Honorific @ Korea

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND HONORIFIC

Honorific is a title that conveys respect for position or rank used in addressing to a person. In Korean culture, the relationship between people are extremely important. Honorifics can be used formally and informally. Usage is based on the relationship between speakers.

The Family

• The family unit is an integral part of customs and life in South Korea
• Arranged marriages are common
• Marriage is regarded as a rite of passage
• Divorce was rare but has become more common in recent years
• Patriarchal lineage is ubiquitous and links ancestors through the husband’s line
• Traditionally, the eldest son inherited, however, this has recently altered and is now equal by law.
• The eldest son bears extra responsibility to his family and it is supposed that he will care for his parents in their old age

Communication style

• Communication can be complicated in South Korea due to an inherent dislike of saying ‘no’ as it is considered poor etiquette
• Discussions can be prolonged due to the avoidance of declining or refusing
• If disquiet is verbally or visibly displayed it is a sure sign that something is amiss
• Good posture and positive body language is most beneficial in meetings; patience and politeness must be maintained throughout
• Do not use excessive or overt body language
• Use two hands, or support your right arm with your left, when passing on business cards, gifts, or when receiving an item
• Respect, trust and satisfaction are displayed through a deeper bow

Titles of Family

These are the Korean titles people use to call members in their family. It can be complicated to keep straight, because sometimes there are two or three titles used for the same person.

Basic Family titles

Hangeul	Romanization	English Meaning
어머니	[eomeoni]	Mother
엄마	[eomma]	Mom
어머님	[eomeonim]	Honorific form of mother
아버지	[abeoji]	Father
아빠	[appa]	Dad
아버님	[abeonim]	Honorific form of father
형	[hyeong]	Older brother (used by a younger brother)
형님	[hyeongnim]	Honorific form of older brother (used by a younger brother)
오빠	[oppa]	Older brother (used by a younger sister)
누나	[nuna]	Older sister (used by a younger brother)
언니	[eonni]	Older sister (used by a younger sister)
동생	[dongsaeng]	Younger Brother or sister (used by an older brother or sister)
여동생	[yeodongsaeng]	Younger sister (used by an older brother or sister)

Father’s Side Family Titles

Hangeul	Romanization	English Meaning
할머니	[halmeoni]	Grandmother (used by grandchildren)
할머님	[halmeonim]	Honorific form of grandmother (used by grandchildren)
할아버지	[harabeoji]	Grandfather (used by grandchildren)
큰아버지	[keunabeoji]	Father’s oldest brother/oldest Uncle (used by nieces and nephews)
큰어머니	[keuneomeoni]	Wife of father’s oldest brother/oldest Aunt (used by nieces and nephews)
작은아버지	[jageunabeoji]	Father’s younger brother/younger Uncle (used by nieces and nephews)
작은어머니	[jageuneomeoni]	Wife of father’s younger brother/younger uncle (used by nieces and nephews)
삼촌	[samchon]	Father’s younger brother/Uncle (used by nieces and nephews)
숙모	[sungmo]	Wife of father’s younger brother/Aunt (used by nieces and nephews)
사촌	[sachon]	Cousins (father’s brothers’ sons or daughters) (used by other cousins)
사촌형	[sachonhyeong]	Old cousin brother (used by a younger male cousin)
사촌오빠	[sachonoppa]	Old cousin brother (used by a younger female cousin)
사촌누나	[sachonnuna]	Old cousin sister (used by a younger male cousin)
사촌언니	[sachoneonni]	Old cousin sister (used by a younger female cousin)
사촌동생	[sachondongsaeng]	Younger cousin (used by older cousins)
조카	[joka]	Nephew or niece (used by aunts or uncles)
고모	[gomo]	Father’s sister/Aunt (used by nieces or nephews)
고모부	[gomobu]	Husband of father’s sister/Uncle (used by nieces or nephews)
고종사촌	[gojongsachon]	Cousins (father’s sisters’ sons or daughters) (used by other cousins)

Mother’s Side Family Titles

Hangeul	Romanization	English Meaning
외할아버지	[oeharabeoji]	Mother’s father/Grandfather (Used by grandchildren)
외할머니	[oehalmeoni]	Mother’s mother/Grandmother (Used by grandchildren)
외삼촌	[oesamchon]	Mother’s brother/Uncle (used by nieces and nephews)
외숙모	[oesungmo]	Wife of mother’s brother/Aunt (used by nieces and nephews)
외사촌	[oesachon]	Cousins (mother’s brothers’ sons or daughters)
이모	[imo]	Mother’s female sibling/Aunt (used by nieces and nephews)
이모부	[imobu]	Husband of mother’s female sibling/Uncle (used by nieces and nephews)
이종사촌	[ijongsachon]	Cousins (mother’s sisters’ sons or daughters)

References 

WorknPlay Inc. Titles of coworkers, People, and Family in Korean. Retrieved from http://www.worknplay.co.kr/index.php/article/titles-of-coworkers-people-and-family-in-korean/mod/article/act/showArticle/art_no/163

Commisceo Global Consultancy Ltd 2017. Retrieved from https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/south-korea-guide

Roses

The Rose Flower

Meaning & Symbolism of Roses

Long a symbol of love and passion, the ancient Greeks and Romans associated roses with Aphrodite and Venus, goddesses of love. Used for hundreds of years to convey messages without words, they also represent confidentiality. In fact, the Latin expression "sub rosa"(literally, "under the rose") means something told in secret, and in ancient Rome, a wild rose was placed on the door to a room where confidential matters were being discussed.

