In-law vocabulary
시댁Husband's family / in-law house (wife's perspective)
처가Wife's family (husband's perspective)
시어머니/시아버지Mother-in-law / Father-in-law (wife speaking)
장인/장모Father-in-law / Mother-in-law (husband speaking)
어머님/아버님How you actually ADDRESS in-laws (respectful)
인사드리다To give greetings (formal, used for first meetings)
절하다To bow (deep bow to elders)
Textbook처음 뵙겠습니다cheo-eum boep-get-seup-ni-daNice to meet you (formal)
Real안녕하세요, 인사드립니다. ○○입니다.an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, in-sa-deu-rip-ni-da. ○○ip-ni-da.Hello, I'm greeting you. I'm ○○.🏷️ Daily conversation
First meeting with in-laws requires maximum formality. 인사드립니다 (I'm giving my greeting) is THE phrase. Add a deep bow. First impressions in Korean families are PERMANENT — no pressure.
In-law survival phrases
잘 먹겠습니다I'll eat well (before eating)
음식이 정말 맛있습니다, 어머님The food is truly delicious, mother
아이고, 앉으세요 어머님Oh please sit down, mother (showing care)
제가 할게요 / 제가 도와드릴게요I'll do it / Let me help you
다음에 또 뵐게요I'll see you again next time
Meeting Korean in-laws is a PERFORMANCE. Offer to help with everything, eat everything, compliment the food constantly, and be more polite than you've ever been in your life. This is Korea — first impression = forever impression.
Korean in-law dynamics are changing fast. Many modern Korean couples meet in-laws casually now, but the older generation still expects the full traditional greeting (큰절 = deep bow). Know your partner's family style BEFORE you go. Ask your partner to coach you — they'll appreciate it.
Quick Quiz