21 Daebak Korean Slang Words You Need To Know

Sorry if this list is no-jaem.

1. 대박 (daebak)

Definition: The Korean equivalent of "awesome" or "epic," this term can be used to describe anything incredible or unbelievable.

2. 낄끼빠빠 (kkil-kki-ppa-ppa)

Definition: Someone who can never properly read into the social atmosphere and feelings of other people.

Origin: A shortened word from the phrase "낄 때 끼고 빠질 때 빠져라" (kkil-tteh-kki-go ppa-jil-tteh-ppa-jyuh-rah)," or "stick around when you need to stick around, leave when you need to leave."

3. 꿀잼 (kkool-jaem)

Definition: An adjective describing anything that's very cool or very fun.

Origin: A combination of the words "꿀" (kkool) for "honey" and "재미있어" (jae-mi-suh).

4. 노잼 (no-jaem)

Definition: An adjective describing something tasteless and/or tedious, such as homework or a bad joke.

Origin: A combination of the English word "no" and a shortened version of "재미있어" (jae-mi-suh).

5. 헐 (heol)

Definition: A common exclamation used to express frustration, annoyance, and/or disbelief. (For example: "Flights to Korea are seriously that expensive? Heol."

6. 불금 (bool-geum)

Definition: The Korean equivalent of "TGIF."

Origin: An abbreviation of "불타는 금요일" (bool-ta-neun geum-yo-il), or "Burning Friday."

7. 월요병 (wol-yo-byung)

Definition: The Monday Blues

Origin: Literally translates to "Monday sickness"

8. 클래스! (keul-leh-su)

Definition: An exclamation to describe something executed extremely well.

Origin: A romanization of the English word "class," short for "high class."

9. 썸 (ssum)

Definition: "The chase" that happens before any potential relationship.

Origin: This word comes from "something" that is occurring between two people who are interested in each other, but have yet to initiate anything.

10. 된장남/된장녀 (dwoen-jang-nam/dwoen-jang-nyeo)

Definition: A dwoen-jang-nam is a guy who's so very into anything luxurious that they come off as very spoiled and demanding. A dwoen-jang-nyeo is the female equivalent.

11. 프사 (peu-sa)

Definition: Profile picture

Origin: An abbreviation of the words "프로파일 사진" (peu-ro-pa-il sa-jin), or profile photo. Please go like my peu-sa please!

12. 페북 (pae-buk)

Definition: Facebook

Origin: An abbreviation for Facebook itself from the Korean word for Facebook: 페이스 북 (pe-i-su buk).

13. 훈남/훈녀 (hoon-nam/hoon-nyeo)

Definition: "훈남" refers to the absolute ideal male partner who has it all in looks, personality, wealth, job, etc. A "훈녀" is the female equivalent of the term.

14. 금사빠 (geum-sah-ppah)

Definition: Someone who falls in love easily.

Origin: Comes from the term "금방 사랑에 빠지는 사람" (geum-bang sa-rang-eh ppa-ji-neun sa-ram), or "someone who falls in love immediately."

15. 엄친아/엄친녀 (eom-chin-ah/eom-chin-nyeo)

Definition: Your mom's friend's perfect, charming, athletic, intelligent, handsome son/daughter who you're constantly being compared to.

Origin: A contraction of the term "엄마친구아들" (eom-mah-chin-goo-ah-deul), or "Mom's friend's son". "Eom-chin-nyeo" is the daughter equivalent of this term.

16. 얼빠 (eol-ppa)

Definition: Someone who easily falls for beautiful/handsome people.

Origin: An abbreviation of the phrase "얼굴에 빠지다" (eol-gool-eh ppa-ji-dah), or "falling in love with a face."

17. 짱 (jjang)

Definition: A term meaning "the best." Variations of this term include "얼짱" (uljjang), or "best face," and "몸짱" (mohm-jjang), or "best body."

18. 뻥치지마! (ppung-chi-ji-mah)

Definition: "Stop lying!"

Origin: Comes from the words "뻥" (ppung), which means "a lie," and "치다" (chi-dah), or "to hit."

19. 김오띠 (ah keem-oh-ttee)

Definition: This term basically means "feeling good," and is often exclaimed over something unbelievably amazing.

Origin: A Koreanized slang term from the Japanese term "kimochi," which means "feeling."

20. MT (엠티)

Definition: A big group outing for a company, class, team, club, etc, held to welcome new members. Korean-style heavy drinking is not only common, but expected.

Origin: The Korean spelling and pronunciation of the initials of "Membership Training"

21. 막장 (mak-jang)

Definition: A situation that is so bad, it can't possibly get any worse.