 오늘 쉬어.

When do Koreans use it?

The speaker is female and the other woman is older. It usually signals familiarity and closeness.

A small nuance

A man would normally use 누나 for an older sister or an older woman he is close to.