{"id":50327,"date":"2022-11-16T12:00:18","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T11:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/?p=50327"},"modified":"2025-03-21T17:32:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T08:32:56","slug":"common-korean-phrases-in-k-dramas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/blog\/common-korean-phrases-in-k-dramas\/","title":{"rendered":"7 types of common Korean phrases in K-dramas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn some common Korean phrases in K-dramas! We have a collection of them ready for you below!<\/p>\n

\"Korean<\/p>\n

Korean phrases in K-dramas by category<\/h2>\n

1. Korean phrases in K-dramas – Relationships<\/h3>\n

When talking to one another, Koreans often use various terms of endearment. Some of the common Korean phrases in K-dramas about relationships are as follows:<\/p>\n

Unni<\/strong> (\uc5b8\ub2c8): This is a term for older sisters of girls, but can be used for an older female friend as well.<\/p>\n

Oppa<\/strong> (\uc624\ube60): This is a term for older brothers of girls, but can also imply either an older male friend and even a boyfriend, who is older than the girl.<\/p>\n

Noona<\/strong> (\ub204\ub098): This is a term for older sisters of boys, but can also be used for an older female friend and even a girlfriend, who is older than the boy.<\/p>\n

Hyung<\/strong> (\ud615): This is a term for older brothers of boys, but can also imply an older male friend as well.<\/p>\n

Eomeoni \/ eomma<\/strong> (\uc5b4\uba38\ub2c8\/ \uc5c4\ub9c8): The first term is the formal way of saying mother, while the second term is the informal way of saying the same (mom).<\/p>\n

Abeoji \/ Abba<\/strong> (\uc544\ubc84\uc9c0\/ \uc544\ube60): The first term is the formal way of saying father, and the second term is the informal way of saying the same (dad).<\/p>\n

Halmeoni<\/strong> (\ud560\uba38\ub2c8): Grandmother<\/p>\n

Harabeoji<\/strong> (\ud560\uc544\ubc84\uc9c0): Grandfather<\/p>\n

Samchon<\/strong> (\uc0bc\ucd0c): Literally meaning uncle, however it can also be a friendly way to refer to any middle-aged man.<\/p>\n

Gomo \/ Imo<\/strong> (\uace0\ubaa8\/\uc774\ubaa8): The first term is used to talk about your father\u2019s sister while the second one is used for your mother\u2019s sister.<\/p>\n

Chingu \/ Namjachingu \/ Yeojachingu<\/strong> (\uce5c\uad6c\/ \ub0a8\uc790\uce5c\uad6c\/ \uc5ec\uc790\uce5c\uad6c): Any friends you have are your chingu but your boyfriend is your namjachingu and your girlfriend is your yeojachingu. Boyfriend and girlfriend are often abbreviated to simply \ub0a8\uce5c and \uc5ec\uce5c.<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

2. Korean phrases in K-dramas – Greetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jal jinaeyo? <\/strong>(\uc798 \uc9c0\ub0b4\uc694?): How are you? – a\u00a0polite way to ask how someone is doing, typically used with people you don\u2019t know very well or in a more formal situation.<\/p>\n

Oraenman-ieyo <\/strong>(\uc624\ub79c\ub9cc\uc774\uc5d0\uc694): <\/strong>Long time no see – when you meet someone you haven\u2019t seen in a while, usually used after a gap in communication or absence.<\/p>\n

3. Korean phrases in K-dramas – Romance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Saranghaeyo<\/strong> (\uc0ac\ub791\ud574\uc694): I love you – sarang is love and hae is to do. This term usually signifies the deepest form of love and devotion a couple can show one another.<\/p>\n

Yaksokhaeyo<\/strong> (\uc57d\uc18d\ud574\uc694): Promise me – yaksok is a promise. This term is often used to seal a verbal agreement between two people.<\/p>\n

