[Learn][Korean] "인싸 vs 아싸" – Are You an Insider or an Outsider in Korea?

인싸 / 아싸 ❘ insider / outsider

If you’re learning Korean or interested in Korean culture, you might have heard the terms "인싸" (inssa) and "아싸" (assa). These are popular slang words used to describe socially active people (insiders) and more introverted or independent individuals (outsiders).

Let’s dive into what these words mean, how they are used in daily life, and which one you relate to more!

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1. What Do "인싸" and "아싸" Mean?

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The words "인싸" and "아싸" are short for:

• "인싸" (inssa) = 인사이더 (insider) → A person who is very social and well-connected
• "아싸" (assa) = 아웃사이더 (outsider) → A person who prefers solitude or stays away from large social circles

These words are commonly used among young Koreans, especially students and office workers, to describe different types of social behavior.

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2. Who is an "인싸" (Inssa)?

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An 인싸 (inssa) is someone who is active in social circles, enjoys making new friends, and is always part of events or trends.

Common Traits of an Inssa:

• Knows all the latest trends and slang
• Has a large group of friends and is often the center of attention
• Loves attending parties, group activities, and social gatherings
• Active on social media and enjoys sharing their daily life
• Often invited to events and knows what’s happening around them

Example Sentences:

• "저 친구 완전 인싸야!" (That friend is a total insider!)
• "인싸들은 이번 주말에 클럽 간대." (The insiders are going to the club this weekend.)
• "나도 인싸가 되고 싶어." (I also want to be an insider.)

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3. Who is an "아싸" (Assa)?

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An 아싸 (assa) is someone who prefers being alone or staying in a small, close-knit group rather than engaging in large social circles. Being an 아싸 doesn't mean a person is lonely or antisocial—it simply means they enjoy their own space and don’t actively seek social attention.

Common Traits of an Assa:

• Prefers spending time alone or with a small group of close friends
• Not very interested in social media or trends
• Avoids large gatherings or events
• Enjoys hobbies like reading, gaming, or solo activities
• Finds social interactions with too many people exhausting

Example Sentences:

• "난 그냥 아싸가 편해." (I’m just comfortable being an outsider.)
• "아싸라서 주말에 집에서 혼자 영화 봤어." (Since I’m an outsider, I stayed home and watched a movie alone on the weekend.)
• "인싸가 부럽지만 아싸도 나쁘지 않아." (I envy insiders, but being an outsider isn’t bad either.)

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4. "인싸" vs "아싸" – Which One Are You?

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Here’s a simple checklist to see whether you are more of an 인싸 or 아싸!

Question	인싸 (Inssa)	아싸 (Assa)
Do you enjoy meeting new people?	Yes!	Not really
Do you keep up with the latest trends?	Of course!	I don't care
Do you often get invited to parties?	Always!	Rarely
Do you feel energized in social gatherings?	Yes, I love it!	No, it drains me
Do you prefer staying home over going out?	No, I love going out	Yes, home is best

 

If you answered mostly "Yes" to the 인싸 column, you’re probably an inssa! If you answered more "Yes" in the 아싸 column, you might be an assa.

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5. Can You Be Both? ("반인싸 반아싸")

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Not everyone is a complete inssa or assa. Many people fall somewhere in between, enjoying social interactions sometimes but also cherishing alone time. Koreans often call this "반인싸 반아싸" (ban-inssa ban-assa), meaning "half-insider, half-outsider."

Example:

• "나는 반인싸 반아싸라서 가끔 모임 가고, 가끔 집에서 혼자 쉬어."
  (I’m half-insider, half-outsider, so sometimes I go to gatherings, and sometimes I just relax at home.)

This means you like socializing but also need time to recharge.

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6. How to Use "인싸" and "아싸" Naturally

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These words are often used in casual conversations among friends. Here are some examples of how Koreans use them in daily life:

• "요즘 유행하는 거 몰라? 너 완전 아싸네."
  (You don’t know the latest trend? You’re such an outsider.)
• "인싸들은 다 이 노래 안다고!"
  (All the insiders know this song!)
• "아싸 라이프가 최고야. 스트레스 받을 일 없잖아."
  (The outsider life is the best. No stress at all.)

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Final Thoughts

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"인싸" and "아싸" are fun and useful Korean slang words that describe social behavior in an entertaining way. Whether you’re an energetic inssa, a quiet assa, or a balanced "반인싸 반아싸", there’s no right or wrong way to be social.

So, are you an 인싸 or an 아싸? Or maybe a mix of both? Try using these words in your next conversation with Korean friends!