What Does 이모 (Imo) Mean in Korean?
After this page, you can recognize 이모 (imo) when you hear or read it, including its very common non-family use.
10-Second Answer
이모 (imo) literally means "aunt" on the mother's side — a father's sister is the separate word 고모 instead. But 이모 is just as common as a warm, non-literal way to address a restaurant worker, a family friend, or any older woman — almost the way "ma'am" works in English, but far friendlier. Hearing 이모 shouted across a Korean restaurant doesn't mean anyone's actual aunt is there.
Quick Examples
저희 이모는 요리를 정말 잘해요.
jeohui imoneun yorireul jeongmal jalhaeyo.
My aunt is a really good cook.
Literal family use — the mother's sister.
이모! 여기 물 좀 주세요.
imo! yeogi mul jom juseyo.
Excuse me! Water, please.
The single most common way to get a restaurant server's attention in Korea, regardless of any family tie.
이모, 이거 얼마예요?
imo, igeo eolmayeyo?
Ma'am, how much is this?
Same casual, warm address used with an older female shop owner.
이모 vs 고모 — Which Side of the Family
| Korean | English | Whose side |
|---|---|---|
| 이모 (imo) | Aunt | Mother's sister |
| 고모 (gomo) | Aunt | Father's sister |
Same logic as 삼촌 vs 외삼촌 — Korean consistently marks which side of the family someone belongs to, where English just says "aunt" or "uncle" for either side.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Assuming someone yelling 이모 is talking about a real aunt
In restaurants and markets it's almost always a friendly, non-literal way to address an older woman — completely normal, not a special family claim.
Mistake #2 — Mixing up 이모 and 고모
이모 is the mother's sister; 고모 is the father's sister. They're not interchangeable, even though both translate to "aunt."
Mini Quiz
1. Which side of the family does 이모 come from?
2. Why might you hear "이모!" shouted in a Korean restaurant?
3. What's the father's-side equivalent of 이모?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
이모 and 고모 are learned as a pair — see the father's-side counterpart next.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-18 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.