K-pop Dictionary › Oppa, unnie, hyung, noona
Korean words for an older sibling or friend, which change with the speaker's gender.
Korean uses different words for an older brother or sister depending on who is speaking. A woman calls an older man oppa (오빠) and an older woman unnie (언니). A man calls an older man hyung (형) and an older woman noona (누나).
Idols use these words for older members, which is why fans pay attention to who is older inside a group.
“The maknae calls every member hyung, except when he wants food.”
Check who is older in a group →