Korean words, explained

34 words and phrases you hear in K-dramas, K-pop and everyday Korea, with real meanings and natural examples. Two new ones every morning.

아저씨a middle-aged manTitles & HonorificsAhjussi and Ajumma: Why These Everyday Words Can StingAhjussi (아저씨) and ajumma (아줌마) mean a middle-aged man and woman. Learn when they are polite, when they sting, and what to say to a stranger instead.October 30, 2026 · 3 min read
갑분싸the awkward silence when the mood suddenly diesSlang & Reactions7 Korean Slang Words Young Koreans Use All the TimeLearn 7 Korean slang words young Koreans use daily, from 갑분싸 and 얼죽아 to 갓생 and 존맛, with romanization, meanings and easy example sentences to copy.October 30, 2026 · 3 min read
최애my favoriteK-pop & K-dramaWho Is Your Bias? Choeae and K-pop Fan Words ExplainedA bias is your favorite member of a K-pop group. Learn the Korean word choeae (최애), plus bias wrecker, ult bias, bonjin and ipdeok, with simple examples.October 29, 2026 · 3 min read
씨 / 님 / 야name endings that show how much respect or closeness you feelTitles & Honorifics-ssi, -nim and -ya: Korean Honorifics Without the ConfusionKorean honorifics like -ssi (씨), -nim (님) and -ya (야) show respect and closeness. Learn which one to use for coworkers, teachers, bosses and close friends.October 29, 2026 · 3 min read
한글the Korean alphabetEveryday KoreanThe Korean Alphabet (Hangeul) Explained: Learn It in One SittingThe Korean alphabet, Hangeul (한글), has 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Learn how the letters work, how syllable blocks are built, and read your first words today.October 28, 2026 · 3 min read
숫자numbersEveryday KoreanKorean Numbers: Why Korean Has Two Counting SystemsKorean has two number systems: native (hana, dul, set) and Sino-Korean (il, i, sam). See both lists, plus clear rules for when to use each with examples.October 28, 2026 · 3 min read
어떡해oh noSlang & ReactionsEottoke: The Korean "Oh No, What Do I Do?"Eottoke (어떡해) means oh no or what do I do in Korean. Learn when Koreans say it, why it is different from 어떻게 (how), and its cute use for overwhelming feelings.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
괜찮아it's okayEveryday KoreanGwenchana Can Mean "I'm Fine," "Are You Okay?" or "No Thanks"Gwenchana (괜찮아) means okay, fine or are you okay in Korean. Learn its three everyday uses, the polite form gwaenchanayo, and why the ㅎ in it is silent.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
한국 이름a Korean name of your ownKorean CultureHow to Get a Korean Name: A Native Speaker's GuideHow to get a Korean name that sounds natural: pick a surname, choose a given name by sound or meaning, avoid common mistakes, and see how Koreans name their kids.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
미안해sorryEveryday KoreanHow to Say "Sorry" in Korean: Mianhae vs JoesonghamnidaLearn how to say sorry in Korean: mianhae for friends, mianhaeyo and joesonghaeyo for polite talk, joesonghamnida for formal apologies, plus excuse me phrases.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
형big brotherTitles & HonorificsWhy K-pop Members Call Each Other "Hyung"Hyung (형) is what a man calls an older brother or older male friend. Learn who can say it, how it differs from oppa, and why K-pop members use it all the time.October 27, 2026 · 3 min read
자기야honeyLove & DatingJagiya and Other Korean Pet Names for Your PartnerJagiya (자기야) means honey, babe or darling in Korean. Learn who says it, how it differs from yeobo, and other sweet Korean pet names couples use for each other.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
진짜reallySlang & ReactionsWhat Does "Jinjja" Mean? Really, Seriously and For Real in KoreanJinjja (진짜) means really, real or seriously in Korean. Learn how to use it as a reaction, as a word for really, and how it differs from jeongmal, with examples.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
한국 나이the traditional way of counting age in KoreaKorean CultureKorean Age Explained: Why Koreans Were a Year or Two OlderWhat is Korean age? Learn how the traditional system counted age, what changed with the 2023 law, how to ask someone's age in Korean, and why age still matters.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
성last nameKorean CultureKorean Last Names: Why So Many Koreans Are Kim, Lee and ParkThe most common Korean last names are Kim, Lee and Park. Learn how common they are, why surnames are so concentrated, clan origins, and why spellings vary.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
먹방an eating show or videoKorean CultureMukbang, the Korean Eating Show: Where It Came FromMukbang (먹방) means an eating broadcast: a video or livestream of someone eating while talking to viewers. Learn where the word comes from and related words.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
누나big sisterTitles & HonorificsWhat Does "Noona" Mean? Who Says It and Why It Feels SpecialNoona (누나) is what a man calls an older sister or an older woman he is close to. Learn how it differs from unnie and why K-dramas often make it feel romantic.October 27, 2026 · 3 min read
