막내 (maknae): the youngest member of the group

🪆 Meaning

The youngest person in a group. In K-pop it’s the member born most recently, but Koreans use it for families, offices and friend groups too.

Origin

An everyday Korean word, long before K-pop. 막 carries a sense of “last,” as in 막차 (makcha, the last train), so 막내 is the last-born.

✍️ Examples

1. 우리 막내가 제일 키가 커.
   Uri maknae-ga jeil ki-ga keo.
   Our youngest is the tallest.

2. 회사에서 내가 막내야.
   Hoesa-eseo naega maknae-ya.
   I’m the youngest at my company.

💡 Usage tip

황금막내 (hwanggeum maknae, “golden maknae”) is a youngest member who’s good at everything. 막내라인 (maknae line) means the younger members of a group.