🗯️ Korean Slang Words You Should Know: Sound Like a Native
Texting with Korean friends? Watching K-dramas or YouTube?
You’ve probably heard some slang you didn’t learn in your textbook. 😵💫
In this post, we’ll cover 20 of the most common and trendy Korean slang expressions (신조어) that native speakers use every day — especially online or in casual conversations. 📱🎧
📱 Why Learn Korean Slang?
✔ Makes your Korean sound natural & modern
✔ Helps you understand memes, comments, and casual chat
✔ Great for texting, gaming, and watching K-content
📌 Note: Most slang is informal → Only use it with friends or people your age!
🧩 20 Must-Know Korean Slang Words
| Korean Slang | Meaning / Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 헐 | OMG / No way | 헐… 진짜야? (OMG… really?) |
| 대박 | Awesome / Crazy / Jackpot | 대박! 이 영화 너무 좋아! (Wow! This movie is amazing!) |
| 짱 | Super / The best | 너 짱이야! (You’re awesome!) |
| 완전 | Totally / Really | 완전 귀여워! (Totally cute!) |
| 꿀잼 | Super fun (꿀 = honey, 잼 = fun) | 이거 꿀잼이야! (This is so fun!) |
| 노잼 | No fun / Boring | 그 드라마 노잼이었어. (That drama was boring.) |
| 솔까말 | Honestly speaking (short for 솔직히 까놓고 말해서) | 솔까말 그건 좀 아니야. (Honestly, not really.) |
| 쩐다 | Dope / Epic / Crazy | 비트 쩐다! (That beat is insane!) |
| 멘붕 | Mental breakdown | 시험 망쳐서 멘붕 왔어. (I’m having a mental breakdown after that exam.) |
| 갑분싸 | Sudden awkward silence | 갑자기 조용해졌어, 갑분싸였어. |
| 알잘딱깔센 | Know well, act smart, look sharp | 알잘딱깔센으로 준비해! (Prepare perfectly!) |
| 존맛 | Super delicious (short for 존나 맛있다) | 이 라면 존맛탱! (This ramen is amazing!) |
| ㅇㅇ | Yup / Yes (text only) | A: 갈래? B: ㅇㅇ |
| ㅋㅋ / ㅎㅎ | LOL / haha (texting laugh) | 그거 봤어? ㅋㅋ |
| ㄱㄱ | Let’s go (text only) | 지금 ㄱㄱ? (Go now?) |
| ㅂㅂ | Bye bye (text only) | 잘 가~ ㅂㅂ |
| 사바사 | Case by case (사람 by 사람) | 그건 사바사야~ (Depends on the person.) |
| 핵노잼 | Super boring | 이 수업 핵노잼... |
| 뇌절 | Overdoing something / Too much | 뇌절 그만해~ (Stop overdoing it) |
| 현타 | Reality hit (현실 자각 타임) | 갑자기 현타 왔어... (Reality just hit me…) |
🗣️ How to Practice Slang Naturally
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Try using 3 slang words when texting your Korean friends
-
Comment on a YouTube or Instagram post using one (대박! 헐!)
-
Watch variety shows (like “런닝맨” or “유 퀴즈”) and write down expressions
-
Practice one sentence a day using 꿀잼, 노잼, 갑분싸, etc.
📌 Don’t use slang with teachers, elders, or in job interviews. Keep it casual only!
👩🏫 Want to Practice Real Korean with Real Talk?
I’ll help you learn how to use slang correctly and confidently in conversation, so you don’t sound awkward or too textbook.
👉 Book a lesson with me on italki:
https://www.italki.com/ko/teacher/7916559
Let’s make your Korean fun, natural, and native-like! 🎉🗣️
