Pop
unnie
What does unnie mean?
Used loosely online as a warm term for an admired older woman, even outside Korean contexts.
"The way she handled that interview — unnie behavior."
Origin
A native Korean kinship term (언니) meaning 'older sister' from a female speaker's perspective; entered global fan use through K-pop and K-dramas.
Frequently asked questions
What does unnie mean?
It's Korean for 'older sister,' used by a female speaker, and in K-pop it's an affectionate label for an older female idol.
Do men say unnie?
No — a male speaker uses 'noona' for an older female. 'Unnie' is woman-to-woman.
What does unnie mean in slang?
Online it's used to praise an admired, slightly older woman — like calling someone the cool big sister you wish you had.
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