Most people would say that learning Korean slangs is one of the best ways to actually mastering the language itself. Well, in a way, that is indeed true as the biggest advantage of learning Korean slangs is that it helps you learn the language in its most rustic and native form.
Speaking a language like a native takes a little more effort than just joining a Korean language school in Singapore. Slangs don’t really follow the way a language actually works but they find an important place in daily conversations.
Youngsters, in particular, love to use slangs and native speakers speak naturally without experiencing any difficulty. There are numerous words that native speakers use, which find no place in the language textbooks. Korean slangs are usually best learnt while conversing with your Korean friends, colleagues and business associates.
Learning Korean slangs is imperative if you wish to speak like a native. You need to know that not all slangs are a complete word in themselves; some are abbreviations as well. In this article, we will look at some of the most popular Korean slangs that will make you sound more native.
Slangs often used by native Korean speakers:
- 짱Jiang – Well, this slang is often used when one wants to tell you that it’s the best or awesome. The youngsters usually use this expression when they find something too good to be true. Usually, you will find that most schools teach this slang first out of the rest as it is the most basic slang that should be etched in your memory.
- 베프beh peuh – Yes, go ahead and tell your Korean friend that he or she is your beh peuh. The word is equivalent to the English version of it known as “BFF”, also known as Best Friend Forever. Thus, if you have a Korean friend who indeed helps you when the chips are down then you can call your friend up and tell them he or she is your beh peuh.
- 대박 dae-bak – This is what you say when you’re ecstatic about something. Dae-bak is the expression used for something awesome, so don’t forget to use an exclamatory expression while using this slang. So, the next time you hear about your favourite football team winning the Champions League, you can say “Wow Dae-bak!”
- 치맥 chi-maek – The next time you go out partying with your Korean friends on a chilly winter morning, you can use the expression Chi-maek. It simply means that you’re craving for some chicken (chi) and Beer (maek).
- 헐 heul— If you have been attending Korean classes in Singapore for quite some time, you probably had the opportunity of learning this slang. It’s usually used when someone is surprised and is equivalent to the English expression, “Oh My God!”
- 콜 kol – It has the same direct meaning as the English expression, Sure or count me in. You can use this to tell your friends that you’re surely coming for a movie or event.
- 아싸 ah-ssa – It’s probably the easiest and most frequently used expression when you try to sound ecstatic. The English equivalent of this Korean expression is “Oh Yeah!”
The above are only some of the most commonly used Korean slangs; however, if you wish to sound really native then you can include more words and expressions. Pick up a couple of slangs, learn them and communicate with your Japanese peers but most importantly, have lots of fun while doing it.
