Intermediate • • 15 min read

Korean Slang and Internet Language: Modern Communication Guide

Learn modern Korean slang and internet language. Master popular expressions, abbreviations, and online communication styles used in K-pop, social media, and daily life.

Modern Korean Slang

대박 - Awesome/Amazing
헐 - OMG/Wow
짱 - The best
꿀잼 - Super fun
노잼 - Boring
핵 - Super/Extremely
갑 - The best/Top tier
오졌다 - Awesome/Lit

Daily Life Slang

밥먹으로 갈래? - Wanna grab food?
완전 - Totally
진짜 - Really
대충 - More or less
귀찮다 - Bothersome
심쿵 - Heart flutter
답답해 - Frustrated

Slang Practice

1. What does '대박' mean?

2. How would you express that something is super fun?

3. What's the opposite of '꿀잼'?

Internet Abbreviations

Common Shortcuts

ㄱㄱ - 고고 (Go go)
ㅇㅇ - 응응 (Yes yes)
ㄴㄴ - 노노 (No no)
ㅋㅋㅋ - Hahaha
ㅎㅎㅎ - Hehehe
ㄷㄷ - 덜덜 (Shaking)
ㅇㄱㄹㅇ - 이거레알 (This is real)

Text Message Slang

뭐함? - What are you doing?
어디야? - Where are you?
밥먹었어? - Have you eaten?
ㅈㅅ - 죄송합니다 (Sorry)
ㄱㅅ - 감사합니다 (Thanks)
ㄱㄷ - 기다려 (Wait)

Social Media Language

SNS Expressions

좋아요 - Like
팔로우 - Follow
공유 - Share
댓글 - Comment
인스타 - Instagram
페북 - Facebook
DM - Direct Message

Hashtag Culture

#맛스타그램 - Food posts
#셀카 - Selfie
#일상 - Daily life
#OOTD - Outfit of the day
#데일리 - Daily
#인스타감성 - Instagram vibes

Internet Language Practice

1. What does 'ㅋㅋㅋ' represent?

2. How do you abbreviate 'sorry' in Korean text?

3. What's the meaning of #맛스타그램?

Gaming Language

Gaming Terms

ㄲㅂ - 끄기박기 (Kiting)
ㅁㄷ - 미드 (Mid)
ㄹㄹ - 롤 (LoL)
ㄴㅇㅅ - 나이스 (Nice)
ㄱㅇㄷ - 개오디 (Very good)
ㅈㅈ - 지지 (GG - Good Game)

Gaming Communication

팟 구함 - Looking for party
템 줍줍 - Collecting items
렙업 - Level up
버프 좀 - Need buff
힐 좀 - Need heal
탱커 구함 - Need tank

K-pop Fan Language

Fan Culture Terms

덕질 - Fan activities
최애 - Favorite idol
bias - Favorite member
컴백 - Comeback
팬미팅 - Fan meeting
팬서비스 - Fan service

Fan Communication

화이팅 - Fighting (encouragement)
대박나자 - Let's hit it big
사랑해요 - Love you
응원해요 - Supporting you
완전 멋있어 - So cool
대기중 - Waiting

Fan Language Practice

1. What does '최애' mean in K-pop context?

2. How do fans express support?

3. What's the meaning of '덕질'?

Emoji and Emoticons

Korean Style Emoticons

^^ - Smiling
ㅠㅠ - Crying
ㅜㅜ - Crying
>_< - Frustrated
^0^ - Very happy
-_- - Unimpressed
:3 - Cute face
🙏 - Please/Thank you
❤️ - Love
👍 - Good/OK
😭 - Crying/Touched
🔥 - Hot/Trending
✨ - Sparkle/Special

Common Mistakes

Usage Mistakes

  1. Using slang in formal situations
  2. Misunderstanding context
  3. Overusing abbreviations
  4. Wrong age group expressions
  5. Mixing formal and casual speech

Cultural Considerations

  1. Age-appropriate language
  2. Platform-specific expressions
  3. Trend sensitivity
  4. Regional variations
  5. Generation gaps

Next Steps

To improve your modern Korean:

  1. Follow Korean social media
  2. Watch Korean streamers
  3. Join Korean online communities
  4. Practice with native speakers
  5. Stay updated with trends

Remember: Slang and internet language evolve quickly, so stay current with trends and be mindful of appropriate contexts for usage.