Is Calling a 40-Year-Older Man ‘Oppa’ Appropriate? Language Experts Weigh In

Translation result. [Herald Economy=Reporter Moon Young-gyu] A dispute unexpectedly erupted at the National Institute of the Korean Language after Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae asked a first-grade girl to call him \”oppa\” while campaigning in the Buk-gu, Busan by-election.According to the institute on May 7, a user calling themselves \”Citizen\” posted on the institute’s Online Ganada bulletin board on May 5 under the title, \”Question about the dictionary definition and permissible use of the term ‘oppa.’\”The poster cited the Standard Korean Language Dictionary definition—describing \”oppa\” as a word a younger woman uses affectionately to refer to or address an older man among non-relatives—and asked whether that usage would be appropriate.They asked whether it would be considered natural and proper etiquette for a young girl meeting an older man at least 40 years her senior to address him as \”oppa\” on a first encounter. The institute replied that, considering social norms and language etiquette, the term \”oppa\” is not appropriate in that context.The institute explained that a first meeting generally lacks the emotional rapport required for the warm familiarity implied by \”oppa,\” so using that familiar term would feel unnatural. It added that an age gap of roughly 40 years exceeds the usual category of an \”older sibling\” and approaches a parental-generation difference. The institute’s response, however, prompted a follow-up post on the same board demanding a correction.A user posting as \”Gukmin (Citizen)\” wrote under the title \”Inquiry about oppa\” that parts of the institute’s reply were unconvincing and appeared to include unfounded speculation by the respondent.He argued that people commonly use \”oppa\” in commercial or service settings—situations that do not involve deep intimacy—and that such usages are widespread, natural, and acceptable. He asked whether, under the institute’s reasoning, addressing someone as \”oppa\” in those contexts would be deemed inappropriate, noting that the dictionary already states the term is used among non-relatives.He also pointed out that \”senior\” has no strict age limit: whether someone is 40 or 100 years older, they still qualify as senior, so a 40-year age gap, he argued, falls within the range where \”oppa\” can be used. Separately, on May 3 Jung met a first-grade child while campaigning with candidate Ha Jung-woo at Gupo Market in Buk-gu, Busan, and told the child to try saying \”oppa,\” an exchange that sparked controversy.Opposition parties sharply criticized him, describing it as clear child sexual harassment to ask a child to call a politician at least 40 years older \”oppa.\” Jung apologized, saying he was sorry that the child and the child’s parents were hurt by being placed at the center of the controversy.