Texting, slang, and the words Koreans actually use every day.
ㅋㅋ and ㅎㅎ both mean laughter in Korean texts, but they don’t feel the same. ㅋㅋㅋ is a real laugh, one or two ㅎ is a friendly smile, and a single ㅋ can sound like teasing. The number of letters changes the meaning. Level: Beginner · TOPIK 1-2 If you text with Koreans, you will … Read more
Most Korean texting abbreviations keep only the first consonant of each syllable: 감사 (thanks) becomes ㄱㅅ, and 축하 (congrats) becomes ㅊㅋ. Here are 20 that Koreans use every day, what they mean, and who you can send them to. Level: Beginner · TOPIK 1-2 Open any Korean group chat and you will see strings like … Read more
Koreans rarely call people “you.” Instead, they use 씨 or 님 after a name, job titles, 선배 for seniors, and family words like 언니 and 오빠, even for friends. Which one you choose depends on age, gender, and how close you are. Level: Beginner · TOPIK 1-2 Getting this right is one of the fastest … Read more
너 means “you,” but Koreans only say it to close friends who are the same age or younger. With anyone else, it sounds rude. Most of the time, Koreans don’t say “you” at all. They use the person’s name, a title, or nothing. Level: Beginner · TOPIK 1-2 In English, “you” works for everyone: your … Read more