눈치reading the roomKorean CultureNunchi: The Korean Art of Reading the RoomNunchi (눈치) is the Korean skill of reading the room: sensing what others feel without being told. Learn common nunchi phrases, examples and the nunchi game.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
이름a nameKorean CulturePopular Korean Names: What Koreans Are Naming Their KidsPopular Korean names for girls and boys today, classic names from older generations, gender-neutral names and pure Korean names, with meanings and pronunciation.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
선배seniorTitles & HonorificsSunbae and Hoobae: Seniors, Juniors and Respect in KoreaSunbae (선배) means a senior who started school, work or a career before you. Learn how sunbae, hoobae and donggi work at school, at work and in K-pop.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
ㅋㅋㅋlolSlang & Reactionsㅋㅋㅋ, ㅎㅎ and ㅠㅠ: How Koreans Laugh (and Cry) in Textsㅋㅋㅋ (kkk) is the Korean way to type LOL. Learn what ㅋㅋ, ㅋㅋㅋㅋ, ㅎㅎ and ㅠㅠ mean in Korean texts, how many ㅋ to use, and other common chat shortcuts.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
사주a reading of your birth chartKorean CultureWhat Is Saju? Korean Four Pillars Fortune Telling, ExplainedSaju (사주) is Korean four pillars fortune telling based on your birth year, month, day and hour. Learn how it works, the five elements, and how Koreans use it.October 27, 2026 · 2 min read
애교acting cuteKorean CultureAegyo: Why K-pop Idols Act Cute on PurposeAegyo (애교) means acting cute or charming in a playful, affectionate way. Learn what counts as aegyo, who does it, why idols are asked to, and the Korean phrases that go with it.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
아이고Oh my!Slang & ReactionsWhat Does "Aigoo" Mean? Korea's All-Purpose SighAigoo (아이고) is a Korean exclamation like "oh my," "oh dear," or "ugh." Learn the 5 feelings it expresses, from tiredness to affection, with natural example sentences.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
보고 싶어I miss youLove & DatingBogoshipo: How Koreans Say "I Miss You"Bogoshipo (보고 싶어) means "I miss you" in Korean, literally "I want to see you." Learn the polite and casual forms, how to say "I missed you," and how to reply.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
체포하겠어I'll arrest youK-pop & K-dramaWhat Does "Chepohagesseo" Mean? ILLIT's "I'll Arrest You" Title Explained체포하겠어 (chepohagesseo) means "I'll arrest you" in Korean. Learn what each part of ILLIT's new title means, how -gesseo works, and how to pronounce it.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
대박Awesome!Slang & Reactions5 Ways Koreans Use "Daebak"Daebak (대박) means "awesome," "jackpot," or "no way!" in Korean. Learn the 5 ways Koreans really use it, with example sentences and pronunciation.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
안녕하세요HelloEveryday KoreanHow to Say "Hello" in Korean: Annyeonghaseyo and 5 Other GreetingsHello in Korean is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo). Learn when to use the casual annyeong, the formal annyeonghasimnikka, how to answer the phone, and how Koreans really greet each other.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
사랑해I love youLove & DatingHow to Say "I Love You" in Korean: Saranghae vs Saranghaeyo vs Saranghamnida"I love you" in Korean is saranghae (사랑해). Learn when to use saranghae, saranghaeyo, and saranghamnida, how to reply, and how to pronounce it.October 26, 2026 · 3 min read
감사합니다Thank youEveryday KoreanHow to Say "Thank You" in Korean: Gamsahamnida vs GomawoThank you in Korean is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) or 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida). Learn the polite and casual forms, which one to use when, and how to reply.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
막내the youngest memberK-pop & K-dramaMaknae: The Youngest Member of the GroupMaknae (막내) means the youngest person in a family or group. Learn how it is used in K-pop, at work and at home, plus fan terms like golden maknae and maknae line.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
오빠an older guy I'm close toTitles & HonorificsCan You Call Someone "Oppa"? What the Word Really MeansOppa (오빠) is what a woman calls an older man she is close to: a brother, a friend, or a boyfriend. Learn who can say it, when, and the words men use instead.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read
언니big sisTitles & HonorificsUnnie: Who Can Say It (and Who Can't)Unnie (언니) means "older sister" in Korean, but only women and girls say it. Learn who you can call unnie, how it works with names, and how it differs from noona.October 26, 2026 · 3 min read
파이팅You can do it!Korean CultureWhy Do Koreans Say "Fighting"? The Cheer That Means "You Can Do It"Koreans say "fighting" (파이팅 / 화이팅) to mean "You can do it!" or "Go for it!" Learn where it is used, how to spell it, and native Korean alternatives like himnae.October 26, 2026 · 2 min read