
Curious to know what oppa means in Korean?
Oppa can be someone’s brother, friend, boyfriend, or even husband.
I’ll explain all the meanings of oppa!
Quick Summary
- Oppa in Korean literally means “older brother” used by women.
- Oppa is a friendly way to call an older Korean guy but may be misunderstood as flirting because it’s often used in a romantic context.
- Oppa can be an older brother, friend, boyfriend, or even husband.
1. Biological Older Brother
The first meaning of oppa is a biological brother.
I add “chin (meaning “biological” in Korean)” or “woori (meaning “our” in Korean)” before oppa when I mention my brother to someone else and want to emphasize that he’s my real brother, like my “chin oppa” or “woori oppa.”
When I talk to my brother, I call him “oppaya” in my Southern Gyeongsangnam-do satoori accent.
Koreans can tell when someone is talking to an actual brother because the tone is flat with zero cutesiness.
2. Older Male Cousin
Oppa also means an older male cousin.
“Sachon” means a cousin in Korean, so an older male cousin is “sachon oppa.”
We specify it this way when mentioning him to other people, and we simply call him “oppa” directly.
3. Older Guy Friend
Oppa can also mean an older male friend.
It sounds really friendly when you address someone oppa, so most Korean guys like to be called this way.
Use with caution though as this may be interpreted as flirting.
4. Male Upper Classmate
Oppa can be an older male classmate who is somewhat close to the speaker.
When I want to keep a distance, I stick to the title, “sunbae (senior)” instead of oppa to avoid misunderstandings.
5. Boyfriend or Husband
From the 1990s, Koreans started using oppa to a boyfriend or even a husband.
Since most Korean women date and marry an older guy, calling the significant other “oppa” continues even after marriage.
6. Handsome Guy (Celebrity)
Koreans half-jokingly call a handsome guy (usually a celebrity) oppa.
We say, “All handsome men are oppa,” regardless of age.
Just like the recent article by Newsen Reporter Ji Soo-jin, “Kim Soo-hyun: Handsome Guys Are All Oppa!”
Conclusion
You can tell whether an oppa is someone’s family, close friend, or romantic partner by the nuances.
But if you can’t tell the difference, feel free to ask. Then she will be happy to clarify whether he’s her chin oppa, sachon oppa, or acquainted oppa!