Meaning of ajumma | Babel Free

Definitions

A married middle-aged Korean woman.

Equivalents

Examples

“We were standing in the heart of the jimjilbang^([sic]), or Korean bathhouse, in a steaming, all-female bathing room where scrubs are administered (as they are across the land⟳) by strict middle-aged women, more than a few of them with potbellies, who wear⟳ nothing but sexy black lace bras and underwear. Arcadia had whispered to me that the women were ajummas, which means "aunties" and connotes matronly, working-class women known for no-nonsense warmth and authority.”

“Knowing that an ajumma would always be within arm's reach⟳, like⟳ a Korean fairy godmother, traveling further afield grew less daunting.”

“Seventy percent of the Korean peninsula is covered in mountains, so hiking, camping and mountain climbing is a big part of my ancestral culture. I remember⟳ watching the Korean church ajummas (married, middle-aged women) spread⟳ sticky white rice onto sheets of seaweed, expertly rolling them up before our church members embarked on group hikes.”

“Turns out crocheting these scrubbers is a pastime among certain Korean ajummas, who love⟳ to give⟳ them away as gifts.”

CEFR level