How do you pronounce 효?

효 is pronounced “Hyo” (revised romanization). You can hear it pronounced with Korean audio on this page.

효 (Hyo) — The immutable, heavy moral debt owed by a child to a parent,

What does 효 mean?

효 (Hyo) means: The immutable, heavy moral debt owed by a child to a parent, serving as the cornerstone of Korean familial hierarchy.

Speakers reach for this word when discussing foundational moral duties and traditional virtues, particularly regarding the absolute obligation to respect and care for parents. It appears in contexts discussing societal norms and moral upbringing, where it is treated as the root of all proper behavior. It frequently combines with verbs of fulfillment and expectation, appearing in collocations such as 효를 다하다 (to fulfill filial duty), 효를 기대하다 (to expect filial piety), and 효를 중요시하다 (to place importance on filial piety). In formal conversations, speakers may praise someone's character by noting that they carry out this duty completely.

Can carry an immense, weighty tone of moral obligation, framing interpersonal family dynamics through the lens of rigid historical duty rather than mere affection.

Other sides of 효

◆ Institutional & Commercialized — Speakers use this term when discussing societal expectations, government awards, or seasonal gift trends directed at parents. It combines with verbs like 다하다 and 바라다, and appears when evaluating whether someone properly fulfills their duties toward older family members. A speaker explaining someone's community praise describes them as acting through this virtue.

In institutional contexts, this term can feel heavily procedural, shifting the focus from personal affection to publicly recognized compliance with social expectations.

How it's actually used

어른들은 효가 모든 행동의 근본이라고 여겼다.
eoreun-deureun hyoga modeun haengdong-ui geunbon-irago yeogyeotda.
Elders considered filial piety to be the root of all behavior.
💡 Shows the word treated as a fundamental moral absolute.
그는 효가 몸에 베어 부모님 말씀을 어긴 적이 없었다.
geuneun hyoga mom-e beeo bumonim malsseum-eul eogin jeogi eopseotda.
Filial piety was so ingrained in him that he had never disobeyed his parents' words.
💡 Illustrates the concept internalized as a complete behavioral standard.
제사를 지내는 것은 미풍양속으로 효에서 나온 자연스러운 행동이었다.
jesareul jineun-goseun mipung-yangsogeuro hyo-eseo naon jayeon-seureoun haengdong-ieotda.
Holding memorial rites was a fine custom and a natural action stemming from filial piety.
💡 Demonstrates the link between traditional rituals and the core moral concept.

Related words in Culture & Language

효도 Hyo-do 인싸 in-ssa 입덕요정 ip-deok-yo-jeong 정성 jeong-seong 직장인 jik-jang-in

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효 Hyo

What does 효 mean?

Other sides of 효

How it's actually used

Related words in Culture & Language