If someone of higher rank asks you to use their name or whatever, especially when speaking in English-or whatever your native tongue might be - follow their lead. Note: It’s always more important to respect individuals over any particular bit of grammar or ancient ideology. Oppa is one of these potential honorifics. Instead, you’ll want to use an honorific with them. In cases where you’re speaking to someone of higher status, you should never refer to them with the Korean word for “you,” and you should never use their name. Now, who is higher status? It’s fairly self-explanatory: Anyone older than you, a stranger of the same age, your boss, a customer, your professor, military rank, etc. If you’re the big dog, you can get away with more, so it’s not quite as important to worry about those lower in status than you. The most important thing to be aware of is who is higher than you in status. And the Korean language makes a constant effort to reflect these distinctions. This provides an understanding of who is higher and lower in status. With that Confucian mindset comes an intense understanding of, and respect for, the relationships between people as laid out by fixed characteristics, like age or office. In fact, they were so enamored with the idea that it’s widely thought that Koreans are even more Confucian than the very progenitors, the Chinese themselves. You see, Korea was heavily influenced by Chinese Confucianism. One thing to keep in mind when thinking about the meaning and usage of oppa, is that hierarchies are exceptionally important in Korea. It literally means “(female’s) older brother.” Nowadays, it can also indicate an older (not too much older) male friend of a woman, or a romantic interest. Oppa is used by females to refer to older males. We’re going to make sure to investigate as deeply as we can to make sure that doesn’t happen to you!įirst, a quick, bird’s eye view of the word oppa:

There’s ways it can elevate your conversation, illuminate a situation, and clarify pop culture.īut it can also spell danger, offering a handful of pitfalls that could insult or offend. Particularly as someone unfamiliar with Korean, this word carries a lot of weight. This is the oppa that forms one brick of the foundation of Korean society. This is the oppa you’ve heard so often in those k-dramas you like to binge. That’s right, it’s the notorious oppa of “ Oppan Gangnam Style” fame (more on that trailing “n” later). In this article, we’re going to dive into every nook and cranny of a word that just might be one of the most important in the Korean language: Oppa.

Gangnam style lyrics korean