Dictionary — Entry No. 0598
가족
gajok · noun
가족
gajok
[ga-JOK]
nounbeginner
Meaning
The Korean word for ‘family’ — the collective unit of parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. 가족 is one of the most culturally weighted words in Korean, as family loyalty (가족애, gajogage) is a cornerstone of Korean society that shapes major life decisions, interpersonal speech, and how Koreans present themselves to the world.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
‘Reply 1988’ (응답하라 1988) is arguably the greatest love letter to Korean 가족 ever filmed — the alley neighborhood functions as one extended family, sharing food, hardship, and joy in a way that made viewers worldwide ache with nostalgia. BTS frequently speaks of ARMY as their extended 가족, and ‘We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal’ celebrates that unbreakable found-family bond. Stray Kids, IVE, and virtually every K-pop group publicly frames their members as 가족, reflecting how deeply the concept of family unity runs through Korean idol culture.
Example Sentences
우리 가족은 다섯 명이에요.
Uri gajogeun daseot myeongieyo.
Our family has five members. (a standard self-introduction detail — very commonly asked and answered when getting to know someone in Korea)
가족이 제일 중요해.
Gajogi jeil jungyohae.
Family is most important. (a deeply held Korean sentiment heard across all generations and social contexts)
주말에 가족과 시간을 보냈어.
Jumare gajokgwa siganeul bonaesseo.
I spent time with family on the weekend. (가족과 = with family — describing one of Korea’s most valued weekend activities)
⚠️ Don’t use gajok when…
가족 is a collective noun for the family unit — not an individual member. To say ‘a family member,’ use 가족 중 한 명 (gajok jung han myeong). Also, don’t confuse 가족 (immediate family) with 친척 (chincheok, extended relatives or kin by blood and marriage).
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988) — the entire show is a tribute to 가족 bonds, depicting how the alley neighbors of 1980s Seoul lived as one inseparable extended family across generations
- K-Pop: BTS — We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal
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.