{"id":79820,"date":"2024-05-15T04:39:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T08:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/korean-text-slang\/"},"modified":"2025-02-10T02:08:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T07:08:38","slug":"korean-text-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/korean\/korean-text-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"50 Korean Text Slang Terms for the Modern Learner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Knowing Korean slang<\/a> is a vital part of learning the language (or any other language, really).<\/p>\n

You won’t find them in standard textbooks<\/a>, but it’s important to understand them\u2014as they will not only contribute to your overall fluency but also give you more insight into the Korean language<\/a> and culture<\/a> as a whole.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today we\u2019re going to look at a specific type of Korean slang: Korean text slang.\u00a0<\/strong>Let’s go over the most common Korean text slang terms, as well as why you should learn them.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. \u314b\u314b (LOL)<\/h2>\n

This comes from\u00a0\ud06c\ud06c.<\/em> This is the Korean text slang equivalent of the English “LOL.”<\/p>\n

The more \u314b you include, the more laughs you’re having, so don’t be surprised to see whole strings of \u314b. Whatever you said, it clearly hit your conversation partner’s funny bone.<\/p>\n

2. \u314e\u314e\u314e (Hahaha)<\/h2>\n

This comes from \ud558\ud558\ud558.<\/em> While \u314b\u314b tends to be more frequently used, \u314e\u314e\u314e gets the same feeling across, but implies a softer kind of laugh. The rule for \u314b\u314b applies here too: the more \u314e you include, the more laughs you’re having.<\/p>\n

3. \u314d\u314e\u314e (Puhaha)<\/h2>\n

Shorthand for \ud478\ud558\ud558, this is a bit stronger than \u314b\u314b and \u314e\u314e\u314e. Imagine the first syllable as the person trying (in vain) to hold back their laughter, only for it to come out stronger than they probably intended (or wanted).\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. \u3147\u314b (OK)<\/h2>\n

Here’s an example of a Korean word derived from English. In standard Korean, “OK” would be \uc624\ucf00\uc774,<\/em> which is further shortened to \uc624\ud0a4.<\/em><\/p>\n

Essentially, \u3147\u314b just takes the first consonants,\u00a0\uc624 and \ud0a4. The meaning is the same as in English\u2014a simple expression of acknowledgment.<\/p>\n

5. \u3147\u3147 (Yes)<\/h2>\n

Derived from \uc751, this is a simple, informal way of saying “yes.” You probably already know that the proper way to say yes is \ub124, but remember that Korean text slang implies that you’re communicating in a relaxed and casual context.<\/p>\n

6. \u3134\u3134 (No No)<\/h2>\n

A shortened form of \ub178\ub178,<\/em> this is a transliteration of the English “no no.” It means what it sounds like\u2014a negatory message<\/a>.<\/p>\n

7. \u314e\u3147 (Hi)<\/h2>\n

Shorthand for \ud558\uc774,<\/em> this is another transliteration of an English word with a similar sound and meaning. Thankfully, since it’s only two characters long, it’s enough to help you convey a quick greeting<\/a> for friends and family.<\/p>\n

8. \u3142\u3142 \/ \u3143\u3143 (Bye-bye)<\/h2>\n

These come from \ubc14\uc774\ubc14\uc774 and the more cutesy \ube60\uc774\ube60\uc774, respectively. Both are a friendly way to end a chat. You can also write \u3142\u3147 instead.<\/p>\n

9. \u3131\u3131 (Go Go \/ Let’s Go)<\/h2>\n

This comes from \uace0\uace0.<\/em> It’s a message for someone to get out or do something, like hang out with the sender.<\/p>\n

10. \u3148\u3148 (GG \/ Good Game)<\/h2>\n

Be careful not to confuse \u3131\u3131 with \u3148\u3148. The latter stands for “GG” or “good game,” which people say to each other once a game is finished.<\/p>\n

11. \u314a\u314b (Congrats)<\/h2>\n

Based on \ucd95\ud558\ud574\uc694,<\/em> this is a common Korean phrase<\/a> expressing congratulations, with\u00a0\ucd95\ud558 being a shorter and less formal way of doing so.<\/p>\n

12. \u3131\u3145 (Thanks)<\/h2>\n

Shorthand for\u00a0\uac10\uc0ac,<\/em> this is a casual way to say thank you. \uac10\uc0ac is, in turn, a shorter form of the more formal \uac10\uc0ac\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4.<\/em><\/p>\n

13. \u3145\u3131 (Good Work)<\/h2>\n

This one comes from \uc218\uace0\ud558\uc138\uc694,<\/em> a common phrase complimenting someone on a job well done. Make sure you don’t accidentally flip the characters to write \u3131\u3145 or you’ll confuse the other person!<\/p>\n

