What Does 고모 (Gomo) Mean in Korean?
After this page, you can recognize 고모 (gomo) when you hear or read it, and tell it apart from 이모.
10-Second Answer
고모 (gomo) means "aunt" — specifically your father's sister. It's the mirror term to 이모, which covers the mother's sister instead. Korean splits "aunt" and "uncle" by side of the family far more strictly than English does, and 고모 is one half of that system — always paternal, never used for the mother's side.
Quick Examples
고모가 이번 주말에 오세요.
gomoga ibeon jumare oseyo.
My aunt (dad's sister) is coming this weekend.
Plain 고모 — the father's sister, no further specification needed.
저는 고모랑 되게 친해요.
jeoneun gomorang doege chinhaeyo.
I'm really close with my aunt (dad's sister).
고모 relationships are often close in Korean families, similar to 이모.
고모 vs 이모 — Which Side of the Family
| Korean | English | Whose side |
|---|---|---|
| 고모 (gomo) | Aunt | Father's sister |
| 이모 (imo) | Aunt | Mother's sister |
Unlike 이모, 고모 is rarely used as a casual, non-family way to address strangers — that friendly "excuse me, ma'am" role is carried almost entirely by 이모 in restaurants and shops, not 고모. 고모 stays closer to its literal family meaning.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Mixing up 고모 and 이모
고모 is always the father's sister; 이모 is always the mother's sister. English "aunt" collapses this distinction, but Korean never does.
Mistake #2 — Expecting 고모 to work like 이모 with strangers
이모 gets used loosely for any older woman in a shop or restaurant; 고모 doesn't carry that same casual, non-family usage.
Mini Quiz
1. Which side of the family does 고모 come from?
2. Is 고모 commonly used to address strangers the way 이모 is?
3. What is 고모's mirror term on the mother's side?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
You've now got both aunt terms — 삼촌 rounds out the uncle side of the same family-title system.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-18 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.