Dive in Korean

Topic guide

K-Drama Slang & Expressions You Keep Hearing

Watch one K-drama episode and you'll hear these words a dozen times each. Subtitles translate around them — 'oh no,' 'seriously,' 'oh my' — but never quite explain what they actually do.

Here is the full reaction-word toolkit, from shocked 헐 to panicked 어떡해, each with the nuance subtitles skip.

  1. 01

    What Does 대박 (Daebak) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 대박 (daebak) means in Korean — from 'jackpot' to 'awesome' to shocked 'no way' — with real examples and a quiz.

  2. 02

    What Does 헐 (Heol) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 헐 (heol) means in Korean — the speechless 'what…', 'OMG' reaction — how it differs from 대박, and when to use it.

  3. 03

    What Does 진짜 (Jinjja) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 진짜 (jinjja) means in Korean — 'really?', 'real', and the intensifier 'so/seriously' — with examples, register notes, and a quiz.

  4. 04

    What Does 아이고 (Aigoo) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 아이고 (aigoo) means in Korean — the sigh of pain, sympathy, exasperation, and endearment — with examples and a quiz.

  5. 05

    What Does 어머 (Omo) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 어머 (omo) means in Korean — the 'oh my!' of surprise — who says it, 어머나 vs 어머, and how it differs from 헐 and 아이고.

  6. 06

    What Does 어떡해 (Eottoke) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 어떡해 (eottoke) means in Korean — 'oh no, what do I do?!' — how it differs from 어떻게, and why K-dramas say it constantly.

  7. 07

    What Does 괜찮아 (Gwaenchana) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 괜찮아 (gwaenchana) means in Korean — 'I'm okay', 'it's okay', 'no thanks', and 'are you okay?' — one word, four jobs.

  8. 08

    What Does 제발 (Jebal) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 제발 (jebal) means in Korean — the pleading 'please' — and why it's different from adding 주세요 to a polite request.

  9. 09

    What Does 화이팅 (Hwaiting / Fighting) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 화이팅/파이팅 (hwaiting, 'fighting!') means in Korean — the all-purpose cheer of encouragement — where it came from and how to use it.

  10. 10

    What Does 사랑해 (Saranghae) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 사랑해 (saranghae) means, the difference between 사랑해, 사랑해요, and 사랑합니다, and how K-pop uses 'saranghae' with fans.

  11. 11

    What Does 애교 (Aegyo) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 애교 (aegyo) means — acting cute in Korean culture — with 애교 부리다, K-pop aegyo, bbuing bbuing, and when it's expected.

  12. 12

    What Does ㅋㅋㅋ Mean in Korean?

    Learn what ㅋㅋㅋ means in Korean texting — the 'hahaha' of Korean chat — how it differs from ㅎㅎ, and why the number of ㅋ matters.

Want these to stick?

Quiz yourself in today's study session →