Korean · People & Family
"Only child" in Korean: 외동
외동oedong
Only child in Korean is 외동 (oedong). 외동 names an only child; 외동아들 and 외동딸 specify an only son or daughter.
Introducing someone
저분은 외동이에요.jeobuneun oedongieyo.
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How to pronounce 외동
Say it
oedong
/wetoŋ/
외동 (oedong) has 2 Hangul syllables. 외동 ends with a nasal ng sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
"Only child" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 외동oedong | Only child Basic dictionary noun. | Basic dictionary noun. |
| 외동과 상담oedonggwa sangdam | only son A useful combination with 외동. | A useful combination with 외동. |
| 외동을oedongeul | Only child (as an object) Use 을 when 외동 is the object of an action. | Use 을 when 외동 is the object of an action. |
How to use 외동 in real life
- 1Introducing someone
저분은 외동이에요.
jeobuneun oedongieyo.
That person is an only child.
외동이 marks 외동 as the subject.
- 2Only child in conversation
저는 외동이에요.
jeoneun oedongieyo.
I am an only child.
외동이 marks 외동 as the subject.
- 3Asking to speak
외동과 이야기하고 싶어요.
oedonggwa iyagihago sipeoyo.
I would like to talk with the only child.
외동 appears in a complete sentence for only child.
Mistakes English speakers make with 외동
Incorrect: 외동를
Correct: 외동을
When practicing only child, the object form of 외동 is 외동을, because the noun ends in a consonant.
Incorrect: 외동예요.
Correct: 외동이에요.
When practicing only child, when identifying something as 외동, use 외동이에요. The linking 이 follows a consonant-final noun.
Good to know
외동 names an only child; 외동아들 and 외동딸 specify an only son or daughter. The combination 외동과 상담 (oedonggwa sangdam) means only son.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led people and family study exercise: two sentences with 외동
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
저분은 외동이에요.
jeobuneun oedongieyo.
That person is an only child.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
저는 외동이에요.
jeoneun oedongieyo.
I am an only child.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Only child" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Only child" in Korean
What does 외동 mean in Korean?
Only child in Korean is 외동 (oedong). 외동 names an only child; 외동아들 and 외동딸 specify an only son or daughter.
How do I use 외동과 상담?
외동과 상담 (oedonggwa sangdam) means only son. 외동 names an only child; 외동아들 and 외동딸 specify an only son or daughter.
Which object particle goes after 외동?
The object form is 외동을 because 외동 ends in a consonant.
How is 외동 pronounced?
외동 (oedong) has 2 Hangul syllables. 외동 ends with a nasal ng sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
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