Hyeong

Hyeong (형) in Korean refers to an older brother, used by a younger male sibling. The term is strictly gendered and familial. A younger male would use "hyeong" to address or refer to his older brother, whether biological or through a close, fraternal relationship.

The term can also be used in non-familial contexts to refer to an older male someone feels close to or respects, acting as a sign of camaraderie and respect, though this usage is more common amongst males and suggests a degree of familiarity. It implies a brotherly bond.

The word is part of the Korean kinship system, which is highly structured and dictates specific terms based on age, gender, and familial relationship. The honorific suffix "-nim" (님) can be added to the end of "hyeong" to make it more polite (hyeong-nim), especially when addressing someone considerably older or in a formal setting.

The equivalent term used by a younger female sibling to address or refer to an older brother is "oppa" (오빠).