LunaThe Korean drama experience would not be complete if you had not picked up a word or two. Every K-drama fan surely knows a few words or phrases, and it’s often fun to learn a new language.
We compiled a list of the most common words and phrases we always hear in K-dramas. Which of these do you know? Let us know in the comments below.
“Ahjussi/Ahjumma”
: 아저씨 (Ahjussi)/아줌마 (Ahjumma)
: Gender specific
: Ahjussi refers to middle-aged men/married men
: Ahjumma refers to middle-aged women/married women
“Aigoo”
: 아이구
: Used to express frustration, pity, or indicate a deep sigh; occasionally used to show surprise
“Aja!”
: 아자!
: Fighting!
: Used for cheering up and/or lifting spirits of other people
“Andwae”
: 안돼!
: No way!
: Used for expressing defiance, disagreement, disbelief, and/or shock
“Ani”
: 아니요
: No (informal)
: “Aniyo” (formal)
“Annyeonghaseyo“
: 안녕하세요
: Hello (formal)
: The most common Korean greeting
: Use “Annyeong” (안녕) for casual greeting and saying goodbye
“Appa/Eomma”
: 아빠 (Appa)/엄마 (Eomma)
: Gender specific
: Appa is used for addressing fathers; Abeoji (아버지) – formal form or to use for fathers-in-law
: Eomma is used for addressing mothers; Eomeoni (어머니) – formal form or to use for mothers-in-law
“Arasseo”
: 알았어
: Understood./Got it.
: Can be turned into a question, as delivered or written with a question mark (알았어?) to mean “Do you understand/Do you get it?”
“Baegopa”
: 배고파
: I’m hungry. (informal)
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Bogoshipo”
: 보고 싶어
: Literally translates to I want to see you; I miss you (informal)
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Chingu”
: 친구
: Friend
“Daebak”
: 대박
: Wow/Great/Cool
: Street slang; commonly used to express astonishment, sarcasm, and/or surprise depending on the speaker’s tone
“Dongsaeng”
: 동생
: Not gender specific
: Used to refer to younger siblings
“Eotteokhae?”
: 어떻해?
: What to do?
: Also used as an expression when the speaker is in a complicated situation or in panic
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Gajima”
: 가지마
: Don’t go.
“Geojitmariya”
: 거짓말이야
: It’s a lie./Don’t lie.
“Geokjeonghajima”
: 걱정하지마
: Don’t worry.
“Geurae”
: 그래
: Sure./Alright./Okay.
: Originally a verb (to do so; to do it; to say so), depending on the usage and the context of the sentence (it can mean different things)
“Geureom”
: 그럼
: Of course./If so, then…
: Also dependent on the usage and context; can mean differently in various scenarios
: Can also be used to end a discussion/conversation when the speaker is about to leave or is saying goodbye
“Gwaenchanha”
: 괜찮아
: I’m okay./It’s fine.
: Can be turned into a question, as delivered or written with a question mark (괜찮아?) to mean “Are you okay?”
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Haengbokhae”
: 행복해
: I’m happy.
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Hajima”
: 하지마
: Don’t do it./Stop it.
“Harabeoji/Halmeoni”
: 할아버지 (Harabeoji)/할머니 (Halmeoni)
: Gender specific
: Harabeoji means grandfather; can also be used to address elderly men
: Halmeoni means grandmother; can also be used to address elderly women
“Hokshi”
: 혹시
: By any chance…/Would it be possible if…/Could it be…
“Hyung/Oppa”
: 형 (Hyung/Hyeong)/오빠 (Oppa)
: Gender specific (for user)
: Hyung is used by males when referring to older male siblings/relatives/close friends
: Oppa is used by females when referring to older male siblings/relatives/close friends/boyfriends; occasionally, idols/celebrities
“Ireohke”
: 이렇게
: Like this.
: Can be turned into a question, as delivered or written with a question mark (이렇게?) to mean “Like this?”
“Jebal”
: 제발
: Please.
: Often used in desperate and/or urgent attempts and situations
“Jalja”
: 잘자
: Good night./Sleep well. (informal)
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Jamkkanman”
: 잠깐만
: Wait a minute./Just a sec./Hold on.
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Jinjja”
: 진짜
: Really/Seriously/For real
: Can be used when speaker is trying to emphasize something
: Can also be used as a question (진짜?) (Really?) or as an expression of disbelief
“Jjak sarang”
: 짝싸랑
: Unrequited/One-sided love
: Can be used to refer to your crush
“Joahae”
: 좋아해
: I like you.
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Jeogiyo”
: 저기요
: Excuse me, but…
: Can be used when calling someone’s attention or butting in a conversation
“Joogeullae”
: 죽을래
: Do you want to die?
: Used when angry or making a threat
“Juseyo”
: 주세요
: (Please) Give me…
“Joesonghaeyo/Joesonghamnida”
: 죄송해요 (joesonghaeyo)/죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida)
: I’m sorry.
: Polite and formal way of apologizing
“Kamjagiya”
: 깜짝이야
: You surprised me!/You scared me!
: Used when expressing shock/surprise or as a reaction to anything that is unexpected
“Kamsahamnida”
: 감사합니다
: Thank you.
“Kol”
: 콜
: Call./Deal.
: Slang; Used when agreeing to a bet or challenge, or taking up an offer
“Mianhae”
: 미안해
: I’m sorry. (casual)
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Micheosseo”
: 미쳤어
: You’re crazy./Are you crazy?
“Molla”
: 몰라
: I don’t know.
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Museun soriya”
: 무슨 소리야?
: What do you mean?/What are you talking about?
“Na meonjeo galge”
: 나 먼저 갈게
: I am leaving./I’ll go first.
“Namja chingu/Yeoja chingu”
: 남자친구 (namja chingu)/여자친구 (yeoja chingu)
: Gender specific
: Namja chingu means boyfriend
: Yeoja chingu means girlfriend
“Noona/Eonni”
: 누나 (Noona)/언니 (Eonni/Unni)
: Gender specific (to user)
: Noona is used by males when referring to older female siblings/relatives/close friends
: Eonni is used by females when referring to older female siblings/relatives/close friends
“Ojjeol geonde”
: 어쩔 건데?
: What are you going to do about it? (informal)
“Omo”
: 오모
: Used when expressing surprise, excitement, and any emotion related to happiness
: Korean version for “Oh my gosh.”
“Palli“
: 빨리
: Hurry/Faster
“Saranghae”
: 사랑해
: I love you.
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Sesange”
: 세상에
: Literally translates to “In the world“; Korean version of “Oh my god!/My goodness!”
“Sunbae/Hoobae”
: 선배 (sunbae) / 후배 (hoobae)
: Commonly used in the school/workplace
: Sunbae is used to address seniors
: Hoobae is used to address juniors
Wae geurae?
: 왜 그래?
: What’s wrong?
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite
“Yaksokhae”
: 약속해
: I Promise/Promise me
“Yeoboseyo”
: 여보세요
: Used for answering a call (as to “Hello”) or when you’re not sure who you are calling
“Yeppeuda”
: 예쁘다
: You’re pretty/You look pretty. (informal)
: Usually spoken with yo (요) to sound polite (yeppeuyo)
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