Dictionary — Entry No. 0024
오빠
oppa · noun / honorific
오빠
oppa
OH-ppa
Noun / Honorific
Beginner
Meaning
Oppa (오빠) literally means “older brother,” but in Korean culture it is used by women and girls to address any older male they feel close to — not just family members. The word carries warmth, respect, and a sense of closeness. It is one of the most widely recognized Korean words outside of Korea, largely due to K-Pop and K-Drama.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
In K-Pop fandom culture, female fans affectionately call male idols “oppa” as a term of endearment. You’ll hear it in countless K-Drama scenes — a girlfriend calling her boyfriend oppa, or a female fan screaming it at a BTS concert. The term became globally famous through Psy’s hit “Gangnam Style” (“Oppa Gangnam Style”) and remains one of the first Korean words international fans learn.
Example Sentences
오빠, 나 도와줄 수 있어?
Oppa, na dowajul su isseo?
Oppa, can you help me?
오빠가 제일 잘생겼어!
Oppaga jeil jalssaenggyeosseo!
Oppa is the most handsome!
저 오빠 진짜 좋아해.
Jeo oppa jinjja joahae.
I really like that oppa.
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.