누나
Used by males to address an older female — biological older sister, older female friend, or older female romantic partner.
- Meaning: Used by males to address an older female — biological older sister, older female friend, or older female romantic partner.
- Pronunciation: /nu.na/ (noona)
- Part of speech: noun (kinship / address term)
- Formality: Casual — for friends, family, and close peers.
- Literal: older sister (used by males)
What does 누나 mean?
누나 (noona) is the male-to-female counterpart of 형. A boy or man uses 누나 to address any older female he is close to: actual older sister, older female friend, older female cousin, or — famously — an older female romantic partner. Korean entertainment has built an entire trope around the "noona romance" (누나 로맨스): a younger man dating an older woman, popularized by K-dramas like "Something in the Rain" and countless K-pop songs. The term carries warmth, dependency, and sometimes a hint of teasing affection. Like 형 and 오빠, it strictly follows the speaker-gender rule: females do NOT call older females 누나 — they say 언니.
Examples in context
When to use 누나
- Male speaker addressing an older female in a close relationship
- Talking ABOUT an older female sister or friend
- Romantic context — younger male partner addressing older female partner
- K-pop fan culture (male fan to older female idol)
When NOT to use 누나
- Female speakers — use 언니 (unni) instead
- Formal business or interview settings
- A much older woman (use 이모 imo, 아주머니 ajumeoni, or 사모님 samonim)
- Anyone younger than you
Related terms
More in Honorifics
Address older / younger / unrelated adults the way native speakers do.
Used by females to address an older male — biological older brother, older male friend, romantic partner, or favorite male celebrity.
Used by females to address an older female — biological older sister, older female friend, or favorite female celebrity.
Used by males to address an older male — biological older brother, older male friend, mentor, or older teammate.
A casual address term for a middle-aged or older man you do not know — roughly "mister" or "uncle," though tone determines whether it sounds friendly or rude.
Frequently asked questions
What does 누나 (noona) mean in Korean?
누나 (noona) means "older sister" and is used by male speakers only — to address any older female they are close to: actual older sister, older female friend, or older female romantic partner. Women do not say 누나; they say 언니 (unni) instead.
What is a "noona romance"?
Noona romance (누나 로맨스) is a K-drama trope where a younger man and an older woman fall in love. The man calls the woman 누나, signaling both affection and the age gap. Famous examples: "Something in the Rain" (2018), "I Hear Your Voice" (2013).
Is 누나 always romantic?
No. The default meaning is "older sister / older female close to me." Most uses are platonic — talking about a real sister, a friend, or a cousin. The romantic interpretation only applies in romantic contexts.
How is 누나 pronounced?
누나 is pronounced [nu.na] — "noo-na" with a clean N at the start of each syllable and a relaxed vowel pattern. Both syllables get equal weight; there is no stress emphasis like in English.
Further reading
External references for cross-checking the information on this page.
- Korean kinship — Wikipedia
Male-to-female older-sister address term in the Korean kinship system.
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.