누나 (noona) in Korean — what it means and how idols actually say it
· 1 min read
누나 (noona) means older sister (said by a male). It is how a man addresses an older woman he is close to. In the 102 idol clips we have scripted, it appears 14 times — here is how it sounds in real speech, not a textbook.
What noona means
누나 = older sister (said by a male). The forms you will hear most: 누나, 누나가, 누나 이거.
누나 in real lines
누나한테 미안할 게 뭐가 있나요 nunahante mianhal ge mwoga innayo What's there to be sorry to noona about? — Running Man, Kkangkkang, six times over · hear this line
사촌 누나랑 얘기하는 것 같아요 sachon nunarang yaegihaneun geot gatayo Feels like talking to a cousin sister. — TWS, 살롱드립2 EP.68 — TWS 신유·도훈 · hear this line
누나 해독제 없어? nuna haedokje eopseo? Don't you have any antidote, Noona ? — Running Man, Zombie special — legend cuts · hear this line
누나 들어가 봐. nuna deureoga bwa. Noona, go on in. — Running Man, Reincarnation + time travel special — legend cuts · hear this line
How to say it
Two open syllables, nu-na. The ㅜ is "oo". Check any line with the pronunciation tool.
Casual or polite?
A title men use for older women they are close to. Male idols use it for older female staff and co-stars.
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