14. \ud5c9! (OMG)<\/h2>\n

Aside from \ud5c9 (which comes out as a choked, surprised sound), you can also say \ud5d0, which has the same meaning. Use this when you want to say something like “No way!” or “Whoa!”<\/p>\n

15. \u3137\u3137 (Expressing Fear, Shock or Amazement)<\/h2>\n

This comes from \ub35c\ub35c,<\/em> which means “shivering” or “quivering.” This is used in response to something that induces goosebumps. Similar to the laughter text slang, the more \u3137 you use, the more goosebumps you’re having.<\/p>\n

16. \uc5b4\ucf00 (How?)<\/h2>\n

\uc5b4\ucf00 is derived from the proper way to ask “how” or \uc5b4\ub5bb\uac8c. But when spoken at a normal speed, it can sound a bit like \uc5b4\ub5a0\ucf00, since the enunciation of \ub5bb ends rather sharply with the \u314e consonant lingering at the bottom.<\/p>\n

17. \uc7bc\uac8c \/ \uc7bc\uaed8 (Have Fun)<\/h2>\n

This comes from \uc7ac\ubbf8\uc788\uac8c,<\/em> which means “having fun.” This slang has a slightly different method of abbreviation, as it combines\u00a0\uc7ac with the\u00a0\u3141 of the succeeding syllable and then the entire concluding syllable of the phrase.<\/p>\n

It’s worth noting that \uc7ac\ubbf8\uc788\uac8c is pronounced like \uc7ac\ubbf8\uc774\uaed8, which is why you can change \uac8c to \uaed8.<\/p>\n

18. \ub178\uc7bc (No Fun)<\/h2>\n

The Korean character \ub178 sounds like the English word “no,” and as you’ve seen from the last entry, \uc7bc means “fun.”<\/p>\n

It’s exactly what it sounds like: if you say that someone is \ub178\uc7bc, you’re saying they’re a wet blanket.<\/p>\n

19. \u3141\u3139 (IDK)<\/h2>\n

This one is short for \ubab0\ub77c,<\/em> which means “I don’t know.” IDK is pretty common in English text slang, and the Korean version is just one character shorter.<\/p>\n

20. OTL\u00a0 \/\u3147\u3148\u3134 (Emoticon for Defeat or Disappointment)<\/h2>\n

Unlike the other text slang discussed so far, this is more of an emoticon than an informal abbreviation.<\/p>\n

If you look closely, you can see the image of a person kneeling\u2014with their head (O or \u3147) down, their torso and arms to the ground (T or \u3148) and their legs (L or \u3134) bent in a 90-degree angle. This is used to express defeat, disappointment or exasperation.<\/p>\n

21. \u3160\u3160\/\u315c\u315c (Emoticon for Crying Eyes)<\/h2>\n

Another emoticon using the vowel \u3160 or \u315c, this one resembles a pair of closed eyes with tears streaming down them.<\/p>\n

22. \u3147\u3141\u3147 (Emoticon for Shocked Face)<\/h2>\n

Imagine the two circles as eyes and the square as a mouth hung open in surprise. Just with these three Korean characters<\/a>, you can already convey extreme surprise about something.<\/p>\n

23. 0\u31600 (Emoticon for Vomiting)<\/h2>\n

Now, replace the \u3141 in the last entry with the \u3160 vowel, and you can “draw” a face with puke coming out of its mouth. Use this when you’re sickened by what you just read\u2014or if you actually feel like throwing up.<\/p>\n

24.\u3147\u3148? (Right?)<\/h2>\n

This is shorthand for \uc778\uc815? (lit. “I admit \/ “I acknowledge”). You normally use this phrase when you’re trying to check if the other person agrees with you\u2014or you want them to agree with you.<\/p>\n

25. \u3131\u314a\u3131\u314a (It’s Okay, It’s Okay)<\/h2>\n

Sometimes written as just \u3131\u314a (It’s okay) and based on \uad1c\ucc2e\uc544, this is a phrase you can use to reassure someone else (or yourself) that everything will turn out fine.<\/p>\n

26. \u3131\u3147\u3137 (Lucky!)<\/h2>\n

This comes from \uac1c\uc774\ub4dd (lit. “dog gain”). While the translation of its longer version may seem funny or weird, it’s actually a phrase you use when something great happens to you entirely by chance.<\/p>\n

27. \u3148\u3145 (Sorry)<\/h2>\n

It’s never easy to apologize to others. If you’re not quite up to typing out \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud558\ub2e4\ub294 (I’m sorry) to someone you wronged, this one will suffice<\/p>\n