Johahaeyo<\/strong> (\uc88b\uc544\ud574\uc694): I like you – johahae means to like something. It is usually the phrase initiating a relationship between protagonists.<\/p>\n

Haengbokhaeyo<\/strong> (\ud589\ubcf5\ud574\uc694): This term is used to talk about the ultimate happiness one can experience.<\/p>\n

Bogoshipeoyo<\/strong> (\ubcf4\uace0\uc2f6\uc5b4\uc694): I miss you – bogo means seeing, and shipeo means wanting to. The term literally means that you want to see somebody or something.<\/p>\n

Check out our Instagram reel to learn how to pronounce some romantic Korean phrases<\/a>!<\/p>\n

4. Korean phrases in K-dramas – Apologetic<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jeongmal mianhaeyo <\/strong>(\uc815\ub9d0 \ubbf8\uc548\ud574\uc694): I\u2019m really sorry – when you want to emphasize how sorry you are for something you\u2019ve done, and you’re genuinely apologetic.<\/p>\n

Gwaenchanhayo <\/strong>(\uad1c\ucc2e\uc544\uc694): It\u2019s okay \/ I\u2019m fine – used to reassure someone who is apologizing or showing concern, often in response to someone saying sorry.<\/p>\n

Naega jalmoshaesseoyo <\/strong>(\ub0b4\uac00 \uc798\ubabb\ud588\uc5b4\uc694): I was wrong – used when you\u2019re admitting a mistake and taking responsibility for your actions.<\/p>\n

5. Korean phrases in K-dramas – Surprises<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Note all are in informal form, \ubc18\ub9d0.<\/p>\n

Daebak! <\/strong>(\ub300\ubc15!):\u00a0Awesome! – when something surprising or impressive happens, often used in excited or shocked moments.<\/p>\n

Jeongmal? <\/strong>(\uc815\ub9d0?): Really? – expresses disbelief or surprise when you hear something unexpected.<\/p>\n

Eomeo! <\/strong>(\uc5b4\uba38!): Oh my! – often used when something shocking or unexpected happens, usually exclaimed in a high-pitched, surprised tone.<\/p>\n

Jinjja? <\/strong>(\uc9c4\uc9dc?): Seriously? – used when you’re amazed or need confirmation about something.<\/p>\n

6. Korean phrases in K-dramas – Daily Conversation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bap meogeosseoyo? <\/strong>(\ubc25 \uba39\uc5c8\uc5b4\uc694?): Have you eaten? – a common greeting, especially in Korean culture. It\u2019s often asked out of concern or habit rather than just a literal question.<\/p>\n

Baegopayo<\/strong> \/ baebulleoyo<\/strong> (\ubc30\uace0\ud30c\uc694\/ \ubc30\ubd88\ub7ec\uc694): These phrases mean, “I am hungry” and “My stomach is full,” respectively.<\/p>\n

Mwo haeyo?<\/strong> (\ubb50 \ud574\uc694?): What are you doing? – casual conversation starter, often asked between friends or close acquaintances.<\/p>\n

Gajimayo<\/strong> (\uac00\uc9c0\ub9c8\uc694): Don’t leave – ga means to go or leave and when you add jima it means don’t do it. This phrase is often said when one of the protagonists is scared that their lover will leave them.<\/p>\n

7. Korean phrases in K-dramas – Encouragement<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Himnaeyo <\/strong>(\ud798\ub0b4\uc694): Cheer up \/ Hang in there – to offer encouragement to someone who’s going through a tough time.<\/p>\n

Jal hal su isseoyo <\/strong>(\uc798 \ud560 \uc218 \uc788\uc5b4\uc694): You can do it – used to motivate or encourage someone who’s unsure of themselves.<\/p>\n

Sugohaseyo <\/strong>(\uc218\uace0\ud558\uc138\uc694): Good job \/ Keep up the good work – to praise or encourage someone who is working hard or has done something well.<\/p>\n

If you want to learn more about Korean expressions, we recommend you to read these articles:<\/p>\n