10 Pretty Korean Informal Expressions to Use in Everyday Conversations

10 Pretty Korean Informal Expressions to Use in Everyday Conversations

Korean is known for its polite and formal language. However, there are plenty of informal expressions that you can use in everyday conversations. These expressions can help you sound more natural and connect better with the locals. In this blog post, we’ll go over 10 pretty Korean informal expressions that you can start using today.

1. 진짜(jin-jja)

This versatile expression translates to “really” in English. You can use it to show surprise, emphasize a point, or express enthusiasm. For example, if someone tells you a surprising fact, you can respond with “진짜?” (Really?). Or if you’re excited about a new restaurant opening, you can say “진짜 좋아해!” (I really like it!).

2. 괜찮아(gwaen-chan-a)

This expression translates to “it’s okay” or “it’s fine.” It’s a great way to reassure someone or to respond to a situation. For example, if someone apologizes for being late, you can respond with “괜찮아” (It’s okay). Or if someone asks if you need help, but you don’t, you can say “괜찮아요” (I’m fine).

3. 대박(daebak)

This expression translates to “awesome” or “amazing.” It’s a popular expression used to describe something great that happens. For example, if your favorite soccer team wins, you can say “대박!” (Awesome!). Or if your friend tells you they got a promotion, you can say “대박이야” (That’s amazing!).

4. 재밌어(jae-bi-tteo)

This expression translates to “fun” or “interesting.” It’s a great way to describe something you enjoy or find entertaining. For example, if you watch a funny video on YouTube, you can say “재밌어!” (That was fun!). Or if you read an interesting book, you can say “재밌게 읽었어” (I enjoyed reading it).

5. 아까(akka)

This expression translates to “just now” or “a little while ago.” It’s a great way to refer to recent events or actions. For example, if someone asks if you ate lunch, but you already did, you can say “아까 먹었어요” (I just ate). Or if your friend missed a call from you, you can say “아까 전화했어” (I called a little while ago).

6. 뻥치지마(bbeong-chi-ji-ma)

This expression translates to “don’t lie” or “stop joking.” It’s a playful way to tell someone that you don’t believe what they’re saying. For example, if your friend tells you they won the lottery, you can say “뻥치지마” (Stop joking). Or if you catch your sibling telling a lie, you can say “뻥치지마, 내가 다 안다” (Don’t lie, I know everything).

7. 충분해(chung-bun-hae)

This expression translates to “it’s enough” or “it’s sufficient.” It’s a great way to let someone know that you don’t need more of something. For example, if someone offers you more food, but you’re full, you can say “충분해요” (It’s enough). Or if someone offers to lend you money, but you don’t need it, you can say “충분해, 고맙지만 괜찮아요” (It’s enough, thank you, but I’m okay).

8. 신경쓰지마(shin-gyeong-sseu-ji-ma)

This expression translates to “don’t worry” or “don’t care.” It’s a great way to tell someone not to stress out or overthink things. For example, if your friend is worried about a test, you can say “신경쓰지마, 잘 될 거야” (Don’t worry, you’ll do well). Or if your sibling is stressing out about their appearance, you can say “신경쓰지마, 너는 예쁘니까” (Don’t care, you’re pretty).

9. 거지같아(geo-ji-gat-a)

This expression translates to “it’s awful” or “it’s terrible.” It’s a playful way to describe something that’s not good or not up to par. For example, if you try a new restaurant and the food is terrible, you can say “거지같아” (It’s awful). Or if you watch a movie and it’s boring, you can say “거지같은 영화야” (The movie was terrible).

10. 그래서?(geu-rae-seo?)

This expression translates to “so what?” or “what’s the big deal?” It’s a great way to dismiss something that’s not important or to challenge someone’s opinion. For example, if someone tells you they don’t like your outfit, you can say “그래서?” (So what?). Or if someone tries to convince you to watch a TV show, but you’re not interested, you can say “그래서, 볼 필요 없어” (So what, I don’t need to watch it).

Conclusion

Using Korean informal expressions can help you connect better with the locals and sound more natural in everyday conversations. These 10 pretty Korean informal expressions are a great starting point, but there are plenty more out there to learn. So next time you’re in Korea, try using one of these expressions and see how it improves your interactions with others.