어머니 (eo-meo-ni, eomeoni) · 어머님 (eo-meo-nim, eomeonim)
어머니 is a general term for 'mother,' while 어머님 is an honorific used to respectfully refer to someone else's mother.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A general term used when referring to one's own mother.
When to use
referring to own mother, family conversation, casual daily talk
The nuance
Used when directly addressing or talking about one's own mother. It is polite but not used to honor someone else's mother.
An honorific term used to respectfully refer to someone else's mother.
When to use
respecting someone else's mother, formal occasions, polite conversation
The nuance
Used to respectfully refer to another person's mother, not typically used for one's own mother.
어머니, 오늘 저녁 뭐 드실래요? ⭕
eo-meo-ni, o-neul jeo-nyeok mwo deu-sil-rae-yo? ⭕, eo meo ni, o neul jeo nyeok mwo deu sil rae yo? ⭕
어머니 is used when directly addressing one's own mother.
어머님, 오늘 저녁 뭐 드실래요? ❌
eo-meo-nim, o-neul jeo-nyeok mwo deu-sil-rae-yo? ❌, eo meo nim, o neul jeo nyeok mwo deu sil rae yo? ❌
어머님 is not used when addressing one's own mother.
선생님 어머님께 안부 전해 주세요. ⭕
seon-saeng-nim eo-meo-nim-kke an-bu jeon-hae ju-se-yo. ⭕, seon saeng nim eo meo nim kke an bu jeon hae ju se yo. ⭕
어머님 is used to respectfully refer to someone else's mother.
선생님 어머니께 안부 전해 주세요. ❌
seon-saeng-nim eo-meo-ni-kke an-bu jeon-hae ju-se-yo. ❌, seon saeng nim eo meo ni kke an bu jeon hae ju se yo. ❌
어머니 is not honorific enough for referring to someone else's mother.
엄마, 어머니, 어머님 모두 엄마를 뜻해요. ❌
eom-ma, eo-meo-ni, eo-meo-nim mo-du eom-ma-reul tteus-hae-yo. ❌, eom ma, eo meo ni, eo meo nim mo du eom ma reul tteus hae yo. ❌
어머니 and 어머님 differ in honorific usage, so they are not exactly interchangeable.
어머님, 저희 어머니께서 건강이 좋으세요. ⭕
eo-meo-nim, jeo-hui eo-meo-ni-kke-seo geon-gang-i joh-eu-se-yo. ⭕, eo meo nim, jeo hui eo meo ni kke seo geon gang i joh eu se yo. ⭕
어머님 is used to respectfully refer to the listener's mother.
우리 어머니는 요리를 잘하세요. ⭕
u-ri eo-meo-ni-neun yo-ri-reul jal-ha-se-yo. ⭕, u ri eo meo ni neun yo ri reul jal ha se yo. ⭕
어머니 is used when talking about one's own mother.
어머니, 어머님, 둘 다 친구 엄마에게 쓸 수 있어요. ❌
eo-meo-ni, eo-meo-nim, dul da chin-gu eom-ma-e-ge sseul su iss-eo-yo. ❌, eo meo ni, eo meo nim, dul da chin gu eom ma e ge sseul su iss eo yo. ❌
You should use 어머님 to respectfully address a friend's mother, not 어머니.
Which term should you use when greeting a friend's parent?
What is the appropriate term when speaking directly to your own mother?
When mentioning someone else's mother in a formal setting?