The Rose Flower Facts

All roses have a flower head that is round in shape and symmetrical across its face and down its vertical axis. Rose petals range in shape from a pointed cone to a rounded tear shape. Some lay flat while the edges of others curl up or under. Roses come in a vast array of colors and in a large number of varying hues within the same color. The petals can be bi-color or tri-color and bloom and appear in nearly every color save blue and black. Other Interesting rose facts:

• There are over 100 species of roses.
• For hundreds of years the rose has been widely recognized as a symbol of love, sympathy or sorrow.
• The fruit of a rose is called a rose hip. The berry-like hip are usually red in color, but can sometimes be dark purple or black.
• The sharp spikes on the stem of a rose bush are usually called “thorns”. However, these are actually technically prickles.

Uses for the Rose Flower

The rose is by far the most popular flower for floral arrangements and bouquets. This is a flower that people get for birthdays, holidays, Valentine’s Day, and many others, people enjoy these flowers and getting them as a gift. Otherwise, there are many other uses for the rose plant. People use these plants for medicinal uses, the rose hip can be used for this or it can be used to make teas that people find soothing when they are having medical issues. Other people grow them in their yards or use them for show flowers, there are all kinds of uses for the rose.

Rose Flower Meanings based on Color

Red Roses: 

A red rose is an unmistakable expression of love. Red roses convey deep emotions - be it love, longing or desire. Red Roses can also be used to convey respect, admiration or devotion. A deep red rose can be used to convey heartfelt regret and sorrow. The number of red roses has special romantic meanings associated with them. 12 red roses is the most popular of all which conveys "Be mine" and "I love you"

White Roses: 

White is the color of purity, chastity and innocence. White flowers are generally associated with new beginnings and make an ideal accompaniment to a first-time bride walking down the aisle. White flowers can be used to convey sympathy or humility. They also are indicative of spirituality. Hence, white roses also follow suit.

Yellow Roses: 

Yellow roses are an expression of exuberance. Yellow roses evoke sunny feelings of joy, warmth and welcome. They are symbols of friendship and caring. The yellow rose, like the other roses, does not carry an undertone of romance. It indicates purely platonic emotions.

Pink Roses: 

There are a lot of variations of the pink rose. Over all, pink roses are used to convey gentle emotions such as admiration, joy and gratitude. Light pink rose blooms are indicative of sweetness and innocence. Deep pink rose blooms convey deep gratitude and appreciation. Pink roses also connote elegance and grace.

Orange Roses: 

While a yellow rose reminds us of the sun, an orange rose reminds us of a fiery blaze. These fiery blooms signify passion and energy. Orange roses can be used to express intense desire, pride and fervor. They also convey a sense of fascination. These flowers rival only the red roses as messengers of passion in romance.

Lavender Roses: 

A Lavender rose like its color conveys enchantment. It also expresses "love at first sight". Darker shades of lavender roses (close to purple) convey a sense of regal majesty and splendor. These roses are used to express fascination and adoration.

Blue Roses: 

A perfectly blue rose is still elusive like the perfectly black rose. Blue roses cannot be achieved naturally so they represent the unattainable or the mysterious. Blue roses therefore embody the desire for the unattainable. They say "I can't have you but I can't stop thinking about you"

Green roses: 

Green is the color of harmony, of opulence, of fertility. It is also a color indicative of peace and tranquility. Green roses (these are off-white roses with shades of green) can symbolize best wishes for a prosperous new life or wishes for recovery of good health

Black Roses: 

Black is the color of death and farewell. A black rose, like the blue rose remains elusive. What we know as black roses are actually really dark red roses. Black roses convey the death of a feeling or idea. Sending black roses to someone indicates the death of the relationship.

Mixed Roses: 

By mixing rose blooms of different colors purposefully, you can create a bouquet of emotions. For example, a bouquet of red and white roses would mean I love you intensely and my intentions are honorable. A random mix of roses would convey mixed feelings or send a message: "I don't know what my feelings are yet but I sure do like you enough to send you roses."

References

©2018 Nature's Wonders Florist Ltd http://www.canadianflowerdelivery.com/rose.aspx

Copyright © 2018 FlowerMeaning.com. http://www.flowermeaning.com/rose-flower-meaning/

https://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/flowermeanings/rose-flower-meanings

https://www.teleflora.com/meaning-of-flowers/rose