Korean Slang: Essential Words and Phrases - SECRETKOREAN

Korean culture has taken the world by storm, from K-pop and K-dramas to Korean cuisine. Learning slang can be incredibly fun and useful to appreciate and engage with Korean culture. This session will introduce you to some popular Korean slang words and phrases that are commonly used among young Koreans.

Learning slang is a fun and engaging way to deepen your understanding of Korean culture and language. Whether you are a fan of K-pop, or K-dramas, or just looking to expand your linguistics horizons, these slang terms will surely come in handy. Try using them in conversation with your Korean friends or even on social media to sound like a native speaker!

Additional Tips

1. Watch Korean dramas and entertainment shows to hear these slang in context.

2. Follow Korean influencers on social media to see how they use slang in real-time.

3. Practice with native Korean speakers.

What is Korean Slang?

Korean slang, much like slang in any language, consists of informal words, phrases, and expressions that are commonly used among native speakers, especially the younger generation. These terms often arise from popular culture, social media, and trends within the country. Slang can vary significantly by region and evolve quickly, reflecting the dynamic nature of language and culture. Korean slang is used to appear in casual conversation, social media, texting, and various forms of entertainment. Knowing Korean slang will allow you to understand Korean culture better and to close with native speakers.

Common Korean Slang

1. 대박

Meaning: Awesome, Great, Amazing

Definition: It can be used to express excitement or approval.

Example: "우와, 이 영화 대박이야!" (Wow, this movie is amazing) 

2. 헐

Meaning: OMG, No way or surprise

Definition: It can be used to express shock or disbelief.

Example: "헐, 진짜야?" (Omg, is it true?) 

3. 짱

Meaning: The best, Great

Definition: It is used to describe something or someone as the best.

Example: "너가 짱이야!" (You are the best!) 

4. 극혐

Meaning: Extreme disgust

Definition: It is used to express strong dislike or disgust toward something.

Example: "그 음식은 극혐이야." (That food is extremely disgusting) 

5. 맛점

Meaning: Delicious lunch

Definition: It is used to wish someone a good meal at lunchtime.

Example: "맛점하세요." (Have a delicious lunch) 

6. 치맥

Meaning: Chicken and beer

Definition: A popular combination in Korea, often enjoyed as a casual meal or during social gatherings.

Example: "오늘 밤에 치맥하자." (Let's have chicken and beer tonight) 

7. 역대급

Meaning: Legendary level, the best ever 

Definition: It is used to describe something that is the best or most amazing of its kind.

Example: "그 공연은 역대급이었어." (The performance was legendary) 

8. 썰

Meaning: Story

Definition: It refers to a tale or anecdote, often used to share interesting or entertaining stories.

Example: "어제 재미있는 썰을 들었어." (I heard an interesting story yesterday) 

9. 평타

Meaning: Do something at an average level 

Definition: It describes performing at a standard or average level.

Example: "이번 시험은 평타 쳤어." (I did average on this test) 

10. 꿀팁

Meaning: A great tip

Definition: It is used to describe very useful or valuable advice.

Example: "이건 정말 꿀팁이야." (This is a great tip) 

11. 불금

Meaning: Thank God It's Friday (TGIF) 

Definition: It celebrates the end of the workweek and the start of the weekend.

Example: "불금인데 뭐 할 거야?." (It's TGIF, what are you gonna do?) 

12. 넘사벽

Meaning: Something that cannot be overcome 

Definition: It describes a situation or goal that seems impossible to achieve.

Example: "그의 실력은 넘사벽이야." (His skill level is unbeatable) 

13. 근자감

Meaning: Unfounded self-esteem

Definition: It refers to someone who has confidence without a solid basis.

Example: "걔는 항상 근자감이 넘쳐." (He/she always has unfounded self-esteem) 

14. 눈팅

Meaning: Looking only, no chatting

Definition: It describes someone who browses online forums or chats without participating in the conversation.

Example: "나 그냥 눈팅만 하고 있어." (I'm just lurking without chatting) 

15. 알바

Meaning: A part-time job

Definition: It refers to any kind of part-time work, often done by students.

Example: "나 이번 주말에 알바 있어." (I have a part-time job this weekend) 

16. 소맥

Meaning: Soju + beer

Definition: It is a popular drink in Korea made by mixing soju and beer.

Example: "오늘은 소맥 마시자." (Let's drink soju and beer tonight) 

17. 방콕

Meaning: Stay in your room

Definition: A play on words combining "room" + "stay", used to describe staying inside all day.

Example: "오늘은 방콕하면서 넷플릭스나 볼래." (I'm going to stay in my room and watch Netflix today) 

Slang for Social Media

1. 인싸

Meaning: Insider, popular person

Definition: It refers to someone who is well-connected and popular.

