#kworl

This expression could be a statement or a sarcastic question. This is often used among friends of the same age or to someone younger. This means ‘are you kidding or ‘are you kidding me?’

In Korean dramas, you’ll never hear this being said to someone older or someone holding a higher position than the speaker unless the person means to be rude.

2. 혹시 (hoksi) – By any chance

This word is used at the beginning of a statement or a question where a person is having doubts about a particular thing. The word 혹시 (hoksi) means ‘by any chance’ or ‘maybe.’

3. 콜 (kol) – Call/Deal

This is an expression Koreans consider as Konglish. This means ‘call’ or ‘deal’ and is used when you are up for the challenge or when you are agreeing on something.

4. 뻥치지마 (ppeongchijima) – Don’t lie

This expression is used when the person you are talking to seems to be lying. It came from 뻥을 치다 (ppeongeul chida) which means ‘tell a lie.’ 지마 (jima) is from the polite expression 지 마세요 (ji maseyo) which usually denotes “do not.”

5. 오해 하지마 (ohae hajima) – Don’t misunderstand

We usually hear this phrase in romantic comedies or romance dramas. A person says this when he or she wants to hide his or her true feelings or intentions. But this phrase can generally be used when you don’t want others to misunderstand or misinterpret you.

The word 오해 means ‘misunderstanding.’ The word 하지마 (hajima) from the polite expression 하지 마세요 (haji maseyo) means ‘do not.’ If you want to sound polite then you may say 오해 하지 마세요 (ohae haji maseyo).

6. 이렇게 (ireoke) – Like this?

이렇게(ireoke) is a phrase that could be used to ask someone how to do something or instruct someone to perform something in a certain way depending on the context. This phrase means literally ‘like this’ although the nuance can be ‘what should I do?’

7. 아싸 (assa) – Oh yeah

This expression can be used in many different situations.  It is used when a person just got something he or she wants, won the jackpot, or when a person feels lucky.

8. 그럼 그럼 (geureom geureom) – Sure, sure

In dramas, we often hear this when the character is agreeing to another character’s ideas and opinion. It means sure or of course. And sometimes, it can also be used at the beginning of a sentence that indicates condition. It can be used to mean if so, and then.

9. 잠깐만 (jamkkanman) – Wait for awhile

This phrase is usually used when you want another person to wait for you. It literally means ‘for awhile’ or ‘wait for a while.’ You can add 요 (yo) to it to be polite then that would be 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo).

Another variation of this expression is 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo).

10. 글쎄요 (geulsseyo) – Well, I don’t know

This is an expression we commonly hear in dramas when a character is being asked for an opinion, idea or an answer and he or she doesn’t know what answer to give or they want to have some time to think. This expression can mean ‘I don’t know,’ ‘well,’ or ‘let me see.’

11. 어쩔  건데 (ojjeol geonde) – What are you going to do

어쩔 건데 (ojjeol geonde) means ‘what are you going to do?’ Again, this may only be used towards a person really close to you or someone of your age and to a person younger than you. It would sound rude and impolite when used to a stranger and to an older person.

12. 뭘 봐요 (mwol bwayo) – What are you looking at

This question is usually used when a person is looking at you in a strange way.

In dramas, you would usually hear this question among characters who have the same age or is addressed to someone younger. More often than not using 뭘 봐요 (mwol bwayo), although it has 요 (yo), it could be disrespectful when used in the wrong tone. This means what ‘are you looking at’ or ‘why are you looking at me.’

13. 무슨 소리야 이게 (museun soriya ige) – What is this sound

This question can be heard in dramas when the characters hear some strange sound or they hear a sudden noise. 무슨 (museun) is another form of 뭐 (mwo) and 무엇 (mueot) that means ‘what.’ The word 소리 (sori) means ‘sound’ and 이게 (ige) means ‘this.’

So, when you hear a strange sound and you want to know what it is you may ask 무슨 소리야 이게 (museun soriya ige).

14. 어떻게 (eotteoke) – how?

This is a common expression you hear in Korean dramas which is expressed when a person doesn’t know how to do something. Sometimes, it is also used to express empathy to another person.

15. 하지마 (hajima) – Don’t do that

This phrases consists of the verb 하다 (hada | to do) + 지마 (jima | command to not do something). 하다 (hada) + 지마 (jima) = 하지마 (hajima). It is a shortened version of 하지 마세요 (haji maseyo).

This phrase is heard in dramas a lot, along with 가지마 (gajima | don’t go). It is often said in a pleading tone by whichever character is getting dumped in that particular episode.

16. 하지말라고 (hajimallago) – I said ‘don’t do that’

If the other person doesn’t respond to the speaker’s ‘하지마’ (hajima), then he or she will keep teasing the speaker. Then the next line out of the speaker’s mouth is often ‘하지말라고’ (hajimallago).