28. \u3147\u3145\u3147 (Emoticon for Sweet Face)<\/h2>\n

Also written as “\u3147\u3142\u3147,” this is the Korean equivalent of the English (UwU), which can be positive or negative depending on who you’re talking to and how they feel about this particular emoticon.<\/p>\n

29.\u3147\u3137 (Where Are You?)<\/h2>\n

Shorthand for \uc5b4\ub514, this is a quick message you can send to someone when you’re on the way to a meeting place, but you’re not quite sure if that someone is already there or not. Younger Koreans sometimes use\u3147\u3137\u3131 as well.<\/p>\n

30. \u3137\u314a (Shut Up)<\/h2>\n

Derived from \ub2e5\uccd0, this is a blunt way to get someone who annoys you to stop talking. Of course, if you don’t want to cause offense, make sure you’re only using this one with someone close to you.<\/p>\n

31. \u314e\u3148\u3147\u3147 (TL;DR)<\/h2>\n

A quick version of \ud55c\uc904\uc694\uc57d (lit. “one-line summary”), this is the Korean equivalent of the English “TL;DR” (Too Long; Didn’t Read). If someone sends you a wall of text that would take you at least several minutes to get through, you can fire “\u314e\u3148\u3147\u3147” back at them.<\/p>\n

32. \u3139\u3147 (Real \/ Really)<\/h2>\n

\u3139\u3147 can be translated as “real” like the adjective (\ub808\uc54c) or “really” like the adverb (\ub9ac\uc5bc\ub9ac). Either way, you use it to emphasize a point or the fact that something exists or is true.<\/p>\n

33. \u314e\u3145\u3134 (Wink Emoticon)<\/h2>\n

Picture the \u314e as an eye with a flat eyebrow, the \u3145 as an upturned mouth and the \u3134as a half-closed eye, and you can see how this becomes a way to tell someone “Hey, here’s a secret between you and me.”<\/p>\n

34. \u3134\u3131? (Who?)<\/h2>\n

This is a shorter way to say \ub204\uad6c? It’s one of the more straightforward words on this list: if you want to clarify who the other person is talking about (or just want to be cool about getting to know that cute stranger you have your eye on), send this one STAT.<\/p>\n

35. \u3131\u3137 (Wait)<\/h2>\n

Shorthand for \uae30\ub2ec, \u3131\u3137 also has a straightforward meaning. Next time someone sends you a barrage of incoherent texts, text this back right afterwards.<\/p>\n

36.\u3147\u3131\u3139\u3147(Too True)<\/h2>\n

When you abbreviate \uc774\uac70\ub808\uc54c (this is real), you get \u3147\u3131\u3139\u3147. If you want to express that you agree with someone, say this.<\/p>\n

37. \u3147\u314e<\/strong> (A-ha!)<\/h2>\n

Yet another transliteration of an English expression, this one is based on \uc544\ud558. Like its English counterpart, you say this when you have a realization about something\u2014or when you catch someone doing something they shouldn’t be doing.<\/p>\n

38. \u3149\u3149 (Tsk-tsk)<\/h2>\n

After catching the aforementioned someone for doing something they shouldn’t, you can type out this shorthand for \ucbe7\ucbe7.<\/p>\n

39. \u3147\u3134 (Just Woke Up)<\/h2>\n

This expression is short for \uc778\ub0a8, which in turn is an abbreviation of \uc77c\uc5b4\ub098\ub2e4. The next time you get a text at an ungodly hour followed by a string of “Hey, what’s up? Where are you? Are you still alive?,” replying with this should be enough to reassure the other person.<\/p>\n

40. \u3139\u3137 (Are You Ready?)<\/h2>\n

\u3139\u3137 is short for \ub808\ub514, the Korean transliteration of the English word “ready.” Once you’re done fixing yourself up after you text \u3147\u3134, expect the other person to reply with this one shortly afterwards.<\/p>\n

41. \u3145\u3147\u314a\u314b (Happy Birthday)<\/h2>\n

This one speaks for itself. If you’re a bit too busy to say \uc0dd\uc77c\ucd95\ud558\ud574 to someone on their special day, you can text \u3145\u3147\u314a\u314b instead.<\/p>\n

42. \u314e\u3139 (What The…?)<\/h2>\n

Short for \ud5d0, \u314e\u3139 is used to express surprise or shock.<\/p>\n

43. \u3141\u314a (Crazy)<\/h2>\n

Now we’re getting to the text slang that shouldn’t be used in polite company at all. \u3141\u314a comes from \ubbf8\uce5c, which you say when you find something (or someone) utterly unbelievable or insane.<\/p>\n

