Korean phrases / Korean Words You Hear in K-Dramas

Korean Words You Hear in K-Dramas

K-dramas teach a lot of real Korean, but they also teach it out of context. 오빠 (oppa) is not a word for any handsome man, and 미쳤어? (are you crazy?) is not something to say to a stranger.

Below are the words viewers ask about most, with who says them to whom. The family words are the most important: Koreans use them for friends and colleagues, not only relatives, and which one you use depends on your own gender as well as the other person's.

Voice:

What people call each other

  • 오빠

    oppa

    Older brother; said by a woman to an older man

    Used for brothers, older male friends and boyfriends. A man never calls anyone 오빠.

  • 언니

    eonni

    Older sister; said by a woman to an older woman

    Also used for friendly shop staff and older female friends.

  • 형

    hyeong

    Older brother; said by a man to an older man

  • 누나

    nuna

    Older sister; said by a man to an older woman

  • 선배

    seonbae

    Senior at school or work

    The opposite is 후배 (hubae), a junior.

  • 자기야

    jagiya

    Honey (between couples)

  • 아저씨

    ajeossi

    Mister; a middle-aged man

    Fine for a taxi driver or a stranger, but it can sting if he is younger than he looks.

Reactions

  • 대박!

    daebak!

    Awesome! / No way!

    Works for both good news and shocking news.

  • 진짜?

    jinjja?

    Really?

  • 헐

    heol

    What?! (shock, disbelief)

    Casual; mostly young people and texting.

  • 아이고

    aigo

    Oh dear / Oof

    For tiredness, pain, pity or relief. Older speakers say it constantly.

  • 어머

    eomeo

    Oh my!

    Typically said by women.

  • 짜증 나

    jjajeung na

    So annoying

  • 미쳤어?

    michyeosseo?

    Are you crazy?

    Only between close friends; rude anywhere else.

Lines from the big scenes

  • 괜찮아?

    gwaenchana?

    Are you okay?

  • 밥 먹었어?

    bap meogeosseo?

    Have you eaten?

    Often just a caring "how are you", not a question about food.

  • 가지 마

    gaji ma

    Do not go

  • 보고 싶었어

    bogo sipeosseo

    I missed you

  • 약속해

    yaksokhae

    Promise me

  • 우리 헤어지자

    uri heeojija

    Let us break up

Example conversation: Two friends after last night's episode

A younger friend asks an older one about the drama finale. Both are women, so the younger says 언니. Younger friend is voiced by Naeun and older friend by Jinhee.

  1. Younger friend

    언니, 어제 드라마 봤어?

    eonni, eoje deurama bwasseo?

    Unnie, did you watch the drama last night?

  2. Older friend

    당연하지! 마지막 장면 대박이었어.

    dangyeonhaji! majimak jangmyeon daebagieosseo.

    Of course! The last scene was amazing.

  3. Younger friend

    진짜? 나 아직 못 봤어.

    jinjja? na ajik mot bwasseo.

    Really? I have not seen it yet.

  4. Older friend

    헐, 빨리 봐. 나 완전 울었어.

    heol, ppalli bwa. na wanjeon ureosseo.

    What? Watch it now. I totally cried.

  5. Younger friend

    알았어. 오늘 밤에 볼게.

    arasseo. oneul bame bolge.

    Okay. I will watch it tonight.

More everyday Korean

The romanization follows the Revised Romanization of Korean, which spells words rather than showing every sound change. The recordings are synthesized voices speaking standard Seoul Korean. For how sounds change between syllables, see how to pronounce Korean names.