Korean · People & Family
"Uncle" in Korean: 삼촌
삼촌samchon
Note: 삼촌 is a useful broad term; precise kinship titles depend on family branch and marriage.
Uncle in Korean is 삼촌 (samchon). 삼촌 is a common uncle term; exact family relationship can require terms such as 외삼촌 or 큰아버지.
Talking about family
제 삼촌이 집에 있어요.je samchoni jibe isseoyo.
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How to pronounce 삼촌
Say it
samchon
/samtɕʰon/
삼촌 (samchon) has 2 Hangul syllables. 삼촌 ends with a nasal n sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
"Uncle" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 삼촌samchon | Uncle Basic dictionary noun. | Basic dictionary noun. |
| 제 삼촌je samchon | my uncle A useful combination with 삼촌. | A useful combination with 삼촌. |
| 삼촌을samchoneul | Uncle (as an object) Use 을 when 삼촌 is the object of an action. | Use 을 when 삼촌 is the object of an action. |
How to use 삼촌 in real life
- 1Talking about family
제 삼촌이 집에 있어요.
je samchoni jibe isseoyo.
My uncle is at home.
삼촌이 marks 삼촌 as the subject.
- 2Explaining who came
삼촌과 같이 왔어요.
samchongwa gachi wasseoyo.
I came with my uncle.
삼촌 appears in a complete sentence for uncle.
- 3Making family plans
오늘 삼촌을 만나요.
oneul samchoneul mannayo.
I am meeting my uncle today.
삼촌을 uses 을 to mark an object.
Mistakes English speakers make with 삼촌
Incorrect: 제 삼촌가 집에 있어요.
Correct: 제 삼촌이 집에 있어요.
When practicing uncle, use the correct particle or copula after 삼촌; the final sound determines whether a linking consonant is needed.
Incorrect: 삼촌예요.
Correct: 삼촌이에요.
When practicing uncle, when identifying something as 삼촌, use 삼촌이에요. The linking 이 follows a consonant-final noun.
Good to know
삼촌 is a common uncle term; exact family relationship can require terms such as 외삼촌 or 큰아버지. The combination 제 삼촌 (je samchon) means my uncle.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led people and family study exercise: two sentences with 삼촌
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
제 삼촌이 집에 있어요.
je samchoni jibe isseoyo.
My uncle is at home.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
삼촌과 같이 왔어요.
samchongwa gachi wasseoyo.
I came with my uncle.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Uncle" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Uncle" in Korean
What does 삼촌 mean in Korean?
Uncle in Korean is 삼촌 (samchon). 삼촌 is a common uncle term; exact family relationship can require terms such as 외삼촌 or 큰아버지.
How do I use 제 삼촌?
제 삼촌 (je samchon) means my uncle. 삼촌 is a common uncle term; exact family relationship can require terms such as 외삼촌 or 큰아버지.
Which object particle goes after 삼촌?
The object form is 삼촌을 because 삼촌 ends in a consonant.
How is 삼촌 pronounced?
삼촌 (samchon) has 2 Hangul syllables. 삼촌 ends with a nasal n sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
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