44. \u3148\u3134 (Vulgar Version of “Very”)<\/h2>\n

This is an abbreviation of \uc874\ub098, which is a very informal (and often vulgar) way to emphasize a point. It’s the Korean equivalent of saying “I’m f***ing happy” or “I’m f***ing cold.”<\/p>\n

45. \u3137\u3148\u3139 (Want to Die?)<\/h2>\n

Again, you should never say this shorthand for \ub4a4\uc9c8\ub798 in polite company. You only say it to someone close to you who is teasing you\u2014and even then, never with any real malice behind it.<\/p>\n

46. \u3145\u3142 (Korean Swear Word)<\/h2>\n

If you text this or its longer equivalent\u00a0\uc2dc\ubc1c to your boss or grandparent, prepare to get chewed out, because this is a very<\/em> vulgar word. For more Korean swear words you should probably never say, check out our full post on the topic.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

47. \u3132\u3148 (Go Away)<\/h2>\n

This is short for \uaebc\uc838. Sometimes, you just want to be left alone (whether it’s because you want to sulk or the other person just annoys you that much) and this would be an appropriate response to such situations.<\/p>\n

48. \u3157 (Emoticon for Middle Finger)<\/h2>\n

Wouldn’t it be nice to have an English equivalent of this emoticon, as opposed to the more explicit emoji version? Jokes aside, if you get one of these (or several in quick succession), you know the other person is absolutely stewing.<\/p>\n

49. 8282 (Quickly, Quickly)<\/h2>\n

To understand this text slang, you have to understand Korean numbers<\/a>. The Korean translation of “quickly, quickly” is \ube68\ub9ac\ube68\ub9ac, which sounds like\u00a0\ud314 (8) and\u00a0\uc774 (2).<\/p>\n

You say this to someone you’re close to when you want them to get something done ASAP.<\/p>\n

50. 091012 (Study Hard)<\/h2>\n

This is another piece of text slang that requires some knowledge of Korean numbers. “Study hard” in Korean is \uacf5\ubd80 \uc5f4\uc2ec\ud788, which is like a combination of \uacf5 (0), \uad6c (9), \uc5f4 (10) and \uc2ed\uc774 (12).<\/p>\n

How Korean Text Slang Shortens Words<\/h2>\n

As you’ve seen above, Korean text slang often consists of shortened versions of full phrases<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“Shortened” here means using the first characters of each syllable in the phrase. This is where your knowledge of Hangul, the Korean alphabet, will come in handy because you’ll often only need singular vowels or consonants. At times, looking at Korean text slang is like looking at someone just typing out the alphabet.<\/p>\n

In addition, as also shown above, plenty of Korean text slang terms are based on English words.<\/strong> They’re examples of Konglish, the use of English words in a Korean context. Often, these English loanwords or transliterations don’t keep their original meanings\u2014and sometimes mean something else entirely.<\/p>\n

Examples of Konglish include:<\/p>\n

\uc544\uc774\uc1fc\ud551\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 lit. “eye shopping” but means “window shopping”<\/p>\n

\uac1c\uadf8\ub9e8\u00a0<\/em>\u2014 lit. “gag man” but means “male comedian”<\/p>\n

\ud654\uc774\ud305\u00a0\u2014 lit. “Fighting!” but essentially means “Good luck!”<\/p>\n

While perceptions of Konglish differ in Korea (criticisms<\/a> have been leveled against the increasing use of English in Korean speak), Konglish has nonetheless become a mainstay in the Korean language and text slang in particular.<\/p>\n

Special Features of Korean Texting<\/h2>\n

Purposeful Typos<\/h3>\n

You know how, in English texts, you use words like “wut” instead of “what” or “chu” for “you?”<\/p>\n

Korean texts have a similar quirk. To save time and keystrokes<\/strong>, words are misspelled based on how they sound\u2014i.e., the correct character is substituted with a similar-sounding one.<\/p>\n

For example, \ubb50\ud574, <\/em>which means “What are you doing,” can be misspelled as\u00a0\uba38\ud574, <\/em>which means “What’s up?” This example cuts out the keystroke needed for the \u315c character.<\/p>\n

So the next time you get confused by a typo in Korean, try saying the phrase out loud. You’ll either understand what it really means then\u2014or realize that the other person indeed made a typo.<\/p>\n

Ways to Sound Cute<\/h3>\n

If you watch Korean TV shows<\/a> or listen to K-pop<\/a>, you may know the term\u00a0\uc560\uad50,<\/em> which roughly translates to appearing cute<\/a> by acting in an affectionate, childlike manner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\uc560\uad50 shows up in texts in a couple of ways.<\/p>\n