Looking for affectionate and cute nicknames in the Korean language? Want to know how and when to use a nickname in Korea? In this article, we are going to see how Koreans use nicknames and share a complete list of Korean nicknames.
A nickname is a name used instead of the real name of a person or thing. Nicknames are created based on appearance, personality, behavior, expression, and career. Nicknames have the function of arousing positive or negative emotions.
Korean nickname is Byeolmyeong [별명]. Traditionally children in Korea were given an ugly or offensive nickname to scare death and wish a long life, this childhood name was called Amyeong.
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Japanese Nicknames vs Korean Nicknames
Like Japanese, Korean has rules for calling someone by their first name only – and that's not very common. So, in the same way, the first name can be considered a show of affection, like nicknames.
How you address a person defines your relationship, and you must be in intimate to start calling them nicknames. But unlike Japanese, creative and cute nicknames in Korean are quite common!
Koreans also use honorifics, suffixes and address prefixes. So, in the same way, some of these honorifics are used especially when calling someone's nickname. Some of the situations are similar to Japan.
Therefore, we recommend that you also read our article on Japanese Nicknames, this way you will understand how it works, this will help you understand some of this article on Korean nicknames.
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Nicknames using Korean names
There aren't as many ways to change names in Korean as in Japanese. Generally, nicknames in Korean are made by attaching an object that resembles the person, so they closely resemble the form of nicknames in Brazil.
For example, the famous basketball player Mark McGuire is nicknamed “Big Mac” both because he has Mac in his name, but because he is big, since usually basketball players are giants. So McDonald's Big Mac is a perfect nickname!
Read also: McDonald's in Japan - Differences and Trivia
Korean nicknames associated with Tall people:
- jeonbosdae [전봇대] - utility poles;
- kidali [키다리] - long legs;
- longdali [롱다리] - long legs;
- ostrich [타조] - ostrich;
Korean nicknames associated with short people:
- kkomaengi [꼬맹이] - little kids;
- ttangkong [땅콩] - peanuts;
- ttangkkoma [땅꼬마] - little children;
- dotoli [도토리] - acorns;
- syosdali [숏다리] - short legs;
Korean nicknames associated with fat people:
- dwaeji [돼지] - pig;
- ttungttung [뚱뚱이] - fat;
- ttungttaeng-i [뚱땡이] - fat;
Korean nicknames associated with thin people:
- mallakkaengi [말라깽이] - Magras;
- jong-i [종이] - Paper;
- namusgaji [나뭇가지] - Branches;
- namus-ip [나뭇잎] - Leaves;
Korean nicknames associated with people who run fast:
- teobo [터보] - Turbo;
- chita [치타] - Chita, cheetah;
Korean nicknames associated with people who run slowly:
- dalpaeng-i [달팽이] - Snail;
- neulimbo [느림보] - Sloth;
- geobug-i [거북이] - Turtle;
Korean nicknames associated with people who wear glasses:
- ppololo [뽀로로] - Pororo;
- eyeglasses speed;
Nicknames of Famous People in Korean
On the Korean Wikipedia we find an extensive list of nicknames of famous people, Westerners and Asians who influence the world in some way. Many of these people are known by nickname in Korea. See some below:
- Kim Wan-Seon [김완선] is considered the Madonna of Korea: Korean Madonna [한국의 마돈나];
- Gloria Gaynor is known in Korea as the Queen of Disco;
- Amuro Namie is known in Korea as the Queen of J-Pop;
- Rihanna is known in Korea as Pop Princess.
Korean Nicknames for Boyfriends and Girlfriends
These are the most traditional nicknames, used frequently in doramas, songs, and in real life:
- 자기야 (jagiya): It means something like "darling" and is one of the most popular among couples.
- 여보 (yeobo): Very commonly used among married couples, especially after some time of living together.
- 오빠 (oppa): Literally means "older brother" (said by women to men), but in a romantic context, it is used for older boyfriends.
- Unnie: Used by women to refer to older sisters, but it can also take on a tender tone among lesbian couples.
- 자기 (jagi): A shortened and more casual form of jagiya.
These are quite prevalent in affectionate vocabulary, especially in established relationships. They carry feelings, familiarity, and respect at the same time.
With the influence of K-pop, social media, and the culture of “aegyo” (acting cute), many couples have started to create lighter and funnier nicknames. Here are some of the most commonly used ones today:
- 꿀떡이 (kkultteogi): Means “honey rice cake”, referring to something sweet and soft.
- 곰돌이 (gomdori): “Cute teddy bear”, usually used for calm or shy lovers.
- 토끼야 (tokkiya): “Bunny”, a nickname used for those who have a cute appearance or big eyes.
- 강아지야 (gangajiya): “Puppy”, for loving, loyal, and lively partners.
- 내사랑 (nae sarang): Literally "my love."
List of affectionate nicknames in Korean
- Honi - From the English Honey, it means dear.
- Jagiya [자기야] - means darling in Korean.
- Ippeuni [이쁜이] - means pretty or beautiful in Korean;
- Yaegiva [애기야] - means ‘baby’ in Korean, a very cute nickname used between lovers and friends;
- Kiyomi [귀 요미]:- means cuteness or cutie in Korean;
- Oppa [오빠] - means honey in Korean;
- Wangjanim [왕자님] - prince in Korean;
- Gongjunim [공주님] - princess in Korean. 3
- Yŏboya [여보야] - Dear, darling. (Used only between husband and wife)
- Saran'ah [사랑아] - my love
- yeo-bo [여보] - Darling;
- aein [애인] - Love;
- jjing-jjingi [찡찡이] - Chorona (but it's cute);
- nae sarang [내 사랑] - My love;
As in the West, you can use these nicknames even when greeting in an affectionate way, saying something like "Annyeong, nae sarang" which means "Hi, my love!".
