{"id":79784,"date":"2024-03-26T01:59:51","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T05:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/korean-exclamations\/"},"modified":"2025-01-29T00:57:27","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T05:57:27","slug":"korean-exclamations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/korean\/korean-exclamations\/","title":{"rendered":"26 Authentic Korean Exclamations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Exclamations are also very important when learning a foreign language like Korean, because they can help your speech sound much more genuine and natural<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a list of 26 Korean exclamations<\/strong> that may be useful to you in a range of conversations.<\/p>\n

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1. \uc544\uc774\uad6c \/ \uc544\uc774\uace0 \u2014 Oh no \/ Uh-oh \/ Oops<\/h2>\n

The most common interjection to express dismay, frustration or disbelief.<\/p>\n

It’s a particular favorite for older Korean folks (especially women) who are quick to find something to complain about. I’m pretty sure I hear a “\uc544\uc774\uad6c!” at least once per day from my own mother.<\/p>\n

2. \uc5c4\ub9c8\uc57c \u2014 Oh my<\/h2>\n

\uc5c4\ub9c8\uc57c literally means “Oh, mother!” It’s an exclamation of shock, fear or surprise. Think of it as the Korean equivalent of the Italian “Mamma Mia!”<\/p>\n

Again, this one is more commonly used by Korean women.<\/p>\n

\uc5c4\ub9c8\uc57c<\/strong>! \uad1c\ucc2e\uc73c\uc138\uc694? \u2014 Oh my! Are you okay?<\/p>\n

3. \uc544\uc57c \u2014 Ow<\/h2>\n

An exclamation to express pain, usually of a minor type, like a small pinch or ache.<\/p>\n

Of course, you can feel free to use it when the pain is a little more dramatic, such as those tragic incidents in which you stub a toe against a desk or trip on asphalt. In those cases, it’s usually followed by a loud expletive<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\uc544\uc57c<\/strong>! \ub0b4 \uc190\u2026 \u2014 Ow! My hand\u2026<\/p>\n

4. \uc5d0\uc774\uc528 \u2014 Ugh \/ Dang<\/h2>\n

This is a somewhat harsh way to express your discontent or frustration about something. The scenario could be anything\u2014accidentally dropping your ice cream, waiting too long for a friend to show up, getting caught in a sudden rain storm while walking.<\/p>\n

This phrase comes out kind of like a hiss, which I think is a fine way to express those negative feelings.<\/p>\n

\uc5d0\uc774\uc528<\/strong>! \uc6b0\uc0b0 \uac00\uc838\uc624\ub294 \uac78 \uae5c\ube61\ud588\uc5b4\u2026 \u2014 Ugh! I forgot to bring an umbrella\u2026<\/p>\n

5. \uc57c! \u2014 Hey!<\/h2>\n

\uc57c is an attention-grabbing word with some versatility in its usage. It can take on different inflections depending on the context.<\/p>\n

It can express anger (most often), but it can also express fondness or exasperation. However, if you were to say \uc57c multiple times in a row (\uc57c\uc57c\uc57c), then it more strongly implies hostility.<\/p>\n

6. \ubb50? \/ \ubb50\ub77c\uace0? \u2014 What did you say?<\/h2>\n

This can be an exclamation of disbelief, indicating that you’re stunned by what you just heard, or you could just be literally asking someone to repeat what they said.<\/p>\n

When said emphatically (with a higher pitch), it can come off as aggressive and demanding.<\/p>\n

\ubb50<\/strong>? \ub2e4\uc2dc \ub9d0\ud574 \ubd10! \u2014 What? Say it again!<\/p>\n

7. \uc5d0\uc774 \u2014 No way \/ Yeah, right \/ Nah<\/h2>\n

A casual way to sarcastically dismiss something you heard as a bunch of bunk. It could be an unbelievable story, a compliment towards you or a disparaging comment.<\/p>\n

Personally, I hear \uc5d0\uc774 used most often to wave off flattery or praise.<\/p>\n

\uc5d0\uc774<\/strong>\u2026 \uadf8\ub807\uac8c \ub9ce\uc740 \uc77c\uc744 \ud558\uc9c0\ub294 \uc54a\uc558\uc5b4\uc694. \u2014 Nah, I didn’t do that much work.<\/p>\n