Example: "내 친구 완전 인싸야." (My friend is such an insider) 

2. 아싸

Meaning: Outsider

Definition: It refers to someone who is not well-connected or popular.

Example: "나는 좀 아싸인 것 같아." (I think I'm kind of an outsider) 

3. 셀카

Meaning: Selfie

Definition: It is used when taking a photo of oneself.

Example: "우리 셀카 찍자." (Let's take a selfie) 

4. 짤

Meaning: Photo

Definition: It refers to a meme or a viral photo shared on social media.

Example: "이 짤 봤어? 너무 웃겨." (Did you see this photo? It's so funny) 

5. 움짤

Meaning: Animated photo / GIF

Definition: It refers to a short, looped animation or GIF, often used in online conversation.

Example: "이 움짤 너무 귀엽다." (This GIF is so cute) 

6. 돌직구

Meaning: To say or do directly

Definition: It describes someone who speaks or acts straightforwardly, without beating around the bush.

Example: "돌직구로 말하면 안돼." (You should not speak directly) 

7. 프사

Meaning: Profile picture

Definition: It refers to the profile picture on social media or messaging apps.

Example: "프사 바꿨네?" (You changed your profile picture, right?) 

Slang for Relationships

1. 썸

Meaning: Something, a flirtation

Definition: It describes the stage when two people are interested in each other but not officially dating.

Example: "걔내들 썸 타고 있어" (They are flirting, They have something going on between them) 

2. 오빠

Meaning: Older brother, boyfriend (used by females) 

Definition: It is used by females to address an older male, often in a romantic context.

Example: "오빠, 사랑해" (Oppa, I love you) 

3. 여친 / 남친

Meaning: Girlfriend / Boyfriend

Definition: It is a short form for 여자친구 (girlfriend) and 남자친구 (boyfriend).

Example: "내 여친은 예뻐" (My girlfriend is pretty)

4. 베프

Meaning: Best friend forever (BFF)

Definition: It refers to a very close friend.

Example: "얘가 내 베프야" (He/she is my BFF) 

5. 심쿵

Meaning: Big crush, heartthrob

Definition: It describes the feeling when your heart skips a beat due to someone you find very attractive or charming.

Example: "나 방금 심쿵했어" (I just had a heartthrob) 

6. 남사친 / 여사친

Meaning: A man or girl who is just a friend 

Definition: It describes a male or female friend with no romantic implications.

Example: "태준이는 그냥 남사친이야" (Taejun is just a male friend) 

7. 모쏠

Meaning: Someone who has never been in a relationship 

Definition: It refers to a person who has never had a romantic relationship.

Example: "나 아직도 모쏠이야" (I'm still someone who has never been in a relationship) 

8. 그린라이트

Meaning: Green light (crush)

Definition: It is used to describe a situation where someone shows interest or gives a sign that they like you.

Example: "걔가 웃어줬어, 이거 그린라이트인가?" (She smiled at me, is that a green light?) 

9. 밀당

Meaning: Push and pull

Definition: It refers to the strategy of playing hard to get into romantic relationships.

Example: "내 여친은 밀당의 고수야" (My girlfriend is a master of push and pull) 

10. 사랑꾼

Meaning: A person full of love

Definition: It refers to someone who is very loving and expresses their affection openly.

Example: "내 남편은 정말 사랑꾼이야" (My husband is really a person full of love) 

11. 금사빠

Meaning: A person who falls in love easily 

Definition: It describes someone who quickly falls in love or gets infatuated.

Example: "난 금사빠라서 걱정돼." (I am worried because I fall in love so easily) 

Fun and Playing Slang

1. 킹왕짱

Meaning: The best of the best

Definition: A playful way to say something is the absolute best.

Example: "이 피자는 킹왕짱이다" (This pizza is the best of the best) 

2. 뻥

Meaning: A lie

Definition: It is used to call out someone when you think they are lying.

Example: "뻥치지 마, 그건 불가능해" (Don't lie, that is impossible) 

3. 엄친아

Meaning: Mom's friend's son

Definition: It refers to the ideal, perfect son who is smart, handsome, and successful.

Example: "난 엄친아랑 안 놀아" (I don't hang out with a mom's friend's son) 

4. 꿀잼

Meaning: Fun, Funny, Interesting

Definition: It describes something that is very enjoyable or entertaining.

Example: "이 드라마 정말 꿀잼이야" (This drama is really fun) 

5. 노잼

Meaning: Not fun, Not funny, Uninteresting 

Definition: It describes something that is boring or not entertaining.

