Korean Slang – 56 Essential Words To Sound Like a Locals!

korean slang

Have you ever tried to blend into Korean conversations only to be lost and overwhelmed by the unfamiliar words and expressions they use? Well, learning Korean slang is one of the best ways to be able to blend and sounds like a local as you speak Korean language. In this article, I will share 56 must-know Korean slang words to sounds like a native!

Table of Contents

Korean Slang

korean slang

Before learning any korean slang, how if we start from learning how to say ‘slang’ itself in korean language. In korean, slang is ‘속어’ (sogeo) or ‘은어’ (euneo).

Korean slang is an informal every day words used among close friends and family in daily conversations. Most of korean slang came from daily conversation we saw on TV, drama, movies, music or even from our friends. Thus, slang words came and gone pretty quickly, that’s why we need to keep up-to-date with the latest korean slang on the society.

Common Korean Slang Phrases

Here are some korean slang phrases you might often hear in korean movies, dramas or daily life in korea (if you live here).

1. 꿀잼 (kkuljaem) – Funny

꿀 (kkul) in korean means honey.
잼 (jaem) is the short form of 재미있어요 (jaemiisseoyo), which means interesting.

Put them together and you will get kkuljaem which mean really funny!

2 노잼 (nojaem) – Not funny

Same as kkuljaem, the 잼 jaem came from 재미있어요 jaemiisseoyo which means interesting. While 노 No literally means no. Put together makes a literal meaning of not funny.

3. 맛점 (matjeom)– Delicious lunch

The first word 맛점 came from 맛있는 점심 (masinneun jeomsim) which menas delicious lunch.

5. 치맥 (chi-maek)- chicken beer

Chimaek 치맥 is the combination of the word chicken and 맥주 maekju which means beer in korean. I believe most of you already knew this slang since most kdrama will usually mention this one as they go to eat somewhere.

6. 쪼렙 (jjorep) – Newbie

Jjorep is a short form of 쪼그만한 레벨 (jjogeumanhan rebel), which means low level. Jjorep imply you are a newbie at something.

7. 갑 (gap) - Boss

The word Gap 갑 means someone is superior within a group of people. Maybe because he has money, talent or something above the others.

Korean Slang On Relationships And Romance

Here are some korean slang phrases related to romance and relationship you often hear in korean dramas or conversations.

1. 애교 – (aegyo) - Acting Cute

korean slang

Credit to Fight for my way

This describes when someone is acting cute or baby-like. Used mainly by women among couple or idols to fans. This aegyo is actually a polite way of flirt by a women.

2. 남사친 (Namsachin) - Male Friends

남 (nam) came from 남자 (namja), which means man.
사 (sa) came from 사람 (saram), which means person.
친 (chin) came from 친구 (chingu), which means friend.
Namsachin means male friend.
Yeosachin means female friend

3. 남친 (namchin)= Boyfriend

남 (nam) came from 남자 (namja), which means man.
친 (chin) came from 친구 (chingu), which means friend.
Namchin means boyfriend.
Yeochin means girlfriend.

4. 모쏠 (mossol)– Single Forever

Mossol means single forever, if you have a friend who never go to date all of his or her life, you can call them ‘mossol’ in korean language.

5. 밀당 (mildang)– Push and Pull

Mildang 밀당 is a mixture of the words 밀다 milda which means to push and 당기다 danggida which means to pull. You can get the idea by put them together, mildang literally means push and pull dating games in relationship.

6. 심쿵 (simkung)– Crush Attack

The word 심쿵 (simkung) came from the combination of 심장 (simjang) which means heart and 쿵쿵 (kungkung) which means boom. This is like an expression of heart beat when someone meet their crush.

7. 그린라이트 (geurillaiteu)– Green light

The word 그린라이트 (geurillaiteu means green light in terms of relationship, which means someone is giving you a sign of interest and so you can expect to get into a deeper relationship.

