오빠/형/누나/언니

[iDoof]

Hi everyone,

Two quick questions. When is it appropriate to call an older person "오빠/형/누나/언니"? Is this something the older person kind of decides, or do you just start using it after a certain level of comfort?

Also, in what cases do you use 오라버니 over 오빠 or 누님 over 누나, for example? Is it all about exact age difference, or is it also dependent on the type of relationship?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[dtymazda]

I've been called 형 by complete strangers (waiters). I've been called 오빠 by my class mates. I wouldn't call someone that unless I felt a kinship with them, and they weren't too much older than me. If you're not sure how it'll be received, it doesn't hurt to ask "Is it ok if I call you 형?"

[arsenius]

If it's someone you think you will have a continuing social relationship with, you can probably call them 형, 누나, etc... If you're not sure, ask them. If you're drinking with them, in my experience, they probably already expect you to refer to them that way.