Dictionary — Entry No. 0959
부모
bumo · noun
부모
bumo
[BOO-mo]
nounbeginner
Meaning
Parents collectively; the formal, respectful term for both mother and father combined. Central to Korean concepts of family hierarchy and filial piety.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Filial duty (효) is foundational to Korean ethics. K-Dramas repeatedly show adult children caring for aging parents—this is moral obligation, not option. Respect for bumo overrides personal desires in traditional narratives.
Example Sentences
우리 부모님은 시골에 사세요
uri bumo-nim-eun sigol-e saseyo
Our parents live in the countryside (polite form with -님)
부모의 뜻을 따르는 게 효도
bumo-yi tteut-eul ttareun ge hyodo
Following parents’ wishes is filial duty (cultural value)
부모님께 감사해야 해
bumo-nim-kke gamsahae-ya hae
You must be grateful to your parents (moral imperative)
⚠️ Don’t use bumo when…
Too formal for casual speech with your own parents—use 엄마/아빠. The term bumo is reserved for discussing parents in formal/written contexts.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay — Oh Sang-in’s mother’s death drives his entire character arc and trauma
- K-Pop: Stray Kids ‘S-Class’ explores honoring family legacy and parents’ sacrifices
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.