Dictionary — Entry No. 0958
자매
jamae · noun
자매
jamae
[jah-MAE]
nounbeginner
Meaning
Sisters in a blood relationship; also extends to close female friendships and female solidarity. Core to Korean family structure and deeply valued in cultural narratives.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Sister relationships are central plot drivers in K-Dramas—think of the sacrifice and loyalty themes. IVE members brand themselves as ‘sister units.’ Female friendship bonds in dramas carry same weight as romance arcs.
Example Sentences
내 언니는 내 자매야
nae eonni-neun nae jamae-ya
My older sister is my sister (emphasizing emotional closeness beyond biology)
우리는 자매처럼 친해
uri-neun jamae-cheoreom chin-hae
We’re close like sisters (strong female friendship)
자매 사이에 다툼은 금지
jamae sai-e datum-eun geumji
Arguments between sisters are forbidden (family loyalty)
⚠️ Don’t use jamae when…
Gendered term for females only—don’t use for brothers. Formal honorific 누이 (nui) exists for written/traditional contexts.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Descendants of the Sun — the bond between Kang Mo-yeon and Yoo Si-jin mirrors sister-like loyalty and sacrifice
- K-Pop: TWICE ‘Alcohol-Free’ — celebrates unbreakable bonds between members framed as sisterhood
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.