Example: "이 책은 노잼이야" (This book is so boring) 

6. 멘붕

Meaning: Mental breakdown

Definition: It describes a state of being overwhelmed or shocked to the point of not knowing what to do.

Example: "시험이 너무 어려워서 멘붕 왔어" (The exam was so hard, I had a mental breakdown) 

7. 현웃

Meaning: Laugh out loud (LOL)

Definition: It describes a moment when you laugh out loud in real life.

Example: "이 쇼츠보고 현웃 터졌다" (I laughed out loud at these shorts) 

8. 뭥미

Meaning: What the heck

Definition: It is used to express confusion or disbelief.

Example: "이게 뭥미?" (What the heck is this?) 

9. 레알

Meaning: Real or Really

Definition: It is used to emphasize the authenticity or truth of a statement.

Example: "그거 진짜 레알이야?" (Is that really real?) 

10. 콜

Meaning: I am in or Sure!

Definition: It is used to express agreement or acceptance of an invitation or suggestion.

Example: "내일 영화 볼래? 콜!" (Do you want to go movies tmr? I'm in!) 

11. 막장

Meaning: Ridiculous situation, blind end 

Definition: It describes an overly dramatic or absurd situation, often found in TV dramas.

Example: "난 막장 드라마 안 볼래" (I will not watch blind end drama) 

12. 웃프다

Meaning: Funny but sad

Definition: It describes something that is simultaneously funny and sad.

Example: "그 이야기는 정말 웃프다" (That story is really funny and sad) 

13. 개이득

Meaning: Unexpected benefit or profit 

Definition: It is used to describe a situation where you receive an unexpected gain or advantage.

Example: "이걸 이렇게 싸게 사다니, 개이득!" (I cannot believe I bought this so cheap, such an unexpected benefit!) 

14. 강추

Meaning: Strongly recommend

Definition: It is used to express a strong recommendation for something.

Example: "이 영화 강추야" (I strongly recommend this movie) 

15. 깜놀

Meaning: Surprise

Definition: It is used to express shock or surprise.

Example: "그 소식 듣고 깜놀했어" (I was surprised by that news) 

Slang for Describing People or Situations 

1. 리즈

Meaning: Your prime

Definition: It refers to the peak or best period of someone's like, often in terms of looks or success.

Example: "그 때가 나의 리즈 시절이었어" (That was my prime time) 

2. 덕후

Meaning: A person with an obsessive interest in something 

Definition: It describes someone who is extremely passionate or obsessive about a particular hobby or interest.

Example: "나는 애니메이션 덕후야" (I am an animation geek) 

3. 음란마귀

Meaning: A person with a dirty mind 

Definition: It refers to someone who often thinks or talks in a sexually suggestive way.

Example: "너는 생각하는게 음란마귀야" (The way of your thinking is a dirty mind) 

4. 베이글녀

Meaning: Cut, but glamorous

Definition: It describes a woman who has a cute face but a glamorous body.

Example: "베이글녀를 만났다." (I met a cute girl, but glamorous) 

5. 품절남 / 품절녀

Meaning: Man or woman who just got married 

Definition: It refers to a man/woman who is newly married, implying he/she is "sold out."

Example: "나는 이제 품절남이야." (I am now a married man) 

6. 갑

Meaning: Power trip, bossy

Definition: It is an expression referring to an arrogant and authoritarian attitude or actions of people who have positions of power over others.

Example: "내 상관이 갑질할 때 어떻게 해야할지 모르겠어." (I don't know what to do when my boss is bossy) 

7. 몸짱

Meaning: A hot body

Definition: It describes someone with a very fit and attractive physique.

Example: "내 친구는 몸짱이야." (My friend has a hot body) 

8. 왕따

Meaning: Outcast

Definition: It refers to someone who is ostracized or excluded by their peers.

Example: "학교에서 왕따를 당했어." (I was bullied at school) 

9. 훈남

Meaning: A handsome and well-mannered man

Definition: It describes a man who is not only handsome but also has good manners.

Example: "내가 말했던 걔 진짜 훈남이야." (The guy I was talking about is really a handsome and well-mannered guy) 

10. 뇌섹남 / 뇌섹녀

Meaning: A smart, intelligent man/woman 

Definition: It refers to a man/woman who is attractive because of his/her intelligence.

Example: "뇌섹남/뇌섹녀가 요즘 인기가 많아." (Smart man/woman are very popular recently) 

11. 붕어빵

Meaning: Two people that look or act the same, a chip off the old block 

Definition: It is used to describe people who resemble each other closely, either in appearance or behavior.

Example: "딸이 엄마랑 붕어빵이야." (Her daughter is a chip off the old block)