mnoona

Mnoona is a nonstandard romanization sometimes encountered in English-language online discussions about Korean language and pop culture. It is based on the standard Korean term noona (누나), which is used by a younger male to address an older sister or an older female who is close to him. Unlike noona, mnoona is not part of standard Korean and does not appear in reputable dictionaries. It tends to appear in fan communities, memes, fan fiction, and casual social media, where writers or speakers add the initial m as a stylistic variation or to convey a sense of “my noona” or simply to create a playful variant.

In usage, mnoona is informal and nonstandard. It is typically aimed at an older female figure within a context of affection or familiarity, such as a beloved actress, an older female friend, or a fictional character. It should not be used in formal speech or writing, and non-Korean speakers may use it more as a cultural cue than as an accurate linguistic form. In Korea, speakers would usually use noona; outside Korea, mnoona may be understood as a lighthearted or affectionate nod to the concept of an older sister–like figure.

Related terms include noona, unni, and oppa.