New and Useful Korean Slang for 2015

Language is something that is constantly evolving alongside culture. Things that are important to a society at the moment are often reflected in the popular colloquial language being used by younger generations. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most popular Korean slang terms being used today.

모쏠 (mo-ssol): Someone who has never had a boyfriend/girlfriend; a virgin

Short for 모태 솔로 (mo-tae-sollo) – “solo” since being in the mother’s womb

Example:

내 친구는 아직도 모쏠이야.

(Nae chingu-neun ajik-do mo-ssol-ee-ya.)

My friend is still a virgin.

뇌섹남 (noe-sek-nam): A man who is intelligent, an eloquent speaker, funny, and charming

뇌 (noe) – brain

섹 (sek) – short for 섹시 (sexy)

남 (nam) – short for 남자 (man)

Example:

요즘은 몸짱보다는 뇌섹남이 더 인기가 많대.

(Yo-jeum-eun mom-jjang bo-da-neun noe-sek-nam-ee deo in-gi-ga man-dae.)

These days, intelligent and charming guys are more popular than guys with great bodies.

꿀잼 (ggul-jaem): Something that is really fun

꿀 (ggul) – honey

잼 (jaem) – short for 재미있다 (fun, interesting)

Example:

어제 시작한 그 TV쇼 봤어? 완전 꿀잼이야!

(Eo-je shi-jak-han geu TVshyo bwasseo? Wan-jeon ggul-jaem-ee-ya!)

Did you see that TV show that started yesterday? It’s so awesome!

노잼 (no-jaem): Something that is not fun

노 (no) – Korean spelling of the English word, “no”

잼 (jaem) – short for 재미있다 (fun, interesting)

Example:

정말? 노잼이라는 사람들도 많던데?

(Jeong-mal? No-jaem-ee-ra-neun sa-ram-deul-do man-deon-de?)

Really? I heard a lot of people saying it wasn’t very good.

솔까말 (sol-kka-mal): To speak frankly, honestly

Short for 솔직히 까놓고 말하다 (sol-jik-hee kka-noh-ko mal-ha-da)

Example:

솔까말 어제 우리가 먹은 저녁은 정말 별로였어.

(Sol-kka-mal eo-je u-ri-ga meog-eun jeo-nyeok-eun jeong-mal byeol-lo-yeoss-eo.)

Honestly, dinner wasn’t very good yesterday.

극혐 (geuk-hyeom): Extreme disgust, incredibly detestable

Short for 극한의 혐오

극한 (geuk-han) – limit

혐오 (hyeom-oh) – disgust, loathing, revulsion

Example:

악! 저기 바퀴벌레다! 완전 극혐이야!

(Ak! Jeo-gi ba-kweo-beol-le-da! Wan-jeon geuk-hyeom-ee-ya!)

Blech! There’s a cockroach over there! So gross!

맛저 (mat-jeo)/맞점 (mat-jeom): To have a tasty dinner/lunch

Short for 맛있는 저녁 (referring to a delicious dinner)/맛있는 점심 (referring to a delicious lunch)

Example:

지금 식사하러 가시는 거예요? 맛점/맛저하세요~

(Ji-geum shik-sa-ha-reo ga-shi-neun geo-ye-yo? Mat-jeom/mat-jeo ha-se-yo?)

Are you going to get food now? Enjoy!

오포 세대 (oh-po se-dae): The generation who have given up on dating, marriage, having children, personal relationships, and home ownership due to the difficulties of life.

오 (oh) – five (things)

포기하다 (pogihada) – to give up

세대 (sedae) – generation

Example:

요즘은 경기가 너무 어려워서 오포세대가 점점 늘어나고 있어.

(Yo-jeum-eun gyeong-gi-ga neo-mu eo-ryeo-weo-seo o-po-se-dae-ga jeom-jeom neul-eo-na-go iss-seo.)

The economy is so bad these days that the number of people who are giving up on dating, marriage, having children, personal relationships, and home ownership is slowly increasing.

심쿵 (shim-kung): Emotional heart attack; particularly when you see something or someone beautiful or attractive

심장이 (shim-jang-ee) – the heart

쿵 (kung) – bump, thud

Example:

이 강아지 좀 봐. 완전 심쿵! 정말 귀여워!

(Ee kang-ah-ji jom bwa. Wan-jeon shim-kung! Jeong-mal gwi-yeo-weo!)

Look at this dog. It’s so cute I could die!

까도남 (kka-do-nam): An arrogant city-man; typically represented as rich, successful businessmen

Short for 까칠한 도시 남자 (kka-chil-han do-shi nam-ja)

까칠하다 – harsh, haggard

도시 – city

남자 – man

Example:

어제 소개팅한 사람 완전 까도남이야. 너무 튕기더라고.

(Eo-je so-gae-ting-han sa-ram wan-jeon kka-do-nam-ee-ya. Neo-mu twing-ki-deo-ra-go.)

The guy I went on a blind date with yesterday was such an arrogant city-guy. I don’t think he was interested.