8.음란마귀 (eumnanmagwi) – Pervert

The word 음란마귀 (eumnanmagwi) literally means pervert. If you meet someone who always say or thinking of dirt stuff, you can call them 음란마귀 (eumnanmagwi).

9. 베프 (bepeu)– Best friend

This korean slang 베프 (bepeu) came from 베스트 프렌드 (beseuteu peurendeu) which means best friend. So Bepeu is actually means bestie.

10. 케미 (kemi)– Chemistry

This korean slang is a short word for chemistry in relationship in english language.

11. 선수 (seonsu)– Player

The korean word 선수 (seonsu) actually means player in sports. However, you can also use this word as a slang to call someone who is a player.

12. 금사빠 (geumsappa) – Someone who easy to fall in love

This korean slang came from the words 금방 사랑에 빠지는 사람 (geumbang sarange ppajineun saram) which means someone who easy to fall in love.

금방 사랑에 빠지는 사람.
방 (geumbang) meaning soon.
사랑에 빠지다 (sarange ppajida) meaning fall in love.
사람 (saram) meaning person.

Popular Korean Slang

Here are some popular Korean slang you can use in your daily conversation with your korean oppa or korean chingu!

1. 멘붕 (men-bung) - Mental Breakdown

The word 멘붕 menbung came from 멘탈붕괴 mentalbunggui which means mental breakdown.

2.불금 (bulgeum)– TGIF

Bulgeum slang words can from the word bul 불 means fire and 금요일 geumyoil which means friday, put together and you will get Fire Friday or Thank God It’s Friday.

3.꿀팁 (kkultip)– A great tip

The word 꿀 kkul means honey and  팁 tip literally means tips. Put them together and you will get the meaning of great tip!

4.현웃 (hyeonut)– LOL

Hyeonut came from the words 현실에서 웃음 (hyeonsireseo useum), which means means really laugh. This words is same like laugh out loud or rolling on the floor laughing.

Korean Slang for Exclamations

Here are some korean slang for exclamation you must know to show your exaggerate expression in  your korean conversation.

1. 막장 (mak-jang)

The word 막장 is the word to express something so ridiculous it can’t get any worse. If someone is having a really bad luck in their life, like losing their job, break up with their girlfriend, losing his house and their family turn back on him, then we called it Mak-jang.

2. 아싸 (ah-ssa)

This slang means Yay! in Korean, similar to Daebak.

3. 빵 터지다 (ppang teojida)

This is another alternative words of 현웃 (hyeonut), which means ‘laugh out loud. The word 터지다 (teojida) meaning ‘burst’ and the word 빵 (ppang) is a word to express a bomb sounds. Put it together and you’ll get an expression of someone laughing so loud like a bomb.

9. 헐 – (Hul)

The word Hul is a word to express surprised and shock at something, however, this word is usually use to express a surprised at something negative.

5. 클래스 (keullaeseu)

This slang words is literally came from english word class. So when someone is high class, whether it’s their fashion, job, or social rank, you can say ‘keullaeseu’.

6. 개이득 (gaeideuk)

The word gaeideuk came from the word 개 (gae) which means dog, but this time it is use to express a ‘crazy’ expression and 이득 (ideuk) which means “profit.” Put them together you will get an expression of ‘crazy big profit’.

7. 대박 (daebak)

korean slang

Daebak is the easiest and most popular korean slang we all heard for billion times. This word is an exclamation which means ‘Amazing’ or ‘Great’. The word Daebak actually came from the word 대박나다 daebaknada which means very successful. However, it now use to express amazement.

8. 깜놀 (kkamnol)

Kkamnol is a short form of the word 짝 라다 (kkamjjak nollada) which means sudden surprise.

Swear Words and Offensive Korean Slang

Unlike many other country, swearing and offensive korean slang is not commonly use in South Korea. You should avoid using these words to someone who you don’t know very well. That said, here are a some swear words and offensive phrases in Korean:

1. 씨발 (ssibal) - F..

korean slang

Credit to Asianwiki

Ssibal is the same as the word ‘F’ in english. Probably one of the common swear words in korean you often hear among youth.

