부모 — meaning in English: parents

bumo · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for parent

부모

bumo

금

geum

싸움

ssaum

효과

hyogwa

크림

keulim

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neutral very common

Usage

In everyday conversations, native speakers use the word '부모' (bumo) when discussing family matters, especially when referring to their own parents or the concept of parental roles in society. For example, a child might say, '내 부모님은 정말 자상하셔요' (My parents are really caring) when talking about their upbringing.

Synonyms & nuances

While '부모' (bumo) refers specifically to parents, another term, '가족' (gajok), means family as a whole. You would use '부모' when specifically mentioning parents, whereas '가족' is more inclusive and could refer to siblings and extended family members.

Culture

'부모' comes from the combination of '부' (bu), meaning father, and '모' (mo), meaning mother. In Korean culture, parents are held in high esteem, often reflecting Confucian values that emphasize respect for family. The word has evolved to encompass not just biological parents but also parental figures in a broader sense, such as guardians or adoptive parents.

FAQ

Q.What is the correct usage of '부모' in a sentence?

You can use '부모' in sentences like '저의 부모님은 한국에 사세요' (My parents live in Korea) to indicate both your father and mother collectively.

Q.How do you address parents in a respectful way in Korean?

'부모님' (bumonim) is a respectful way to refer to your parents. The suffix '-님' adds respect, which is important in Korean culture when speaking about elders.

Q.Is '부모' used in formal writing?

'부모' is generally used in neutral contexts, but in formal writing, you might choose '부모님' to show respect. Both forms are acceptable, but the latter conveys a higher level of politeness.

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