How Koreans address each other: -ssi, -nim, oppa, unni, sunbae and job titles

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One of the first surprises for learners is how rarely Koreans call each other by name. In Korean, what you call someone shows your relationship, their age and their role, and getting it wrong can sound cold or rude. Here is how it works, and what is safe to use as a foreigner.

Why names are avoided

Calling an older person or a superior by their bare name is considered rude in Korean. Even with equals, people often use a title or a relationship word instead. So a colleague is "team leader", an older friend is "older brother", and a shop owner is "boss". Learning these words matters more than learning anyone's name.

-ssi (씨): polite, for equals

Adding -ssi to someone's name is polite and neutral, used between adults of similar status who are not close.

Use the full name or the given name: "Minji-ssi" or "Kim Minji-ssi". Never attach it to the surname alone ("Kim-ssi" sounds condescending).
Do not use -ssi for someone clearly older or senior to you. It is fine for colleagues of the same level and for people you meet through language exchange.
Never use it about yourself.

-nim (님): respectful, for superiors and customers

-nim is honorific. It attaches to titles more than names:

seonsaengnim: teacher, also used for doctors and respected professionals
sajangnim: company president, and politely used for shop and restaurant owners
gogaengnim: customer, which is how shop staff address you
teamjangnim: team leader

Online, -nim is added to usernames as a polite way to address strangers.

Family words used for friends

Koreans use family terms for friends and people slightly older than them. Which word you use depends on your own gender and their gender:

oppa (오빠): older brother, said by a woman to an older man
hyeong (형): older brother, said by a man to an older man
eonni (언니), often written unni: older sister, said by a woman to an older woman
nuna (누나), often written noona: older sister, said by a man to an older woman
dongsaeng (동생): a younger sibling or friend; people younger than you are usually called by their name

These words carry warmth and closeness. Wait until the other person suggests it, or until the friendship clearly calls for it. "Oppa" in particular can sound flirtatious between a woman and an unrelated man. For strangers, people use ajumma (a middle-aged woman) and ajeossi (a middle-aged man), though younger people now avoid ajumma as it can sound dismissive. In restaurants, many people call an older woman server imo (aunt).

Sunbae and hubae: seniors and juniors

At school, university and work, someone who started before you is your seonbae (선배, often written sunbae), and someone who started after is your hubae (후배, hoobae). Seniority goes by when you joined, not only by age. You call a senior "seonbae" or "seonbaenim"; seniors usually call juniors by name.

Job titles at work

At a Korean workplace, colleagues are addressed by title plus -nim: "Kim bujangnim" (Manager Kim), "gwajangnim", "daerinim". Titles change with promotion, so learn them. Some companies, especially tech firms, have dropped titles in favour of "-nim" after the name, or English names, to flatten the hierarchy.

What foreigners should use

With strangers and new acquaintances: their full name + ssi, or a title like seonsaengnim if they are a teacher.
With people clearly older or senior: a title with -nim, and polite speech.
With staff in a restaurant: jeogiyo (excuse me), rather than any name.
With friends: follow their lead. Many Koreans are relaxed with foreigners, and some will invite you to use oppa, eonni or just their name.
When you are unsure, ask: "What should I call you?" (뭐라고 불러야 돼요? mworago bulleoya dwaeyo?) is a normal and appreciated question.

Have you been called something unexpected in Korea, or are you unsure what to call someone? Ask in the comments.