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)
How many of these K-drama phrases did you recognize? If you’re like me who wish you can go to Korea to say “Oppa, saranghaeyo!” to Kim Soo-hyun personally, learning the Korean language is not impossible at all. Sign up here for your easy online Hangul class. Start speaking Korean today and say annyeonghaseyo to your oppa tomorrow! Fighting!