The 라고 (rago) ending is one of the many ways to use reported (indirect) speech in Korean (along with 다고 (dago), 자고 (jago), and 냐고 (nyago)). Using these endings is a little bit tricky and requires some study, so just learn this phrase for now.

17. 거짓말이야 (geojinmariya) – It’s a lie

Often part of the drama plot will involve somebody lying, and eventually being found out. The word 거짓말 (geojinmal) means lie. 이야 (iya) is the standard informal ending for nouns.

18. 거짓말 하지마 (geojinmal hajima) – Don’t lie

Combining the word ‘lie’ with the phrase ‘don’t do’ results in 거짓말 하지마 (geojinmal hajima). This expression is also very common in dramas.

19. 죽을래? (jugeullae) – Do you want to die?

Often this is said when somebody is really annoying the speaker. The ending -을래(요) (eullae(yo)) means ‘to want’ and is often used as a question ‘do you want?’

In this phrase, it is added to the end of the verb 죽다 (jukda | to die). However, you can also use this ending in other situations such as 뭐 먹을래요? (mwo meogeullaeyo | ‘What do you want to eat?’).

20. 나 먼저 갈게 (na meonjeo galge) – I will leave first

Often in dramas, somebody will have to meet at a café with somebody they dislike. Usually, this person is an evil mom trying to bribe her in an attempt to stop her from seeing her son.

If one person is leaving first, then in informal situations he or she will sometimes say 나 먼저 가 (na meonjeo ga) or 나 먼저 갈게 (na meonjeo galge), both of which mean ‘I will leave first’.

Read about how to use this phrase properly here.

21. 그래? / 진짜? / 정말? (geurae / jinjja / jeongmal) – Really?

When somebody finds out some exciting gossip, then he or she will almost certainly say one of these three words.

All of these words mean ‘really?’ in English. They are all used with about the same regularity as the next so learn them all and use them to sound more natural. You might also hear them with a 요 (yo) at the end, such as 그래요 (geuraeyo), 진짜요 (jinjjayo), and 정말요 (jeongmallyo).

22. 세상에! (sesange) – What in the world!?

This phrase is used to show disbelief. It is often used by the character playing the evil old man who is surprised that he hasn’t been shown the proper respect by the main character (despite his repeated attempts to ruin said character’s life).

23. 안돼 (andwae) – It can’t be (it isn’t allowed)

When used in normal Korean, 안 돼(요) (an dwae(yo)) means that something is not allowed.

For example, you could say 수영하면 안 돼요 (suyeonghamyeon an dwaeyo) ‘Swimming is not allowed’. However, in dramas, it is often said by the female character (speaking to herself while crying) just after being dumped. She is literally saying ‘he is not allowed to leave me’ as she can’t believe that she got dumped.

24. 사과해 / 사과하세요 (sagwahae / sagwahaseyo) – Apologize!

In dramas, people are constantly asking each other to apologize for trifling things. The other person then refuses to apologize for those things, leading to the two people ending the episode apart.

The verb ‘to apologize’ is 사과하다 (sagwahada). The ending -세요 (seyo) in this context shows that you are asking somebody to do something. The fact that the word is a homonym for the Korean word for ‘apple’ hasn’t been lost on the cheesy Korean scriptwriters who use this terrible pun on a regular basis (for example, in 꽃보다남자 (kkotbodanamja)).

25. 너 미쳤어? (neo michyeosseo) – Are you crazy?

From the verb 미치다 (michida | to be crazy), this phrase is used on a regular basis in dramas, As this is one of the more rude Korean drama phrases that you will hear, be careful in real life as people will find you very rude if you say this phrase to them.

26. 미친놈 (michinnom) – Crazy guy

Often said under someone’s breath, this word is made up of 미친 (michin | crazy) and 놈 (nom) which means ‘person’. However, it has negative connotations. It can be used with other adjectives such as ‘나쁜놈’ (nappeunnom) too.

27. 오빠 (oppa) – Older brother

Watching dramas is a really great way to get the hang of the Korean pronouns and their proper usage. Instead of the word ‘you’, Koreans use a variety of different words based on people’s position in society. The most common are:

한국어 (Korean) Romanization English Meaning

오빠 oppa a slightly older male who you are close to (used by females)

형 hyeong a slightly older male who you are close to (used by males)

누나 nuna a slightly older female who you are close to (used by males)

언니 eonni a slightly older female who you are close to (used by females)

이모 imo a middle aged women (lit. – aunt) who you are slightly close to (for example the shopkeeper in a shop that you frequently visit)

아줌마 ajumma a middle aged women (not as close to you as an 이모)

아저씨 ajeossi a middle aged man

선배 seonbae a school friend from a year that is above you

후배 hubae a school friend from a year that is below you

28. 사 줘 (sajwo) – Buy this for me