What Does 갑분싸 (Gapbunssa) Mean?
10-Second Answer
갑분싸 (gapbunssa) describes the moment a conversation or mood suddenly turns awkward — "the sudden atmosphere-chill." It's a contraction of 갑자기 (suddenly) + 분위기 (mood/atmosphere) + 싸해지다 (to turn cold/awkward) — Korean's version of "and then everyone went quiet."
Quick Examples
내 농담에 갑분싸됐어.
nae nongdame gapbunssa dwaesseo.
My joke made everything suddenly awkward.
아... 갑분싸.
a... gapbunssa.
Oh... awkward silence.
Often just dropped as a standalone reaction to a cringe moment.
Breaking Down the Word
| Piece | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 갑(자기) | suddenly |
| 분(위기) | mood/atmosphere |
| 싸(해지다) | to turn cold/chilly (metaphorically awkward) |
This four-syllable-contraction pattern (grabbing one syllable from each word in a phrase) is extremely common in Korean internet slang — 갑분싸 is one of the most successful and widely recognized examples of it.
When You'll Hear It
- A joke that completely fails to land
- Someone brings up an accidentally sensitive topic
- An awkward silence after a mistranslation or misunderstanding
- Group chats and variety shows use it constantly to caption cringe moments
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Using it for ordinary sadness or seriousness
갑분싸 specifically means an awkward, deflating shift — not any negative mood change.
Mistake #2 — Using it formally
Like most internet-slang contractions, it's casual only.
Mini Quiz
1. What three words combine to form 갑분싸?
2. When would you use 갑분싸?
3. Is 갑분싸 appropriate in formal writing?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Another beloved Korean internet contraction — this one for a total mental meltdown.
Will you remember this tomorrow?
Add it to your review queue — the daily session brings it back before you forget.
Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.