🎵 K-Culture A2

막내

maknae

Youngest member (of a group/family)

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What it means

막내 means the youngest member of any group — family, friend group, workplace, or idol group. In Korean culture, birth order matters, and the youngest has a specific social role.

Nuance & when to use

In K-pop, every group has a 막내, often pampered and teased by older members. 막내 온 탑 (maknae on top) jokes about the youngest acting like the leader. Also used in workplaces for the most junior employee.

⚠ Common mistake

막내 is not only an idol-group term — it's a regular Korean social word used in any group context. In families, companies, and friend circles, the youngest is always the 막내.

Example sentences

저는 우리 가족 중에 막내예요. Jeoneun uri gajok junge maknae-yeyo. I'm the youngest in my family.
막내라서 형들이 많이 챙겨 줘요. Maknae-raseo hyeongdeuri mani chaenggyeo jwoyo. Because I'm the youngest, my older brothers take care of me a lot.
그룹의 막내지만 제일 키가 커요. Geurupui maknaejiman jeil kiga keoyo. They're the youngest in the group, but the tallest.
회사 막내가 커피를 타 왔어요. Hoesa maknae-ga keopireul ta wasseoyo. The youngest at the company brought coffee.

See also

첫째 둘째 맏이 나이 순서
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗ Wikipedia ↗
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More A2 lessons

형제 hyeongjae siblings / brothers 어때요? eottaeyo How is it? / What do you think? 시간 sigan time
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FAQ

When is this used?

In K-pop, every group has a 막내, often pampered and teased by older members. 막내 온 탑 (maknae on top) jokes about the youngest acting like the leader. Also used in workplaces for the most junior employee.

What's a common mistake?

막내 is not only an idol-group term — it's a regular Korean social word used in any group context. In families, companies, and friend circles, the youngest is always the 막내.

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