2. 미친놈 (michin nom) - Crazy

korean slang

Michin Nom means crazy, you might already hear this in korean drama where the actress called each other using this swear words.

3. 자지 (jaji) - Male Sexual Genital

This word refers to male sexual genitalia and is considered very offensive. It’s not something you would ever say to anyone!

4. Geukyeom (극혐 ) – Extreme disgust

korean slang

Credit to Shutterstock

The word geukyeom (극혐) is a short form of geughaneui hyeomo 극한의 혐오 which means severe hatred or disgust. When you think something is super disgusting, you can use this word to express how you hate it.

5. 뭥미 (mwongmi)– What the heck

Mwongmi means what the hell, it is actually a mystype form of mwoim 뭐임.

Cool Kids Korean Slang

If you want to looks like a cool kids, then you can use these cool korean slang.

1. 사차원 (sachawon) - Eccentric

korean slang

This word literally means 4d or eccentric. You can use this slang to say cool to someone! TOP Big bang got this title by fans due to it’s unique style of appearance and fashion.

2. 만렙 (mallep) – Level 10,000

This words came from the word 만 man which means 10, 000 and 레벨 which means level. This korean slang 만렙 literally means level 10k or Godly level, you can use this when you see someone is so great at something.

3. 실화야 (silhwaya) – Is it real?

When you feel surprise and can’t believe what you hear, you can say Silhwaya which means ‘Is it real’?

4. 쩔어 (jjeoreo) – Dope

This word is use to express ‘that’s sick’ or Dope.

Cute (AEGYO) Korean Slang Words

korean slang

So I mentioned aegyo already, which is “cute.” These are some aegyo words and cute Korean expressions you can use.

1. 배고팡 (baegopang) – hungry

When you go with your boyfriend or crush and you feel hungry, you can say baegopang oppa! He will surely turn on by your words and get you food as soon as possible.

2. 오빵 (oppang) – brother

I believe you often see in korean dramas that girlfriend call their boyfriend using the word ‘oppa’ which actually means brother. However, oppa often used by girlfriend to boyfriend to show respect and if you want to make it looks cute, you can say oppang!

3. 사줘 (sajwo) – Buy for me

korean slang

When you want to ask your boyfriend to buy you something you love, you can use this korean slang with a high pitch cutie tones! Combine with your special words to call your mate!

4. 내가 귀엽지? (naega gwiyeobji) – Aren’t I cute?

korean slang

If you are a male and your girlfriend ask this, don’t fall into her trap! Just say yes, or you can get a spicy kimchi day in your relationship!

Korean Slang In Kakaotalk

korean slang

Here are some written korean slang commonly use in Kakaotalk or in text:

  • 누물보 Numulbo or ㄴㅁㅂ nmb means ‘did anyone ask?’
  • ㅃㅃ bb bb is a short form of 빠이빠이 which means bye bye.
  • ㅇㄷ o di, this is a short form of 어디 which means where?
  • ㄴㄴn n literally means no no.
  • ㅋㅋㅋ kkk or ㅎㅎㅎ hhh literally means haha or rofl.
  • 091012 is a code for study hard.
  • ㅁㄹ m l is a short form of 몰라 which means i dont know.
  • ㄱㅅg s is a short form of 감사합니다 gamsahabnida which means thank you
  • ㅈㅅ j s is a short form of 죄송합니다 chuiseonghamnida which means sorry.
  • ㅇㅇ pronounce ng ng, means yes.
  • ㅊㅋㅊㅋ ch k ch k is a short form of 축하 축하 which means congratulations.
  • ㅇㅋ ok literally means okay.

Korean Slang Sum Up

Korean slang is the way we can talk like a native korean person in our daily life. Here are some korean slang words I can share to you and will keep update it as time goes by. Make sure you use it with someone close and in a casual settings.

Amaze them with your knowledge of korean slang! Which slang words you love to use with your korean friends? Let me know in the comment sections below!

korean slang
korean slang

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