8. \ub9d0\ub3c4 \uc548 \ub3fc \u2014 Impossible \/ Nonsense<\/h2>\n

Literally translating to “Can’t be put into words,” this exclamation can be used to express disbelief in both negative and positive situations.<\/p>\n

In the latter case, \ub9d0\ub3c4 \uc548\ub418 can work similarly to the incredulous but delighted English phrase “No way!”<\/p>\n

\uc2dc\ud5d8\uc5d0 \ub5a8\uc5b4\uc84c\uc5b4? \ub9d0\ub3c4 \uc548 \ub3fc<\/strong>! \u2014 You failed the test? Impossible!<\/p>\n

9. \uc544 \u2014 Ah \/ Oh<\/h2>\n

Simple and to the point, it means exactly what it sounds like\u2014say a quick “\uc544!” as a surprised “Oh!”<\/p>\n

In Korean, \uc544 is also often used to express understanding. Dragging it out or saying it multiple times in a row indicates that you’re following what’s being said to you.<\/p>\n

10. \uc544\uc2f8! \u2014 Yay! \/ All right!<\/h2>\n

A fun expression of success and cheer. If you ever go to a Korean party involving a lot of song and dance, amidst all of the hand-clapping and funny jigs you’ll hear plenty shouts of “\uc544\uc2f8!” to rev up the good vibes.<\/p>\n

Nowadays, when not used as an exclamation, \uc544\uc2f8 is actually a Korean slang term<\/a> for “outsider” or “outcast.”<\/p>\n

\uc544\uc2f8<\/strong>! \ub2f9\ucca8\ub410\uc5b4! \u2014 All right! I win!<\/p>\n

11. \ub9cc\uc138! \u2014 Hurray!<\/h2>\n

\ub9cc\uc138 is the Korean equivalent to the Japanese cheer “Banzai!” It essentially means “Long live ___” and is used to express well wishes, success and\/or good luck.<\/p>\n

Within a crowd, \ub9cc\uc138 can also be used as a unifying rally call to raise one’s hands for a group-wide cheer.<\/p>\n

\ud55c\uad6d \ucd95\uad6c\ud300\uc774 \uc2b9\ub9ac\ud588\uc2b5\ub2c8\ub2e4! \ub9cc\uc138<\/strong>! \u2014 The Korean soccer team won! Hurray!<\/p>\n

12. \ub300\ubc15 \u2014 Awesome \/ Unbelievable<\/h2>\n

\ub300\ubc15 translates to “big success.” It’s an expression that indicates you’re thoroughly impressed or stunned by what you just heard or witnessed.<\/p>\n

While it’s commonly used as an exclamation of praise and admiration, \ub300\ubc15 can also be used for negative situations that you just can’t wrap your head around.<\/p>\n

13. \ud5d0 \u2014 Whoa \/ What the\u2026<\/h2>\n

A modern slang exclamation meant to express surprise and astonishment, whether towards something positive or negative. \ud5d0 is used often in texting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It speaks for itself\u2014you don’t really have to extrapolate or say anything after responding with “\ud5d0!”<\/p>\n

\uc815\ub9d0 \uadf8\ub807\uac8c \ub098\uc05c\uac00? \ud5d0<\/strong>. \u2014 Is it really that bad? Whoa.<\/p>\n

14. \uc9f1 \u2014 Super \/ Great<\/h2>\n

Colloquially, \uc9f1 is a slang term that translates to “the best” and works as a positive exclamation to express your approval.<\/p>\n

You can also say “\uc9f1\uc774\uc57c!” to mean “It’s great!” or “It’s the best!” The extended phrase is usually accompanied by a thumbs-up.<\/p>\n

\uc640, \uc815\ub9d0 \uc798\ud558\uc168\uc5b4\uc694! \uc9f1<\/strong>! \u2014 Wow, you did great. Super!<\/p>\n

Learning how to use Korean exclamations and slang like \uc9f1 is easiest when you have lots of examples. A program like FluentU<\/a>, for instance, lets you watch real Korean videos alongside useful learning tools, so you can see exclamations in conversations as native speakers really use them.<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n

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