What Does 진짜 (Jinjja) Mean in Korean?
10-Second Answer
진짜 (jinjja) means "real" or "really." You'll hear it three ways: as a question (진짜? "Really?"), as an intensifier (진짜 맛있어 "really delicious"), and as a noun/adjective meaning genuine (진짜 가죽 "real leather"). The polite version of the question is 진짜요?
Quick Examples
진짜? 언제?
jinjja? eonje?
Really? When?
이거 진짜 맛있어요.
igeo jinjja masisseoyo.
This is really delicious.
이 가방 진짜예요?
i gabang jinjja-yeyo?
Is this bag real (genuine)?
진짜 as a noun: the real thing. Opposite: 가짜 (fake).
아 진짜!
a jinjja!
Ugh, seriously!
Frustrated exclamation — very common in dramas.
The Three Uses
| Use | Pattern | English feel |
|---|---|---|
| Reaction question | 진짜? / 진짜요? | Really? / Seriously? |
| Intensifier | 진짜 + adjective/verb | really / so / seriously |
| Genuine (noun/modifier) | 진짜(예요) / 진짜 + noun | real, the real thing |
진짜 vs 정말
정말 (jeongmal) covers almost the same ground — "really." The difference is register and texture: 진짜 feels more casual and punchy; 정말 is slightly softer and safer in polite speech. In everyday casual talk they're near-interchangeable.
정말 감사합니다.
jeongmal gamsahamnida.
Thank you very much.
In formal thanks, 정말 fits better than 진짜.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Dropping 요 with the wrong person
진짜? is casual (반말). To someone you speak politely with, say 진짜요? — the tiny 요 does a lot of work.
Mistake #2 — Overusing 아 진짜!
The frustrated 아 진짜! reads as annoyance. Charming among friends, whiny or rude in the wrong company.
Mini Quiz
1. Your friend's mom tells you surprising news. How do you say "Really?" politely?
2. What is the opposite of 진짜 (the noun, 'real thing')?
3. In 이 라면 진짜 매워 ("this ramyeon is jinjja spicy"), what is 진짜 doing?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
What Does 괜찮아 (Gwaenchana) Mean?
After reacting with 진짜?, the next most-heard drama word is 괜찮아 — and it has more meanings than you'd guess.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.