[Learn][Korean] Korean Internet & Text Slang – Master Korean Online Chat Like a Native!

korean slang

If you've ever seen Korean comments on social media or chatted with a Korean friend online, you might have noticed a lot of abbreviations, numbers, and unique expressions that aren’t in textbooks. These are part of Korean internet slang (인터넷 용어) and text slang (채팅 줄임말)—commonly used in messaging apps, forums, and social media.

Want to sound more like a native Korean speaker online? Let’s explore the most popular Korean internet and text slang!

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1. Basic Korean Text Abbreviations

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Koreans love to shorten words when texting. Here are some of the most commonly used chat abbreviations:

• ㅇㅇ (응응) – Yes / Yeah (casual)
  • A: 지금 바빠? (Are you busy now?)
  • B: ㅇㅇ (Yeah.)
• ㄴㄴ (노노) – No / Nope
  • A: 이거 볼래? (Do you want to watch this?)
  • B: ㄴㄴ, 관심 없어. (No, I’m not interested.)
• ㄱㄱ (고고) – Go-go! / Let’s go!
  • A: 우리 빨리 가야 돼! (We need to go quickly!)
  • B: ㄱㄱ! (Let’s go!)
• ㅂㅂ (바이바이) – Bye-bye
  • A: 잘 가! (Goodbye!)
  • B: ㅂㅂ~ (Bye-bye~)
• ㄷㄷ (덜덜) – Shaking (used when scared or impressed)
  • A: 이 시험 너무 어려웠어. (This exam was too hard.)
  • B: ㄷㄷ… (Oh wow… / I’m shaking…)
• ㅇㅋ (오케이) – OK
  • A: 내일 몇 시에 만나? (What time should we meet tomorrow?)
  • B: ㅇㅋ, 3시에 보자! (OK, let’s meet at 3!)
• ㅊㅋ (축하) – Congrats (from "축하해요")
  • A: 나 오늘 시험 100점 맞았어! (I got 100 on my test today!)
  • B: ㅊㅋㅊㅋ! (Congrats, congrats!)
• ㄱㅅ (감사) – Thanks (short for "감사합니다")
  • A: 도와줘서 ㄱㅅ! (Thanks for helping me!)
  • B: ㅇㅇ, 별거 아니야. (Yeah, no problem.)

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2. Numbers in Korean Internet Slang

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Koreans also use numbers to represent words, especially those that sound similar to Korean pronunciation.

• 8282 (빨리빨리) – Hurry up! (Because "8" sounds like "빨")
  • A: 8282 와! (Come quickly!)
• 1004 (천사) – Angel (천사 means angel, and 1004 reads as "cheon-sa")
  • A: 너는 내 1004야. (You’re my angel.)

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3. Popular Internet Slang Expressions

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Koreans use many fun, expressive phrases in online chats. These expressions make conversations more lively and relatable!

• ㅋㅋ (kekeke) – Hahaha (Korean version of "LOL")
  • A: 어제 개그맨 쇼 봤어? (Did you watch the comedy show yesterday?)
  • B: ㅋㅋ 완전 웃겼어! (Haha, it was hilarious!)
• ㅎㅎ (hehehe) – Soft laughter (less intense than ㅋㅋ)
  • A: 너 숙제 했어? (Did you do your homework?)
  • B: ㅎㅎ 아직 안 했어… (Hehe, not yet…)
• ㅁㄹ (몰라) – I don’t know (short for "몰라")
  • A: 이거 어떻게 해? (How do you do this?)
  • B: ㅁㄹ… 나도 몰라. (I dunno… I don’t know either.)
• ㅇㅈ (인정) – Agreed / I admit it
  • A: 이 영화 진짜 최고야! (This movie is the best!)
  • B: ㅇㅈ! (Agreed!)
• ㅎㄷㄷ (후덜덜) – Shocking / Unbelievable
  • A: 방금 뉴스 봤어? (Did you see the news just now?)
  • B: ㅎㄷㄷ… 말도 안 돼. (Whoa… That’s unbelievable.)
• ㄷㄷ (덜덜) – Nervous / Shaking
  • A: 내일 발표해야 돼. (I have to give a presentation tomorrow.)
  • B: ㄷㄷ… 힘내! (Oof… You got this!)

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4. Funny & Unique Internet Slang

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These expressions have no direct English translation, but they are widely used in Korean online communities.

• 갑분싸 (갑자기 분위기 싸해짐) – "The mood suddenly turned awkward."
  • 갑분싸 되는 말 하지 마! (Don’t say something that kills the mood!)
• 별다줄 (별걸 다 줄인다) – "Koreans shorten everything!"
  • 요즘 애들은 별다줄이 심해. (Kids these days shorten everything.)
• 억텐 (억지 텐션) – "Forcing excitement"
  • 저 사람 억텐 너무 심해. (That person is trying too hard to be energetic.)
• 반박불가 (반박할 수 없음) – "Can’t argue with that!"
  • BTS가 최고지? 반박불가! (BTS is the best, right? No argument!)
• TMI (Too Much Information) – Used exactly like in English
  • 그건 좀 TMI야… (That’s a little too much information…)

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Final Thoughts

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Korean internet and text slang constantly evolve, making online conversations shorter, faster, and more fun. If you want to sound more natural and trendy, try using these expressions in chats with Korean friends or on social media!

Which Korean slang word is your favorite? Try using ㅋㅋ, ㄱㄱ, or ㅇㅇ in your next online conversation!